What we do
Our Mission
The Campbell Centre's mission is to promote the welfare of animals through research, outreach and education.
Over the last several years, public concern for animals used by society has evolved considerably and today there is an even greater sensitivity to animal welfare issues and a demand for formal policy and guidelines in all of the animal industries and professions. These changes have revealed an urgent need for the Campbell Centre to help animals and society through its activities, and to effectively communicate our research findings and expand our research and education programs to the following groups:
- Scientists and academics in training
- Students entering the workforce in the animal industries, animal care and the veterinary professions
- Public and corporate policy makers who make decisions about the funding, research, regulation and economics of animal use
- Regulatory agencies
- People who directly work with or handle animals
- Members of the broader community (the media, the public) who want to learn about animal welfare from credible sources
- Advocacy groups – to ensure that they have accurate information and that any call for change is appropriate
Our Structure
The Dean of the Ontario Veterinary College is the University-designated official with responsibility and authority for ensuring that CCSAW is fulfilling its mandate and reporting on CCSAW activities to the Vice-President Research.
CCSAW Associated Faculty comprises a broad group of individuals drawn from across the colleges and regional campuses with active interests in animal welfare, human-animal relationships and related ethical issues. Our Faculty and students have interests and expertise in diverse areas from the biological sciences, social sciences, arts and humanities. Represented disciplines include, animal welfare science, veterinary medicine, psychology, philosophy, zoology, geography, history, and economics. CCSAW Core Faculty focus all of their reserach and teaching on animal welfare.
The Director of the Campbell Centre is responsible for administering CCSAW activities and supervising communications and administrative staff.
The function of the Steering Committee is to provide advice and assistance to the Director and the Dean on activities of the Campbell Centre, ensuring a broad, multidisciplinary approach to CCSAW research and education activities.
An Executive Committee for setting tasks and making administrative decisions concerning the Campbell Centre and the Steering Committee is comprised of the Dean, the Director and the Chair of the Steering Committee. They may establish ad hoc or other Advisory Committees from outside of the university community, as appropriate, to focus on specific targeted initiatives (e.g. symposia, workshops, training programs, fundraising campaigns). These committees encourage and facilitate wide industry, government and public involvement.
Sub-Committees are responsible for directing activities outlined in CCSAW's Strategic Plan, and include Research, Outreach and Education Sub-committees.
CCSAW staff includes a Communications and Outreach Coordinator and additional support staff that may be hired for special projects as needed and as financial resources permit.