Broadcasting the Message

Aim

‘To investigate the best way to use various media to publicise a) the need for reduction, b) useful resources and c) the importance of educational and training materials.’

Projects

COST Action B24 Training School in the Experimental Design and Statistical Analysis of Biomedical Experiments.

This four day training school was hosted by the FRSC and the University of Manchester in January 2008 and was funded by the European Cooperation in the field of Scientific and Technical Research (COST). [Link to COST Website]

The Training School was devised to give participants an appreciation of what they need to consider when designing an experiment. It also provided them with basic skills needed to plan and analyse their work to minimise the number of animals needed and maximise the quality and relevance of the scientific output.

Participants were mainly postgraduate researchers from around Europe and the programme included workshops and group exercises where they could discuss their own research problems and experiences. This interactive approach strengthened and supplemented the information given in the more traditional lectures. 

Status: Ongoing – the Training School was extremely successful and the Working Party received very positive feedback from the participants and tutors. The Working Party and collaborators at the University of Manchester are currently preparing the material from the School to make it available as a learning resource that will ultimately be available online.