Video transcript: Dave Lewis

Video transcript for ‘Researcher Spotlight Dave Lewis’ embedded on the Faculty of Biological Sciences news pages.

(The screen shows Dave sitting in a chair against a plain background, and the video starts with him closing a film clapperboard and smiling. Dave talks to camera throughout.)

My name is Dave Lewis. I'm Professor of Education for Professional and Sustainable Development in the School of Biomedical Sciences. 

My work involves providing lifelong learning opportunities for all those involved in the care and use of animals for research. It matters because animal welfare can have a huge impact on the science. So it enables researchers to undertake high quality, humane science involving animals. 

My interest stemmed from my research involving animals. When I moved into a student education focused role, then it was translating my research into education opportunities for students. Initially for undergraduates, then later lifelong learning opportunities across the world. 

What inspires me about my work is the impact it can have. Not only in supporting researchers across the world, but also in enabling them to undertake high-quality science. 

What surprises people about my work is two things. First of all, the complexity. You can't just think about the science. You've got to think about the animal welfare, ethics, legislation, people's culture and values. And secondly, the impact its generated. Few lifelong learning opportunities are available in many parts of the world. In Africa, we've created opportunities for 3,600 people from 28 African countries. We've also given the tools they can deliver similar activities in their own networks and also provide the support resource they need. 

Animal welfare is not just lab animals. It’s animals that are used in farms, in wildlife, zoos. The opportunities I'm providing are supporting colleagues who are working in those sectors as well. I chair an international pharmacology initiative which means my work has led me to work with colleagues not only in the UK and Europe but also across Africa, India, China and elsewhere. Wherever we are in the world, we're on a global journey to replace the use of animals in research. In the UK and Europe, it’s very much on replacement, abolishing animals totally. Elsewhere in the world, they're earlier on the journey. So, it’s supporting them in that journey towards ultimately replacing animals.

(The video ends with a black screen and the University of Leeds logo.)