Science engagement can be a daunting prospect. This is especially true for scientists whose work involves animal models, and particularly nonhuman primates. Here, we show that openly explaining our rationale for our neuroscience work involving nonhuman primates — and the legal and ethical regulations that govern animal experimentation — increased public support and understanding, which is crucial for this essential research to continue.
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Acknowledgements
These outreach activities were supported by the University of Oxford ‘Enriching Engagement’ scheme, funded by the Wellcome Trust. The Thalamus, Cortex, and Cognition Lab is funded by the Wellcome Trust (110157/Z/15/Z). We thank the organizers of the IF Oxford Science and Ideas Festival 2020 and the British Neuroscience Association 'Bring Your Own Brain’ 2021 Festival of Neuroscience for hosting our online science engagement events. The University of Oxford Medical Sciences Interdivisional Research Ethics Committee (MS IDREC) indicated that formal ethical approval was not required as no personal information was collected in the survey responses.
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Nature Neuroscience thanks Michele Basso for their contribution to the peer review of this work.
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Mendez, J.C., Perry, B.A.L., Heppenstall, R.J. et al. Openness about animal research increases public support. Nat Neurosci 25, 401–403 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41593-022-01039-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41593-022-01039-z
