Staff

Bella Lear Chief Executive

Bella has worked in science communication for over 20 years.  Her work has spanned neuroscience and the social sciences, as she has worked on culture change and the communication of complex and ethically challenging issues with different audiences.  She is a Member of Council of the Laborartory Animal Science Association (LASA) and UK Representative to the Federation of European Animal Science Associations (FELASA).

In 2007 Bella worked as a science communication consultant and researcher, and was involved in several government culture change programmes, and lead the development of science website www.animalresearch.info for UAR's forerunner, the Research Defence Society (RDS).  On returning to UAR in 2010, Bella worked with the Science Media Centre, Medical Research Council and Wellcome Trust to initiate the Concordat on Openness on Animal Research, and became strategic lead for openness. She has worked primarily with UAR's members, supporting them to build openness into communications strategies.

Governance

Understanding Animal Research Oceania is led by its Board of Directors. Directors sit as individuals, and bring knowledge of their different sectors to support UAR Oceania. Directors are selected for the skills they bring and for their commitment to UAR Oceania's purpose. UAR Oceania's founding Directors represent and provide oversight from UAR (UK) which has provided the experience and resource for this initiative. They also include key stakeholders from life-sciences research in Australia and New Zealand. From 2023 the Board of Directors will be voted in by member representatives at the AGM.

Jodi Salinsky, (New Zealand) Chair of the Board of Directors

Jodi is a veterinarian with extensive experience, having worked in a variety of animal health, welfare, education, and communication capacities in a wide range of organisations internationally. She is currently the Animal Welfare Officer at the University of Auckland.

 

 

Kiri Collins (Australia), Honorary Treasurer

Kiri is Head of Built Environment & Infrastructure at the Children’s Cancer Institute, Sydney NSW, Australia, and President of ANZLAA.

 

 

 

Wendy Jarrett (UK), Director

An experienced in leader in communications focused on scientific issues, Wendy led the development of the UK's Concordat on Openness on Animal Research. She is CEO of Understanding Animal Research and a member of the UK’s Animals in Science Committee.

 

 

Jane Cross (Australia), Director

Jane Cross manages laboratory operations at the Perron Institute, for Neurological and Translational Science University of Western Australia.

 

 

 

Anna Mitchell (New Zealand), Director

Anna is a behavioural neuroscientist whose research looks at learning and decision-making processes in humans and animals. She is Associate Professor of Behavioural Neuroscience at University of Canterbury.

 

 

Susan Maascricht (Australia), Director

Susan is a post-graduate qualified veterinarian who has worked in the vocational education, animal shelter, university and research sectors as a senior executive, manager and leader, with responsibility for the operation and management of complex scientific, educational and welfare facilities. She has extensive experience in human and animal ethics and welfare and has served on multiple advisory, ethics and management committees and Boards. Susan has held executive or senior management positions responsible for educational, research and welfare outcomes for the past 10 years, and is currently Director of Research Integrity & Ethics Administration at the University of Sydney.

Nick Grainger (Australia), Director

Nick has been involved with animal research from before he finished school, initially at a large contract research organisation in the UK. He now runs a clinical training & research facility within a large tertiary hospital in Western Australia. Working closely with academic and senior clinical staff, he now oversees globally renowned training programs that utilise both animal and non-animal models. Nick has previously served on the executive committee of ANZLAA, chaired national meetings, presented at numerous conferences, and served as invited faculty on national and international clinical training workshops and conferences.