News

SAVE THE DATE: new FIN3R webinar upcoming! 

October 11, 2023 at 14:00 (Helsinki, East-European Time) 

TOPIC: The positive welfare impacts of playpens and ball pits in laboratory rats 

Laboratory rodents display a rich behavioural repertoire such as rearing and climbing that is not possible in the current ‘shoebox’ style caging in which they are typically housed in animal facilities. Access to playpens or ball pits in small groups has been identified as a way in which rats can engage with a complex environment while also fulfilling social needs. In this talk I will discuss our recent work showing that just 5 minutes of access to a playpen objectively induces a positive affective state, and can reduce the potential negative welfare impact of common laboratory procedures. 

SPEAKER: Dr. Megan Jackson (University of Bristol UK) 

Megan is a teaching associate at the University of Bristol. Her research involves the development of ethologically relevant behavioural tasks to assess rodent motivation, with a specific focus on apathy. She is the co-chair of the early career researcher 3Rs group, and she is a culture of care researcher representative. 

Register in advance for this meeting: https://helsinki.zoom.us/meeting/register/u5Yvc-6rpj0uE9IJnfpspr63WcJNly86nbmt 

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. 

SAVE THE DATE: FIN3R Annual Symposium coming up! 

November 6-7, 2023

FIN3R Symposium will take place at Meilahti Campus at Helsinki University. Over two days, you will have a chance to discuss different topics related to each R with keynote speakers from all around the world. As part of the Symposium, "Power analysis workshop" will take place on November 7th, bringing credits for PhD and M. Sc. students.  

Final program and registration form will be available shortly.