How we share information about our animal research

We set ourselves the highest ethical standards. Some of our work involves working with animals when there is no other alternative. We believe it is important to be open and transparent about this work.

Concordat on Openness on Animal Research in the UK

In 2014 we joined 72 UK organisations involved in the biosciences in signing the first Concordat on Openness on Animal Research.
As signatories, we pledged to be open and transparent in our communications about how we use animals in our research.

The number of signatories to the Concordat has now grown to over 100 institutions dedicated to accountable and trustworthy reporting of their work.

As signatories, we made four specific commitments:

• We will be clear about when, how and why we use animals in research.
• We will enhance our communications with the media and the public about our research using animals.
• We will be proactive in providing opportunities for the public to find out about research using animals.
• We will report on progress annually and share our experiences.

What does signing the Concordat mean in practice?

As signatories to the Concordat, we pledge to be open about our animal research.

Whether it’s a feature on our website, press release, teaching staff and students, or by other methods, we provide accurate descriptions of the benefits, harms and limitations of our research.

When we report on our work, we are realistic about whether – and to what extent – findings from our animal research can be translated into benefits for humans.

We are also committed to explaining how and why we use various species of animals and what scientific advances arise from that research.

How does Queen Mary share information on animal research with the public?

We hope that this section of the Queen Mary website helps to explain and inform people about the work with animals that takes place at the University.

In addition, we support and encourage our researchers to explain their work and their use of animals in that work to the media, as well as in other ways, such as school visits, and other public events.

Centre of the Cell

Queen Mary is also fortunate to have the Centre of the Cell, our science education centre based at our Blizard Institute in Whitechapel, east London. The Centre is the first science education centre in the world to be located within working biomedical research laboratories. This means that visitors are able to see our research scientists at work.

The Centre discusses animal experimentation in the ethics section of its website and in the Pod itself, where school children and other visitors can learn about cells, genetics, the human body and the latest medical research.