Animal Welfare

Two Zebra Finches, a male and a female, sit side-by-side. The male is colourful and in the foreground, the female is pale coloured but is in focus.
Two Zebra Finches, a male and a female, sit side-by-side. The male is colourful and in the foreground, the female is pale coloured but is in focus.

Culture of Care webpages

Mon, 08 Dec 2025 14:58:00 GMT

New Culture of Care webpages are now live! Explore resources, guidance, and updates on our committee’s work to support animal welfare and a positive research environment. Check out upcoming events, learn more about our initiatives, and share your thoughts using our feedback form - we’d love to hear from you.

Main building and tower from park at sunset, students on bench in foreground
Main building and tower from park at sunset, students on bench in foreground

Connecting Research and Care: Glasgow’s Tech Talks

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 17:45:00 BST

In 2025, the University of Glasgow’s Culture of Care committee launched a successful series of "Tech Talks" to bridge the gap between researchers and animal care staff. Featuring 13 presentations on topics ranging from malaria to dopamine signalling, these sessions fostered mutual respect and shared expertise. Following overwhelmingly positive feedback, the series continues into 2026, serving as a cornerstone for institutional collaboration.

A man thinking in front of a wall of notes
A man thinking in front of a wall of notes

Advancing Science and Ethics: Experimental Design Workshop

Sat, 01 Mar 2025 17:52:00 GMT

In March 2025, the AWERB Culture of Care Committee hosted "Smart Experimental Design: Stronger Conclusions, Fewer Animals" at the University of Glasgow. This in-person workshop brought together researchers and experts from Glasgow, Bayreuth, and the NC3Rs to discuss study robustness and animal welfare. The event’s success, marked by high engagement and positive feedback, has paved the way for expanded experimental design programming in the future.

A co2 molecule on a pale blue background
A co2 molecule on a pale blue background

Spotlight on Schedule 1: Advancing Refinement and Evidence-Based Euthanasia Practices

Sat, 01 Jun 2024 17:57:00 BST

In June 2024, the Culture of Care Committee hosted the "Spotlight on Schedule 1" symposium, a major online event focused on the ethical and welfare challenges of CO2 euthanasia. Attended by 137 professionals nationwide, the session facilitated a critical shift toward a harm-benefit approach in method selection. The symposium’s impact has already led to policy revisions at the University of Glasgow and is driving a new initiative to evolve the culture surrounding Schedule 1 choices.

The Gilmorehill Campus viewed from high up by drone
The Gilmorehill Campus viewed from high up by drone

Mapping Refinement: Institutional Survey Explores Transition to Oral Tamoxifen

Mon, 01 Apr 2024 18:02:28 BST

In April 2024, the Culture of Care Committee conducted an institutional survey to evaluate tamoxifen administration practices. With 32 responses across all research roles, the findings revealed that while IP injection remains the standard, over half of researchers observed adverse effects like weight loss. The survey established a clear roadmap for refinement, identifying that shared validation data and technical support are key to helping groups transition to oral methods.