Last month, Researcher Network member, Jana Krizanova, introduced Part 1 of her project update discussing pioneering research into veganism, happiness and wellbeing. Now in Part 2, she summarises how her work was received at the International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies (ISQOLS) conference, held in September 2019 in the Mediterranean area of Andalusia.
Research relating to veg*anism and wellbeing is currently booming across multifaceted scientific perspectives due to its demonstratable positive impact on health and the environment. Recently, this relationship was introduced at the 2019 conference for the International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies (ISQOLS).
Much vegan-related research already underlines the health benefits of veg*anism for the nutritional superiority of plant-based diets. However, we should not ignore the richness of the veg*an identity that makes an important contribution to different outcomes in relation to the design of a long-term wellbeing. Until now, many scholars have explored the complex relationship between veg*an identities and different levels in their subjective wellbeing. Although there are numerous research contributions aiming to shed more light on why veg*ans do not always enjoy increased levels of mental wellbeing, my research specifically suggests that we should consider 'relatedness to nature' as a mediating effect between happiness and veg*anism - something that previous studies into wellbeing and veganism have not directly considered. Interestingly, this novel approach has brought a new wave of awareness in the field of veg*anism with respect to the importance of connectedness to our natural and social environments. This approach can be seen to counteract 'phases' of veg*anism where connectedness to nature has not been developed yet to a high level.
Through my contribution to the conference, veg*anism has helped to enrich the objectives of research in the field of quality-of-life, happiness, and wellbeing. Despite being a new area in Quality-Of-Life studies, this novel approach to understanding veganism and wellbeing was very well accepted among international scientists and professionals from a range of disciplines, including several environmental and social protection groups.
As such, I would like to encourage all contributors of the Vegan Society Researcher Network to daringly spread the scope of influence of your valuable work in the field of veganism. Our individual contributions ignite the spark of curiosity for collaborations and contributions from rich fields of academic and private spheres and make this transition towards a better world possible.
Researcher Network member, Jana Krizanova, University of Granada, Spain.
The views expressed by our Research News contributors are not necessarily the views of The Vegan Society.
