» Details
» Nominations
» Judging
» Past Winners
Details
The Humane Society of the United States presents the Russell and Burch Award to scientists who have made outstanding contributions toward the advancement of alternative methods in the areas of biomedical research, testing or higher education. Alternative methods are those that can replace or reduce the use of animals in specific procedures, or refine procedures so that animals experience less pain or suffering.
The award is a means of recognizing the important role that individual scientists can and do play in limiting the use and suffering of animals in laboratories. The HSUS presents the award at the World Congresses on Alternatives and Animal Use in the Life Sciences, which is held every two to three years. The Seventh World Congress will be held Aug-Sept 2009 in Rome, Italy.
The award, which carries a $5,000 prize, is named in honor of William M. Russell and Rex L. Burch, the scientists who formulated the Three R's approach of replacement, reduction, and refinement.
Nominations
The Russell and Burch Award is intended for scientists who have made outstanding contributions toward the advancement of alternative methods in the areas of biomedical research, testing, or higher education. Preference is given to scientists who are still living.
No special forms are necessary. Persons nominating themselves should submit a cover letter explaining their suitability for the award (see above), a curriculum vita, and representative published articles. Persons nominating others should submit a letter explaining the nominee's suitability for the award and arrange to have supporting documents forwarded.
Send nominations by April 10, 2009 to:
Russell and Burch Award
Animal Research Issues Section, The HSUS
2100 L Street, NW,
Washington, DC 20037
United States
Tel: 301-721-6439
Fax: 301-258-7760
Email: ari@humanesociety.org
Judging
Candidates for the award are judged on the scientific merit of their contribution to the alternatives field, as well as their impact and professional commitment.
Applicants should have a history of laboratory work that is consistent with the humane ethic suffused through Russell and Burch's "The Principles of Humane Experimental Technique."
Winners are selected by a panel of judges consisting of past recipients of the Russell and Burch Award.
Past Winners
Before 2000, The HSUS awarded a "Certificate of Recognition" to an outstanding scientist every year. Now the Russell and Burch Award is presented only on years when the World Congress on Alternatives and Animal Use in the Life Sciences is held.
Past honorees include:
- 1997: Horst Spielmann, Prof. Dr. med, the German National Center for the Documentation and Evaluation of Alternatives to Animal Testing
- 1996: Andrew Rowan, D. Phil., Tufts University
- 1995: Robert Van Buskirk, Ph.D., State University of New York at Binghamton
- 1994: Michael Balls, D.Phil., European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods
- 1993: Coenraad Hendriksen, Ph.D., D.V.M., Dutch National Institute of Health and Environmental Protection
- 1992: Charles Branch, Ph.D., Auburn University
- 1991: Alan Goldberg, Ph.D., Johns Hopkins University
Updated March 9, 2009
