In addition to updates, debates, and valuable networking, last week's IACUC Conference offered a twist when a lecturer asked us to consider researchers as customers. Customers?!
Remembering that our Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees(IACUCs) originally existed because of the work of research, and that we come together as a community with the mutual goal of humane animal care and the promotion of Human Health, attendees were given the following tips.
1. Focus on becoming trusted partners
2. Renew our communication with researchers
3. Rethink our current IACUC's role not just in research, but also in facilitating research policies and procedures that demand less red tape and assist our colleagues.
4. Revitalize research and get it moving!
Guest bloggers looked beyond the Mouse Cage
Here is what they saw
Just Say No to the Creep, Kari Koszdin
A Learning Adventure! Mock IACUC Protocol Session, Andrea Swanson
Wild About Whale Research, Scatologically Speaking, Shannon Reynolds
My Favorite 2015 Seattle IACUC Moments, Tena Petersen
Better Them Than Me?, Saradha Sarma
Special Thanks
Thank you to all of our terrific presenters, researchers, regulatory officials, members, partner sponsors and guest bloggers for a great day of networking, alliance building and best practice exchanges.
Special thanks to the University of Washington Office of Animal Welfare for the superb post-conference experience for many of our participants.