Continuing the 2026 Spotlight Series: Navigating the Uncomfortable
Published: 18 June 2026
On 18 June 2026, the AWERB Culture of Care Committee hosted the second installment of its Spotlight Seminar Series, 'Navigating the uncomfortable.' Dr Dorothy McKeegan led an insightful, interactive discussion examining the ethical complexities and emotional challenges of animal euthanasia. The session resonated strongly across our community, drawing widespread engagement and exceptionally positive feedback from attendees.
On 18 June 2026, the AWERB Culture of Care Committee hosted the second installment of its 2026 Spotlight Seminar Series, themed 'Navigating the uncomfortable.' The series is designed to tackle sensitive topics directly, encouraging staff to lean into friction to foster transparent communication, resilient relationships, and overall professional wellbeing.
Dr Dorothy McKeegan (University of Glasgow), an expert in pain, humane endpoints, and animal welfare assessment, led an engaging session focusing on the euthanasia of research animals. Rather than avoiding an emotionally demanding topic that touches all facility personnel and researchers, Dr McKeegan examined the ethical nuances, personal impacts, and daily difficulties inherent in humane killing.
The interactive format provided an open, reflective forum for technicians, researchers, and veterinary staff to share perspectives and discuss coping strategies. The event generated significant engagement and received overwhelmingly positive feedback from attendees, underscoring the vital importance of creating safe spaces within our culture of care to discuss the challenging realities of working with animals.
First published: 18 June 2026