International Conference on Alternatives and Simulation in Education a success!

The International Conference on Alternatives and Simulation in Education, a satellite event to WC13, was held on 30 August 2025 at Riocentro Exhibition & Convention Center in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - and was a great success.

It was organised by InterNICHE, CAAT, Ombion, RedEH, Fórum Animal & DAAE, with support from a number of partners.

The event had the dual focus of addressing education through the use of humane, innovative learning tools and alternatives to animal experiments, and supporting progress in science through education and training in cutting edge non-animal methods (NAMs). It explored the process of transition, and the path from humane education to humane research and testing.

It was a positive and successful conference with around 70 delegates attending from across the world. With invited and open call speakers, there were over 25 presentations scheduled, both standard length and ‘lightning’. Speakers included innovators, changemakers, medical practitioners, experts and academics working at institutional, national and international levels. The speakers and their presentations can be seen in the program and the abstract book.

The conference featured a large 15-table exhibition space for alternatives in education, populated by models, mannekins, simulators and software from Brazilian and other teacher-producers, small and medium companies, and the InterNICHE Alternatives Loan System. There were three periods during the event for delegates to explore, trial and have demonstrated these tools, which were primarily within anatomy, clinical skills and surgery. A number of speakers were also exhibitors.

The themes within the field of higher education - providing pedagogical, competency and related topics to the event - included an overview of humane education in biology, medicine and veterinary medicine, addressing obstacles, opportunities and success stories; insights on the development, implementation and assessment of alternatives; XR simulation and AI in education; critical thinking,the hidden curriculum, and depth of replacement; the philosophical, ethical and emotional dimensions of animal use and change; and legislation, regulatory grey areas, bans on animal use, and student conscientious objection.

The themes within NAMs education - addressing scientific, technological and related topics - included information about types of NAMs and employers in the field, to help connect students to ethical careers; provision of NAMs education and training courses; education about critical assessment of research models, and how to transition away from LAS to animal-free innovations in science; and prize funding for young scientists and for replacement achieved in education, research and testing.

Feedback from attendees was very positive, with comments about a warm, positive and sharing atmosphere, and on the range and quality of presentations. By addressing the potential for enhanced acquisition of knowledge, skills and attitudes in student practical classes and beyond, the conference demonstrated the importance of a critical look at the methods of teaching and learning.

By reviewing education about and training in NAMs for various demographics – early career scientists, researchers, assessors, regulators and others – the conference highlighted the value of sharing information about the latest science and new technologies, and the crucial role of training courses, to inform decision-making and support the process of transition.  

The event as a whole provided additional coverage of education within WC13. It also helped clarify the meanings of ‘education’ - as described above - and explored the nature of both fields, including the potential synergy between them. It showed how humane education for students can feed into the growth of humane science at the professional level; and at the same time, how harmful animal use in undergraduate degrees can hinder it.

Automatic live AI translation to and from Portuguese and English was provided, which facilitated the presence of Brazilian speakers and attendees, enhanced all communication, and was much appreciated. All conference participants received certificates acknowledging their presence and specific contribution, to enhance professional value and impact via CPD accreditation. As part of the follow-up to the event and to extend its impact further, edited versions of the presentations and of the video recording of the event will be produced, and a conference report will be published in a journal. Photos are available at the InterNICHE Facebook page.

Immediately after the conference, InterNICHE had a booth at the WC13 exhibition, and InterNICHE Co-ordinator Nick Jukes spoke twice on the themes of humane innovations in surgery training and pathways to and options for ethical careers. After WC13, Nick went to the Federal University of Paraná (UFPR) in Curitiba to film several conference speakers and contributors regarding their home-made tools for clinical skills and surgery training. The footage is for inclusion in the evolving InterNICHE documentary film series on humane innovations in veterinary education.

As part of the follow up for the event, a new webinar series titled ‘Alternatives and Simulation in Education’, organised by InterNICHE, CAAT and Ombion, has been initiated. The monthly webinars, beginning in November 2025, will provide a range of presentations and panel discussions on the conference themes. Information and updates will be posted online, including here on the InterNICHE website and Facebook page. Other plans to build community and engage in new collaboration will also be explored.