Natalia Doran

Natalia Doran is an independent scholar, author, and animal advocate based in London.

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Born in the former Soviet Union and educated at Moscow University of Linguistics, she has pursued a longstanding interest in philosophy and theology, with particular interests in ontology, ethics, theological anthropology, and the place of animals within Christian thought.

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Her book, The Christian Understanding of Animal Immortality: An Orthodox Perspective (Cambridge Scholars Publishing, 2026), explores the question of animal immortality within the Orthodox Christian tradition. Her work has also appeared in The Wheel, Public Orthodoxy, and a number of edited theological volumes and animal-protection publications.

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Natalia has presented papers at conferences organised by the International Orthodox Theological Association (IOTA), the European Academy of Religion, and the St John Chrysostom Orthodox Research Group. Her research focuses on the relationship between theology, ethics, and the non-human creation.

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Alongside her scholarly work, Natalia has been active in animal protection for many years. She is the founder and director of Urban Squirrels, a wildlife rescue and advocacy organisation, and serves on the governing council of Animal Aid, one of the United Kingdom's leading animal-protection organisations. She also served as a trustee of Pan-Orthodox Concern for Animals from 2020 to 2025.

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Her writing and public work are united by a common interest in the moral, philosophical, and theological significance of humanity's relationship with other animals.

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Current Roles

• Founder and Director, Urban Squirrels

• Council Member, Animal Aid

• Independent scholar of philosophy and theology