Announcing the 2026–2027 CALS Academic Fellows

The Center for Animal Law Studies (CALS) is delighted to announce Daijah Paris Valentine and Sierra Barnes as our 2026–2027 CALS Academic Fellows.

Established to support exceptional in-person Animal Law LLM and MSL candidates, the CALS Academic Fellowships reflect the Center’s commitment to cultivating the next generation of animal advocates while also advancing faculty research. Each fellowship provides a full-tuition scholarship alongside a generous living stipend. As part of the fellowship, Daijah and Sierra will complete a year-long externship working alongside CALS faculty, providing vital research support while building their own expertise.

Daijah Paris Valentine (LLM Fellow)

Daijah Paris Valentine comes to CALS with an exceptional record in animal law theory, focusing on transforming how legal, political, and social systems recognize and respond to animal sentience. She earned her LLB from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), where her dissertation on farmed animal welfare law was awarded the prestigious LSE Dean’s Medal for Best Law Undergraduate Dissertation. This September, she’ll complete her LLM at LSE, specializing in Law, Politics, and Social Change. Throughout her studies, Daijah pursued animal law despite the absence of a formal curriculum, carving her own path through interdisciplinary coursework. She has presented at UK animal law conferences, led student research initiatives, and engaged with policy change advocates at the House of Commons.

Daijah’s commitment to animal protection is rooted in her bond with Rambo, her childhood dog, who inspired her understanding of animals as sentient beings deserving of justice. Looking ahead, she aims to advance animal law by bridging scholarship with practice. “Grounded in my experience and the systemic harms animals face, my work lies at the intersection of animal law scholarship, practice, and social change,” says Daijah. “The CALS Fellowship amplifies this trajectory … I can contribute my dedication and interdisciplinary perspective to faculty scholarship while growing meaningfully as a leader in the field through rigorous, supportive, and inspirational collaboration.”

Sierra Barnes (MSL Fellow)

Sierra Barnes brings a strong foundation in political research and hands-on legislative advocacy to the MSL program. A recent graduate of Lewis & Clark College (BA ’26), Sierra’s dedication to animal advocacy came into focus through her undergraduate coursework, which included taking two animal law classes at Lewis & Clark Law School and attending the national Animal Law Conference with CALS. Her past advocacy includes serving as a volunteer lobbyist for the Society for the Protection of Insects, where she researched data on industrial insect production and helped draft legislation, as well as working as a legislative intern in the Colorado House of Representatives.

Looking toward the future, Sierra wants to focus on confronting animal exploitation in industrial agriculture and medical research through systemic legal reform, legislative and corporate lobbying, and grassroots organizing. Her diverse background, spanning water rights issues at a Colorado farm, community organizing to combat factory farming and the fur trade, and membership in the Lewis & Clark animal rights and pre-law clubs, prepares her to maximize the MSL curriculum. “I believe one of the best ways we as animal advocates can pursue systemic reform is through legislative lobbying and litigation,” reflects Sierra. “I know that with an MSL degree, I will be a better-informed professional and a better animal advocate in whatever path I pursue after graduating.”

Interested in becoming a CALS Academic Fellow? We will soon be opening applications for our Center for Animal Law Studies (CALS) Academic Fellowships for the 2027–2028 academic year. Each CALS Academic Fellowship provides a full-tuition scholarship (up to 27 credits) along with a generous living stipend of $10,000 per semester (for two semesters), enabling CALS Fellows to focus on their studies while engaging with fellowship work and immersing themselves in the broader animal law community at Lewis & Clark Law School. CALS Fellows undertake a 2-3 credit externship with CALS faculty members in Fall and Spring. Check back here for the Animal Law LLM and here for the Animal Law MSL. 

The Center for Animal Law Studies (CALS) was founded in 2008 with a mission to educate the next generation of animal law advocates and advance animal protection through the law. With vision and bold risk-taking, CALS has since developed into a world-renowned animal law epicenter. CALS’ Alumni-in-Action from 30+ countries are making a difference for animals around the world. The advanced degree program is offered in-person and online. CALS is a self-funded Center within the law school operating under the Lewis & Clark College 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, and is able to provide these educational opportunities through donations and grants.