University Standard on the Use of Images, Audio, and Videos in Animal Research

University Standard

Title

University Standard on the Use of Images, Audio, and Videos in Animal Research

Introduction

Purpose

The standards and procedures described below provide guidance to all researchers and animal handlers for the use of media (e.g., images, audio or video recordings, radiographs, ultrasound and other diagnostic imaging techniques, etc.) at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (“UNC-Chapel Hill” or “University”).

Scope

This Standard applies to all personnel and investigators involved in research with animals (“Covered Individuals”) and recordings collected specifically as part of an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (“IACUC”) approved animal care and use protocol. The UNC-Chapel Hill IACUC expects that anyone involved in animal work at the University will comply with this Standard. Requests for exceptions to this Standard must be reviewed and approved in advance by the IACUC.

Standard

In accordance with the UNC-Chapel Hill Policy on Research Data Ownership, the University owns all Research Data generated with the support of University resources and maintains control of the original research data to allow the University to fulfill its obligations, including, but not limited to, protecting participant privacy, accounting for sponsored research funding, promoting ethical use of data, and complying with retention requirements.

Covered Individuals who photograph, video, or otherwise record any aspect of their research, education, and/or teaching utilizing animals must use University-owned recording devices and must adhere to applicable University policy. To help ensure that the proper safety precautions have been taken, Covered Individuals are required to complete each of the steps indicated in this Standard prior to collecting images, audio, and/or video recordings involving animals. Principal Investigators (“PI”) retain responsibility for all activities conducted under their relevant protocol.   Any such recordings that are intended to be shared with non-UNC-Chapel Hill individuals, published, or otherwise shared with the public should be submitted to the Office of Animal Care and Use (“OACU”) for review prior to dissemination.

1. IACUC-approved protocol (“ACAP”)

The intent to record animal research must be clearly described in the IACUC-approved protocol, stating at a minimum: the type of media to be used, the location where it will be collected (i.e., the investigator’s laboratory, a non-Division of Comparative Medicine (“DCM”) procedure room, or in a DCM-maintained facility), the animals to be used, and a description of the procedure which will be recorded. Until ACAP is modified to incorporate this requirement, include these details in Section 5.0.3 of ACAP.

If a Covered Individual determines that images and/or videos are desired after a protocol is approved, they must submit a protocol amendment and receive IACUC approval prior to recording research animals.

2. DCM approval

  • In DCM-maintained areas, recording any images, audio, or video within the animal facilities without prior written approval from the DCM Director is prohibited. Any visitors to the animal facilities must be accompanied by an approved UNC-Chapel Hill researcher or other UNC-Chapel Hill personnel associated with the animal care program.
  • Anyone observing someone recording animals or personnel in a DCM animal facility or procedure room, with a reasonable belief it is in violation of this Standard, should notify the DCM Manager/Supervisor immediately.
  • To obtain approval, contact DCM at 919-843-7992 or discuss with the building Assistant Operations Director (“AOD”). Such approval must be obtained in writing.
  • After receiving written permission to record in a DCM-maintained space and prior to recording, the Covered Individual must provide the area Manager/Supervisor or AOD the following information: 
  • The type of recording (i.e., audio, video, and/or images to be taken).
  • Location where recording will be done (DCM animal facility, DCM procedure room).
  • Name of individual(s) taking the recordings.
  • The recording method (e.g., University-owned video camera, cell phone, etc.)
  • The protocol ID # and type of animals to be recorded.
  • The procedure being recorded.
  • A justification for why the recording is needed.

3. Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research (“OVCR”) approval

Prior to the Covered Individual submitting any electronic recordings of animals to manuscripts, publishers, or non-UNC-Chapel Hill collaborators, the Covered Individual must receive approval from the OVCR. OACU will coordinate the process.  The following steps are required:

  • Once the Covered Individual has received IACUC protocol approval for the described recording as well as DCM approval (if applicable), the Covered Individual must submit any recording intended to be shared with a non-UNC-Chapel Hill individual or published to the OACU for review.  Recordings which will remain with the laboratory and which will not be shared or published are not required to be submitted.
  • Contact the OACU at 919-966-5569 or iacuc@med.unc.edu to receive instructions for secure sharing prior to sending any audio or visual files.
  • The Covered Individual should indicate how the recording(s) will be used (e.g., needed for publication/manuscript, to be shared with collaborator, to be uploaded on JOVE, etc.)
  • OACU staff and IACUC will assess the media content.
  • After assessing the recording, OACU will submit it to the OVCR for review, comment and final approval. 
  • The Covered Individual should wait for final approval from OVCR prior to sharing recording.

Nothing in this policy should be interpreted to limit or contradict any applicable law or regulation.

For questions or concerns, please contact the OACU at 919-966-5569 or iacuc@med.unc.edu

Exceptions

Requests for exceptions to this Standard must be reviewed and approved by the IACUC. This Standard does not apply to UNC-Chapel Hill employees who need to utilize media as part of DCM veterinary animal care or IACUC animal welfare or animal concern investigations.

Related Requirements

External Regulations and Consequences

University Policies, Standards, and Procedures

Contact Information

Policy Contact

  • Name: Michael Chi
  • Title: Associate Director, Office of Animal Care and Use
  • Email: mchi@unc.edu

Subject: Office of Animal Care and Use

Subject: Animal Health and Husbandry (DCM)

  • Telephone: 919-962-5335

Important Dates

  • Effective Date and title of Approver: ; UNC IACUC            

Approved by: UNC IACUC, January 2025

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