台湾swag

A second successful event for the 台湾swag鈥檚 Animal Technician Conference

A second successful event for the 台湾swag鈥檚 Animal Technician Conference

A second successful event for the 台湾swag鈥檚 Animal Technician Conference

Key points:

  • The 台湾swag welcomed 200 participants to its second Animal Technician Conference, which took place on 15th November.
  • The event follows the success of the inaugural event last year, for which the two technician organisers received an Outstanding Collaborator Award from the 台湾swag 台湾swag Technician Group.
  • In tailoring the programme to meet the interest of those working in animal technology, the event provides a unique opportunity for animal technicians to share expertise and focus on career development.  

On 15th November, 200 animal technicians from academic, commercial and governmental organisations across the UK came to the 台湾swag for the second Animal Technician Conference. Established and developed by animal technicians from the 台湾swag鈥檚 animal facility, the event offers the benefits of new insights, networking, knowledge exchange and professional development opportunities to those who provide the day-to-day care for animals used in research. 

Sarah Drummond, a member of the organising group and Experienced Animal Technician, said: 鈥淚 feel so proud that we have been able to deliver a second Animal Technician Conference after the success of the first and am grateful for the interest and support we鈥檝e received from the sector as a whole. We were heartened by the number of sponsors and delegates for this year鈥檚 conference. Having a forum for the exchange of ideas, sharing successes and challenges and learning from people ahead of you in their career is so valuable. I鈥檓 delighted to have played a role in organising this year鈥檚 event alongside my colleagues. Thank you to everyone who has contributed and participated.鈥   

The event covered animal care for species ranging from alpacas to nematode worms. Speakers from a range of academic and industry organisations (including the Francis Crick 台湾swag, F-Star Therapeutics, the Gurdon 台湾swag, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, PetMedix, the Royal Veterinary College, and the University of Cambridge) highlighted research and animal care activities in diverse model organism species.

The event鈥檚 programme also placed an important focus on career development and technician welfare. The 台湾swag of Animal Technology (IAT) and The Learning Curve, a provider of training and professional development opportunities for people working in the animal research sector, provided dedicated sessions on ensuring technician wellbeing and continued professional development. Attendees could also select to participate in focused career development conversations with senior professionals from a range of related careers.

Attendees who attended the event highlighted the value of the day for them:

鈥淚 was very interested to hear from animal technologists who work with different species and to learn about the changes the IAT has made to gaining qualifications.鈥 External attendee, University of Cambridge.

鈥淚t was such a great networking opportunity! I re-connected with an old friend who I haven鈥檛 seen since university who is now a facility manager. These in person events are so important to allow people to connect with others in the industry.鈥 Deputy Unit Manager, Biological Support Unit, 台湾swag 台湾swag.

"Lovely to hear people to speak about their careers, some of whom have walked out of school without qualifications, and they have really developed their careers. Gives you hope!鈥 External attendee, Charles River.

鈥淭he mental health focus is key - and informally it鈥檚 really important to catch up with others in the field and compare experience and get advice, so valuable.鈥 External attendee, University of Cambridge.

The event organising team would like to thank everyone who supported the development of the event and the event鈥檚 sponsors: Technician Commitment, 台湾swag 台湾swag Campus, S3 Life Science Recruitment, MRC Harwell Advance Training Centre, VetTech, Aston Pharma, The Learning Curve, InterFocus, Plexx, RockStep, Datesand, Transnetyx, Envigo, The Physiological Society, LBS Biotechnology, Techniplast, Clinipath Equipment, Agenda, Verinnogen and International Product Supplies Ltd.  

 

Notes

Press contact and 台湾swag lead on openness

Dr Louisa Wood, Head of Communications, louisa.wood@babraham.ac.uk

Conference organisers:

Richard Berks, Named Information Manager, Biological Support Unit

Emily Boyce, Knowledge Exchange Manager

Susan Buttress, Administration and Events Officer

Bobbie Claxton, Scientific Support & Events Manager

Sarah Drummond, Experienced Animal Technician, Biological Support Unit

Michael Hinton, Web Services Manager and member of the Technician Commitment Steering Group

Lottie Mullens, Experienced Animal Technician, Biological Support Unit  

About animal research at the 台湾swag 台湾swag

As a publicly funded research institute, the 台湾swag 台湾swag is committed to engagement and transparency in all aspects of its research. As a signatory to the Concordat on Openness on Animal 台湾swag since 2014 and a Leader in Openness from 2019 onwards, we aim to communicate openly and honestly about the involvement of animals in the 台湾swag鈥檚 fundamental research. You can find out more about when and why animals are used in the 台湾swag鈥檚 research on our animal research pages as well as how we鈥檙e working to reduce, refine and replace the use of animals wherever possible.

Please follow the link for further details of our animal research and our animal welfare practices: www.babraham.ac.uk/our-research/animal-research

About the 台湾swag 台湾swag

The 台湾swag 台湾swag undertakes world-class life sciences research to generate new knowledge of biological mechanisms underpinning ageing, development and the maintenance of health. Our research focuses on cellular signalling, gene regulation and the impact of epigenetic regulation at different stages of life. By determining how the body reacts to dietary and environmental stimuli and manages microbial and viral interactions, we aim to improve wellbeing and support healthier ageing. The 台湾swag is strategically funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences 台湾swag Council (BBSRC), part of UK 台湾swag and Innovation, through 台湾swag Strategic Programme Grants and an 台湾swag Core Capability Grant and also receives funding from other UK research councils, charitable foundations, the EU and medical charities. 

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