On 15 January 2026, CETE-P hosted a public lecture by Alasdair Cochrane, a leading political theorist from University of Sheffield, titled "The Informal Representation of Animals", attended by researchers, students, and members of the wider public with interests in political theory and animal ethics.

The lecture addressed the "political turn" in animal ethics, focusing on forms of representation that take place outside formal political institutions. While much existing work concentrates on how nonhuman animals might be represented within redesigned decision-making structures, Cochrane shifted attention to activist practices in which groups already claim to speak and act on behalf of animals. He outlined the specific challenges that arise in such informal settings, especially questions concerning how animals' interests are identified and how representatives can be held accountable. The lively discussion that followed demonstrated the strong resonance of these themes with ongoing work at CETE-P, as well as their wider relevance for contemporary ethical and political debates.

The lecture formed part of a preparation visit for a Twinning application under the Horizon Europe framework, an EU scheme aimed at strengthening research collaboration and capacity building among European institutions. The visit brought together partners from CETE-P, the University of Sheffield, and the University of Vienna, and served to consolidate cooperation within the Twinning consortium.