Inspirational Woman: Dr Kimberley Jayne | Science Policy Advisor, PETA & Advisor, PETA Science Consortium International e.V.

Dr Kimberley Jayne is a science policy advisor at PETA UK and an advisor to PETA Science Consortium International e.V.

She has more than 16 years of experience in animal welfare and behavioural research and education and has a particular interest in the validity of research methods used in animal behavioural, welfare, and refinement research. Since completing her PhD in Animal Behaviour in 2014, she has worked on numerous international projects promoting the reduction and replacement of animals used in research for the benefit of animals, science, public health, and the economy. She joined PETA in 2021 and works with industry, regulators, and policymakers to advance the implementation of animal-free research methods.

Tell us a bit about yourself, background and your current role

I am Kimberley Jayne, Science Policy Advisor at the charity People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). I have over 16 years’ experience in animal welfare and behavioural research and education, and after beginning my career working with captive animals including animals in laboratories, I now work to end the use of animals in science.

At PETA, I have two main projects. I lead the UK work on PETA’s Research Modernisation Deal, a detailed strategy for policymakers for phasing out the use of animals in research, testing, and education. Despite its stated ambition to become a “science superpower”, the UK is at risk of falling behind on some of the progress that is being made internationally in biomedical research and testing. I am working to promote the development of policies that can evolve from scientific advancements, and that focus on reducing animal use in science and encourage the uptake and further development of superior animal-free research and testing methods.

I also lead our work to end the use of the forced swim test, a behavioural experiment in which small animals are put into a beaker of water and researchers record how long it takes for the animal to stop swimming and float on the surface of the water. Floating latency and duration has historically been interpreted as a measure of “behavioural despair”, and the experiment has been used to test the efficacy of anti-depressant drugs. However, as a result of PETA’s work exposing this experiment and advances in scientific knowledge recognising that floating could be an adaptive behaviour, in 2021, an influential paper was published by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, which highlighted how the forced swim test is a poor model of human depression and could actually hinder progress at finding effective new treatments for humans. The UK Home Office, which regulates the use of animals in scientific procedures, has now issued a review of its policy surrounding the use of this experiment, for which we have provided input.

Did you ever sit down and plan your career?

For as long as I can remember, I have wanted a career that would help animals. As an undergraduate psychology student, I was drawn to studying how understanding animal behaviour and cognition could help improve the lives of animals in captive environments or where they are used by humans, which ultimately guided my postgraduate and doctoral research. However, after years of working with animals across many different captive settings, including in laboratories, I recognised that I faced a huge ethical concern from using animals in my work that ultimately changed the direction of my career.

Have you faced any career challenges along the way and how did you overcome these?

During my time in academia, on a daily basis, I was reading about how the welfare of animals is compromised in captive environments. I had always assumed that this was unavoidable because I thought humans needed to use animals to understand human health or develop medicines, for example. Yet the more I experienced how animals are used in these environments, witnessed their individual suffering as a result of scientific procedures as well as living in deprived environments, and learned that their use not only was of little value to modern science but could in fact hinder advancements in scientific knowledge, I could no longer be part of it. The sacrifice of animals’ lives and wellbeing could not be justified by the minimal scientific gains, which may not lead to any benefits for humans. Alongside this, I was also learning about impressive developments in biomedical research – advanced in vitro and in silico methods that do not use animals or their tissues – and how they can bring about medical advances more quickly than using animals.

Working with animals in laboratories was also my motivation to adopt an ethical vegan lifestyle from being a life-long vegetarian. After working with individual animals and being fortunate enough to see each one’s personality, just like anyone’s dog or cat companions, I could not continue to be complicit in any industry that exploits them for human gain.

After years of working in academia, in research and teaching, I decided to enter the non-profit sector, where I could use my knowledge and experience to help to end the use of animals in science. Since 2016, I have been working in roles where I critically evaluate the use of animals in science and promote the adoption of humane and human-relevant research and testing methods. I have been with PETA since 2021, and my main work involves engaging with industry, regulators, and policymakers to ensure that a shift to animal-free science happens as quickly as possible. Many sectors of industry are already on board, because they have recognised the value to their business, however, more advancement needs to be made within academia.

What has been your biggest career achievement to date?

Wanting to draw a line under my experiences in laboratories, I co-edited and published a 28-chapter book volume focusing on how we can accelerate the paradigm shift away from using animals in experiments, which is available open access. As 52 experts contributed to the book, it was a huge undertaking that my co-editor and I worked on in our free time. I am incredibly proud of this book and the international workshops that it generated. With the progress that is being made around the world in animal-free science and the shift in attitudes about using animals in research, which I have already seen since the book was published, at some point in the future, I expect we will have to produce a second volume.

What one thing do you believe has been a major factor in you achieving success?

Working to encourage a shift away from using animals in research and testing is not an easy job because you are exposed, often on a daily basis, to the animal abuse that is hidden from the public: practices that some may see as routine can veil untold suffering. However, I have a brilliant team alongside me, the majority women, who are supportive and as passionate as I am about protecting animals and advancing humane science. I am very fortunate to work for an organisation where my professional integrity and ethical values align.

What top tips would you give to an individual who is trying to excel in their career in technology?

Never compromise on your principles. The world needs more compassionate people standing up for the rights of humans and other animals, and this is needed in every career sector. Do not be afraid to question and challenge the status quo.

Seek out like-minded people who share your passions. Connect with scientists who are further on in their career to learn about the opportunities available and some of the pitfalls to avoid. When I was in academia, I did not know that other scientists shared my passion for protecting animals in laboratories. Now, as an Advisor to PETA Science Consortium International e.V., I am surrounded by other scientists who have shared similar career pathways to myself. The Science Consortium also has an array of learning and funding opportunities available to anyone interested in pursuing a career in animal-free science.