Communicating animal research - why and how!

Organized by:

• Fondazione Guido Bernardini (FGB)
• University of Bergen
• Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens

Additional contributors

• Understanding Animal Research
• RSPCA
• AAALAC

Aim of event: To improve communications on animal research

Learning outcomes for participants 

• Increased awareness of the importance of clear, transparent and open communication and proactive engagement with the public on matters relating to animal research

• Improved understanding of how to communicate about animal research (e.g. where, what and how).

• Improved communication skills (including oral, visual and written) 

Target audience: Scientists/researchers; laboratory animal veterinarians; animal technologists and other animal care personnel; members of local, regional or national ethics committees; competent authorities and regulators; press or public relations officers.
 

Topics to be addressed

Why is it important to talk about animal research?

• What do the public want to know about animal research?

  • the science, ethical and animal welfare issues, harms and benefits, regulations?

• Types of communication

• ‘Shop-window’ - websites and social media content

• Public engagement - face to face communication

• Media - broadcast information (what does the media want or ‘expect’)

• Internal (within institution) communication

• Proactive versus reactive communication

• Openness versus defensiveness

• Communicating versus ‘engaging’?

• Challenges I - how to communicate complex information in lay language (including writing of NTS) 

• Challenges II - being open about harms to animals and scientific limitations of animal research 

Practice- Workshop

• Writing NTS

• Social media

• Interview practice with a professional journalist (optional)

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