Many years ago, I was the Managing Editor of ATLA. I am now thrilled to be ‘back’ as the Editor-in-Chief. I see my role as working with our Associate Editors and Editorial Board to build on the journal’s solid reputation to encourage excellence in the reporting and implementation of Three Rs science. I also have the joy of working with the wonderful Susan Trigwell (managing editor) and Rita Seabra (technical editor) to improve the clarity and accessibility of papers submitted to ATLA.

My 30 years away involved a move to Canada with my family, where I joined the staff of the Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC). There, I became responsible for overseeing the development of guidance for the ethical treatment of animals in science. The first question any investigator must ask when planning a study is whether the work really requires the use of an animal, or whether the aims could be achieved, wholly or partially, through a non-animal method. In my new role I aim to ensure that ATLA continues to be a key player in encouraging the uptake of non-animal approaches for both biomedical and testing purposes.

I have a BSc (London) and PhD (Nottingham) in physiology, which has contributed in no small measure to my reverence for animal life. Through my work — at CCAC, as Secretary to the Alternatives Congress Trust (overseeing the World Congresses on Alternatives and Animal Use in the Life Sciences) and now as part of the ATLA team — I continue to strive towards replacing animals in research with sound, more human-relevant humane science.