Improving Openness and Animal Research in Greece – Free online event, Monday 23 November, 11:00 - 13:30 EET
The European Animal Research Association (EARA) and Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, with the support of FENS and the Society for Neuroscience, invite you to discuss how to improve openness in communications about animal research with the general public, political decision makers, and opinion formers in Greece.
You can register for the event here.
This online workshop is offered to those working in the life sciences sector and is designed to support researchers, communications staff and institutions that wish to be more open about the animal research they carry out. The focal theme of the workshop is to discuss why scientists, researchers, press officers and other stakeholders can and should talk about animal research; it is not a debate about the ethics of animal experimentation.
Openness in the public debate on animal research has been increasing in many European countries and research institutions. However, there is still significant reluctance within many academic institutions, and amongst scientists, towards conducting a more open and consistent dialogue with the public. Many scientists are still afraid that speaking more openly about their research and their motivations will make them targets, while others lack the confidence to put the case for animal research to what they view as a sceptical public and a potentially hostile media.
The discussion is relevant for members of institutions that are involved in animal research - directly or indirectly - and are currently hesitant to speak out in the media or to participate in public engagement activities. We hope that this workshop, and those hosted by EARA in other countries, will help to kickstart a cultural change and support research institutions to handle this issue constructively.
MODERATOR:
Kyriaki Sidiropoulou, University of Crete Kyriaki Sidiropoulou is an Assistant Professor of Neurophysiology at the Dept of Biology, University of Crete. She is currently the President of the Hellenic Society for Neuroscience. She studies the cellular mechanisms of learning and memory that mediate different functions of the prefrontal cortex, such as working memory, temporal integration of information.
SPEAKERS:
Kirk Leech, Executive Director, European Animal Research Association (EARA)
EARA is a communications and advocacy organisation whose mission is to uphold the interests of biomedical, and other life sciences, research and healthcare development across Europe. Previously Kirk worked for the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry and Understanding Animal Research, the UK’s leading advocacy group on the use of animals in medical research.
Dr. Anastasia Tsingotjidou, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
Anastasia Tsingotjidou is Asst. Prof. at the Lab. of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece. She manages the animal facility of the above mentioned lab and develops animal models related to neuroscience and/or neoplastic diseases. She is also the President of the Hellenic Society for Biomedical and Laboratory Animal Science.
Dr. Lida Arnellou, NCSR Demokritos
Lida Arnellou is a Post-Doctoral Researcher at SKEL Lab, NCSR Demokritos, working in the design of interactive exhibitions and educational programs. She has a PhD in Science Communication, from the Department of Social and Educational Policy, University of Peloponnese. Her research interests concern Science Communication, Informal Education and the Public Image of Science and Technology in the Media. Since 2016 she has been part of the editorial team of the Science and Technology insert "Prisma", of the newspaper Avgi.
Dr. Nikolaos. Kostomitsopoulos, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens
Dr Kostomitsopoulos is working in the Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens (BRFAA) as Senior Research Scientist, head of the Laboratory Animal Facilities. His scientific interests are focusing on the proper care and use of laboratory animals, the ethical evaluation of research protocols as well as the education and training of scientists working in the field of Laboratory Animal Science and Medicine. He is Chairman of the National Committee for the Welfare of Animals used for scientific purposes.