Animal Welfare and Ethics Review Body

The University’s Animal Welfare and Ethics Review Body (AWERB) is responsible for overseeing, reviewing and approving research involving animals. As a part of the University’s ethical review process, all research involving vertebrate and cephalopod species must be critically evaluated for any ethical and welfare issues.
The AWERB is responsible for developing a Culture of Care, this includes improving animal welfare, supporting named people, being committed to good quality science, providing forums for discussion and continuing to develop strong teams.

Locally the AWERB is known as the Animal Welfare and Ethics Committee (AWEC). The AWERB is responsible for ensuring that the University of St Andrews carries out research involving animals in accordance with the Animal (Scientific Procedures) Act (ASPA), 1986. This work is carefully reviewed both internally and externally by the Home Office. The AWERB meets quarterly.


Home Office liaison contact

The Home Office liaison contact acts as the key point of contact between the Home Office and the University in relation to licensing for research using animals and legislative compliance of the ethical review process.

The Home Office liaison contact provides advice and guidance to all users of animal facilities, particularly in relation to project and personal licences.

The Home Office liaison contact should be approached by anyone who proposes to undertake any research which involves animals - whether licensed or non-licensed.

The Home Office liaison contact disseminates Home Office and other relevant communications on behalf of the establishment licence holder to staff and users as appropriate.