RSPCA / LASA / IAT / LAVA AWERB - UK meetings

In 2015, we began working with the Institute of Animal Technology (IAT), Laboratory Animal Science Association (LASA) and Laboratory Animals Veterinary Association (LAVA) to provide training for our respective memberships who sit on AWERBs.

The aims are to identify issues that need to be addressed with respect to running effective AWERBs, and ensure good communication between our organisations to avoid duplication of effort. We have held four 'AWERB-UK' meetings, for all categories of AWERB member including scientists, animal technologists and care staff, veterinarians, lay members and chairs. The meetings have provided useful insights into the problems AWERBs face and have provided ideas and action points to overcome these.

Four meetings have been held to date:

• Delivering an effective AWERB - Challenges and solutions (2016)
• Putting Ethics into the AWERB (2017)
• AWERBs - Moving forward (2019)
• How well is your AWERB running remotely? (2021)

If you would like to receive the Animals in Science Department newsletter, which includes events for committee members, or you have any questions about the work of ethics committees or ideas for meeting topics, please email us at: animalsinscience@rspca.org.uk