A study reveals – veganism is more than just a diet

Research shows that the number of people adopting a vegan diet will grow to 8.3 million by 2033. A KTU PhD student researching the phenomenon of veganism in Lithuania says that this dietary choice is often misinterpreted in the public sphere, which can be detrimental to its understanding.

Rūta Pelikšienė, a second-year PhD student in sociology at the Faculty of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts of Kaunas University of Technology, explains that veganism is a complex phenomenon, which encompasses not only a person’s choice of diet, but also a desire to contribute to reducing climate change.

“There are not many people who consider themselves vegan yet, so without direct exposure and experience of the phenomenon, the perception of veganism is mainly created by the media. Depending on how the discourse is created, the phenomenon can be normalised or, on the contrary, portrayed as an oddity that deviates from a normal lifestyle,” says Pelikšienė.

An alternative to polluted food systems

Pelikšienė’s pilot study revealed that most vegans base their choice on ethical and moral principles, mostly related to animal rights. However, veganism is often presented superficially in the media and public discourse, through recipes or dietary advice, as if it were just a means of dietary diversification.

Veganism is a crucial and relevant consideration in the context of climate change. According to Pelikšienė, the current food systems, primarily based on the consumption of animal products, are highly polluting, require large amounts of land and resources, and the greenhouse gases produced by this sector significantly contribute to the negative effects of climate change.

“There is currently a serious lack of a coherent and integrated approach to veganism in society. To promote acceptance of the phenomenon, the first step should be to find out how it is currently perceived, what information is lacking, what should be emphasised and what myths should be dispelled,” believes Pelikšienė.

A personal decision is necessary

KTU PhD student Rūta Pelikšienė believes that negative attitudes towards veganism can be transformed through education and scientific reasoning. She says that many people consume animal products for cultural or social reasons, such as habit, taste or tradition, but that a personal decision is often enough to change this.

“My research is based on close observation of the international academic context. This is important to me because the topic of veganism is under-researched in Lithuania and this is a new direction for my thesis. By observing the international context, I can see that this topic is becoming increasingly relevant around the world, and I would like to contribute to its development within the Lithuanian academic community,” says Pelikšienė.

She has just returned from the International Sociological Association conference in Morocco, where she had the opportunity to present her research. The KTU PhD student adds that doctoral studies open unlimited opportunities to gain experience both internationally and in Lithuania.

“During almost two years of my PhD, I have realised that the possibilities are almost limitless – the most important thing is initiative. If you want to do an internship abroad, there are plenty of options. If you want to teach, all you have to do is talk to your thesis supervisor. If you’re interested in working on projects, your colleagues will help you get involved. One of the biggest challenges for me at the moment is to stop and concentrate on my dissertation, because there are more activities and invitations to take part than I have time to accept,” says Rūta with a smile.