Learning from the students : the impact of the JRC Summer school : non-animal approaches in science : survey results.
Date: 2024-07-16
Institutions: Joint Research Centre
Subjects: animal experimentation, exchange of information, open university, protection of animals, research and development, research method, sample survey, scientific research, testing

ISSN 1831-9424 

Learning from the students 
The impact of the JRC Summer School 
Non-animal Approaches in Science 
Survey results 

Ahs Lopez, E., Berggren, E., Deceuninck, P., 
Gastaldello, A., Valsesia, D. 

2024 

 EUR 31994 EN 

  
  
 
 
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JRC137920 

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How to cite this report: European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Ahs Lopez, E., Berggren, E., Deceuninck, P., Gastaldello, 
A. and Valsesia, D., Learning from the students. The impact of the JRC Summer School Non-animal Approaches in Science. 
Survey results, Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg, 2024, JRC137920. 

1 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
Contents 

Abstract ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 2 

1  Introduction ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 3 

2  Impact Survey: results ................................................................................................................................................................. 4 

2.1  Question 1: What edition of the Summer School did you attend? .......................................................... 4 

2.2  Question 2: What was your level of education at the time you participated in the Summer 

School? ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 4 

2.3  Question 3: Please indicate your current profession or field of study .................................................. 5 

2.4  Question 4: Do you still have contact with any of the other participants that you met during 
the Summer School in the context of your work? ............................................................................................. 5 

2.5  Question 5: Did you directly or indirectly contribute to any of the Summer School editions? 6 

2.6  Question 6: Did the Summer School have an impact on your current research or career? ...... 6 

2.7  Question 7: In what way did the Summer School influence you? ............................................................ 7 

2.8  Question 8: Do you in your current professional activity contribute to the progress of non-

animal approaches? ............................................................................................................................................................ 7 

2.9  Question 9: How are you actively contributing to non-animal approaches in science?............... 8 

2.10 Question 10: Would you recommend young students or researchers to attend future JRC 

Summer Schools? ................................................................................................................................................................ 9 

2.11 Question 11: Would you like to share any success story or achievement that can be 

attributed to attending the JRC Summer School(s)? ........................................................................................ 9 

2.12 Question 12: Is there anything you would like to add, any suggestion or comment on your 

mind? ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 10 

2.13 Comments on results from the Survey ............................................................................................................... 10 

3  Conclusions ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 12 

References ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 13 

List of abbreviations and definitions ...................................................................................................................................... 14 

List of figures ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 15 

Annexes ................................................................................................................................................................................................... 16 

Annex 1. Survey............................................................................................................................................................................ 16 

1 

 
Abstract 

The  European  Commission's  Joint  Research  Centre  is  hosting  the  European  Union  Reference  Laboratory  for 
alternatives to animal testing (EURL ECVAM) as mandated by Directive 2010/63 on the protection of animals 
used  for  scientific  purposes.  EURL  ECVAM  has  been  dedicated  to  advancing  the  Three  Rs  –  Replacement, 
Reduction, and Refinement of animal experiments for over 30 years with the scope of eventual phasing out of 
the use of animals in research, education and regulatory testing. As part of their efforts, EURL ECVAM organises 
a biennial Summer School on Non-animal Approaches in Science, aimed at post-graduate students and early-
career scientists.  

The  Summer  School,  initiated  in  2017,  focuses  on  sharing  knowledge  about  non-animal  methods  and 
technologies in science. It also provides insights into the current and future roles of the Three Rs and explores 
career paths in non-animal approaches in science.  

Since its inception, four Summer Schools have trained over 400 post-graduate students worldwide. To gauge 
its impact, EURL ECVAM conducted a survey among alumni.   

Results show that a majority of respondents indicated that the Summer School had influenced their current 
research or career. A greater part of them contribute to non-animal approaches in their current professional 
activities by actively developing Non-Animal Methods (NAMs) and encouraging others to use NAMs.  

Moreover, almost all respondents expressed a high likelihood of recommending the Summer School to young 
students  and  researchers.  Many  shared  achievements  attributed  to  their  participation,  such  as  increased 
involvement in non-animal methods research and knowledge sharing within international research communities. 

The survey also provided valuable feedback for enhancing future Summer School editions. 

2 

 
 
 
1 

Introduction 

The  European  Commission's  Joint  Research  Centre  (JRC),  which  runs  the  EU  Reference  Laboratory  for 
alternatives to animal testing (EURL ECVAM), organises every second year since  2017 a Summer School on 
Non-animal Approaches in Science, specifically tailored for post-graduate students and early-career scientists 
in  biomedical  research  and  regulatory  toxicology/ecotoxicology  and  focused  on  non-animal  methods  and 
technologies.  

For over 30 years, the JRC has been working on the Three Rs – the Replacement, Reduction and Refinement of 
animal experiments aiming on ultimate replacement of the use of animals. The mandate of EURL ECVAM is set 
out in the EU legislation on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes (EU, 2010) and one of its 
duties is to promote and share knowledge on the Three Rs and non-animal approaches in science. 

Education and training are fundamental to boosting the uptake of alternative methods and the application of 
the Three Rs.  EURL ECVAM has been engaged in several education and training activities aiming at increasing 
the  awareness  of  the  Three  Rs  and  alternative  methods  or  approaches  among  students  at  the  levels  of 
secondary school, university, early professional training and young scientists. 

The aim of the JRC Summer School is to share knowledge and experience on the latest non-animal approaches 
in science and to promote their use in biomedical research, regulatory applications and drug development. This 
includes  cutting-edge  technologies  such  as  induced  pluripotent  stem  cells,  organ-on-chip,  complex  in  vitro 
methods, computational modelling, and artificial intelligence that are being exploited for world-class science 
which benefits our society and supports sustainable development and innovation.  

In addition, the intention is to explore the current and future role of the Three Rs through discussion and debate. 
Time is also given to explore career paths in non-animal approaches in science. 

Since the start 7 years ago, EURL ECVAM organised four Summer Schools, 2017, 2019, 2021 and 2023, and 
trained over 400 post-graduate students world-wide. 

EURL ECVAM decided to conduct this survey to understand how the Summer School might have impacted the 
participants’ professional career and choices. Our intention is to make young scientists more aware of the Three 
Rs, and when possible, choose replacement methods and progress related research. We also assume that we 
create  a  network  opportunity  among  young  scientists  around  the  world.  This  survey  should  assist  us  to 
understand whether, and to  which extent, we reached these goals.  Alumni from all Summer School editions 
were invited to complete the online survey which consisted in a set of 10 questions tailored to measure the 
impact the Summer School might have had on them. 78 students replied, which is considered a good feed-back 
(ca 20% of all students) especially taking into consideration that not all students could be reached and those 
participating in the early editions would be less motivated to respond to the survey. 

The survey will help to assess how the Summer School contributed to shape future approaches and initiatives 
of  non-animal  methodologies  in  science,  and  provide  inspiration  on  how  to  improve  future  editions  of  the 
Summer School and how to optimise our promotion of non-animal approaches. 

3 

 
2 

Impact Survey: results 

2.1  Question 1: What edition of the Summer School did you attend? 

Figure 1. Answers to the first question of the survey 

79 respondents in total from the four different Summer School editions. 

One respondent attended both 2017 & 2019, and one three editions 2019, 2021 and 2023. These 
respondents were only counted for their attendance at their first Summer School, as students are not 
accepted a second time, so subsequently they attended in another role, e.g. lecturer. 

2.2  Question  2:  What  was  your  level  of  education  at  the  time  you 

participated in the Summer School? 

Other
4%

Postdocs
10%

PhD students
23%

Master students
63%

Figure 2. Answers to the second question of the survey 

4 

 
 
 
 
 
2.3  Question 3: Please indicate your current profession or field of study 

Figure 3. Answers to the third question of the survey 

Most respondents were currently PhD students, which might be expected as the major part of them were 
Master students when they participated at the Summer School.  

2.4  Question 4: Do you still have contact with any of the other participants 

that you met during the Summer School in the context of your work? 

No
51%

Yes
49%

Figure 4. Answers to the fourth question of the survey 

5 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2.5  Question  5:  Did  you  directly  or  indirectly  contribute  to  any  of  the 

Summer School editions? 

Yes -
Invited 
13%

Yes - I 
encouraged 
others
18%

No
69%

Figure 5. Answers to the fifth question of the survey  

2.6  Question  6:  Did  the  Summer  School  have  an  impact  on  your  current 

research or career? 

No
16%

Yes
84%

Figure 6. Answers to the sixth question of the survey  

6 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2.7  Question 7: In what way did the Summer School influence you? 

Figure 7. Answers to the seventh question of the survey 

On this question, respondents could provide free text replies (collected under Other in the diagram), listed here: 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

I am considering NAMs for regulatory assessment,  

I gained awareness about EURL ECVAM/JRC activities and resources. 

I improved presentation and collaboration skills. 

It broadened my scientific perspective. 

I gained general basic knowledge on the issue of NAMs and the research going on in this field. 

I received job offers. 

2.8  Question 8: Do you in your current professional activity contribute to 

the progress of non-animal approaches? 

No
18%

Yes
82%

Figure 8. Answers to the eighth question of the survey  

7 

 
 
 
 
 
2.9  Question 9: How are you actively contributing to non-animal approaches 

in science? 

Other

8
9%

I develop NAMs

43
48%

38
43%

I encourage others
to use NAMs

Figure 9. Answers to the ninth question of the survey 

On this question, respondents could provide free text replies (collected under Other in the diagram), listed here: 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

I use non-animal approaches. 

I use computational tools for the assessment of chemicals. 

I provide information about & education on non-animal approaches. 

I investigate ways to develop non animal approaches. 

I  fully  work  with  non-animal  models,  since  I  am  working  in  a  field  that  is  very  human-specific 
(pregnancy) and thus there are many differences between animals and humans rendering results from 
animal studies unreliable. 

I work to pass policies to protect animals used in research and promote the use on non animal methods. 

I am working on Safe & Sustainable by Design developed at JRC. 

I was involved in the test method development, refinement, and (pre-) validation for NAMs for metabolic 
disruption, and currently encourage complementing regulatory in vivo tests required for product safety 
testing with human in vitro tests/NAMs to increase understanding of MoA and relevance towards human 
health safety. 

8 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2.10 Question 10: Would you recommend young students or researchers to 

attend future JRC Summer Schools? 

No, 1

Yes, 78

Figure 10. Answers to the tenth question of the survey 

2.11 Question 11: Would you like to share any success story or achievement 

that can be attributed to attending the JRC Summer School(s)? 

More involved 
with relevant 
initiatives 

Sharing non-animal 
methods with 
research community 
in India 

Additional 
credits for 
my career 

PhD in vitro approaches 
for genotoxicity and 
carcinogenicity testing 

Being part of the 
board of network of 
young professionals 
engaged with the 
transition to animal-
free research 

Best poster award at 
another conference 

Going towards 
animal-free 
research 

Improve my 
network 

More knowledge 
about non-animal 
methods 

New methods  
(data analysis & 
programming skills) 

Figure 11. Answers to the eleventh question of the survey 

9 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2.12 Question 12: Is there anything you would like to add, any suggestion or 

comment on your mind? 

It is really life-
changing for early 
career researchers 

To raise awareness 
of the impact of 
using animals, which 
might lead to lower 
use of animals 

Since science still uses animals widely, it 
would be fantastic that more people took part 

Better meals in the 
future please 

The excursion 
to laboratory 
was really quick 

Organize the JRC 
Summer School 
every year 

Thanks to the JRC Summer School 
organizer committee for the opportunity 
of participating in the event 

Figure 12. Answers to the twelfth question of the survey 

2.13 Comments on results from the Survey 

We invited 415 Summer School alumni from all editions. Among the contact details we had, around 40 email 
addresses  were  no  longer  active.  The  rate  of  respondents  were  therefore  79  out  of  375  (21%),  with  most 
respondents from the latest edition of the Summer School in 2023 with 47% (Figure 1). 

Over 60% of the 79 respondents were Master students when they participated in the Summer School. When 
they took part in the Survey, many of them had moved on to PhD positions or careers in the biomedical and 
toxicology field. Many of the respondents are now specialised in toxicology. The different specialisations such 
as biotechnology, computational toxicology or biomedical engineering might be expected, while it is interesting 
to see that there are also students that are involved in other scientific fields, such as regulatory affairs (Figure 
3). 

84% of the respondents answered that the Summer School have had an impact on their current research or 
career (Figure 6), which of course is the desired reply from our point of view But, it might also be a larger 
percentage among responders in the survey with this opinion, than if you would consider all students, including 
also non- responders. 

On the question in what way the Summer School influenced them, 24% responded that it gave them ideas for 
future careers and 13% that they decided to avoid using animal approaches in their research. Several students 
(27 %) stated that they learned new skills on non animal approaches and that they broadened their scientific 
network (Figure 7). 

82% of the responding students stated that they contribute to the progress of non-animal approaches in their 
current professional activity. 48% actively contribute to non-animal approaches in science by developing NAMs 
and 43% encourage others to use NAMs in their research (Figure 8 and Figure 9). 

10 

 
 
 
 
 
 
An  overwhelming  majority  of  78  respondents  answered  that  they  would  recommend  young  students  and 
researchers to attend future JRC Summer Schools. We only received one negative reply to this question, with 
detailed remarks and opinions about the Summer School. This reply became very useful, and also stimulated 
internal  discussions  on  how  to  better  manage  expectations  and  how  to  get  organised.  For  example,  how  to 
manage the poster presentations more effectively and efficiently, which indeed is difficult. The problem is that 
students dedicate much time for preparation while it is difficult to find sufficient time in the agenda to discuss 
each of the 120 posters presented. We still believe it is very important for the students to get the possibility to 
present their own work, and also for the organisers, lecturers and other students to get an insight in the broad 
spectrum of scientific activities represented at the summer school, and also the ignition to bilateral discussions 
on subjects of common interest. However, as noted below, we will further consider how to find a better suitable 
format for this part of the programme.  Other remarks were related to our eco-friendly policy, like offering only 
a vegan menu. We do communicate this green approach efficiently during the promotion, as we are proud of 
this aspect, and are trying to improve the sustainable aspects in each edition of the Summer School. (Figure 
10). 

Several participants in the survey shared their achievements and commitments in their current professional 
career that can be directly attributed to their participation in the JRC Summer School. They got more involved 
in  non-animal  methods  in  their  current  research  and  shared  this  knowledge  with  international  research 
communities  and  networks.  For  example,  there  were  students  being  part  of  the  board  of  network  of  young 
professionals engaged with the transition to animal-free research in the Netherlands, or sharing non animal 
methods with their research community in India. 

Some relevant food for thought and suggestions on how to improve and develop our future Summer School 
editions were received in response to the last question; “Question 12: Is there anything you would like to 
add, any suggestion or comment on your mind?”. 

Some  students  wished  more  time  for  laboratory  visits.  While  visits  to  the  laboratory  is  indeed  a  crucial 
component of the Summer School program, there is unfortunately not enough time to arrange overly detailed 
and comprehensive experiences due to the number of students, and other important aspects of the program 
that need to be addressed as well. 

A  few  students  expressed  a  desire  for  additional  time  and  improved  visibility  for  posters.  We  value  these 
comments and have taken on board some of those concern, and decided that in future Summer School editions 
we will explore a different poster concept. 

Overall, evaluating the survey it seems that the JRC Summer School on Non-animal Approaches in Science has 
clearly  contributed  to  fostering  a  community  dedicated  to  advancing  alternatives  to  animal  testing  and 
promoting ethical and innovative scientific practices. 

11 

 
 
 
3  Conclusions  

The JRC Summer School on Non-animal Approaches in Science has made a significant impact on the careers 
and practices of many post-graduate students and early-career scientists. 

Over the past seven years, the Summer School has trained over 400 students worldwide. 

A large majority of the respondents taking part in the impact survey indicated that it has influenced their current 
research or career paths. Notably, they gained ideas for future career choices, and many decided to avoid using 
animal approaches in their research. Over 80% of the respondents contribute to the progress of non-animal 
approaches  in  their  professional  activities,  with  many  actively  developing  Non-Animal  Methods  (NAMs)  and 
encouraging their peers to adopt them. 

The overwhelming majority of respondents expressed a willingness to recommend the Summer School to young 
students and researchers, highlighting its value in fostering a community dedicated to advancing ethical and 
innovative scientific practices. 

The  survey  provided  valuable  feedback  for  improving  future  editions  of  the  Summer  School,  ensuring  its 
continued impact on shaping the future of non-animal methodologies in science. 

12 

 
 
References 

Dura, A., Ahs Lopez, E., Batista Leite, S., Berggren, E., Bernasconi, E., Deceuninck, P., Franco, A., Genco, 
E., Gribaldo, L., Holloway, M., Landesmann, B., Madia, F., Olvedy, M., Paini, A., Pistollato, F., Parissis, N., 
Piergiovanni,  M.,  Valsesia,  D.  and  Whelan,  M.,  ‘Editorial:  The  JRC  Summer  School  Organising 
Committee’, Alternatives to Laboratory Animals, Vol. 49, No 6, Sage, 2021, pp. 227–228. 

EU,  2010,  Directive  2010/63/EU  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  of  22  September 
2010 on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes Text with EEA relevance, https://eur-
lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2010/63/oj 

European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Ahs Lopez, E., Batista Leite, S., Berggren, E., Bernasconi, 
E., Dura, A., Genco, E., Gribaldo, L., Holloway, M., Landesmann, B., Madia, F., Paini, A., Parissis, N. and 
Wittwehr, C., Proceeding and programme of JRC Summer School 2019: Non-Animal Approaches in 
Science - Challenges & Future Directions, Publications Office of the European Union,  Luxembourg, 
2019, ISBN 978-92-76-08800-4, doi:10.2760/719282, JRC117137 

European  Commission,  Joint  Research  Centre,  Berggren,  E.,  Ahs  Lopez,  E.,  Barroso,  J.,  Carpi,  D., 
Chinchio,  E.,  Cusinato,  A.,  Deceuninck,  P.,  Franco,  A.,  Gastaldello,  A.,  Gribaldo,  L.,  Langezaal,  I., 
Malinowska, J., Mennecozzi, M., Milcamps, A., Munn, S., Palosaari, T., Piergiovanni, M., Sampani, S., Selfa 
Aspiroz, L., Valsesia, D. and Whelan, M, Report on the outcome of the JRC Summer School 2023 on 
Non-Animal Approaches in Science, Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg, 2023, 
doi:10.2760/891000, JRC135377. 

Paini A. and Landesmann B, ‘JRC Summer School on Non-animal Approaches in Science’, Alternatives 
to Laboratory Animals, Vol. 49, No. 6, Sage, 2021, pp. 235–300. 

13 

 
 
 
List of abbreviations and definitions  

Abbreviations 

Definitions 

EURL ECVAM 

JRC 

NAMs 

European Union Reference Laboratory for alternatives to 
animal testing 

Joint Research Centre 

Non Animal Methods 

14 

 
 
List of figures  

Figure 1. Answers to the first question of the survey ..................................................................................................... 4 

Figure 2. Answers to the second question of the survey .............................................................................................. 4 

Figure 3. Answers to the third question of the survey ................................................................................................... 5 

Figure 4. Answers to the fourth question of the survey ................................................................................................ 5 

Figure 5. Answers to the fifth question of the survey .................................................................................................... 6 

Figure 6. Answers to the sixth question of the survey ................................................................................................... 6 

Figure 7. Answers to the seventh question of the survey ............................................................................................ 7 

Figure 8. Answers to the eighth question of the survey ................................................................................................ 7 

Figure 9. Answers to the ninth question of the survey .................................................................................................. 8 

Figure 10. Answers to the tenth question of the survey ............................................................................................... 9 

Figure 11. Answers to the eleventh question of the survey ....................................................................................... 9 

Figure 12. Answers to the twelfth question of the survey ........................................................................................ 10 

15 

 
 
Annexes 

Annex 1. Survey 

16 

 
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