International Veterinary Vaccinology Network (IVVN)
Lead Research Organisation:
UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH
Abstract
The International Veterinary Vaccinology Network (IVVN), based at The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, consists of over 1,900 members from 93 countries and brings together researchers, industry members and others to develop vaccines for livestock and zoonotic diseases in low-and-middle income countries. Over the last six years, IVVN has provided many opportunities for its members including opportunities to attend networking events to meet others in their area of vaccine research, opportunities to apply for research funding and access to a number of resources including training courses, monthly newsletters and webinars. The described work in this proposal aims to continue, and expand, existing activities in five key priority areas: (1) hosting facilitation activities; (2) supporting scientific collaboration; (3) providing training for early career researchers; (4) promoting gender balance in veterinary vaccinology research and (5) engaging with industry.
Technical Summary
N/A
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
| Tim Connelley (Principal Investigator) | |
| Simon Graham (Co-Investigator) |
Publications
Elumalai P
(2023)
Fish Vaccines - Health Management for Sustainable Aquaculture
Elumalai, P
(2023)
Fish Vaccines Health Management for Sustainable Aquaculture
Lakshmi S
(2023)
Tilapia lake virus disease: Vaccine strategies to control the threat to tilapia aquaculture
in Reviews in Aquaculture
| Description | Through its recognised role as an independent forum for veterinary vaccine research, IVVN has been able to have open discussion with many of the key stakeholders in veterinary vaccine development and thereby identified deficits in the research/industrial landscape. In response to this, IVVN facilitated cross-sector discussions by organising and hosting international meetings to evaluate the current landscape and work collaboratively with stakeholders to identify new and practical mechanisms to address these deficits. These discussions have led to coordinated action plans that are now being actively progressed to address identified deficits, strengthen collaboration, and improve alignment across the veterinary vaccine development pathway. |
| Exploitation Route | If successful we anticipate that this meeting may serve as a template for future interactions between the diverse stakeholders involved in veterinary vaccine development (and potentially other biotechnology areas where effective innovation depends on sustained interaction between diverse communities). |
| Sectors | Agriculture Food and Drink Manufacturing including Industrial Biotechology |
| Description | Through the activities of the IVVN we have been able to support the career development of many ECRs - This included participation in international conferences, delivery of online training and professional development activities, and facilitation of engagement between ECRs, senior academics, and industry stakeholders. These activities have helped ECRs build practical skills and confidence, broaden their international and cross-sector networks, gain a clearer understanding of how research translates into real-world application, and progress their careers in ways that would not otherwise have been possible. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2025 |
| Sector | Agriculture, Food and Drink |
| Impact Types | Cultural |
| Description | IVVN ECR Industry Event |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The International Veterinary Vaccinology Network (IVVN) in partnership with the Pirbright Institute hosted a 3-day Early Career Researchers (ECRs) Industry Event at the Pirbright Institute. The event brought together 39 delegates, including 25 IVVN and The Pirbright Institute early career researchers (ECRs), alongside 14 experts from academia, industry, and the regulatory sector. Through expert talks, workshops, and open discussions, participants gained insights into career pathways, academia-industry collaboration, regulatory requirements, and commercial considerations. Talks and presentation included technical sessions on quality, safety, and efficacy requirements, regulatory and legal frameworks, and target product profiles (TPPs). Highlight of the event was the ECRs visits to Pirbright's high-containment facilities (CVIM). Based on the feedback provided, the workshop was highly effective in bridging the gap between academic research and industrial application for veterinary vaccine development. Attendees consistently reported a significant increase in their confidence and a fundamental shift in how they intend to approach their future research. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2026 |
| URL | https://www.intvetvaccnet.co.uk/news/ivvn-organised-an-ecr-industry-event-to-support-early-career-re... |
| Description | IVVN Landscape Workshop: Shaping the Future of Veterinary Vaccinology |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | On 3-4 September 2025, the International Veterinary Vaccinology Network (IVVN) hosted a 2-days landscape workshop convening 68 delegates ranging from researchers, funders, regulators, international organisations, veterinary vaccine manufacturers, and farming community representatives to discuss current and future priorities in veterinary vaccinology research and innovation. Participants engaged in collaborative discussions around key challenges identified through community surveys conducted prior to the workshop. The workshop enabled cross-sector dialogue and resulted in the development of action plans to address priority challenges and strengthen coordination across the veterinary vaccinology community. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2025 |
| Description | IVVN and POMS Early Career Researchers Fellowship Scheme Launch |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The International Veterinary Vaccinology Network (IVVN) hosted the launch of its Early Career Researcher (ECR) Fellowship Scheme in Vienna, Austria. The event brought together 60 delegates from 25 nationalities, including 25 early career researchers, 15 mid-career researchers, and 20 senior researchers. Fellows and members of the Programme Oversight and Mentoring Subcommittee (POMS) met in person for the first time to connect, share experiences, and begin their fellowship journeys. The event strengthened international networking and mentorship, supporting collaboration and capacity building among early career researchers in veterinary vaccinology. The launch also initiated an 18-month fellowship programme that will provide training, workshops, journal clubs, and mentoring to further develop the fellows' research skills and professional networks. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2025 |
| Description | International Veterinary Vaccinology Network Conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Approximately 200 delegates from multiple countries attend the 3rd IVVN conference in Vietnam. Talks were given by leading stakeholders as well as Early Career Researchers. Attendees came from: Nigeria ETHIOPIA Nigeria Pakistan Ghana Ethiopia Nigeria Indonesia United Kingdom Taiwan Australia Singapore Vietnam Saudi Arabia Nigeria United Kingdom Ghana Philippines Thailand Vietnam Scotland India UK Nepal Canada Thailand kenya UK Scotland. South Africa Thailand Taiwan UK Tanzania Australia Indonesia Bangladesh China Vietnam China Indonesia Philippines Spain Positive feedback was received from the conference. Collaborations were made. Feedback included: ' there is no other conference like it in terms of the breadth of research showcased within the veterinary vaccinology field'. The conference was also live streamed which allowed access to reach a lot further globally. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://www.intvetvaccnet.co.uk/events/annual-conferences/international-veterinary-vaccinology-netwo... |