Kirk, is the interim Director of the European Animal Research Campaign Centre which has been set up in response to the need, expressed by the research community, to provide support to counter pressure on the licence to use laboratory animals in research. As ultimate objective, the campaign aims at creating a unified and reliable voice of public and private research at national and European levels, relevant for the general public and decision makers.

He also works in government affairs for The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI). The ABPI members supply 90 per cent of all medicines used by the NHS, and are researching and developing over two-thirds of the current medicines pipeline.  Kirk’s work is currently focused on communicating the political and media position of the ABPI and its members on the need to undertake animal research in the UK.  Previously Kirk worked for Understanding Animal Research (UAR) the leading lobby group on the use of animals in medical research.

Before working with UAR Kirk acted as a consultant for the White House Writers Group (WHWG) 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 Billion dollar Goldmine in Transylvania, Romania.

Before this position Kirk advised Action Research in Community Health and Development (ARCH) 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.