Kirk Leech
executive director, European Animal Research Association (EARA)

Kirk is the executive director at the European Animal Research Association (EARA), a communications and advocacy organisation, representing both public and private institutions in Europe. Its mission is to inform decision makers, people and the media, about the continued need for, and benefits of, the use of animals in scientific research. With offices in London and Brussels, and communicating in 14 different European languages, EARA is now the voice for the European biomedical sector on the use of animals in medical and scientific research.

Previously, Kirk worked in government affairs for the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry. Prior to that Kirk worked for Understanding Animal Research. Before UAR, Kirk acted as a consultant for the White House Writers Group a strategic communications consultancy based in Washington, DC, founded by a group of former US Presidential speechwriters.  Kirk was engaged to advise clients on improving public opinion on the environmental, economic and cultural impact of a new goldmine in Transylvania, Romania.

Prior to this Kirk advised Action Research in Community Health and Development, a tribal rights organisation working in the eastern tribal areas of Gujarat India on influencing public opinion on the economic benefits of the Narmada dam and in opposing the imposition of wildlife sanctuaries on tribal land. Kirk is a regular writer and presenter in UK and European media with over 450 articles and appearances on television and radio.

Follow Kirk @kirk_EARA

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Sunday 10 October, 12:30 Room 511, Church House
From animal sentience to veganism: is human exceptionalism under threat?