UKRIO research integrity webinar: Research involving animals

 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm, Wednesday 24 February 2021

Overview 

The second webinar of the 2021 monthly series from the UK Research Integrity Office will focus on research involving animals. This webinar will explore the revised UKRIO research integrity primer on research involving animals and its intended use will be discussed, the issues surrounding legal and ethical acquisition of animal material for use in research and the ethical review of Non A(SP)A research. 

Speakers

Dr Nikki Osborne will give an overview of the revised UKRIO research integrity primer on research involving animals. This document is intended as a reference tool to aid organisations to support the responsible use of research, irrespective of whether it falls within the licenced controls of the Animals in Scientific Procedures Act (ASPA), or not. It highlights the main points for research integrity officers, research ethics committee members and others involved in the purchase or use of ethically sourced animals and animal derived research materials to consider in relation to local policies, procedures and training. The primer also contains example policies and forms, as well as links to useful tools and resources that can use to develop organisations management and oversight of common issues that exist within Life Science research disciplines.

Catherine McCarthy will present an overview of the current review of the acquisition and use of animal materials and more broadly non-human materials in research, that is currently being undertaken at the Wellcome Sanger Institute. As part of this, the presentation will highlight the considerations that are contributing to this process, as well as the breadth of scope that is necessary given the differing scenarios in which material is/can be obtained. Catherine will also introduce a collaborative piece of work which seeks to produce a consistent approach that addresses both the scientific and education sector. This group aims to ultimately where possible, standardise the approach to reviewing and obtaining assurances of legal and ethical sourcing to mitigate reputational risk and to promote and champion the standards, transparency and co-operation that we look for.

Andy Cunningham will present the ethical review of Non A(SP)A activities at the University of Sussex. In addition to the requirement to perform Ethical Review on Projects performed under Project Licences granted by the Home Office the University of Sussex has committed to performing ethical review on research and teaching activities not regulated by the Home Office. The University has developed a process for researchers and lecturers to submit application for non-regulated projects for review, initially, by the Named Animal Care and Welfare Officer and Named Veterinary Surgeon and also the full ARG where appropriate. The aspiration of the University is to ensure that any animal use the University perform or collaborate on irrespective of location is subject to ethical review.

If you need advice relating to a particular research project, publication, problem, or allegation of misconduct, please contact UKRIO direct, so we can give you the right level of support: https://ukrio.org/get-advice-from-ukrio/

Programme  

Speaker Biographies

Dr Nikki Osborne is Founder of Responsible Research in Practice

Dr Nikki Osborne is a leading expert on the implementation of research integrity, ethics and responsible conduct in relation to animal research and the laboratory animal sciences. She is also a volunteer advisor to UKRIO on animal research issues and author of the UKRIO research primer on research involving animals. Currently, Nikki provides specialist training and consultancy services focussing on the practical implementation and delivery of best practice, through her company, Responsible Research in Practice. Prior to 2015, Nikki was a member of the Research Animals Department of the RSPCA for 10+ years. During this time, she worked with research funders, regulators, journal editors and other stakeholder organisations to promote animal welfare and implementation of the 3Rs.

Catherine McCarthy is Compliance Manager at the Wellcome Sanger Institute

Catherine McCarthy is Compliance Manager at the Wellcome Sanger Institute and is responsible for enabling the legal and ethical acquisition of non-human materials for research on site. Catherine’s previous experience working to A(SP)A legislation and more recently, her focus on the implementation of and expertise building around the Nagoya Protocol and Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) in order to support the science taking place, has provided a varied foundation upon which her role is now built upon. As part of the global initiative to sequence all eukaryotic life on Earth, Catherine is a member of the Ethical, Legal and Social Issues (ELSI) committee of the Earth Biogenome Project (EBP) which has contributed to the creation of the regulatory framework around the receipt of animal materials for the Sanger Institute’s new programme ‘Tree of Life’. Catherine acts as the point of contact for Sanger Institute researchers who wish to utilise non-human material as part of their investigations.

Andy Cunningham is the Manager of the Biomedical Research Facility, Named Animal Care and Welfare Officer, Named Information Officer and Home Office Liaison Contact, at University of Sussex

Andy is the Named Animal Care and Welfare Officer, Named Information Officer and Home Office Liaison Contact. Andy has been active in the industry for 40 years and has worked in the pharmaceutical, commercial, academic, contract research and government sectors. A Fellow of the Institute of Animal Technology and a registered Animal Technician Andy served on the Institute of Animal Technology Council for many years holding Vice Chair, Membership Secretary and Treasurer positions. Andy is committed to ensuring that the ethical review process at the University reviews all use of animals in research and teaching and developing processes for reviewing the use of animal derived products.

James Parry is Chief Executive at UK Research Integrity Office 

James is the Chief Executive of the UK Research Integrity Office. Joining UKRIO in 2006, he took up his current role in 2008, overseeing UKRIO's transition to a registered charity supported by more that 100 research organisations.

He directs UKRIO’s work programme and leads its advisory service, responding to queries and concerns about research practice from researchers and the public. He developed UKRIO’s core guidance publications, such as its Code of Practice for Research, which are used by many leading research organisations.

James works with UKRIO’s subscribers and the wider UK research community to provide them with tailored support on research practice. He regularly speaks on how to sustain and enhance research integrity; audiences have included the Royal Society, the Nuffield Council on Bioethics, the Irish National Forum on Research Integrity, the UK Research Integrity Forum and the World Conference on Research Integrity.

James has collaborated in numerous initiatives to support research integrity. He has worked with the Royal Society and other bodies on initiatives to effect positive change to research culture, assisted with the revision of the UK Concordat to Support Research Integrity, revised policies and systems for research integrity and governance at many universities, and regularly delivers training and discussion sessions at UK research organisations.

Prior to joining UKRIO, James worked as an archaeologist and a university administrator.

Future UKRIO events: For further information on future events in the webinar series, or other UKRIO events and training, please visit our website.

UKRIO welcomes suggestions for topics which we could explore in our webinar series. If you have any suggestions or comments, please contact us.

Disclaimer: the views presented are not necessarily those of the UK Research Integrity Office.