Dr Daniel Allen is a British author making a name for himself in the world of animal/nature writing. His first book, Otter, was released as part of Reaktion Books Animal series in September 2010. Virginia McKenna OBE described the book as ‘the most brilliant mix of facts ancient and modern about the otter species’. A second title, Squirrel, will be published as part of the series in 2013.
Daniel is the creator and editor of Reaktion Books fascinating new Earth series. Written by experts who are passionate about their subject, it is the first of its kind to trace the historical significance of natural phenomena and the cultural history of natural resources. The Earth series, which will be launched in May 2012, has already had positive reviews. The Chief Executive of the Geographical Association wrote: ‘They keep our attention. They are great geography. These books will get us reading geography for pleasure.’ David Bellamy also praised the concept: ‘What a fantastic idea, science and culture brought down to earth. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.’
In his current project, ‘Animal Obsessions. True Stories from a Pet-Loving Nation’, Daniel is exploring the UK in a bid to find the perfect pet.
Background
Daniel comes from an academic background. His undergraduate degree, BSc Geography, was completed at the University of Central Lancashire in 2001. After graduating with first class honours, he moved to the University of Nottingham. There he obtained an MA in Landscape and Culture in 2002, and a PhD in Human Geography in 2006. Awards from the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) funded both his postgraduate degrees: MA (Award No. 01/1248) and PhD (Award No. 02/63215).
Since completing doctoral research, Daniel has enjoyed his time as a bookseller (Waterstone’s), lecturer (Human Geography at Keele University), writer and editor. In his editorial role with Reaktion Books he created the new Earth series; then identified and commissioned over 30 expert authors from across the world. As series editor he continues to monitor and edit all future titles. Alongside this, Daniel is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, an affiliate member of the Otter Specialist Group, and a columnist and feature writer for Small Furry Pets and several other animal magazines.
Research and Scholarship
Daniel’s doctoral research focused on four main areas: (i.) nature-society interactions; (ii.) human / non-human relations; (iii.) landscape and identity; and (iv.) the perceptions and realities of field sports. His PhD, The cultural and historical geographies of otter hunting in Britain, 1830-1939, engaged with each of these.
Daniel’s first book, Otter, was published in September 2010 as part of Reaktion Books pioneering animal series. This accessible academic text is aimed at the general reader. It shows how the animal’s identity has been shaped by a variety of human interactions, ranging from folkloric tales, traditional practices, commercial enterprise, sport, popular literature, cinema, television and conservation. By unravelling this complicated cultural history, Otter offers a new way of understanding the animal.
Publications
Books
Daniel Allen (2013) Animal Obsessions. True Stories from a Pet-Loving Nation
Ruth Kirk and Daniel Allen (2013, under contract) Snow, Reaktion Books, London
Daniel Allen (2012, under contract) Squirrel, Reaktion Books, London
Daniel Allen (2010) Otter, Reaktion Books, London
Book Chapters
Daniel Allen (2007) ‘Chapter 6: A delightful sport with ‘peculiar’ claims: the specificities of otter hunting, 1850-1939,’ in Hoyle, R. (ed.) Our hunting fathers: field sports in England after 1850. Carnegie Publishing, Lancaster, pp. 143-164
Entries in Edited Volumes
Danel Allen, ‘Animal Blood Sports, British Isles,’ (2012) in Nauright, J. (ed.) Sports Around the World: History, Culture, Practice. 3 vols. ABC-CLIO, Santa Barbara
Magazine Articles
Daniel Allen, ‘Pet Nation. A House Skunk in Hampshire’, Small Furry Pets, Summer 2012, pp. tbc
Daniel Allen, ‘Otters of the World’, Small Furry Pets, Issue 2, Spring 2012, pp.50-53
Daniel Allen, ‘Countrycall. An Otter delight’, Evergreen, Winter 2011, pp. 22-25
Papers in Progress (2012)
Daniel Allen, ‘River Valleys, Hunted Otters and Identity in Nineteenth Century Britain,’ Journal of Historical Geography
Daniel Allen, ‘Confronting Animal Cruelty: Institutional Opposition to Blood Sports in Britain, 1800-1919,’ History Workshop Journal
Daniel Allen, ‘The curious case of the otter in twentieth century Britain,’ Environment and History (special issue). Abstract
Daniel Allen, Peter Knight, Peter Adey, and Miriam Burke, ‘Intercalating art and science in a cross-disciplinary environment,’ Journal of Geography in Higher Education
Conference Papers (2011)
Daniel Allen, ‘Animal Geography. Status: Endangered?’ Abstract.
RGS-IBG 2011. Session: ‘Animal Geography. Status: Endangered?’
Daniel Allen, ‘Speaking for Animals in the Age of Television.’ Abstract.
RGS-IBG 2011. Session: ‘Animal Geography. Status: Endangered?’
Daniel Allen, David Matless, Carl Phillips, and Charles Watkins, ‘In pursuit of Duncombe-Jewell.’ Abstract.
RGS-IBG 2011. Session: ‘Me, myself and the archive: reflecting on encounters and enchantments’
Conference Papers (2012)
Daniel Allen, ‘Squirrel Meat and Roadkill: Geographies of Alternative Meat-Eating in the UK?’ Abstract.
Daniel Allen, ‘Foreign Bodies in a Familiar Landscape: Understanding Human-Animal Relations at Monkey Forest.’
