Training the next generation of scientists

Strong communication is a critical skill for scientists to describe the 3Rs impact of their work and influence the wider community to take up 3Rs approaches. This includes discussing the scientific advantages and limitations of different models, whether in vitro, in silico or in vivo, alongside addressing issues with currently used animal models such as translatability and welfare concerns. Effective and engaging communication also supports early career researchers to secure further funding and progress a scientific career focused on the 3Rs, as well as educating the public about efforts to replace, reduce and refine animal use in research.

Over three sessions led by Genevieve Barr (Science Manager – Communications), students honed their writing skills, built confidence in presenting and learned how to influence different audiences. We were impressed with how well they developed their ability to articulate the 3Rs impacts of their work and the importance of communicating effectively yet concisely. Güneş Taylor (Chancellor’s Fellow, University of Edinburgh) discussed the challenges and benefits of communicating research with diverse audiences and shared advice from her personal experiences of speaking to the public about animal use in science.

Putting the communications training sessions into practice, students wrote an academic summary of their projects to use as abstracts for conference posters and presentations and shared one minute ‘elevator pitch’ presentations aimed at a general, non-scientific audience. Both were scored on the clarity of the 3Rs impacts, evidenced and compelling advantages of their 3Rs approach and the use of appropriate language that is accessible and engaging for the chosen audience, with the students giving peer-to-peer feedback on each other’s elevator pitches.

“The sessions were interactive, practical, and really challenged me to think about how I communicate the broader impact of my research. Framing my project within the context of the 3Rs gave me a new appreciation for its potential impact, and I left feeling more confident and inspired to continue engaging with public science communication. A special highlight was being awarded a prize for my abstract, which I owe entirely to the fantastic guidance we received!! A big thank you to the NC3Rs team for such a valuable and motivating experience.”

– Janelle Mwerinde, BBSRC-funded student.

Experimental design and reporting are essential building blocks for high-quality, reproducible scientific research, but many PhD students receive limited training in these areas. Where animals are involved in studies, rigorous experimental design and comprehensive reporting minimises unnecessary repetition and ensures animals are not wasted in experiments that do not give reliable results. Ensuring the highest standards for in vitro research builds confidence in the use of alternative models to replace animals. Our training in these areas focuses on activities that allow students to apply concepts to research scenarios and embeds best practice from the beginning of their scientific careers.

The students worked with Simon Bate (Statistics Leader, GSK) to design a pilot study, considering hypothesis generation, the importance of sample size and statistical power, deciding which statistical tests to use and ways to put randomisation into practice. James Barker (Programme Manager – Experimental Design and Reporting of In Vitro Research) delivered a session on our DRIVER recommendations to help students publish robust in vitro data that builds credibility and confidence in the use of models with the capacity to replace animals. For those using animals in their experiments, Stephen Turnock (Programme Manager – Best Practice in Animal Research) discussed the ARRIVE guidelines for comprehensive reporting of in vivo experiments. Students practised applying the ARRIVE checklist to a published manuscript and suggested how the author could have improved their paper (which was then revealed to be one of Stephen’s own publications from his PhD!). They further explored the importance of reporting detailed methods to help others take up their approach though a reproducibility workshop that saw them attempt to re-build Lego structures relying only on written instructions**.

Their time as PhD students will influence how these early career researchers approach scientific research throughout their studies and future careers. To help set the foundations for success, we invited Chris Russell (Resilient Leaders Consultant) to share strategies for effective project management, tips for prioritising tasks and support to help make the students’ longer term scientific and career goals more achievable. This was put into perspective with a fantastic talk from Alexandra Iordachescu on her journey from being an NC3Rs-funded student to becoming a research group leader at the University of Birmingham. We are especially proud of the strong relationships we maintain with our students long after their PhDs, in some cases for up to a decade. This sustained connection allows us to track career paths and research activity over time, and the data speaks for itself – 80% of our PhD alumni remain active in research, a particularly high retention rate among research funders.

“As always, our annual summer school was a truly inspiring event, and this year we were especially delighted to welcome BBSRC-funded PhD students. This cohort of over 20 students represents a remarkable group of innovative and creative thinkers. At the NC3Rs, we are committed not only to supporting early career researchers during their PhDs, but also to staying connected with them as they progress in their careers, fostering a strong network of 3Rs ambassadors. I am excited to see these brilliant minds continue their journeys championing the 3Rs.”

 – Katie Bates, NC3Rs Head of Research Funding.

It was a pleasure to welcome Amy Naylor (Associate Professor, University of Birmingham) as the keynote speaker to share her 3Rs-driven research journey and the lasting impacts of her NC3Rs-funded work. Amy has developed an advanced in vitro model of bone remodelling to replace some mouse models of diseases such as osteoporosis, arthritis and failure of fracture healing. Working with Helen Wheadon at the University of Glasgow, the model is now being applied to replace animal use in cancer dormancy and bone metastasis research, initially focusing on leukaemia and breast cancer. This work is supported by our Partnerships and impact awards and enabled through our Oncology Network – a powerful example of how strategic collaborations and networking are driving scientific innovations and delivering 3Rs impacts.

A huge thank you to the speakers who shared their knowledge, experiences and expertise and the NC3Rs and BBSRC-funded PhD students who joined us. We look forward to seeing how the connections and insights from the summer school drive future collaborations and advance 3Rs research.

* BBSRC students were selected based on a competitive application process assessed by a Panel of NC3Rs Office staff.

** Workshop content adapted from Donaldson M and Mahon M. (2019). Lego: Metadata for reproducibility game pack. University of Glasgow. doi:10.36399/gla.pubs.196477