Culture of Care Award 2025

The prize is awarded during the International Laboratory Animal Technician Week to an animal technician or animal care taker who has made exemplary efforts to promote a Culture of Care around animal experimentation at UU and UMC Utrecht. By this we mean a safe culture of care and trust, in which things can be discussed. The winner receives a nice, symbolic award.

Objectives

• Encourage a Culture of Care with a particular focus on the role of lab animal caretakers and technicians. They play a very important role in monitoring and improving animal welfare and responsible use of laboratory animals.
• Promote and reward ingenuity, initiative, ambition and empowerment among animal caretakers and technicians, aimed at improving the welfare of laboratory animals, quality of research and open communication.

Who can you nominate?

Animal technicians and caretakers who work at one of UU or UMC Utrecht's animal facilities can be nominated for the award. This can also be a team! Are you inspired by someone? Or has a colleague of yours developed a great idea? Nominate that person or complete team and tell us why you think this person(s) deserves the prize.

What are the nominations judged on?

We assess each nomination on the following aspects:

• Care and welfare of laboratory animals
• Innovative ideas, small or large, that lead to improvements in welfare and/or quality of research
• Inspirational for colleagues, creating openness and dialogue
• Transparency, sharing ideas with colleagues across the country

Who sits on the assessment committee?

• Mieneke Luijendijk (AWB Utrecht)
• Ellen Deelen (DEC Utrecht)
• Melissa Velthoven (3Rs Centre)
• Claudia Vinke (Researcher UU)
• Kim van der Waaij (winner 2024)

Send your nomination to info@ivd-utrecht.nl by 20^st of december 2024, please mention Culture of Care Award 2025 nomination. The award will be handed out during the International Laboratory Animal Technician Week (26 January-1 February 2025)