‘Natural choice’ for BVA Members’ Day keynote address

14 July 2016

Dr Lovell will speak about ynergies between the health of ecosystems, humans and animals at BVA Members' Day

Dr Rebecca Lovell, a research fellow at the European Centre for Environment and Human Health at the University of Exeter's Medical School, will deliver this year's keynote address at BVA Members' Day on 22 September at the At-Bristol Science Centre.

Dr Lovell will draw on her research for the address, which focuses on understanding the ways people can benefit from proximity to and contact with natural environments. She will highlight health and wellbeing benefits of higher quality and bio-diverse spaces and places, linking this to veterinary wellbeing, as well as addressing synergies between the health of ecosystems, humans and animals.

BVA President Sean Wensley said:
“Dr Lovell's work has immense interest for the veterinary profession in at least two areas – how proximity to nature can help enhance veterinary wellbeing and how, as an animal welfare-focused, globally aware and socially responsible profession, we can all develop our activities in conserving biodiversity within our expanding One Health approach. This will be an interesting and thought-provoking speech for vets on both personal and professional levels, building on the Vet Futures commitment to apply and expand veterinary expertise and involvement with the world's pressing challenges such as environmental protection. As such, Dr Lovell was a natural choice to address members and I look forward very much to Dr Lovell's contribution to Members' Day in Bristol, which, fittingly, last year became the UK's first ever European Green Capital.”

Dr Lovell said:
“I am honoured to have the opportunity to present our research to the British Veterinary Association. We are working to understand the many links between the health of the environment, and that of the humans and animals who depend on it. Ensuring our evidence is heard by and relevant to all sectors with an interest in environment-health linkages is crucial and I am looking forward to sharing and discussing key findings on Members' Day.”
BVA Members' Day is a chance to be inspired by members' achievements and celebrate the veterinary profession. It provides a great opportunity to network and meet colleagues from other areas of the profession. As well as the keynote address from Dr Lovell, the day includes the BVA awards ceremony, AGM and an ITN-sponsored drinks reception premiering the latest Veterinary View series from BVA and ITN productions, which will feature short films on antimicrobial resistance, the varied roles of vets, the value of the whole vet team and other topical issues.

BVA Members' Day is free and open to all BVA members to attend. Spaces are limited so early booking is recommended.