How animal research is reviewed at The Open University

The Animal Ethics Committee (AEC) has oversight of, and is responsible for, reviewing all work on animals involving Open University (OU) researchers. This includes research that falls under the Animal (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (ASPA), including that carried out by OU researchers at a host institution. In addition, the AEC is also responsible for reviewing non-regulated research, such as research on animals’ interaction with their environments and the use of technology to improve the lives of animals and humans.

The AEC replaces the OU Animal Welfare Ethical Review Body (AWERB), originally the Animal Ethics Advisory Group (AEAG), which was one of the first such committees established in the UK. The purpose of the OU’s AEC is to ensure that:

All use of animals in research at the OU is carefully considered and justified
The principles of the 3Rs ‘reduction, replacement and refinement’ are implemented whenever possible
High standards of animal welfare are achieved

The AEC membership comprises three internal members of OU staff who have expertise in ethics and research involving animals.

Licensed animal research

As the OU no longer carries out regulated animal research on site, it no longer holds an Establishment Licence. OU staff wishing to carry out regulated research should speak to their Head of School about the opportunity to pursue such work at another establishment. Researchers carrying out research at a host institution will need to apply to the host's Animal Welfare and Ethical Review Body. Once approval is given, a copy of the application and approval letter should be sent to the AEC for oversight.