Zoological Society of London (ZSL) Zoological
Directorate (ZD) Research Policy
ContentsIntroduction ............................................................................................................................................ 2
Definition of terms .............................................................................................................................. 2
Criteria for acceptance of research proposals ........................................................................................ 2
Relevance to ZSL’s Vision and Purpose ............................................................................................... 2
Ethical review ...................................................................................................................................... 2
Application procedure ............................................................................................................................ 3
Submission mechanism....................................................................................................................... 3
Review process ................................................................................................................................... 3
Project implementation .......................................................................................................................... 4
Access to ZSL zoo sites (London and Whipsnade) .............................................................................. 4Costs .................................................................................................................................................... 4
Academic supervision ......................................................................................................................... 4Biological samples ............................................................................................................................... 4
Post-approval changes to projects...................................................................................................... 5
Termination of projects ...................................................................................................................... 5
Provision of results to ZSL ................................................................................................................... 5Safety and insurance ............................................................................................................................... 5Intellectual property and related aspects............................................................................................... 6
Data ownership ................................................................................................................................... 6Confidentiality ..................................................................................................................................... 6Privacy ................................................................................................................................................. 6Publications ......................................................................................................................................... 6
Media coverage and publicity ............................................................................................................. 71

Introduction
This policy covers all research conducted by ZSL staff, interns and external researchers using
resources from or within the ZSL Zoological Directorate (ZD). The applicant must agree to be boundby the terms and conditions of this Research Policy. Applications to conduct research should bemade using the ZSL Project Application Form (PAF). All research projects must be approved before
initiation. For all ZD research related enquiries please contact the ZD Research Team at
ZDresearch@zsl.org

Definition of terms
The ZSL’ Zoological Directorate’ comprises the Animal Department (Living Collections at London Zooand Whipsnade Zoo), the Veterinary Department and the Discovery & Learning Department.
‘Resources’ include the living collection, exhibits plus associated support system and monitoring
equipment, biological samples, records and staff time.
The ‘researcher’ is the person conducting the research.
The ‘ZD Research Team’ consists of the Research Co-ordinator and Research Officer.

Criteria for acceptance of research proposals
Relevance to ZSL’s Vision and PurposeZSL Vision: A world where wildlife thrives
ZSL Purpose: We inspire, inform and empower people to stop wild animals going extinct
The ZD conducts, facilitates and encourages scientific research that builds up a body of knowledge toassist in advancing the ZSL Vision and Purpose. The zoological collection presents a unique
opportunity to research species that are challenging or impossible to study in the wild and activities
may include behaviour observations, surveys, use of biological samples, animal records, evaluationof husbandry practice and the development or validation of techniques that can be used in the field
to support conservation efforts.
Priority will be given to research relevant to the ZD Research Strategy (see ZSL website) and with thepotential for positive impact on our activities, either through improved animal management orthrough the promotion of conservation action. Specific topics of current interest to the ZD are listedon the ZSL website.
Research topics identified as being valuable by relevant bodies in the zoological and conservation
community are particularly encouraged eg European Association of Zoos and Aquariums (EAZA),
British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA), European Association of Zoo andWildlife Veterinarians (EAZWV), EUAC, IUCN, Natural England etc.

Ethical review
ZSL is committed to maintaining the highest ethical standards in the conduct of research. In
accordance with the Zoo Licensing Act 1981, all research must be assessed and approved before
work begins to ensure scientific validity, due ethical consideration, high animal welfare andcompliance with relevant UK and EU legal requirements.
2Approval is not normally given to research requiring Home Office licencing for any of its
components.
Research having a direct impact on living animals will be assessed by the ZSL Ethics Committee (EC)as part of the approval process, unless the activity is considered to be part of normal husbandry
management or veterinary investigation procedures. For projects falling into the former category,
the applicant will need to complete the ZSL Ethical Review Form (animal impacts) as part of theapplication process.
Any research involving human participants will be assessed by the ZSL Ethics Committee as part of
the approval process unless it has been reviewed by the relevant ZSL supervisors and deemedethically unproblematic. For projects falling into the former category, the applicant will need tocomplete the ZSL Ethical Review Form (human impacts) as part of the application process. This also
applies to any studies regarding schools or children (under 18), these studies will need to beassessed by the Ethics Committee and must obtain the appropriate consent from schools/ parents,before proceeding in research.
For all research projects that received ethical approval by the Ethics Committee, an Ethical Review
Feedback form will be required after the completion of the project. This will be sent to the leadresearcher when the research completion date has been reached.
Data from research involving human participants must be processed in accordance with the Data
Protection Act 1998 and General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) (Regulation (EU) 2016/679).

Application procedure
Submission mechanism
Applicants should contact ZDresearch@zsl.org for a Project Application Form (PAF). This must becompleted and returned to the ZD Research Team for review. Approval for the project must be
received before data collection is initiated. If the applicant intends to conduct interviews orquestionnaires, the questions need to be submitted with the application prior to approval.

Review process
Research proposals will be reviewed by the ZD Research Team and other relevant staff (e.g. relevant
taxonomic curator, team leaders, veterinary or Discovery & Learning staff). Relevance to ZSL’s
priority research areas, ethical impacts, scientific validity and the practical implications for staff andanimals are taken into consideration for authorisation.
We aim to assess applications within three weeks and will either accept, reject or request
amendments and resubmission. As this time period is not guaranteed applicants are encouraged toapply well in advance of the anticipated start date, at least four weeks. If ethical approval is required
an additional two weeks may be required. Researchers will be notified by email as to the outcome of
their application.
ZSL reserves the right to reject a project proposal or biological sample request.

3Project implementation
Access to ZSL zoo sites (London and Whipsnade)Once authorisation has been given external researchers carrying out a project on-site should join ZSL
as a Student or Graduate Fellow via the ZSL website membership/fellowship. This enables free entry
to the public areas of both zoo sites during public opening hours, use of the library and discounts in
the gift shop and canteen. The Fellowship card should be carried at all times when on ZSL premises.
Access beyond normal opening hours or to non-public areas of the zoo is not normally considered. If
required this must be stated in the research proposal. Prior approval from ZSL Research Coordinatorand Health & Safety Team must be received before access at those times/to those areas can takeplace. The researcher must comply with all stipulated conditions, which may involve accompaniment
by a member of staff.
Whilst on ZSL sites at London and Whipsnade researchers are expected to follow the ZSL ZD Code ofConduct for visiting researchers (see ZSL website). A copy will be sent to the researcher who mustacknowledge this has been read.

CostsResearchers are required to cover any costs generated by their approved projects. For biologicalsamples this includes the supply of consumables (e.g. sample pots), organisation of pick up(transport/courier/post and any permits or additional equipment needed.

Academic supervision
Students are expected to develop their research proposal in agreement with their academic
supervisor and if the project is approved, should seek academic advice from their supervisor
throughout the study to ensure a successful outcome.
ZSL staff have no academic supervisory responsibility unless agreed otherwise, in which case all
involved parties will decide the level of supervisory input before the project starts. However
researchers will be given a named ‘zoo contact’ to be a liaison point and provide information on theanimal’s history and management regime or other records as required.

Biological samples
Biological samples can only be supplied opportunistically and it cannot be guaranteed that samples
will become available during a given period of time.
It is the responsibility of the researcher(s) to ensure that the appropriate health and safety protocols
are followed during handling and transport of samples. The researcher must adhere to CITES
regulations and the Nagoya protocol where samples are to be exported from the UK.
After project completion all samples should be destroyed in accordance with the standard
procedures for the disposal of biological samples (see The Animal By-Products Regulations 2005) or
returned to ZSL if instructed to do so.

4

Post-approval changes to projects
Any changes made to the project after the research has been approved need to be reported to andapproved by the ZD Research Coordinator and, if relevant, the Ethical Review Committee before thechanges are put into practice.

Termination of projects
ZSL reserves the right to postpone or terminate a research project in cases of management issues(e.g. where animals need to be moved or where ZSL is dissatisfied with the researcher’s conduct) orfor health and safety reasons (e.g. Foot and Mouth or Avian Influenza precautions).
The researcher must inform the Research Coordinator immediately if it becomes clear that, for any
reason, they are unable to complete the project.

Provision of results to ZSLThe researcher must provide an electronic copy of their complete research to the ZD Research Team.
Reports may be in the form of a dissertation, published paper or written specifically for ZSL. For
projects lasting longer than twelve months, an annual progress report must be provided. All raw
data, and copies of all film footage, photographs or sound recordings, must be given to the ZD
Research Team (in digital format where possible) within one month of study completion. Failure toprovide reports and other materials from studies may result in rejection of future applications fromthe institution in question.

Safety and insurance
It is the responsibility of the researcher (and for external students covered by this Policy, thesupervisor as well) to ensure that appropriate Safe Working Practices and Risk Assessments are inplace for the proposed research on ZSL premises. Risk Assessment training can be provided by ZSL ifrequested.
Researchers are covered by ZSL’s Public liability insurance when in public areas of the zoos.
If ZSL approval is given for access to specified non-public areas (e.g. kitchens, or animal service
areas), the associated ZSL Health and Safety induction and Risk Assessments must be conducted byrelevant ZSL staff and stored with records on the animal section. ZSL approval is required for site
access to public areas before public opening time but after staff working hours (8-10am). In bothsituations the researcher must adhere to the ZSL Code of Conduct for visiting researchers (seebelow) give prior notification of visits to their in-zoo contact and adhere to any stipulations made bystaff. Note that access may not always be possible depending on staff availability.
Access to ZSL sites outside of animal staff working hours will not be permitted.
Researchers are not eligible to undertake any keeping duties or handle tools or machines in the zoos
(unless these duties form part of their employment at ZSL). This includes carrying heavy items suchas buckets, chopping food and climbing ladders. If any such activities are necessary for thecompletion of a project, an appropriate Risk Assessment must be completed with ZSL staff inconjunction with the academic institution if relevant. ZSL staff must supervise placement of researchresources (cameras etc.)5Whilst on ZSL premises the researcher must comply with the relevant ZSL ZD Code of Conduct for
on-site researchers at all times (see Access to ZSL sites) which includes information on what to do inan emergency. Further information on site specific emergency procedures, welfare facilities and anyworks activities that are being undertaken can be obtained from the ZSL Health & Safety andSecurity teams.

Intellectual property and related aspects
Data ownershipAll data collected must be available to ZSL without restriction. ZSL reserves the right to retain,
analyse, copy and distribute data to interested parties at its discretion, unless other arrangements
are discussed and agreed with ZSL before the project commences. ZSL will store all project details
and final reports on the ZSL Projects Database (ZPD). Video footage obtained during the course ofresearch should not be taken off the ZSL sites unless permission is gained from the Research Team.
All biological samples supplied by ZSL are, and will remain, its property. After project completion allsamples must be destroyed or returned to ZSL (see Biological Samples).
Data and biological samples acquired from ZSL may not be used for any purpose other than thosestated in the approved application documents, may not be passed on to third parties without priornotification and approval by ZSL and cannot be used for commercial purposes.

Confidentiality
If the researcher has access to business sensitive or confidential information pertaining to ZSL thisshould not be shared outside of the organisation without prior consent from ZSL. This includes
posting on social media sites. Breaches of confidentiality or security will be treated seriously and willlead to termination of the research project. If in any doubt about a matter of confidentiality, please
consult the ZD Research Coordinator.

PrivacyResearchers filming, photographing or audio recording animals as part of their project must avoid
capturing images of, or audio from, members of the public and ZSL staff. If members of the publicand/or staff can be clearly seen in an image (i.e. face is in clear view) then please contact the ZD
Research Coordinator for advice before including in reports. If researchers wish to use images/audioof people in their study, consent must be obtained from the participants and ZSL will need to see theconsent form prior to the project commencing.

Publications
ZSL requires final approval on all documents submitted for publication. If the researcher isconsidering publication ZSL must be consulted and mutual agreement obtained regarding coauthorship and acknowledgements prior to submission. Regardless of whether or not ZSL staff areco-authors, publications presenting data derived from ZSL must be circulated to the Research
Coordinator at least three weeks before submission to allow for comments, in line with normal
scientific practice. This applies to all types of publication, including abstracts for poster or oralpresentations, and journal manuscripts.

6All reports, including conference presentations, journal articles, posters etc., should acknowledge
the support and/or contribution made by ZSL and electronic copies must be sent to the ZD Research
Coordinator following publication.
ZSL staff making significant contributions to the research should be invited as co-authors on any
relevant publications. A co-author is expected to have contributed substantially to at least one of
the following aspects;a) Conception of idea and design of study, e.g. implementing detailed project ideas or hypotheses
developed by ZSL staff; design of research methods or experimental setup; follow-up project ofprevious research designed by ZSL staff.
b) Collection and/or analysis of the data, e.g. including substantial laboratory work or sustained
behavioural observations, determining the appropriate data analysis techniques, performing theanalyses and interpreting the results.
c) Writing a major/essential proportion of the paper or contributing substantially to its
intellectual content.

Media coverage and publicity
The ZSL Press Office manages all relations with the media, including creating and distributing press
releases and press materials, facilitating and accompanying media activity at both sites, andresponding to media requests for information or comments. Non press-office staff and external
researchers should not engage with or consult the media or make any public statement of any form
relating to data/samples/film footage/photographs collected at ZSL without prior discussion with thepress team. If approached by a member of the press the researcher should direct them to the Press
Office pressoffice@zsl.org for the information they require. News and information regarding ZSL,
images and interviews should only be given to the media with consent from the press team - ideallya minimum of two weeks in advance. This also includes any sharing of news and information onsocial media channels.
The content of project reports may be used by ZSL for non-scientific publicity purposes (e.g. AnnualReport, members’ magazine) without notifying the researcher.

7