Over 3,000 members of the public took part in NC3Rs events and activities last year to learn about the 3Rs.
The NC3Rs public engagement programme aims to increase awareness and understanding of 3Rs advances and their importance for animal welfare and better science. As the ethical, legal and scientific framework for the use of animals in research and testing, the 3Rs should be central to public conversations about animal use in science. Polls consistently show that public acceptance of animal research relies on implementation of the 3Rs and that the public would like to be better informed about efforts being made to seek alternatives to animals in research, to minimise animal use and improve welfare (Ipsos MORI, 2018; Savanta, 2022).
We have always been transparent about our work and both the use and limitations of animals in research and testing and encourage those we work with and the wider scientific community to do the same. Through our public engagement awards of up to £2k we provide opportunities and build skills across the UK science base to confidently communicate the 3Rs with members of the public. As part of our 20-year anniversary celebrations last year we opened the scheme up to all scientific professionals whose work advances the 3Rs, including researchers and animal facility staff, and awarded almost £21k to 13 projects, reaching over 3,000 people at 17 events all over the UK.
Our public engagement awards fund the development and delivery of activities, events and resources to engage school children, patients, undergraduate students and other public audiences in efforts and opportunities to replace, reduce or refine animal use. Applications are assessed by a Panel of NC3Rs staff, integrating experience in research funding and communication alongside 3Rs technologies and animal welfare. We received 20 applications for our 20-year anniversary awards with a success rate of 65%. We prioritise applications that encourage discussion and two-way dialogue between the public and those driving 3Rs advances in research, as well as those that provide opportunities for early career researchers and animal technicians to develop their science communication skills.
Credit: NC3Rs