Canadian scientists are rock stars: insulin, the discovery of stem cells, the marriage of French fries, gravy and cheese curds—truly, the world is a better place for them. But that’s all small potatoes compared to the barriers being smashed at the University of Waterloo in Ontario, where academics dare ask the tough question: “What’s up with furries?”
The furry community is far from fringe. The fetish, which involves dressing up as plush animals and adhering to a code of conduct and behaviors, is now the subject of an actual discipline. In an article by TheStranger.com, we meet Dr. Sharon E. Roberts, associate professor at Renison University College at the University of Waterloo. Roberts is the cofounder of the International Anthropomorphic Research Project, or IARP, and is considered the top expert in this field. (Best business card ever.)
