Culture of Care

Caring for our People. Caring for our Animals.

Culture of Care is a shared commitment to creating research environments where strong science, animal welfare, human well-being, and openness/communication are woven together. 

This approach supports both scientific rigor and compassionate, responsible research, ensuring that animals, people, and science thrive. 

The Four Pillars of Culture of Care

Scientific Integrity

Advancing strong, reproducible, and ethical science

Why It Matters:

Scientific rigor and reproducibility are the foundations of responsible animal research. Every procedure, model, and decision must be scientifically justified and thoughtfully designed to minimize unnecessary animal use and maximize meaningful outcomes.
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Human Well-Being

Supporting personnel resilience, safety, and engagement

Why It Matters:

People are at the heart of the Culture of Care. A resilient, supported, and engaged workforce can recognize issues early, adapt effectively, and bring compassion and consistency to their work. Recognizing the emotional aspects of our work and creating a psychologically safe environment are essential to caregivers’ well-being and sustaining animal welfare and scientific excellence.
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Animal Welfare

Embedding the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement) into everyday practice

Why It Matters:

Commitment to animal welfare and the principles of Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement ensures that every use of animals is justified, humane, and continually improved. Animals in well-designed, welfare-conscious studies yield better, more reliable data.
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Openness and Transparency

Building trust through clear, honest communication within and outside the research community

Why It Matters:

Trust is built when institutions communicate clearly and honestly about their work. Openness fosters accountability, builds confidence with the public and stakeholders, and drives improvement through shared learning.
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How the Four Pillars Work Together

The Culture of Care is only strong when its four pillars — Scientific Integrity, Animal Welfare, Human Well-Being, and Openness & Transparency — are aligned and reinforcing one another. 

Each pillar is essential on its own, but it is the interdependence between them that creates a truly resilient, compassionate, and effective research environment. 

When these pillars are connected, they form a foundation that supports both excellent science and responsible stewardship. 

The Power of Integration

No single pillar can sustain a Culture of Care on its own. 

  • Strong science requires humane animal care, supported people, and clear communication. 
  • Animal welfare flourishes in an environment where people are engaged, research is rigorous, and transparency is valued. 
  • Human well-being is strengthened when people feel supported and can trust the systems they work within — systems that value welfare, integrity, and honesty. 
  • Openness and transparency are credible only when backed by high standards in science, welfare, and culture. 

Together, these pillars form a coherent, resilient framework — one that supports both excellence in research and responsibility to animals, people, and society. 

“A Culture of Care is not the sum of its parts — it is the strength of their connection.” 

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Scientific Integrity