The University’s Animal Welfare and Ethics Review Body (AWERB) is responsible for overseeing, reviewing and approving research involving animals. As a part of the University’s ethical review process, all research involving vertebrate and cephalopod species must be critically evaluated for any ethical and welfare issues. The AWERB is responsible for developing a Culture of Care, this includes improving animal welfare, supporting named people, being committed to good quality science, providing forums for discussion and continuing to develop strong teams.
Locally the AWERB is known as the Animal Welfare and Ethics Committee (AWEC). The AWERB is responsible for ensuring that the University of St Andrews carries out research involving animals in accordance with the Animal (Scientific Procedures) Act (ASPA), 1986. This work is carefully reviewed both internally and externally by the Home Office. The AWERB meets quarterly.
The Animal Welfare and Ethics Committee undertakes the following areas of work:
Promote welfare issues.
Promote reduction, refinement and replacement of animals.
Audit all teaching and research activity, non-ASPA or ASPA, at facilities within and outwith St Andrews, involving the use of all animals in the name of the University of St Andrews.
Assess project licence applications and amendments (with regard to scientific context and ethical standards) prior to submission to the Home Office.
Review ongoing projects.
Consider non-ASPA proposals.
Monitor the operation of the appropriate facilities to ensure compliance.
Appointments to the Committee will be made so that all species are covered and all Schools are represented.
Establishment licence holder (ex officio)
Named veterinary surgeon (ex officio)
Ethical expertise (ex officio)
Home Office liaison contact (ex officio)
Facilities managers (Animal House) (ex officio)
Named animal care and welfare officers
An academic project licence holder
An academic personal licence holder
A postdoctoral research personal licence holder
A postgraduate personal licence holder
A lay person
Attendance by invitation: the Home Office Inspector and other persons to provide expertise in specialist areas.
The University's establishment licence holder is a member of the University's senior management team, and is typically the Vice-Principal (Research and Innovation).
Home Office liaison contact
The Home Office liaison contact acts as the key point of contact between the Home Office and the University in relation to licensing for research using animals and legislative compliance of the ethical review process.
The Home Office liaison contact provides advice and guidance to all users of animal facilities, particularly in relation to project and personal licences.
The Home Office liaison contact should be approached by anyone who proposes to undertake any research which involves animals - whether licensed or non-licensed.
The Home Office liaison contact disseminates Home Office and other relevant communications on behalf of the establishment licence holder to staff and users as appropriate.