Animal-Free Science Advocacy
Campaigning for a future where no animals are harmed in the name of science, and scientific progress is advanced through animal-free research methods. Opinions expressed by guests in the AFSA podcast are their own and independent of AFSA.
Episodes
In this episode, host Dr. Dana Kolsky speaks with Dr. Adam Cardillini, an environmental scientist exploring the
interconnection between animal ethics, conservation, and societal change. Dr. Cardillini discusses his journey from conducting traditional scientific research — which involved ethically challenging practices with animals — to advocating for transformative changes in the way scientific research conside...
Join AFSA's Dr. Dana Kolsky and renowned neuroscientist Dr. Garet Lahvis as they delve into the ethical issues of animal research, with a focus on the mental wellbeing of animals in laboratories. Dr. Lahvis shares his journey from a key researcher to an advocate against animal confinement in laboratories. Explore the limitations of animal models in studying human conditions, understand the role of ethics committees, and consider al...
Join Dr. Dana Kolsky on the AFSA podcast as she delves into the world of animal rights activism with Nathan McGovern from Animal Rising. Discover insights into their controversial campaigns against animal testing, particularly targeting the MBR Acres beagle breeding facility, and the legal ramifications that followed. McGovern shares his journey into activism, the power of open rescue, and the future of animal testing in the UK. Th...
In this episode of the AFSA Podcast, Dr. Dana Kolsky and Dr. Elena Schaller unravel the findings of our 2025 national opinion poll on animal testing in Australia. Commissioned by AFSA and conducted by Nexus Research, the results are both surprising and encouraging.
Dana and Elena discuss how public sentiment toward animal experimentation has evolved over the years and explores the broader implications of these attitudes. Fr...
In this engaging episode of the AFSA Podcast, we are joined by Dr. Lawrence Hansen, a distinguished neuropathologist and advocate for animal-free research. We delve deep into the issues of animal experimentation in neuroscience research, addressing some of the ethical and scientific implications. The episode highlights how outdated methodologies persist despite advancements in human-relevant research techniques, emphasizing the nee...
In this episode of the AFSA Podcast, we speak with Dr. Faraz Harsini, a leading voice in animal rights and biomedical engineering. The conversation dives deep into Dr. Harsini's inspiring journey from an omnivorous upbringing in Iran to founding Allied Scholars for Animal Protection and leading the college campus movement toward veganism.
Key discussions revolve around the importance of educating young minds on animal ...
This episode of the AFSA podcast features Dr. Susi Seibt, an expert in microfluidics and science communication. Dr. Susi walks us through the revolutionary advancements in non-animal research methods (NAMs) and their applications in medical research and drug development. Her discussion provides a glimpse into a future where research may no longer require animal testing.
In this episode, Rachel welcomes Paula Wallace, Founder and Director of the Liberty Foundation Australia to discuss the inspiring mission of her organisation. Liberty Foundation is at the forefront of creating a viable transition for domestic animals from research facilities into loving homes. Tune in as Paula unfolds the foundation’s progress, challenges, and future aspirations, including the exciting opening of a rehomi...
Nicole Groch, Australian Programs Manager at Cruelty Free International and a vegan hair and makeup artist, shares insights on ending animal testing globally, the rigorous Leaping Bunny certification process, and the evolution of cruelty-free and vegan products. She discusses the transformative impact of major Australian brands like Kmart and Sukin committing to cruelty-free practices. Nicole’s personal and professional j...
Andrew Costello, Strategic Consultant to the International Medical Robotics Academy (IMRA) discusses the benefits of non-animal surgical training methods and outlines IMRA's world-leading training programs and high-fidelity synthetic models.
Find out more about IMRA on their website.
Read AFSA's web resource on surgical training.
Maddie holds a master’s degree in Humane Education and has worked in animal protection for over a decade. During her undergraduate education, Maddie worked for two years at UW-Madison’s Harlow Primate Research Laboratory and was later diagnosed with PTSD as a result. Maddie discusses her experiences and the organisation she has co-founded, Justify. Maddie hopes Justify will establish greater transparency in the an...
Dr Pandora Pound is Research Director at the Safer Medicines Trust. Dr Pound has written numerous influential papers on the scientific drawbacks of using animals as models for humans. Her newly published book ‘Rat Trap’ is a must-read.
https://animalfreescienceadvocacy.org.au/product/rat-trap-by-dr-pandora-pound/
Savita Nutan is a science communicator, educator and former researcher who founded Medicine Without Cruelty in the UK. We interviewed her for the Animal-Free Science Advocacy podcast all about why medical research needs to urgently transition away from using obsolete and cruel animal methods towards far superior animal-free methods of research.
Savita Nutan on Twitter: https://twitter.com/savitanutan
Medicine Without Crue...
Animal-Free Science Advocacy CEO Rachel Smith interviews Sarah Margo, an expert in animal law on her perspective of the failings of the Australian regulatory system surrounding animals in science.
Sarah is Policy Advisor to the Hon. Emma Hurst MLC of the Animal Justice Party, Animal Law Teaching Fellow at UNSW and Director of Voiceless, the animal protection institute and an Animal Law and Policy Consultant.
Lea...
Animal-Free Science Advocacy CEO Rachel Smith interviews Nisha Narang, the CEO and founder of Leorah Clinical, a clinical research company with the mission is to bring sustainable, animal derivative-free medical products to people everywhere.
More about Leorah Clinical: https://www.leorahclinical.com/
Animal-Free Science Advocacy speaks with member and clinical neuroscience researcher Dr Hugo Morandini about his research and reflections on the use of animals in research.
Dr Hugo Morandini is a clinical neuroscience researcher with a deep interest in animal-free research methods.
He is currently a member of Animal-Free Science Advocacy's management committee.
Animal-Free Science Advocacy interviews Dr Denise Russell, an academic and independent researcher who specialises in animal ethics about her research on the effectiveness of animal ethics committees.
Denise was the founding editor and managing editor of Animal Issues, a journal covering a wide range of topics related to human/animal interactions, now incorporated into Society & Animals published by Brill.
Rosemary has spent the vast majority of her life fighting for animals in a personal and professional capacity. In this podcast she speaks with Animal-Free Science Advocacy about what she has learned throughout her long and diverse history in animal advocacy.
Image supplied by Rosemary Lavin. Caption: Rosemary with Ruby and Dougal, her rescue dogs she adopted through Beagle Freedom Australia.
Would you support animal experimentation if you were diagnosed with a life threatening illness?
In this episode of the Animal-Free Science Advocacy podcast, we chat with HRA supporter Belinda who is a passionate animal advocate. She shares her perspective on animal experimentation and her experiences living through cancer.
For several years, Animal-Free Science Advocacy has been closely monitoring the use of forced inhalation studies in Australian Institutions.
This led to the development of our report: "Optimising Inhalation Research: Transitioning to Human-relevant Science."
In this episode, we learn from Animal-Free Science Advocacy CEO Rachel Smith about the questionable ethics that surround the use of animals in smoke inhalation st...
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