← Project Dragonfly1 May · 43 min
Why I Ask My Research Subjects for Consent (Even the Ones with Trunks) with Dr. Michelle Szydlowski
<p>Imagine standing perfectly still as a multi-ton elephant leans in, pressing its forehead directly against yours. For Dr. Michelle Szydlowski, this wasn't a moment of terror, but one of profound communication. In the world of elephant tourism in Nepal, Michelle doesn't just study animals; she studies relationships. As an anthrozoologist, she explores the messy, beautiful, and often misunderstood bond between captive elephants and their "mahouts"—the caregivers whose lives are inextricably linked to theirs.Michelle breaks down the "sanctuary myth" and moves us past Western labels of "good" or "bad" to look at the ground-level reality of conservation. From building popsicle-stick slides for salamanders as a child to navigating the complex caste systems of Nepal as a researcher, Michelle’s journey is one of radical inclusion. She shares how her own neurodivergence became a "superpower" in the field, allowing her to read the non-verbal cues of elephants in a way others might miss.Tune in to hear:-- The "Consent" Protocol: How Michelle asks an elephant for permission before beginning her research.-- The Mahout Gap: Why a 4,000-year-old tradition is shifting from an elite calling to a low-wage, low-status job for untrained youth.-- Dogs vs. Cats: A surprisingly accurate field guide to the personalities of rhinos versus elephants.</p>
podlinkr.com/en/project-dragonfly/8684088825443267
For a poster or slide.