Crossing the Barrier: Strengthening Confidence in Conversations About Research
Published: 19 March 2026
In March 2026, technical staff from across the University participated in a bespoke workshop led by John Meredith of Understanding Animal Research (UAR). The session, titled “Crossing the Barrier,” focused on bridging the gap between the research community and the public. Through interactive polling and role-play, staff explored national opinion trends and developed practical strategies for sharing their work with confidence and transparency.
On March 19th, we were excited to welcome John Meredith from Understanding Animal Research (UAR) for a dedicated workshop attended by technical staff from across our facilities.
The session, “Crossing the Barrier: How to Speak with Confidence About Animal Research,” combined data-driven insights with practical communication skills. The first half of the day used interactive live polls, allowing attendees to compare their own perspectives on research against the most recent national opinion data. The results were often surprising, revealing that public opinion is frequently more supportive and nuanced than many in the industry expect.
The second portion of the workshop focused on day-to-day interactions. Attendees practiced forming responses to common questions from friends, family, and the public, focusing on how to:
-
Effectively get a message across while dispelling misinformation.
-
Find common ground to avoid unnecessary arguments.
-
Recognize when to gracefully change the subject.
The workshop elicited thought-provoking conversations as staff shared their own personal experiences of discussing their roles. Participants left feeling more relaxed and empowered to share what they do, noting that the interactive nature of the day provided them with a concrete toolkit for future conversations. We look forward to building on this success with similar events for wider audiences across the University in the future.
Thank you to John Meredith for sharing his expertise, and to everyone who attended!
First published: 19 March 2026