Did an experience involving animal research stay with you long after university?
If you are reading this page, there is a good chance that something about your experience with animal research, animal experimentation, or animal-based teaching has stayed with you.
Perhaps there is a particular moment you still remember.
Perhaps you left a course, changed career direction, or questioned whether you belonged in a field you once felt passionate about.
Perhaps you experienced feelings you found difficult to explain to others.
Or perhaps you simply have a sense that the experience affected you more deeply than anyone ever acknowledged.
If any of this resonates with you, you are not alone.
Why are we doing this?
Growing Kindness is seeking to better understand the often-overlooked human impacts associated with animal research and teaching activities.
For many years, public discussion about animal research has focused almost exclusively on the animals involved. Far less attention has been given to the experiences of students, graduates, researchers and laboratory workers who may be emotionally affected by what they are required to witness or do.
Insights gathered may help inform strategies aimed at improving understanding, recognition and support for those affected.
You do not need to have a particular view about animal research.
You do not need to identify your experience as trauma.
You do not need to be certain that what you experienced affected you.
If something about your experience has stayed with you, we would like to listen.
What happens if I contact you?
The first step is simply a confidential conversation to answer any questions you may have about this project and to enable you to share anything you may wish to regarding your experience.
During this conversation we will advise you of the opportunity to provide confidential input into an approved survey being undertaken by an licenced mental health professional.
We'd like to listen.
For many people, this may be the first time they have spoken openly about these experiences.
Whether your experience occurred recently or many years ago, your perspective matters.
If you would like to have a confidential conversation, we invite you to contact us below.
