UAR is delighted to announce the Concordat’s first set of Leaders in Openness for 2019 – 2022.
Five years ago UAR launched the Concordat on Openness on Animal Research in the UK, a set of commitments for life-science organisations to increase their animal research communications.
- 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
Over these five years we have seen Concordat signatories produce websites with a wealth of information relating to the animal research they carry out, fund, or support. Signatories have taken significant steps to change the culture around the use of animals in research, developing internal communications strategies, working with local and national press to share animal research stories, and creating engaging activities so that the public can find out more.
The annual Openness Awards recognise the innovation and courage shown by individuals and their organisations in supporting greater openness around the use of animals in research. Great steps have been taken, and it is now time to recognise and encouraging those organisations that build lasting change by applying best-practice, taking significant and often risky or costly steps to change the way that everyone thinks about animal research.
The Leaders in Openness award will recognise those organisations who commit considerable resource and energy to following best practice, embedding openness within their organisations, and making the aims of the Concordat a reality. These organisations are essential to moving the conversation forward and embedding change in the sector. In recognising their achievement we hope to share their practices more widely, supporting similar organisations to adopt further steps towards openness.
The Openness Awards that celebrate projects and particular achievements will continue, but to be a Leader shows a commitment to developing and implementing structures and processes that support openness. The Leaders are those who consistently take up recommended best practices, putting them at the leading edge, driving openness and showing how these changes can be effectively implemented across different organisations.
Concordat signatories need to apply for this status, showing how they meet the criteria and where leadership status is granted, it is held for three years. The applications are assessed by a public-panel and by two peers, drawn from a pool of volunteers.
The 13 new Leaders in Openness for 2019 – 2022 are:
The Institute of Cancer Research
Motor Neurone Disease Association
Bella Williams, Head of Engagement at UAR states “I am delighted to announce our first Leaders in Openness for 2019 – 2022. These organisations have shown tremendous leadership and innovation in fulfilling the objectives of the Concordat on Openness on Animal Research and I hope they will inspire other organisations.”