Dr. Kate Brelje, assistant professor of philosophy, organized and chaired the panel “Philosophers in the Field: Philosophers in Public Policy/Public Institutions” for the 2026 Pacific Division conference of the American Philosophical Association held April 10. She shared her experience as philosopher-in-residence for the nonprofit Veterinarian Association for Farm Animal Welfare.

In addition, Brelje presented her paper, “When Goddess is Commodified: The Resistance of Tulsi (Holy Basil) Packaged for Western Wellness,” on The Travelling Medicine Bag panel at the 3rd International Conference on Global Plant Humanities held May 7. In her presentation, she argues that, despite the particular harms resulting from the industrial processing of sacred medicinal plants, both plants and humans can engage in resistance to these extractive and disrespectful systems and acts.