The European Animal Research Association (EARA), supported bythe Federation of European Neuroscience Societies (FENS) and the Society for Neuroscience, invites to you attend a free satellite event of the FENS Forum of Neuroscience to discuss improving openness on animal research in communications with the general public, political decision makers and opinion formers in Germany.

Speakers:

Kirk Leech, Executive Director, European Animal Research Association
Kirk is Executive Director of EARA, th communications and advocacy organisation whose mission is to uphold the interests of biomedical 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. Andreas Lengeling, Animal Research & Welfare Officer, Max-Planck-Society
Andreas, studied Biology at the University of Bielefeld and is the new animal research and animal welfare officer of the Max-Planck Society. He is responsible for the implementation of the society’s recent white paper on animal research. His role involves the support of 30 Max-Planck Institutes in all aspects of animal experimentation that carry out life sciences.
Volker Stollorz, Science Media Center, Germany
Volker studied biology and philosophy at the University of Cologne and in 2015, became the founding CEO of the Science Media Center, a non-for profit organization that helps journalists find scientific expertise when science hits the headlines.
Dr.Thomas Kammertöns, Max-Delbrück-Center, Berlin
Thomas is a staff scientist at the Institute of Immunology, Charité University Medical Centre, Berlin, and is interested in how the immune system influences the process of carcinogenesis.

There is now greater openness in the public debate over animal research in many European countries and institutions. Progress has also been made in Germany by the research community to engage with the public on the issue of animal research, for example in the creation of Tierversuche-Verstehen, and the publication of the White Paper from the Max Planck Society on its animal research. 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 will make them targets while others lack the confidence to put the case for animal research to what they view as a potentially hostile media and sceptical public.

This workshop, designed for members of the biomedical sector, is to help researchers and institutions that wish to be more open about the animal research they carry out. The event will have a clear focus: why scientists, researchers, press officers and other stakeholders can and should talk about animal research. This is not going to be a debate about the ethics of animal experimentation. This discussion is for members of institutions that are either directly, or indirectly, involved in animal research and are currently hesitant to speak out in the media or to participate in public engagement activities.

We hope that this and similar regional workshops will help kick-start a cultural change within Germany on this issue.

A DRINKS RECEPTION WILL FOLLOW THE EVENT (17:00-18:00)