The Animal Research Nexus Programme (AnNex) was a six year collaborative award funded by the Wellcome Trust from 2017-2023. It was jointly led by researchers from anthropology, geography, history, science and technology studies, and sociology in collaboration with colleagues and stakeholders across the animal research community. It sought to understand the complex entanglements between policy and practice that make up the Animal Research Nexus.

AnNex was organized around five different research projects, with an overarching strand dedicated to collaboration and communication. The History & Cultures project was led by Robert Kirk at the University of Manchester. The Species & Spaces project was led by Beth Greenhough at the University of Oxford. The Markets & Materials project was led by Emma Roe at the University of Southampton. The People & Professions project was led by Pru Hobson-West at the University of Nottingham. The Engagement & Involvement project was led by Gail Davies at the University of Exeter. Our integrated programme of engagement activities, in the Collaboration & Communication strand, was led by creative facilitator Bentley Crudgington.

You can explore the work associated with each project throught the image links below, or use the links above to Explore the Nexus, meet the People taking in our work, read our Research Blogs, or explore our Publications, Engagement Activities, and past Events. 

Red clay bricks laid out on the floor, interspersed with small clay mice. The Work was an art installation created by Rob Hopper in collaboration with the History & Cultures project.
People around a table holding small red cellophane fish that react to heat in their hands. We developed Psychic fish to stimulate conversations about how fish feel.
Postcards arranged on a table, with an image of felt mice on the cover. These are from the Mouse Exchange, which supports conversations about the supply and care of laboratory mice.
Stock image of a person in white protective clothing walking down a white corridor. Our strand of AnNex included analysis of images of science in public.
A poster with post-it notes placed on black line labelled from strong to weak voice. We explored how people affected by health conditions felt involved through the activities organised for them.
People sitting at tables with screen in a darkened space as someone wearing a lab coat moves between them. Vector used immersive experiences to engage people in the ethical challenges of animal research in news ways.