Appointments to the Animals in Science Committee: April 2026

Six new members have been appointed to the Animals in Science Committee (ASC) for 3 years, following a robust competition conducted in accordance with the Governance Code on Public Appointments. This brings the current complement of members to 16.

The role of the ASC is to advise the secretary of state on all matters concerning the use of animals in scientific procedures, and advise animal welfare ethical review bodies on sharing best practice within the UK.

The 6 new members appointed for a first term of 3 years, ending on 31 March 2029, are:

• Dr Andrew Benest, Associate Professor in Cancer Sciences, University of Nottingham
• Dr Beth Clark, Lecturer in Food Marketing, Newcastle University
• Dr Juliet P. Dukes, Research Manager, Replacing Animal Research
• Dr David Grumett, Senior Lecturer in Theology and Ethics, University of Edinburgh
• Dr Ilyena Hirskyj-Douglas, Lecturer in Animal Computing, University of Glasgow
• Professor Alastair Wilson, Professor of Evolutionary Biology, Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter

You can find full biographies for the new and existing committee members.