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Openness in animal research and teaching

The University of Southern Queensland is proud to be a signatory to the Openness Agreement on Animal Research and Teaching in Australia, highlighting our commitment to transparency and ethical conduct in research and teaching involving animals.  

ANZCCART logo with yellow stars and text: "Openness Agreement on Animal Research and Teaching in Australia, Signatory.

The University is dedicated to fostering a culture that ensures the ethical, humane and responsible care and use of animals for scientific purposes including teaching. University staff and students must ensure that respect for animals underpins all decisions and actions involving the care and use of animals for scientific purposes, maintaining this respect throughout the animal’s lifetime. 

UniSQ's vision is to undertake world-leading research that improves the lives of humans and animals, and the state of our environment. UniSQ research and teaching involving animals focuses on advancements in wildlife management in ways that conserve species and their habitats, reduce human-wildlife conflict and improve agricultural and environmental sustainability, refine livestock husbandry and improve animal care, health and welfare.

A large bat with outstretched wings flies near the branches of a pine tree against a blue sky.  A koala grips a tree branch with one paw while chewing on a green eucalyptus leaf.

The Openness Agreement, launched in 2023, was developed by the Australian and New Zealand Council for the Care of Animals in Research and Teaching (ANZCCART). The Openness Agreement is a voluntary pledge, signed by organisations wishing to demonstrate their commitment to greater transparency in the use of animals for research or teaching.

Modelled on the Concordat on Openness on Animal Research in the UK, its development included a full public consultation and additional consultation with the research community.

As a signatory, UniSQ has pledged to meet all four of the Openness Agreement’s commitments:

  1. We will be open about our involvement in the use of animals in research or teaching.
  2. We will enhance our communications with the media and the public about our use of animals in research or teaching.
  3. We will be proactive in providing opportunities for the public to find out about research or teaching involving animals.
  4. We will report annually on our efforts to improve Openness in our use of animals in research or teaching.

For further information about UniSQ's pledge, contact animal.ethics@unisq.edu.au. 

ANZCCART logo with yellow stars and text: "Openness Agreement on Animal Research and Teaching in Australia, Signatory.

In addition to the Openness Agreement, UniSQ teachers and researchers comply with the requirements of the Australian Code for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes (the Code) along with all other relevant legislative requirements and guidelines relating to the use of animals for scientific purposes.

In accordance with the Code, UniSQ has established the UniSQ Animal Ethics Committee, which is tasked with ensuring that all activities relating to the care and use of animals are conducted in compliance with the Code.

All activities involving the care and use of animals for scientific purposes at UniSQ:

  • are subject to ethical review, approval and monitoring by the UniSQ AEC
  • may only commence after approval has been granted by the UniSQ AEC
  • must be conducted in accordance with the AEC approval
  • must cease if approval from the AEC is suspended, withdrawn or expired

The University is committed to promoting and ensuring the ethical use of animals for scientific purposes.

Animals will only be used for scientific purposes when there will be scientific or educational merit and the potential effects on the animals involved is justified by the potential benefits to humans, animals or the environment.

The University is committed to applying the '3R's' at all stages of animal care and use through:

  • 'Replacing' animals with alternative methods that permit the purpose of an activity or project to be achieved without the use of animals;
  • 'Reducing' the number of animals used through deploying methods for obtaining comparable levels of information from the use of fewer animals in scientific procedures, or for obtaining more information from the same number of animals; and
  • 'Refinement' of techniques and methods that alleviate or minimise potential pain and distress and enhance animal wellbeing.

Animal Wellbeing and Ethics Policy - University of Southern Queensland

UniSQ researchers undertake research across Australia within urban and agricultural areas, national parks, captive wildlife facilities as well as animal training and breeding facilities. Methodologies include the use of drones, audio recorders and spotlighting to monitor wildlife, species recognition doors, scat sampling to analyse health, diet and genetics, trapping, capture, marking (including collars, tags, tail clipping) for reidentification, sample collection (e.g. blood) and health assessments. A range of non-intrusive methods, such as camera trapping and soil plots are also utilised to achieve research aims.

Animals are only used in teaching activities where necessary to provide training to students to ensure the next generation of livestock workers learn best practice in animal welfare and livestock husbandry.

Links to current research and featured media and publications are included below:

Media  

Publications