April 2021 : simplebooklet.com

BulletinApril 2021 • 5BulletinJuly 2020• 5Dear ReadersKeep Reading!CaroleKeep Reading!Keep Reading!Keep Reading!Keep Reading!Keep Reading!Keep Reading!Keep Reading!Keep Reading!Poverty IATLAUNCHES EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY GenderRaceSexual OrientationDiscriminationAgeReligion or BeliefDisabilityEthnicityFairAnti-oppres sive practiceFairYout h WorkSexValuesEmpowermentLegislationDifferenc eSocietyEqualRightsStatusOpportunitiesClassBeliefsEducationNOBODY IS THE SAME BUT EVERYONE IS EQUALInstitute of Animal TechnologyAdvancing and promoting excellence in the care and welfare of animals in scienceEnsuring policies, procedures and processes don’t discriminateEducation - equal access to opportunitiesCreating an inclusive culture for allwww.iat.org.uk/equalityGROUPJul20:IATB NEW 30/9/20 12:41 Page 5KeeeeeeeeeeeeeeepepepepeepeepeppReaeaeaeaeeaeaeaadadaddadadididididiididididnnngngnggngngngng!ReaeaeaaeaeadadadadaHere we are again – another Easter, I have no idea where the time goes! I hope everyone enjoyed virtual Congress and Tech Month last month. I don’t think that we will be publishing a June issue reﬂ ecting on our annual conference in the same way as we usually do when we all meet in person, but I hope that we will be covering some elements of it nevertheless.I was asked to write an article for all of you to explainwhy the Bulletin takes about ﬁ ve weeks to produce. From the close of acceptance of articles on the 23rd of the month, ﬁ ve weeks preceeding publication, to everyone getting their copy at the beginning of the month of issue. I hope I have explained it on pages 18 – 24. As you will realise, there is more to it than you might imagine!One of the other things that the Bulletin covers on a regular basis is education. Pages 7 – 8 consider the review of the syllabus. Interestinglystage 4 of the process seems to share a lot in common with this publication!I think that education is very important, which leads me onto the last article I want to bring to your attention. It is the 27th RSPCA/UFAW Rodent Welfare Meeting on pages 14 – 16, attended and summarised by Council’s own Matt Bilton. He leads the Animal Welfare Group and writes a lot for the Bulletin and fairly recently passed his degree and gained his FIAT. Congratulations Matt. He would agree with me, it is deﬁ nitely worth pursuing and can deﬁ nitely expand your horizons.I have one last thing to tell you – some of you may have received the old packaging the Bulletin used to come in, others might have a copy in a green mailing bag. Just to reassure everyone, they are both biodegradable.With that – BulletinJuly 2020• 5Dear ReadersTwo things to tell you, as we graduallycome out of hibernation. The first thing to say,we are now back in printed form, so I do hope youare now returning back to a more structured way ofworking and reading this in the tea room! The second thing, something you will have alreadynoticed – the July edition of the Bulletin is muchsmaller than usual. There are a couple of reasons forthis, obviously while we have been in lockdown, wehave not been attending any conferences, meetings, seminars orworkshops in person, these have all been postponed or pushed intovirtual meetings. Most of which have been done at very short notice – socurrently there is nothing much to report. Additionally, because of theunscheduled changes to our lives, the Bulletin has begun to get verybehind in our print schedule, which we now need to get back as wereturn to printed format. Our August edition will also be small – but Iguarantee our September edition will be back to normal!Back with this edition, we do have some articles of interest to you – let’sstart with MySociety – the IAT membership database. Read pages 8-11 foran explanation of how this works and how you can use it. This is ofinterest to us all, but especially so to those of us who are RAnTechs – wecan use the database to track and keep records of our CPD.Elsewhere, we have AS-ET news, which includes information on the essaycompetition – prize a trip to Congress 2021. See page 16 to see if you areeligible – even if you are not, please pass the information on to thosewho are.Make sure you take care and …Keep Reading!CarolePoverty IAT LAUNCHES EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY GenderRaceSexual OrientationDiscriminationAgeReligion or BeliefDisabilityEthnicityFairAnti-oppres sive practiceFairYout h WorkSexValuesEmpowermentLegislationDifferenc eSocietyEqualRightsStatusOpportunitiesClassBeliefsEducationNOBODY IS THE SAME BUT EVERYONE IS EQUALInstitute of Animal TechnologyAdvancing and promoting excellence in the care and welfare of animals in scienceEnsuring policies, procedures and processes don’t discriminateEducation - equal access to opportunitiesCreating an inclusive culture for allwww.iat.org.uk/equalityGROUPJul20:IATB NEW 10/7/20 10:01 Page 5BulletinJuly 2020• 5Dear ReadersTwo things to tell you, as we graduallycome out of hibernation. The first thing to say,we are now back in printed form, so I do hope youare now returning back to a more structured way ofworking and reading this in the tea room! The second thing, something you will have alreadynoticed – the July edition of the Bulletin is muchsmaller than usual. There are a couple of reasonsfor this, obviously while we have been in lockdown,we have not been attending any conferences, meetings, seminars orworkshops in person, these have all been postponed or pushed intovirtual meetings. Most of which have been done at very short notice – socurrently there is nothing much to report. Additionally, because of theunscheduled changes to our lives, the Bulletin has begun to get verybehind in our print schedule, which we now need to get back as wereturn to printed format. Our August edition will also be small – but Iguarantee our September edition will be back to normal!Back with this edition, we do have some articles of interest to you – let’sstart with MySociety – the IAT membership database. Read pages 8-11for an explanation of how this works and how you can use it. This is ofinterest to us all, but especially so to those of us who are RAnTechs – wecan use the database to track and keep records of our CPD.Elsewhere, we have AS-ET news, which includes information on the essaycompetition – prize a trip to Congress 2021. See page 16 to see if you areeligible – even if you are not, please pass the information on to thosewho are.Make sure you take care and …Happy Reading!CarolePoverty IAT LAUNCHES EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY GenderRaceSexual OrientationDiscriminationAgeReligion or BeliefDisabilityEthnicityFairAnti-oppres sive practiceFairYout h WorkSexValuesEmpowermentLegislationDifferenc eSocietyEqualRightsStatusOpportunitiesClassBeliefsEducationNOBODY IS THE SAME BUT EVERYONE IS EQUALInstitute of Animal TechnologyAdvancing and promoting excellence in the care and welfare of animals in scienceEnsuring policies, procedures and processes don’t discriminateEducation - equal access to opportunitiesCreating an inclusive culture for allwww.iat.org.uk/equalityGROUPJul20:IATB NEW 13/7/20 08:29 Page 5Watch it in actionby visiting:somniscientific.com/accuracyTHE SOMNI AMD 3+Somni Scientific’s AMD 3+ Accuracy(Accurate Multiple Delivery)COMPATIBLE WITH EXISTING UK/EU:ProductsAccessoriesFittingsSOMNI Scientific is centered on the animal welfare and research community with a focus on clinical accuracy, clinician/technician safety, economic performance and intuitive functionality.SOMNI PROVIDES UNPARALLELED CUSTOMER SERVICE, CLINICAL AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT.

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BulletinApril 2021 • 7 Tel: +44 (0)1293 827940 Email: sales@lbs-biotech.comContact LBS - your trusted supplier, serving the needs of the Biotechnology Industry www.lbs-biotech.comEnrichment ProductsDesigned to enhance your researchOur extensive product range gives your research animals an active, stimulating and comfortable environment. • DesResTM Rodent Houses• Fun Tunnels• Toys, Balls and Chews• Treats & Rewards • Bedding & Nesting • Foraging - just some of our quality assured products, suitable for use in biotechnology conditions.The Syllabus Review Process; 2020 Level 2 and Level 3 Syllabus ReviewEmployers and students rely on the IAT and its providers to educate technicians within our industry but have you ever wondered how IAT qualiﬁcation syllabuses are reviewed and developed?The ﬁrst qualiﬁcations and syllabuses were developed in the 1960s and have been through several reincarnations over the years, developing them to the qualiﬁcations taught today. Since the ﬁrst incarnation, it has been necessary for periodic syllabus reviews to be undertaken. These reviews take into consideration changes in amongst others, knowledge, technology and good practice, to ensure what is being taught is current and ﬁt for purpose. Nowadays, it is also a requirement of Ofqual, the body who regulates examinations in England and with whom IAT qualiﬁcations are registered, to review our syllabuses every 5 years.Reviewing syllabuses is a huge, time consuming (around 12 months) undertaking and requires input from many people with different areas of expertise. How is it achieved? Level 2 and Level 3 have just been through a 5-year review and below are the stages they went through in order to produce the updated syllabuses.Stage 1: Consultation and engagement with stakeholdersIn this stage a cross-selection of employers from each part of the industry, (academia, CRO, pharma, etc), were contacted and asked speciﬁc questions about the version of the syllabuses under review. The returned comments were correlated and a Syllabus Review Group (SRG) formed.Stage 2: SRG and syllabus reviewThe SRG is made up of invited industry experts. Each person is able to bring an area of expertise to a speciﬁc part of the syllabus and contribute to the review process. The SRG reviewed the comments and applied them to each part of the syllabus. The syllabus is then divided and given to pairs of SRG members who work on a particular part of the syllabus where their knowledge and experience can be used to best effect. Once each pair has produced a new version of their part of the syllabus, the SRG meets and discusses each part in detail until wording, meaning and learning outcomes are agreed. The level of detail in these discussions is such that it takes more than one meeting and much communication to get to that point.

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Bulletin8 • April 2021 Stage 3: Reassembly and ﬁ rst drafts producedOnce agreement is reached within the SRG, all the parts of the revised syllabus have to be put back into some semblance of coherent order. This is done by a pair from the SRG who produce a ﬁ rst draft. This document really is a rough ﬁ rst draft and has to be reﬁ ned over several versions; ensuring content and meaning are not lost and in a format required by Ofqual.Stage 4: Layout, typesetting, proofreading and productionThe reﬁ ned draft is sent to a company the IAT have worked with for many years for layout, typesetting, branding, proofreading and ﬁ nally, publication!Even with professional help the documents will be reviewed and proofread on multiple occasions. It is so easy to become word blind going over the same document time and time again, that a fresh pair of eyes is essential if some absolutely stonking howlers are to be avoided in the ﬁ nal publication! As an example of how much work went into the syllabuses which will be taught from September 2021, it was Level 2, version 9 and Level 3, version 7 that went on for typesetting etc., at stage 4 they still had to go through several proofreading stages.Many, many thanks must go to everyone involved in the 2020 Level 2 and Level 3syllabus review. It is always a huge piece of work to accomplish – even without the added complication of a global pandemic! Apart from the professional help in stage 4, all of the work involved in reviewing both syllabuses was done by volunteers on top of their day jobs. It is testament to their strength of feeling and commitment to educating Animal Technicians, which allows IAT qualiﬁ cations not only to be current and ﬁ t for purpose, but also the benchmark other countries around the world look to.Board of Education Policy 2021Stage 1Consultation and engagement with stakeholdersStage 2Syllabus Review Group formation and Syllabus review processStage 3Reassembly and ﬁ rst drafts producedStage 4Lay-out, typesetting, proof-reading and production

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Bulletin10 • April 2021 During 2021, the IAT Equality and Diversity Groupaims to promote the protected characteristicsThis month,Let’s talk about ... Disability and the workplace According to the Family Resources Survey 2018/19, there are 14.1 million disabled people in the UK. There are seven million people of working age with a disability or long term health condition in the UK, only half of them are in work. This represents a huge pool of talent that businesses are potentially missing out on.What does disability mean? Disability is deﬁned differently for different purposes. For employment purposes in the UK, the deﬁnition is contained in the Equality Act 2010: a person is ‘disabled’ if they have a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on their ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.‘Long-term’ means that the condition must last, or be likely to last, for more than 12 months, or is likely to last for the rest of the life of the person affected.Many disabled people (as well as those with long-term health conditions who are already in employment) either face prejudice or a lack of provision when it comes to the support they need to help them reach their potential or, sometimes, to even remain in work. Too many people working with a disability choose not to disclose it to their employer for fear of negative consequences (in terms of their career or job security) CIPD (2020)It has never been so important to raise disability awareness, as it is today. Having a physical or hidden disability should not impact on what anyone can achieve; people need to be deﬁned by their ability, and not their disability. Stephen Hawking, one of the greatest ever scientists, and role model was quoted: “Concentrate on things your disability doesn’t prevent you doing well, and don’t regret the things it interferes with. Don’t be disabled in spirit, as well as physically.” Stephen Hawking (interview in the New York Times, 2011)Disability discrimination may arise in many ways including:l direct discrimination (being treated unfairly because of a disability)l indirect discrimination (a policy, practice, or rule which applies to everyone in the same way but it has a worse effect on some than others)l harassment (subjecting another person to prejudice remarks or actions) l victimisation (treating someone badly)l failure to make reasonable adjustmentsWhat can I do as an Employer?1. Develop a diversity and inclusion policy detailing required training, reasonable adjustments and support available. A policy also demonstrates the organisation takes its legal and moral obligations towards being a diverse and inclusive employer seriously. It can also encourage employees to treat others equally.2. Reasonable adjustments must be considered with a speciﬁc individual and their speciﬁc role in mind. Adjustments can include:- Altering premises – such as automated doors, providing ramps, quiet spaces, alternative formats of signage or directions around the building.Let’s talk about ... Disability and the workplaceMental Health Awarenesswww.iat.org.uk- Altering assessment procedures – such as giving extra time, providing assistive technology or ergonomic equipment.- Training or mentoring – to support an employee to use new adjustments (such as speech to text software), or coping strategies (common with, for example, dyslexia or mental health conditions).- Modiﬁed or specialist equipment – such as supportive chairs, height-adjustable or standing desks.- Communication – providing an interpreter (for people who are, for example, deaf or who have a speech impairment).- Time off during working hours – for example, for hospital appointments, physiotherapy, counselling, or treatment.- Introduce ﬂexible working or adjusted hours.A line manager along with the employee and, for example, occupational health, may come up with a range of adjustments that might remove the barrier the employee with a disability or condition is experiencing but the employer needs to make an evidence-based decision if these adjustments are ‘reasonable’.What can I do as an employee with a disability?- If comfortable, talk to your co-workers, that way they can understand your disability, and will not make assumptions on your behalf.- If you are comfortable to do so, discuss your feelings. Let people know what you would ﬁnd most helpful.- If the workplace needs adjustments that will assist you, bring it to the attention of management.- If a situation makes you feel uncomfortable or excluded, and you feel comfortable to do so, speak out, and tell your co workers how the situation, excludes you being involved.How can we all help reduce disability discrimination? - Challenge stereotypical behaviour and thinking – unconscious bias can lead to bad decision making.- Promote a supportive and inclusive workplace.- Be open and talk about any issues as they may arise.- Ensure everyone receives the appropriate diversity and inclusion training provided by employers.- Relative related existing policies and practices which may have an impact on employees with a disability or long-term condition – for example, recruitment and selection, sickness and attendance, performance, grievance, bullying and harassment, and diversity and inclusion.Institute of Animal TechnologyCOUNCILEquality and Diversity Group

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BulletinApril 2021 • 11 During 2021, the IAT Equality and Diversity Groupaims to promote the protected characteristicsThis month,Let’s talk about ... Disability and the workplace According to the Family Resources Survey 2018/19, there are 14.1 million disabled people in the UK. There are seven million people of working age with a disability or long term health condition in the UK, only half of them are in work. This represents a huge pool of talent that businesses are potentially missing out on.What does disability mean? Disability is deﬁned differently for different purposes. For employment purposes in the UK, the deﬁnition is contained in the Equality Act 2010: a person is ‘disabled’ if they have a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on their ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.‘Long-term’ means that the condition must last, or be likely to last, for more than 12 months, or is likely to last for the rest of the life of the person affected.Many disabled people (as well as those with long-term health conditions who are already in employment) either face prejudice or a lack of provision when it comes to the support they need to help them reach their potential or, sometimes, to even remain in work. Too many people working with a disability choose not to disclose it to their employer for fear of negative consequences (in terms of their career or job security) CIPD (2020)It has never been so important to raise disability awareness, as it is today. Having a physical or hidden disability should not impact on what anyone can achieve; people need to be deﬁned by their ability, and not their disability. Stephen Hawking, one of the greatest ever scientists, and role model was quoted: “Concentrate on things your disability doesn’t prevent you doing well, and don’t regret the things it interferes with. Don’t be disabled in spirit, as well as physically.” Stephen Hawking (interview in the New York Times, 2011)Disability discrimination may arise in many ways including:l direct discrimination (being treated unfairly because of a disability)l indirect discrimination (a policy, practice, or rule which applies to everyone in the same way but it has a worse effect on some than others)l harassment (subjecting another person to prejudice remarks or actions) l victimisation (treating someone badly)l failure to make reasonable adjustmentsWhat can I do as an Employer?1. Develop a diversity and inclusion policy detailing required training, reasonable adjustments and support available. A policy also demonstrates the organisation takes its legal and moral obligations towards being a diverse and inclusive employer seriously. It can also encourage employees to treat others equally.2. Reasonable adjustments must be considered with a speciﬁc individual and their speciﬁc role in mind. Adjustments can include:- Altering premises – such as automated doors, providing ramps, quiet spaces, alternative formats of signage or directions around the building.Let’s talk about ... Disability and the workplaceMental Health Awarenesswww.iat.org.uk- Altering assessment procedures – such as giving extra time, providing assistive technology or ergonomic equipment.- Training or mentoring – to support an employee to use new adjustments (such as speech to text software), or coping strategies (common with, for example, dyslexia or mental health conditions).- Modiﬁed or specialist equipment – such as supportive chairs, height-adjustable or standing desks.- Communication – providing an interpreter (for people who are, for example, deaf or who have a speech impairment).- Time off during working hours – for example, for hospital appointments, physiotherapy, counselling, or treatment.- Introduce ﬂexible working or adjusted hours.A line manager along with the employee and, for example, occupational health, may come up with a range of adjustments that might remove the barrier the employee with a disability or condition is experiencing but the employer needs to make an evidence-based decision if these adjustments are ‘reasonable’.What can I do as an employee with a disability?- If comfortable, talk to your co-workers, that way they can understand your disability, and will not make assumptions on your behalf.- If you are comfortable to do so, discuss your feelings. Let people know what you would ﬁnd most helpful.- If the workplace needs adjustments that will assist you, bring it to the attention of management.- If a situation makes you feel uncomfortable or excluded, and you feel comfortable to do so, speak out, and tell your co workers how the situation, excludes you being involved.How can we all help reduce disability discrimination? - Challenge stereotypical behaviour and thinking – unconscious bias can lead to bad decision making.- Promote a supportive and inclusive workplace.- Be open and talk about any issues as they may arise.- Ensure everyone receives the appropriate diversity and inclusion training provided by employers.- Relative related existing policies and practices which may have an impact on employees with a disability or long-term condition – for example, recruitment and selection, sickness and attendance, performance, grievance, bullying and harassment, and diversity and inclusion.Institute of Animal TechnologyCOUNCILEquality and Diversity Group

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Bulletin14 • April 2021 RSPCA/UFAW 27th Rodent Welfare meeting 7th October 2020Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, the meeting this year was online. Registration was very straightforward and when it came to joining the meeting online, there were no delays and it worked out well.Session One (The science of cumulative severity)Neutral indicators of cumulative severity – Tom Smulders Using welfare science to understand animals’ experiences and needs – Lars Lewejohann Can home cage behaviour be used to assess cumulative welfare in laboratory mice? – Aileen Maclellan, Georgia Mason, Andrea PolancoThe ﬁ rst session gave a background into the process of cumulative severity. First up was Tom Smulders who presented two aspects of hippocampal anatomy as potential biomarkers of cumulative severity. Quantiﬁ cation of adult neurogenesis can be done post-mortem. Although these biomarkers are not suited for routine monitoring of rodent welfare, they can be used to compare the relative severity of different procedures including husbandry practices and help inform the best treatment of laboratory animals.Presenting from Germany, Lars Lewejohann spoke about using animal welfare science to ask the animals about their view. This is done by using preference and consumer demand tests and helps to reﬁ ne housing and experimental conditions. The next presentation was about home cage behaviour and how it can be used to assess welfare. This talk highlighted that while there are no validated indicators of this, the beneﬁ t of observation of home cage behaviours is a simple non-invasive marker of total animal experience. By observing the cage you will see levels of repetitive stereotypical behaviour, which could indicate the welfare of the animals at that moment. In addition to cage behaviour morbidity and mortality rates might be useful assessment tools as they can be sensitive to chronic stress.

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BulletinApril 2021 • 15 Session 1 was followed by a lunch break. During the lunch break a ﬁle containing the poster session was emailed to everyone. This was, in my opinion, a great way to view the posters and gather more information. Session Two (Practical reﬁnement to reduce cumulative severity and promote wellbeing) Small reﬁnements to improve lifetime welfare – Paulin Jirkof Development of a visual approach to severity assessment – Jackie Boxall and Helen Murphy Establishing trust with laboratory rats: how long does it take? – Patricia Turner A good life for laboratory rodents – Joanna Makowska Home Ofﬁce update – Charlotte Inman Interactive session Wrap up and closePaulin Jirkof described how she implements low cost approaches such as voluntary oral intake substance administration in mice and rats to reduce inter-male aggression. The aim is to minimise negative affective states and to increase positive experiences and emotional states in laboratory rodents.Jackie Boxall and Helen Murphy from GSK described how they developed new guidance and a severity assessment tool that considered magnitude, duration and multiplicity of the adverse effects observed. The group was made up of GSK’s animal research community, including animal care staff, researchers, Named people and a statistician.The next talk was on establishing trust with laboratory rats and how long it really takes. This was a study aiming to evaluate whether short periods of habituation and counter conditioning would improve rat-human interactions. It was conducted over a week long period and included 3 groups of male SD rats. These included a control group with no handling, a low handling group and a moderated handling group. At the end of the two-week period the rats were evaluated for their response to handling for a cage change, novel handler approach, elevated plus maze test and animal response to tail vein blood collection. This study shows that short periods of pre-study handling, habituation and desensitisation reduces fearfulness.

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Bulletin18 • April 2021 Construction of the IAT BulletinPeople are usually very surprised by how far in advance contributions are required for publishing in the monthly Bulletin. Usually it is the 23rd of the month, about ﬁ ve weeks in advance. Take for example – the ﬁ nal copy date from the edition published in March, we asked for articles and ideas by the 23rd March for the May issue.We live in an age of instantaneous news and information – consider how quickly information is spread on social media such as Twitter and Facebook. Think about how quickly newsfeeds reach us – we expect to have information, opinions and debate immediately. However, any printed material such as a magazine like the Bulletin does not and cannot work like that, so I thought it is worth an explanation of how we put each issue together.After the 23rd of the month, Paul (the deputy editor) and I will look at everything that has been sent to us for inclusion into the Bulletin, so for example after the 23rd March, we will start to look at contributions for inclusion in the May Bulletin. There are always some regular features – the contents on page 3, Dear Readers on page 5 and Diary Dates BulletinMarch 2021 • 5BulletinJuly 2020• 5Dear ReadersKeep Reading!Caro leKeep Reading!Keep Reading!Keep Reading!Keep Reading!Keep Reading!Keep Reading!Keep Reading!Keep Reading!Poverty IATLAUNCHES EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY GenderRaceSexual OrientationDiscriminationAgeReligion or BeliefDisabilityEthnicityFairAnti-oppres sive practiceFairYouth Wo r kSexValuesEmpowermentLegislationDifferenc eSociet yEqualRightsStatusOpportunitiesClassBeliefsEducationNOBODY IS THE SAME BUT EVERYONE IS EQUALInstitute of Animal TechnologyAdvancing and promoting excellence in the care and welfare of animals in scienceEnsuring policies, procedures and processes don’t discriminateEducation - equal access to opportunitiesCreating an inclusive culture for allwww.iat.org.uk/equalityGROUPJul20:IATB NEW 30/9/20 12:41 Page 5KeeeeeeeeeeeeeeepepepepeepeepeppReaeaeaaeaeaeaedadaddadadadaididiididiididnngggddididinngngnggngng!ddididididiiinnnngnggngngngng! March again – this time last year saw the start of reactions to the pandemic in the UK. Hopefully this year it signals the beginning of the long road out of it and the end of the ﬁ nal lockdown. Who would have believed where we stand today? As I write this, 16 million people have currently been vaccinated at least once and when you read this it will be a lot more. I think it is fair to say that this episode in history has changed the way we both live and work, not just in the short term but more long term. Let me give you an example of that, twelve months ago I had never heard of Zoom and had only attended a couple of virtual conferences, which had a great deal of novelty value. Now, however, I regularly use Zoom and other platforms to talk to others and have attended many conferences, workshops and webinars online, it has become normal for me. For those of you who are unaware, Congress 2021 is also going to be online this year – see page 34, unlike 2019, as shown on the front cover. I am really looking forward to it, there are a big range of different topics – something to suit everyone. Something else to bear in mind this year – if you are an IAT member, Congress is completely free! Not only is it Congress this month, but as usual it is also Tech month – see page 4, another virtual event and I am led to believe there are many prizes up for grabs. Registration for Bingo is already open, see page 17.I started this column talking about some of the changes that have been brought about by COVID-19 and I want to end thinking of a really negative impact of social distancing, isolation and loneliness. The IAT recognises the issues and has created Coffee Catch Up, an opportunity to meet up with other like-minded people every Wednesday at 3.30, see page 30.I hope to see you at Congress, hear about your prize-winning efforts at Tech Month and speak to you for a Coffee and a Chat. BulletinJuly 2020• 5Dear ReadersTwo things to tell you, as we graduallycome out of hibernation. The first thing to say,we are now back in printed form, so I do hope youare now returning back to a more structured way ofworking and reading this in the tea room! The second thing, something you will have alreadynoticed – the July edition of the Bulletin is muchsmaller than usual. There are a couple of reasons forthis, obviously while we have been in lockdown, wehave not been attending any conferences, meetings, seminars orworkshops in person, these have all been postponed or pushed intovirtual meetings. Most of which have been done at very short notice – socurrently there is nothing much to report. Additionally, because of theunscheduled changes to our lives, the Bulletin has begun to get verybehind in our print schedule, which we now need to get back as wereturn to printed format. Our August edition will also be small – but Iguarantee our September edition will be back to normal!Back with this edition, we do have some articles of interest to you – let’sstart with MySociety – the IAT membership database. Read pages 8-11 foran explanation of how this works and how you can use it. This is ofinterest to us all, but especially so to those of us who are RAnTechs – wecan use the database to track and keep records of our CPD.Elsewhere, we have AS-ET news, which includes information on the essaycompetition – prize a trip to Congress 2021. See page 16 to see if you areeligible – even if you are not, please pass the information on to thosewho are.Make sure you take care and …Keep Reading!CarolePoverty IAT LAUNCHES EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY GenderRaceSexual OrientationDiscriminationAgeReligion or BeliefDisabilityEthnicityFairAnti-oppres sive practiceFairYouth WorkSexValuesEmpowermentLegislationDifferenc eSociet yEqualRightsStatusOpportunitiesClassBeliefsEducationNOBODY IS THE SAME BUT EVERYONE IS EQUALInstitute of Animal TechnologyAdvancing and promoting excellence in the care and welfare of animals in scienceEnsuring policies, procedures and processes don’t discriminateEducation - equal access to opportunitiesCreating an inclusive culture for allwww.iat.org.uk/equalityGROUPJul20:IATB NEW 10/7/20 10:01 Page 5BulletinJuly 2020• 5Dear ReadersTwo things to tell you, as we graduallycome out of hibernation. The first thing to say,we are now back in printed form, so I do hope youare now returning back to a more structured way ofworking and reading this in the tea room! The second thing, something you will have alreadynoticed – the July edition of the Bulletin is muchsmaller than usual. There are a couple of reasonsfor this, obviously while we have been in lockdown,we have not been attending any conferences, meetings, seminars orworkshops in person, these have all been postponed or pushed intovirtual meetings. Most of which have been done at very short notice – socurrently there is nothing much to report. Additionally, because of theunscheduled changes to our lives, the Bulletin has begun to get verybehind in our print schedule, which we now need to get back as wereturn to printed format. Our August edition will also be small – but Iguarantee our September edition will be back to normal!Back with this edition, we do have some articles of interest to you – let’sstart with MySociety – the IAT membership database. Read pages 8-11for an explanation of how this works and how you can use it. This is ofinterest to us all, but especially so to those of us who are RAnTechs – wecan use the database to track and keep records of our CPD.Elsewhere, we have AS-ET news, which includes information on the essaycompetition – prize a trip to Congress 2021. See page 16 to see if you areeligible – even if you are not, please pass the information on to thosewho are.Make sure you take care and …Happy Reading!CarolePoverty IAT LAUNCHES EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY GenderRaceSexual OrientationDiscriminationAgeReligion or BeliefDisabilityEthnicityFairAnti-oppres sive practiceFairYouth WorkSexValuesEmpowermentLegislationDifferenc eSociet yEqualRightsStatusOpportunitiesClassBeliefsEducationNOBODY IS THE SAME BUT EVERYONE IS EQUALInstitute of Animal TechnologyAdvancing and promoting excellence in the care and welfare of animals in scienceEnsuring policies, procedures and processes don’t discriminateEducation - equal access to opportunitiesCreating an inclusive culture for allwww.iat.org.uk/equalityGROUPJul20:IATB NEW 13/7/20 08:29 Page 5Now more so than in previous years we would like to take time to recognise the important roles Technicians perform within our industry and celebrate the huge efforts that have been made during this pandemic. Tech Month is going to have a different feel this year due to the current climate we ﬁnd ourselves in.It will be running from the 1st of March and throughout the virtual Congress.We will be running two national events. The IAT will be hosting an online quiz every week through March 2021 so make sure you go to the website to take part. There will be the choice of an IAT Hoodie or Polo shirt for the weekly winners and an Amazon voucher worth £100 for the overall winner. There will also be a new event running for 2021 called Technician Bingo. This will involve carrying out certain challenges throughout March. There will be a weekly prize draw for all entries completing a bingo line and an overall prize draw for all entries completing a Bingo Full House. Check out the IAT website www.iat.org.uk for more information and to register for Technician Bingo.Institute ofAnimal Technology

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BulletinApril 2021 • 21this would include a lot of information about Branch news and social gatherings and reports of symposiums, workshops and other meetings, as well as the regular AS-ET article.Because of the pandemic, these past twelve months have not been quite as they usually are. In an usual year we would keep you, the members, up to date with such things as Congress announcements. This year we were unable to do that, so groups such as BING have come into their own – producing articles such as “On My Doorstep” and plenty of competitions to keep everyone’s spirits up. Bulletin30 • February 2021 Watercolour painting from your chosen photograph.Provided fPET PORTRAITSWatercolour painting from your chosen photograph.Provided fPET PORTRAITSWatercolour painting from your chosen photograph.Provided framedAll profits going toFor more details contactwendy.steel1@outlook.comPET PORTRAITSWatercolour painting from your chosen photograph.ramed. Dimensions approx.ll profits going toFor more details contactwendy.steel1@outlook.comPET PORTRAITSWatercolour painting from your chosen photograph.imensions approx.£120ll profits going toFor more details contactwendy.steel1@outlook.comPET PORTRAITSWatercolour painting from your chosen photograph.imensions approx.ll profits going toAS-For more details contactwendy.steel1@outlook.comPET PORTRAITSWatercolour painting from your chosen photograph.imensions approx.35cm x-ETFor more details contactwendy.steel1@outlook.comPET PORTRAITSWatercolour painting from your chosen photograph.cm x25cmWatercolour painting from your chosen photograph.cmBidding will be via ASwww.animalsinscienceeducationtrust.org.uk/AND GET READY TO PLACE YOUR BIDS0NCOMING SOON!Bidding will be via ASrange of exciting lots to be wonFitBit, bungee jump, original artLook out for updates onwww.animalsinscienceeducationtrust.org.uk/AND GET READY TO PLACE YOUR BIDSAll proceeds will go to AS0N-LINE AUCTIONCOMING SOON!Bidding will be via ASrange of exciting lots to be wonFitBit, bungee jump, original artLook out for updates onwww.animalsinscienceeducationtrust.org.uk/AND GET READY TO PLACE YOUR BIDSAll proceeds will go to ASLINE AUCTIONCOMING SOON!Bidding will be via ASrange of exciting lots to be wonFitBit, bungee jump, original rtand much more!Look out for updates onwww.animalsinscienceeducationtrust.org.uk/AND GET READY TO PLACE YOUR BIDSAll proceeds will go to ASLINE AUCTIONCOMING SOON!Bidding will be via AS-ET websiterange of exciting lots to be wonFitBit, bungee jump, original artand much more!Look out for updates onwww.animalsinscienceeducationtrust.org.uk/AND GET READY TO PLACE YOUR BIDSAll proceeds will go to ASLINE AUCTIONCOMING SOON!ET websiterange of exciting lots to be wonFitBit, gee jump, original artand much more!Look out for updates onwww.animalsinscienceeducationtrust.org.uk/AND GET READY TO PLACE YOUR BIDSAll proceeds will go to ASLINE AUCTIONCOMING SOON!ET website–range of exciting lots to be wonFitBit, ee jump, original Aa rtand much more!Look out for updates onwww.animalsinscienceeducationtrust.org.uk/AND GET READY TO PLACE YOUR BIDSAll proceeds will go to AS-ETLINE AUCTIONCOMING SOON!–a wide,FitBit, ee jump, original artLook out for updates onwww.animalsinscienceeducationtrust.org.uk/AND GET READY TO PLACE YOUR BIDSETa widewww.animalsinscienceeducationtrust.org.uk/!ranChristmas emoji QuizTUB OF SWEETS FOR THE WINNERAll correct entries go into a draw. Closing Date 24.12.2020Entries – Kally Booth kbooth@dundee.ac.ukGuess the Christmas movie!Bulletin16• December 2020

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BulletinApril 2021 • 23We also use this time for any ideas that require publishing in the Bulletin, for example, people might send dates for the diary, make suggestions for articles, or send in images. For example, I am now working more with the IAT e-newsletter and social media accounts – with the idea to tie all of our information streams together a little more. You may have already seen on Twitter and Facebook links to the Australian RSPCA newsletter, you will see this again on the e-newsletter, with more of an explanation. The Bulletin now also receives that newsletter and we will run stories we think are of interest to you from that source.Once all the copy is decided, Paul and I go through and proofread everything that is going into that issue of the Bulletin. We take out old Diary Dates and add in new ones – either from dates people have sent us but also we look through calendars to source them. We decide on a front cover image – this usually ﬁ ts in with a story or theme inside. I then write a ﬁ rst draft of Dear Readers. We try and consider how many pages the Bulletin will be, multiples of 16 are ideal to conform with print speciﬁ cation.This then is sent to the printer, Allan Young from Warwick Printers and publisher, Sue Ojakowa from PRC Associates, in a process called ﬁ rst copy. Allan then typesets it, from a word form into a ﬁ rst draft of how it will look on the pages of the Bulletin. This comes back to Paul, Sue and me after a few days. While Paul and I are looking at ﬁ rst copy for the Bulletin, Sue is working with both advertisers and other members of Council, who often need to run pages of information. For example, Congress and Tech Month announcements, and more recently the Equality and Diversity Groups various campaigns which Sue helps them produce and design.It takes a few days for Allan to set and send back the copy, where all the articles are set out on paper as they may look in the ﬁ nished Bulletin. Sue then creates a makeup. This determines how big the ﬁ nal Bulletin will be, in terms of pages and what sits on each page. This takes into account the ﬁ rst copy Paul and I have sent her, as well as the advertising and information from the various Council groups. There is a certain running order to this – contents on page 3 and Dear Readers on page 5. Any Council matters are always close to the front, AS-ET pages are usually towards the middle. Branch matters are usually closer to the back, along with recruitment advertising and Diary dates are always on the inside back page. The size of the Bulletin and what stories we are running will depend on how long the ﬁ rst copy and makeup take to create. In 2019, the are looking at ﬁ rst copy for the Bulletin, Sue is working It’s OK … NOT TO BE OKAY …It’s OK … NOT TO BE OKAY … Coffee Catch up www.iat.org.ukMental Health AwarenessHas it not been your day, your week, your month or even your year?Or just fancy a hot drink with friendly people?Then drop in to say a quick ‘hello’ or for longer, if you have time for a chatThe IAT will be there for you!Every Wednesday at 15:30, join us on zoom:https://zoom.us/j/98153006281?pwd=V3Fmek9BRGg4M1pOZjlWbE81MmZHdz09Institute of Animal TechnologyCOUNCIL

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Bulletin26 • April 2021 Watercolour painting from your chosen photograph.Provided fPET PORTRAITSWatercolour painting from your chosen photograph.Provided fPET PORTRAITSWatercolour painting from your chosen photograph.Provided framedAll profits going toFor more details contactwendy.steel1@outlook.comPET PORTRAITSWatercolour painting from your chosen photograph.ramed. Dimensions approx.ll profits going toFor more details contactwendy.steel1@outlook.comPET PORTRAITSWatercolour painting from your chosen photograph.imensions approx.£120ll profits going toFor more details contactwendy.steel1@outlook.comPET PORTRAITSWatercolour painting from your chosen photograph.imensions approx.ll profits going toAS-For more details contactwendy.steel1@outlook.comPET PORTRAITSWatercolour painting from your chosen photograph.imensions approx.35cm x-ETFor more details contactwendy.steel1@outlook.comPET PORTRAITSWatercolour painting from your chosen photograph.cm x25cmWatercolour painting from your chosen photograph.cmBidding will be via ASwww.animalsinscienceeducationtrust.org.uk/AND GET READY TO PLACE YOUR BIDS0NCOMING SOON!Bidding will be via ASrange of exciting lots to be wonFitBit, bungee jump, original artLook out for updates onwww.animalsinscienceeducationtrust.org.uk/AND GET READY TO PLACE YOUR BIDSAll proceeds will go to AS0N-LINE AUCTIONCOMING SOON!Bidding will be via ASrange of exciting lots to be wonFitBit, bungee jump, original artLook out for updates onwww.animalsinscienceeducationtrust.org.uk/AND GET READY TO PLACE YOUR BIDSAll proceeds will go to ASLINE AUCTIONCOMING SOON!Bidding will be via ASrange of exciting lots to be wonFitBit, bungee jump, original rtand much more!Look out for updates onwww.animalsinscienceeducationtrust.org.uk/AND GET READY TO PLACE YOUR BIDSAll proceeds will go to ASLINE AUCTIONCOMING SOON!Bidding will be via AS-ET websiterange of exciting lots to be wonFitBit, bungee jump, original artand much more!Look out for updates onwww.animalsinscienceeducationtrust.org.uk/AND GET READY TO PLACE YOUR BIDSAll proceeds will go to ASLINE AUCTIONCOMING SOON!ET websiterange of exciting lots to be wonFitBit, gee jump, original artand much more!Look out for updates onwww.animalsinscienceeducationtrust.org.uk/AND GET READY TO PLACE YOUR BIDSAll proceeds will go to ASLINE AUCTIONCOMING SOON!ET website–range of exciting lots to be wonFitBit, ee jump, original Aa rtand much more!Look out for updates onwww.animalsinscienceeducationtrust.org.uk/AND GET READY TO PLACE YOUR BIDSAll proceeds will go to AS-ETLINE AUCTIONCOMING SOON!–a wide,FitBit, ee jump, original artLook out for updates onwww.animalsinscienceeducationtrust.org.uk/AND GET READY TO PLACE YOUR BIDSETa widewww.animalsinscienceeducationtrust.org.uk/!ranBulletin16 •July 2020AS-ET NewsThe Trustees of AS-ET would like to send our best wishes to all those of you whoare having to work in difficult circumstances, ensuring your animals are cared forand essential science carries on. It is an amazing achievement to have continuedto get to work while public transport has been lacking and while avoiding beinginfected yourselves. Congratulations to all of you for demonstrating your cultureof care in a really practical way in these dangerous times. Please make sure tostill stay safe now that the restrictions have been lifted slightly – the incidence ofinfections has slowed down but the virus is still around.As you can imagine this has been a quiet time for AS-ET but we are ready forwhen circumstances allow people to get back to enrolling on courses. Our plansfor events to mark our tenth anniversary will remain on hold until the countrybecomes more settled, however remember the Congress Bursary Competition isstill running so start writing. Congress Bursary CompetitionIf you are studying for the IAT level 2 qualification or you passed it in 2018, 2019or 2020 and you are employed as a laboratory animal technician in the UK or theRepublic of Ireland you can enter the competition. This year’s topic is —‘What challenges and rewards have you experienced as an animal technician?’ Your 1,000 word essay should be submitted by 20th October 2020. Full details areon our website (www.as-et.org.uk).Patron: Professor Lord Naren Patel KTChair of Trustees: Professor Sir Richard Gardner FIAT (Hon) FRSSecretary to the Trust: Ken Applebee OBE FIAT FRSBTrustees: Stephen Barnett MSc (Hon) FRSB, Jasmine Barley MSc FIAT,Karen J Gardner, Wendy Steel BSc (Hons) FIATRegistered Charity Number 113319Registered Office: 5 South Parade, Summertown, Oxford OX2 7JLJul20:IATB NEW 10/7/20 10:02 Page 16

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BulletinApril 2021 • 27 AS-ET is a charity to advance education and promote excellence in the careand welfare of animals used in science. Sponsors of AS-ET are listed below and to find out more please visit thewebsite www.as-et.org.ukAS-ET is a charity set up to advance education and promote excellence inthe care and welfare of animals used in science.To see how you can apply for a bursary visit our website (www.as-et.org.uk)The companies listed below sponsor AS-ET. If you would like to join themfind out how to support us by looking at our website.BulletinMay 2014• 15AS-ET is a charity set up to advance education and promote excellence inthe care and welfare of animals used in science.To see how you can apply for a bursary visit our website (www.as-et.org.uk)The companies listed below sponsor AS-ET. If you would like to join themfind out how to support us by looking at our website.BulletinMay 2014• 15AS-ET is a charity set up to advance education and promote excellence inthe care and welfare of animals used in science.To see how you can apply for a bursary visit our website (www.as-et.org.uk)The companies listed below sponsor AS-ET. If you would like to join themfind out how to support us by looking at our website.BulletinMay 2014• 15AS-ET is a charity set up to advance education and promote excellence inthe care and welfare of animals used in science.To see how you can apply for a bursary visit our website (www.as-et.org.uk)The companies listed below sponsor AS-ET. If you would like to join themfind out how to support us by looking at our website.BulletinMay 2014• 15AS-ET is a charity set up to advance education and promote excellence inthe care and welfare of animals used in science.To see how you can apply for a bursary visit our website (www.as-et.org.uk)The companies listed below sponsor AS-ET. If you would like to join themfind out how to support us by looking at our website.BulletinMay 2014• 15AS-ET is a charity set up to advance education and promote excellence inthe care and welfare of animals used in science.To see how you can apply for a bursary visit our website (www.as-et.org.uk)The companies listed below sponsor AS-ET. If you would like to join themfind out how to support us by looking at our website.BulletinMay 2014• 15AS-ET is a charity set up to advance education and promote excellence inthe care and welfare of animals used in science.To see how you can apply for a bursary visit our website (www.as-et.org.uk)The companies listed below sponsor AS-ET. If you would like to join themfind out how to support us by looking at our website.BulletinMay 2014• 15AS-ET is a charity set up to advance education and promote excellence inthe care and welfare of animals used in science.To see how you can apply for a bursary visit our website (www.as-et.org.uk)The companies listed below sponsor AS-ET. If you would like to join themfind out how to support us by looking at our website.BulletinMay 2014• 15AS-ET is a charity set up to advance education and promote excellence inthe care and welfare of animals used in science.To see how you can apply for a bursary visit our website (www.as-et.org.uk)The companies listed below sponsor AS-ET. If you would like to join themfind out how to support us by looking at our website.BulletinMay 2014• 15Bulletin18 •July 2020Jul20:IATB NEW 10/7/20 10:02 Page 18

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Bulletin28 • April 2021 Organising Charity : The Grin Institute, Northwick Park & St Mark’s Hospital, Y Block | Watford Road, Harrow, HA1 3UJ | Tel: +44(0)20 3958 0500The Grin Institute is the brand name of Northwick Park Institute for Medical Research (NPIMR),a company limited by guarantee No. 3445616 and Registered Charity No. 1129348.St Mark’s Hospital Foundation is a company limited by guarantee No. 07532184 and Registered Charity No.1140930.Join us on a fun, family-friendly walk across 10 iconic London Bridges!6.5 miles or 13 milesAwe-inspiring views of London landmarksRaise vital funds for The Grin Institute and St Mark’s Hospital FoundationWHEN?Sunday 27th June 2021HOW?To register, and for more information, please visit our website at: https://grininstitute.org.uk/bridgesAlternatively, please email us: info@grininstitute.org.uk or call us on: +44(0)203 958 0500Sign up online now!Registration fee: £15 Adults | £10 ChildrenMinimum sponsorship: £250 per person or £350 per family up to 4Corporate team of 5: Registration: £60 | Minimum sponsorship: £500In Aid of LONDON BRIDGES WALKAs the organising charity, The Grin Institute will receive 100% of funds raised by registrants who select The Grin Institute as their chosen charity at the point of registration. St Mark’s Hospital Foundation will receive 70% of funds raised by registrants who select St Mark’s Hospital Foundation as their chosen charity at the point of registration. The organising charity The Grin Institute will receive the other 30%. The Grin Institute will receive 70% of funds raised by registrants who select both charities at the point of registration. St Mark’s Hospital Foundation will receive the other 30%. The Grin Institute will receive all event registration fees to help cover event costs.Organising Charity : The Grin Institute, Northwick Park & St Mark’s Hospital, Y Block | Watford Road, Harrow, HA1 3UJ | Tel: +44(0)20 3958 0500The Grin Institute is the brand name of Northwick Park Institute for Medical Research (NPIMR),a company limited by guarantee No. 3445616 and Registered Charity No. 1129348.St Mark’s Hospital Foundation is a company limited by guarantee No. 07532184 and Registered Charity No.1140930.Join us on a fun, family-friendly walk across 10 iconic London Bridges!6.5 miles or 13 milesAwe-inspiring views of London landmarksRaise vital funds for The Grin Institute and St Mark’s Hospital FoundationWHEN?Sunday 27th June 2021HOW?To register, and for more information, please visit our website at: https://grininstitute.org.uk/bridgesAlternatively, please email us: info@grininstitute.org.uk or call us on: +44(0)203 958 0500Sign up online now!Registration fee: £15 Adults | £10 ChildrenMinimum sponsorship: £250 per person or £350 per family up to 4Corporate team of 5: Registration: £60 | Minimum sponsorship: £500In Aid of LONDON BRIDGES WALKAs the organising charity, The Grin Institute will receive 100% of funds raised by registrants who select The Grin Institute as their chosen charity at the point of registration. St Mark’s Hospital Foundation will receive 70% of funds raised by registrants who select St Mark’s Hospital Foundation as their chosen charity at the point of registration. The organising charity The Grin Institute will receive the other 30%. The Grin Institute will receive 70% of funds raised by registrants who select both charities at the point of registration. St Mark’s Hospital Foundation will receive the other 30%. The Grin Institute will receive all event registration fees to help cover event costs.

April 2021

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