3R Symposium: Smart Science, Kind Practices – Advancing Animal Welfare Together

The Animal Welfare Body of Oulu Laboratory Animal Centre, together with Health and Biosciences Doctoral Programme, University of Oulu Graduate School, will organise a full-day 3R symposium on Wednesday, 11 February 2026 at 9:00 – 15:00.

The symposium will be held at the University of Oulu, Kontinkangas campus, Aapistie 5A, Leena Palotie Hall (101A).

Register by 6.2.2026 https://link.webropol.com/s/3RregisterOulu2026

Participation in the event is considered as part of the annual maintenance training required by law for persons conducting research on experimental animals. Those who attend the whole symposium will get a certificate of attendance.

Attending the whole seminar gives 0,5 ECTS.

PROGRAMME

9:00 – 9:30                Coffee service

Chair: Salla Kangas

9:30 – 9:35 Opening of the symposium

Professor Hanna-Marja Voipio, Director,

Oulu Laboratory Animal Centre, University of Oulu, Finland

9:35 – 10:20 Caring to death: Reconsidering compassion and respect

in creating scientific knowledge with animal bodies

Professor Pauliina Rautio, University of Oulu, Finland

10:20 – 10:50 Animal experimentation at its best - Practical implementation

of culture of care framework

Dr Mikko Karpale, University of Oulu, Finland

10:50 – 11:50           Lunch

Chair: Mikko Karpale

11:50 – 12:20 Avoiding surplus animals in research

Docent Petra Sipilä, University of Turku, Finland

12:20 – 12:50 Beyond publication bias: Embracing negative data in research

Dr Björn Gerlach, Guarantors of EQIPD e.V., Germany

12:50 – 13:20 Refinement of oral administration protocols for rodents –

Benefits for animals and science

Dr Paulin Jirkof, University of Zürich, Switzerland

13:20 – 13:50           Coffee service

Chair: Mika Kaakinen

13:50 – 14:20 Ethical and efficient: Advancements in the generation of

genetically modified mouse models

Dr Petr Nickl, University of Oulu, Finland

14:20 – 14:50 TTP core and 3Rs: Latest news about activities and

mouse models of Finnish Disease Heritage

Professor Reetta Hinttala, University of Oulu, Finland

14:50 Closing remarks

Additional information:

Sakari Laaksonen (sakari.laaksonen@oulu.fi)

Hanna-Marja Voipio (hanna-marja.voipio@oulu.fi).