2R Workshop - Opportunities for Reduction and Refinement in animal research

November 19th, 2025

In recent years, attention from policy makers and funding agencies has been on Replacement in animal research. We believe that there are also opportunities for extra Reduction and Refinement. In this workshop, we would like to survey the opportunities and identify what is needed to realize them. The goal is to compose a 2-page document listing a selection of these opportunities and suggestions to NWO and ZonMW and policy makers of how they could help to increase Reduction and Refinement in animal research.

As a result of the workshop, a two-page position paper was created, that can be downloaded here

Program (Slides of the presentations can be access by clicking on the titles)

13.45-14.00 Arrival

14.00-14.10 Judith Homberg & Alexander Heimel – Welcome & aim of workshop

14.10-14.18 Jeffrey Bajramovic – Introduction into potential for 2R

14.18-14.26 Lisa Genzel – Rodent handling and housing

14.26-14.34 Heidi Lesscher – Behavioural and social testing in rodents

14.34-14.42 Freyja Olafsdottir – Automated semi-naturalistic set-ups

14.42-14.50 Bernhard Englitz – Welfare monitoring

14.50-14.58 Aleksandra Badura – Using surplus animals and enrichment

14.58- 15.06 Liesbeth Bolhuis – Sensors for physiological measurements

15.06-15.14 Liesbeth Sterck – Housing in multigenerational or peer groups