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Improving transparency around animal research - Hungary event


Improving Openness and Animal Research in Hungary – Free event, Friday 04 December, 14:00 - 16:30 CET


The European Animal Research Association (EARA) and University of Pécs, 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 Hungary.


You can register for the event here.


This 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:

Dr Istvan Hernadi, University of Pécs

István Hernádi is principal investigator at the University of Pécs, head of the Grastyán Translational Research Centre working in the field of translational behavioural pharmacology. He has been the chair of the Animal Welfare Committee of the University of Pécs since 2013 where he is responsible for the University's course about animal research. He was a member of the FENS CARE committee for 4 years (2016-2020) and takes an active role in different international research and animal welfare networks (PRIMTRAIN).

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 István Ulbert, Pázmány Péter Catholic University, FENS CARE chair

István Ulbert received his MD degree and PhD in Neurosciences from the Semmelweis University, and DSc degree in biology from the Hungarian Academy of Sciences in 2014. Currently he is Group Leader at the Research Centre for Natural Sciences and Full Professor at Pázmány Péter Catholic University. He has authored more than 130 journal articles. His main interests are the development of implantable biosensors and the investigation of intracortical generators of brain oscillations.

Dr István Gyertyán, Semmelweis University, head of the National Ethics Committee on Animal Research

István Gyertyán is a research fellow at Semmelweis University working in the field of behavioural pharmacology. He has been the chair of the Hungarian national committee (National Scientific Ethical Committee on Animal Experimentation) since 2003. He took part in the legislative work of the 2010/63 EU Directive as well as in its national transposition.


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