Dear animal researchers,

It is of utmost importance for the high scientific quality and ethical conduct of animal research that researchers search all available information on their study topics before planning and executing animal experiments. To this end, the Finnish 3R Centre and HiLIFE Comprehensive Model Organisms Platform organise an online workshop about systematic reviews of animal studies in May 23-24. Please see below more detailed information and application information.

Best regards,

Sakari

Sakari Laaksonen

Designated veterinarian

Oulu Laboratory Animal Centre (OULAC)

University of Oulu, Finland

Postal address: PO Box 5000, 90014 University of Oulu, Finland

Tel: +358 294 48 5097

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Workshop: Systematic Reviews of Animal Studies - May 23-24, 2023 (online, Zoom) 

This workshop provides a first hands-on introduction to the concept and methodology of systematic review and meta-analysis of animal studies. In clinical research, systematic review is already common practice. In the case of animal experimentation, however, systematic reviews are still rather uncommon, even they have several important advantages: systematic reviews may improve the translation of animal data to the clinic, contribute to patient safety, improve the scientific quality of animal experiments, and prevent unnecessary (duplication of) animal experiments. In addition, meta-analyses provide quantitative summaries of the results of animal studies on a certain topic and often provide new insights without having to use new animals. 

Both the advantages and the limitations of systematic reviews will be discussed. You will have the opportunity to practice various steps of the systematic review process, such as comprehensive searching, data extraction and analysis. You will experience the added value of systematic reviews and have the opportunity to explore the possibilities and efforts needed for conducting a review in your own field of research.

Target audience
The workshop is targeted at junior biomedical researchers considering to conduct their own systematic review of animal studies in the near future. The workshop is also suitable for junior and senior researchers or other staff (e.g. animal welfare officers) directly or indirectly involved in animal experiments, wishing to familiarize themselves with systematic review methodology

Tutors:
Dr. Kimberley (Kim) Wever and Dr. Carlijn Hooijmans are early-career meta-research experts dedicated to maximizing the value of animal studies for human health and work at the Meta-Research team - Radboudumc (https://www.radboudumc.nl/en/research/departments/anesthesiology/meta-research-team) . They are specialized in the use of systematic review and meta-analysis methodology to drive improvements in the design, validity and transparency of animal research. They have ~10 years’ years’ experience in performing (methodological research on) evidence synthesis and validity assessments of animal studies, and in training scientists to do better research. They have achieved many milestones in this area together with their long-standing colleagues at SYRCLE and CAMARADES (https://www.ed.ac.uk/clinical-brain-sciences/research/camarades). 

Application deadline: May 10, 2023
LINK TO APPLICATION: https://forms.office.com/e/QMMWeegd6V

Maximum 25 participants will be selected based on background and motivation to join the workshop.
Approved participants will be informed by May 12, 2023.

The course will run on May 23-24, from 10 to 14 (EEST, Helsinki) on both days.

Contact and further information: Vootele Voikar (vootele.voikar@helsinki.fi )

This workshop is organized and sponsored by Fin3R (https://fin3r.fi/en ) and HiLIFE Comprehensive Model Organisms Platform (https://www.helsinki.fi/en/infrastructures/comprehensive-model-organisms )