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July 2017 Recognition
8 years ago
If you have seen National Geographic’s Taboo episode on Furries, which can be seen here, then you may be familiar with this month’s Furry Ambassador. Yes, I am recognizing Doctor Courtney “Nuka” Plante aka 
Nuka-kitty. Nuka has since obtained his Ph.D. in Psychology from University of Waterloo, in 2014. I do want to mention that it is NOT a necessity to have a Ph. D. to become a Furry Ambassador
With a doctorate in experimental psychology, Nuka does research which includes work on the role of fantasy in people's lives and the study of membership in fan groups, both approaches which contribute to his research on the furry fandom. Nuka also studies video game aggression, dehumanization and the detrimental effects of being overly nice. In Nuka’s own words “I am a doctor of psychology, I am a social psychologist. Which means I am not a clinical psychologist, which means I don’t care about your problems. I don’t get paid to.” In addition to being a social psychologist, Nuka is also a co-founder of the International Anthropomorphic Research Project.
Nuka has been collaborating with Dr. Kathy Gerbasi ("Dr. G") and several other social psychology researchers for the past several years in the scientific study of furries and the international furry fandom. Over the past six years, he as conducted research at Anthrocon, Texas Furry Fiesta, Oklacon, and Furnal Equinox. He has given talks about the furry research at numerous venues, and a number of guest lectures in university psychology and sociology courses. Nuka is a guest contributor for [adjective][species]
adjspecies and Fur What It's Worth. Nuka’s research has been published in several chapters of Furries Among Us, and has been featured in a variety of news outlets and magazines.
The free online publication of the book FurScience! A summary of five years of research from the International Anthropomorphic Research Project is an easy to read book detailing the results of years of research conducted by the members of the IARP. If, however, you want to listen to it instead with some humor added, then watch Nuka present Furry Psychology: 2017 at Texas Furry Fiesta, shown on YouTube. The information presented is significant, because The IARP’s years of research indicate that the furry fandom has literally prevented some youth from committing suicide, and yet furries occupy a disproportionately but ironically, socially acceptable stigmatized position in mainstream culture. Furries experience stigma due in part to the visually unique nature of furries in conjunction with incendiary, sensationalist media portrayals (e.g., CSI: Fur and Loathing in Las Vegas; 1000 Ways to Die; Vanity Fair etc.) which cast furries and the fandom as a deviant sexual fetish; if the fandom is about anything, it’s about friendship and community, which makes the mainstream media’s reduction of the fandom to a fetish insulting, and categorically & demonstrably inaccurate.
These inaccurate portrayals, combined with the public’s unfamiliarity with the fandom, make many furries (reasonably) fear discrimination and violence. Documented media and online incidents have stigmatized furries and made it difficult for them to “come out” or socialize for fear of negative repercussions, abuse, and ostracism. Many furries have faced emotional abuse, physical abuse, and bullying due to ignorance and intentional misrepresentations. Like other marginalized communities who have benefited from advocacy (e.g., LGBT), furries need evidence-based support to negate this pervasive stigma.
Given their prominent standing in the furry community, the team at the International Anthropomorphic Research Project has been contacted directly by the media on multiple topics. Nuka and his colleagues have continued to refute the outrageous claims received and present data in a clear and logical way in defense of furries.
Nuka loves the community and the science. He's an excellent scholar. All of the four cofounders have led the way for anthropomorphic research. The IARP is beginning to partner globally with other scholars and has made it possible to study anthropomorphic identities and be taken seriously, which is no small feat. The IARP has published over 30 papers and chapters. They’ve come a LONG way in a short time! The IARP team have dedicated a lot of blood, sweat, and tears to making a difference with the community.
Having spent years spent gathering data, reporting the facts, and showing the beneficial side of the furry community, the whole of the fandom is better off because of these efforts. Dr. Courtney “Nuka” Plante is given the prestigious title of being a Furry Ambassador. On behalf of the furry community, we thank you for all that you have done, and keep being awesome! And to use a quote from Nuka, “… share the love! The best way to counter negative press about furs is to amplify the good press!"
Nuka-kitty. Nuka has since obtained his Ph.D. in Psychology from University of Waterloo, in 2014. I do want to mention that it is NOT a necessity to have a Ph. D. to become a Furry AmbassadorWith a doctorate in experimental psychology, Nuka does research which includes work on the role of fantasy in people's lives and the study of membership in fan groups, both approaches which contribute to his research on the furry fandom. Nuka also studies video game aggression, dehumanization and the detrimental effects of being overly nice. In Nuka’s own words “I am a doctor of psychology, I am a social psychologist. Which means I am not a clinical psychologist, which means I don’t care about your problems. I don’t get paid to.” In addition to being a social psychologist, Nuka is also a co-founder of the International Anthropomorphic Research Project.
Nuka has been collaborating with Dr. Kathy Gerbasi ("Dr. G") and several other social psychology researchers for the past several years in the scientific study of furries and the international furry fandom. Over the past six years, he as conducted research at Anthrocon, Texas Furry Fiesta, Oklacon, and Furnal Equinox. He has given talks about the furry research at numerous venues, and a number of guest lectures in university psychology and sociology courses. Nuka is a guest contributor for [adjective][species]
adjspecies and Fur What It's Worth. Nuka’s research has been published in several chapters of Furries Among Us, and has been featured in a variety of news outlets and magazines.The free online publication of the book FurScience! A summary of five years of research from the International Anthropomorphic Research Project is an easy to read book detailing the results of years of research conducted by the members of the IARP. If, however, you want to listen to it instead with some humor added, then watch Nuka present Furry Psychology: 2017 at Texas Furry Fiesta, shown on YouTube. The information presented is significant, because The IARP’s years of research indicate that the furry fandom has literally prevented some youth from committing suicide, and yet furries occupy a disproportionately but ironically, socially acceptable stigmatized position in mainstream culture. Furries experience stigma due in part to the visually unique nature of furries in conjunction with incendiary, sensationalist media portrayals (e.g., CSI: Fur and Loathing in Las Vegas; 1000 Ways to Die; Vanity Fair etc.) which cast furries and the fandom as a deviant sexual fetish; if the fandom is about anything, it’s about friendship and community, which makes the mainstream media’s reduction of the fandom to a fetish insulting, and categorically & demonstrably inaccurate.
These inaccurate portrayals, combined with the public’s unfamiliarity with the fandom, make many furries (reasonably) fear discrimination and violence. Documented media and online incidents have stigmatized furries and made it difficult for them to “come out” or socialize for fear of negative repercussions, abuse, and ostracism. Many furries have faced emotional abuse, physical abuse, and bullying due to ignorance and intentional misrepresentations. Like other marginalized communities who have benefited from advocacy (e.g., LGBT), furries need evidence-based support to negate this pervasive stigma.
Given their prominent standing in the furry community, the team at the International Anthropomorphic Research Project has been contacted directly by the media on multiple topics. Nuka and his colleagues have continued to refute the outrageous claims received and present data in a clear and logical way in defense of furries.
Nuka loves the community and the science. He's an excellent scholar. All of the four cofounders have led the way for anthropomorphic research. The IARP is beginning to partner globally with other scholars and has made it possible to study anthropomorphic identities and be taken seriously, which is no small feat. The IARP has published over 30 papers and chapters. They’ve come a LONG way in a short time! The IARP team have dedicated a lot of blood, sweat, and tears to making a difference with the community.
Having spent years spent gathering data, reporting the facts, and showing the beneficial side of the furry community, the whole of the fandom is better off because of these efforts. Dr. Courtney “Nuka” Plante is given the prestigious title of being a Furry Ambassador. On behalf of the furry community, we thank you for all that you have done, and keep being awesome! And to use a quote from Nuka, “… share the love! The best way to counter negative press about furs is to amplify the good press!"
