Outreach is an important part of improving the public’s understanding of animal research. That might be inviting journalists or members of the public into your lab, it might be providing more information about your animal research online, it might be giving talks to schools or community groups. All of this is key to improving understanding of this complex issue.
Speaking of Research regularly publish guest articles from scientists, veterinarians, technicians and science writers involved in lab animal research in order to help improve public understanding of this issue. Examples of posts might be:
- An article about the research you are involved in
- An article about what your job in a lab involves (particularly vets/techs)
- An article explaining the importance of a specific animal model
- An article explaining the role of animals to understanding or treating a specific disease
- An article explaining how we care for animals in labs, or how we care for specific species
- An article about a recent research story you found interesting and the contribution of animals to the process.
The guidelines are simple:
- Articles should preferably be between 400 and 1500 words (much shorter than a grant proposal!)
- Articles should include a picture if possible (No copyrighted images please)
- Articles should be signed. If you are uncomfortable with using your name, tell us
- Articles should be written in a manner accessible by non-scientists (we can help with this)
If discussing your own research, you might wish to cover some of the following points:
- What does your research involve?
- What are you researching? What applications might your research have in the future?
- Why do you need to use animal models, why not alternatives?
- How do you specifically consider the welfare needs of the animals?
Some great guest post examples include:
- How Overeating Changes the Brain – Professor Juan Dominguez
- The Importance of Animals in Neuroscience Research – Dr. Stacey A Bedwell, postdoctoral researcher
- Why I am a laboratory animal veterinarian – Kelly Walton, lab animal veterinarian
- Behind the scenes of zebrafish research – Jan Botthof, PhD student
- Why I became an animal technologist – Jazzminn Hembree, animal technologist
- Predictability and Utility of Animal Models – Dale M. Cooper, lab animal veterinarian
- How Do Birds See the World -Prof. Aaron Blaisdell and graduate student Julia Schroeder
- Of mice and mint: Animal research uncovers a previously unknown role for menthol in tobacco addiction – Prof. Brandon Henderson
- Manchester protests miss the point – Patrick Smith, PhD student
- Researchers rally to help Puerto Rico’s Monkey Island – Lisa Howard, science writer
The Speaking of Research committee is more than willing to offer help and advice to support you writing your article. Please email us at contact@speakingofresearch.com
We do not accept spammy/commercial links in articles. Nor do we accept guest posts from people with no expertise in the area.
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