IAT Newsletter - October 2025
- IAT Website
- Oct 13
- 6 min read
I am delighted to welcome you to the October edition of the IAT Newsletter. October brings cooler, shorter days, but there are still plenty of exciting events before the year ends. As October unfolds it brings National Poetry Day on the 2nd which is a celebration of the power of words and the beauty of expression. It’s a perfect moment to pause, reflect, and perhaps even be inspired to pen a few lines of your own.
World Mental Health Day on 10th is a vital reminder to prioritise well-being and support for one another. It's an opportunity to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and encourage open conversations about mental health in our professional and personal lives. And as October draws to an end the spooky spirit of Halloween adds a playful chill to the air. Whether you're carving pumpkins, donning costumes, or enjoying sweet treats, it's a time for creativity and community fun.
I am Simon Cumming, and one of my roles on the IAT Council is Chair of the Registration and Accreditation Board, including Continued Professional Development (CPD). Our board plays a crucial role in managing the Register of Animal Technologists (RAnTechs), including arranging interviews and accrediting NACWO courses from various training providers. We also award CPD points for events and training opportunities.
This year, we proudly celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Registration of Animal Technologists (RAnTech). Professional registration demonstrates your commitment to animal welfare with the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement). The register highlights to the public, employers, and regulatory authorities a high ethical and legislative standard for animal technologists. It includes individuals who, through qualification, experience, and conduct, are suited to promote a culture of care and hold significant responsibilities in laboratory animal facilities. This prestigious status enhances your CV by showcasing your commitment to high ethical standards, continuous development, and a professional attitude valued by employers.
Look out for an insightful feature in an upcoming Bulletin, where we describe the origins of RAnTech with testimonials from RAnTechs in various roles within animal technology.
Thank you for your dedication and for being a member of the Institute.
All the very best,
Simon Cumming
Chair of the Registration and Accreditation Board with CPD
AS-ET Sponsored Institute of Animal Technology (IAT) HE Prizes 2025
Each year AS-ET sponsors three awards for the best achiever of the academic year studying for each of the three IAT higher education levels. Selected by the College of Laboratory Animal Science and Technology (CLAST), the three individuals each receive a certificate and a prize of £250. These awards are presented at the IAT Council Reception, which is normally held during the first week of December.
IAT HE Level 4 - West Middlesex Branch Prize
In recognition of the Branch’s generous and ongoing donations to AS-ET.
Tegan Barlow from the Babraham Institute
IAT HE Level 5- Tecniplast Prize
In recognition of AS-ET’s largest ongoing corporate sponsor over many years.
Michaela Nightingale from Pharmaron UK
IAT HE Level 6- The John Walton Prize
In appreciation of AS-ET’s first Patron the late John Walton, Baron Walton of Detchant (16th September 1922 – 21st April 2016), the distinguished neuroscientist, academic, and life peer who sat in the House of Lords as a crossbencher.
Emma Mustafa from the Institute of Cancer Research
Congratulations to all the Graduates, from the AS-ET Board of Trustees.
Registration is Open
Taking place in a state of the art new venue with ample exhibition space, superb breakout rooms and meeting space, Congress 2026 will offer attendees a diverse variety of presentation topics, poster displays and a full programme of workshops. A range of attendee packages are available so check out our website now for full details and to register.
Attendee registration and exhibition bookings are open
Abstract submissions for Posters is open
Draft proposed programme to be published shortly
range of Early Bird packages available until 12th December so don’t miss out on the best rates.
Call for Abstracts
We are still welcoming your abstract submissions for Posters.
Key dates:
Submission closing date is Monday 29th December for Posters
Exhibition registration closing date mid-December 2025
Early Bird discount ends Wednesday 31st December 2025
Registration closing date Monday 16th March 2026
Visit the IAT Congress 2025 website to register and to submit your Poster proposals
AWERB Hub workshop - The Role of AWERBS in Successful Rehoming
The ASC (Animals in science Committee) will be hosting a workshop on promoting the role of the AWERB in successful rehoming. This event will be held online on the 15th October 2025 between 13:00 and 16:00.
This workshop will cover the following topics:
Update on the work of the Animals Science Committee
Requirements, benefits, and barriers to rehoming
Case study: rehoming of feal ponies
Setting up & successfully running a re-homing program as part of your culture of care
Case study: New Zealand partnership programme with animal welfare groups.
Case study: US rehoming scheme – Homes for Animal Heroes
To register please click here. (Password: Rehoming)
Newcastle University 3Rs event – Colony Management
Newcastle University are hosting their annual 3Rs event and it is free to register on the 6th November. The event this year has a focus on colony management with lots of exciting speakers, poster presentations, flash trade, trade stands & more!
On the Day:
Poster presentations including tissue sharing, Zebra fish & mouse breeding, husbandry and more.
Flash trade presentations
Networking opportunities and interactivity
Ask the experts panel Q & A
Trade stands
Lunch and refreshments provided
To register for this event click here
Real talk: Bodies and the bits we don’t discuss
Real talk builds empathy, breaks stigma, and helps us all show up for one another:
Let’s open up the conversations we often shy away from—non-visible disabilities like dyslexia and autism, men’s health, testicular cancer awareness (with support from the OddBalls Foundation), and menopause. This workshop isn’t just for those directly affected. It’s for anyone who wants to better understand the people around them. Because no matter how you identify, whatever your age, these issues shape the lives of your friends, family, colleagues—and maybe even your future self.
This event starting at 14.00hrs on the 12th November will be via zoom, the link will be supplied after you register below:
14.00 Non-visible disabilities
14.30 Men health, Taboo or not? My experiences
15.00 Raising Awareness about Testicular Cancer - The Oddballs Foundation, we care about BALLS and so should you!
15.30 Menopause and perimenopause symptoms can have a big impact on a female’s life, including relationships and work.
For more details visit our EDI Webpage
UK Zebrafish Husbandry Meeting
Co-hosted by the BSF at the University of Manchester and The Francis Crick Institute
Join us at the University of Manchester for a dynamic day of expert talks, practical insights, and networking—all focused on the care and management of zebrafish in research settings.
Whether you're an experienced technician, facility manager, or just beginning your journey in zebrafish husbandry, this event offers something for everyone. Expect engaging presentations, opportunities to share best practices, and plenty of time to connect with colleagues from across the UK.
Don’t miss this chance to deepen your knowledge, exchange ideas, and celebrate the zebrafish community in a collaborative and interactive setting.
On the day:
Keynote speaker Dr Lynne Sneddon will be talking on refining zebrafish experiments
Dr Paul Schroeder on more than just health screening
Tech talks
Trade area
Refreshments to finish
Your Council Needs You
The Institute of Animal Technology (IAT) is actively seeking new Council members, so whether you are interested in welfare initiatives, communications, education and training or just want to have a say, then why not get more involved in your professional body and join Council?
Join your local IAT Branch
Would you like to join your local Branch of the IAT but don’t know how to do this. It is easily done and if you would like to get more involved and/or receive information about your Branch’s activities please click here for details
IAT Bulletin
Our monthly Bulletin is available online for IAT Members.
In this months issue:
227th Council Meeting Minutes
The PDSA Dickin Medal Winners
Darwin's Theory of Evolution
Congress 2026 Invitation to Participate
The End of Animal Research
To view online please click here
ATW Online
ATW aims to be the medium for Animal Technologists and all those concerned with the care and welfare of animals used for research purposes to communicate 'good practice'.
ATW especially aims to promote and develop the 3Rs particularly in respect of Refinement. More importantly, ATW promotes the generally accepted 4th R, Responsibility. The responsibility that all Animal Technologists have in ensuring dissemination of 'good practice' to every institution using animals in research.
ATW enjoys a unique position as the scientific publication for leading organisations for the welfare of animals used in research.
To view online please click here
Situations Vacant
For current vacancies please click here
