Animal Research

We're committed to the Concordat on Openness in Animal Research to improve transparency in this area of research.

We fully support and endorse the Animal Research: Reporting of In Vivo Experiments guidelines, developed as part of a National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research initiative to improve the design, analysis and reporting of animal research.

Research at the University involving animals is expected to meet all four of the following conditions:

• the research is likely to produce a useful scientific outcome
• there is no satisfactory alternative to using animals
• the minimum number of animals necessary to produce meaningful results will be used in conducting the research
• the study minimises the harm to animals wherever possible.

We're also committed to not just meeting, but wherever possible exceeding, legal standards for the husbandry, care and use of animals. Care of animals is in the hands of trained, experienced and dedicated staff.

Work involving regulated procedures is licensed and strictly regulated by the Home Office under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, and the University and its researchers are subject to inspection by the Home Office who examine all aspects of animal research, care and welfare.

There are three levels of licensing that are required before any regulated work is performed:

• The place (establishment licence)
• The project (project licence)
• The person (personal licence)