Imperial showcases openness and innovation in animal research at GER Festival 2026

Imperial College London's 3RsHub joined thousands of visitors at the 2026 Great Exhibition Road (GER) Festival, engaging the public in open conversations about animal research, animal welfare, and the development of alternatives to animal models.

Through an interactive stand, visitors were invited to learn more about why animals are still needed in some areas of research, the rigorous standards of care and welfare applied to animals at Imperial, and the University's ongoing commitment to the principles of the 3Rs - Replacement, Reduction and Refinement. 

From Mice to Medicine, the stand developed by the Imperial 3RsHub for the GER Festival 2026, brought together expertise from Central Biomedical Services (CBS), the Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, the Department of Bioengeneering, and the Imperial Organoids Facility, providing a comprehensive overview of how researchers are working to advance science responsibly while accelerating the development and adoption of alternative methods. 

The discussions demonstrated how advances in new technologies form an important part of Imperial's broader strategy to replace animal use and develop more human-relevant research models. 

New 360° virtual tour offers unprecedented access  

The festival also provided the launch of the new 360° virtual animal facility tour, now available on the Imperial Animal Research webpage. This is an immersive digital experience that offers unprecedented insight into the environments where animal research and animal care take place. 

Developed with the support of the UKRI Enhancing Research Culture programme, the virtual tour allows users to explore key areas of one of the Imperial facilities and learn more about the people who care for the animals and key research ongoing at Imperial. The resource aims to increase understanding of animal research practices, animal welfare standards and the regulatory framework governing this work. 

The initiative forms part of Imperial's commitment to openness and transparency, helping to make information about animal research more accessible to the public, prospective students, staff and collaborators. 

"We know that many people are interested in understanding why animals are used in research and how they are cared for. Events such as the GER Festival provide a valuable opportunity to have open and honest conversations, answer questions and showcase both the welfare standards in place and the efforts being made to develop alternatives," said Robert Floyd, CBS director. 

Award-winning communication strategy  

A few days after the event, the 3RsHub also received an award for their proactive communication strategy at the Understanding Animal Research Openness Conference, highlighting Imperial commitment to transparency and engagement. 

The award acknowledged the Hub's work to communicate openly about animal research and the 3Rs, while fostering constructive dialogue between researchers, animal care staff and the wider public.