Dear ASCers,

Sent on behalf of Peter Coaldrake, Universities Australia

Invite: Universities Australia Climate Change Forum, Parliament House Canberra, Thursday 18 March 2010

What is the reality of climate change in Australia? What does the science show? What changes are already happening? How are farmers, land managers and the environment responding?

Universities Australia, the peak body of Australia’s 39 universities, is hosting our first National Policy Forum on Thursday 18 March at Parliament House.

The topic is Climate Change – Bridging Scientific Knowledge and Public Policy.

I am writing to encourage you to consider attending the Forum and to share this invitation with others who have an interest in this important issue.

Leading researchers will report on:

§ The evidence of climate change in Australia today: in the climate record; in agriculture; in the environment

§ Predictions on the future of climate change and its impact on Australia – exploring the certainties and uncertainties

§ The challenges of communicating the science and of bridging scientific knowledge and public policy

§ The social and economic impact of climate change and the opportunities for Australia to respond, creating jobs and a sustainable future.

The Forum seeks to reach out to MPs, their advisers and the media; we are also inviting a range of stakeholders from agriculture, NGOs and others.

Participation is free but places are limited. Please RSVP to Niall Byrne (see below) by midday Tuesday 16 March, to allow for a security pass to be organised at Parliament House.

Our speakers will include (in alphabetical order after Senator Carr):

Senator the Hon Kim Carr

Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research

Ms Anna-Maria Arabia

Director, Federation of Australian Scientific and Technological Societies

Professor Snow Barlow

School of Agriculture and Food Systems, The University of Melbourne

Professor Nathan Bindoff

Professor of Physical Oceanography, University of Tasmania

Professor Keith Dear

National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, ANU

Professor Ove Hoegh-Guldberg

Centre for Marine Studies, The University of Queensland

Dr Anthony Hogan

National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, ANU

Professor Roger Jones

Centre for Strategic Economic Studies, Victoria University

Dr Marie Keatley

Department of Forest and Ecosystem, The University of Melbourne

Associate Professor Janette Lindesay

The ANU Climate Change Institute

Professor Amanda Lynch

School of Geography and Environmental Sciences, Monash University

Ms Jenny McAllister

Director, Climate Change, Air and Noise, NSW Government

Professor Tony McMichael

The ANU Climate Change Institute

Professor John Quiggin

Risk and Sustainable Management Group, The University of Queensland

Professor Roger Stone

Australian Centre for Sustainable Catchments, University of Southern Queensland

Dr Blair Trewin

Climatologist, National Climate Centre, Bureau of Meteorology

Professor Peter Coaldrake

Chair, Universities Australia and Vice-Chancellor, QUT (Chair of the Forum)

I acknowledge of course that the notice is extremely short but, as you will realise, the decision regarding timing of the event was driven by the importance and immediacy of the topic, and also because of the desirability of holding such a significant event at Parliament House. After next week, Parliament does not reconvene until the Budget session, so I hope the circumstances are understood.

As you will see from the list above, we have been able to assemble an impressive list of contributors. The style of the event will involve ‘short burst’ speeches, rather than a small number of lengthy presentations.

As indicated above, the Forum is scheduled as follows:

Date: Thursday, 18 March 2010

Time: 8.30am to 12.30pm

Venue: Mural Hall at Parliament House

RSVP: by noon, Tuesday 16 March to niall@scienceinpublic.com.au

Further details and supporting documents will be published online at www.scienceinpublic.com.au/blog/ua http://www.scienceinpublic.com.au/blog/ua .

For further information, please contact Niall Byrne from Science in Public, who is assisting Universities Australia with the Forum. RSVPs should also be sent to Niall, whose contact details are tel (03) 9398 1416, mob 0417 131 977 and email niall@scienceinpublic.com.au

With best wishes.

Yours sincerely

Peter Coaldrake

_______________________________________

Professor Peter Coaldrake Chair Universities Australia

Tel: 07 3138 8086 Fax: 07 3138 4061

www.universitiesaustralia.edu.au http://www.universitiesaustralia.edu.au/

GPO Box 1142 Canberra ACT 2601, Australia

_______________________________________________ ASC-list mailing list list@asc.asn.au http://www.asc.asn.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=97&Itemid=115

Monday 15 March 2010 – National Conference Debrief and WA Catch Up

Join us for an informal get together to meet with current ASC members, hear from Dr Nancy Longnecker about the recent ASC National Conference, and to contribute to the direction of ASC WA in 2010 and beyond. We need to hear from our members in WA with regards to what they expect from their ASC membership. If you cannot make this get together, we want to hear from you – please email Sarah Lau (slau@chemcentre.wa.gov.au) with any thoughts you have regarding ASC, anything you would like to contribute and what you’d like to see from your membership.

Time: 5.30 – 6.30pm

Venue: UWA’s Centre for Learning Technology in the Physics building on the Crawley campus. Entry is via ramp between the Physics and Geography buildings. Go through the glass doors and down steps by the kitchenette, to the basement.

RSVP: Sarah Lau (slau@chemcentre.wa.gov.au) by Sun 14 Mar

ASC WA Survey

Our ASC WA Survey is still open – a big thank you to everyone who has responded so far!

The ASC WA committee would like your input regarding membership and events. The online survey linked below is quick and ‘painless’, and would help us immeasurably in organising ASC WA in 2010 and beyond.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/GW286JH

_______________________________________________ ASC-list mailing list list@asc.asn.au http://www.asc.asn.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=97&Itemid=115

For ASC members in Adelaide: Understanding water: Adelaide’s climate and environment Tim Kelly, Craig Simmons, Darren Ray Host: Clare Peddie Tuesday 16 March 6-7.30pm The Science Exchange

Free – booking required. Go to http://waterclimateandenvironment.eventbrite.com

In the first of a series of three events based on the new book Adelaide: Water of a city, three experts join The Advertiser’s science reporter Clare Peddie to discuss the city’s climate and environment and how they affect water management now and in the future.

Taking in alluvial lowlands from Gulf St Vincent and the Mount Lofty Ranges, Adelaide’s climate is seasonal and highly variable. Our expert panel will explain why – if we are to manage water resources in Adelaide sustainably – we need to consider this and understand how water naturally moves through the city.

[cid:image001.jpg@01CAC114.BFE6C880] Steve Kern Senior Programs Co-ordinator

Ri Australia PO Box 3652 RUNDLE MALL SA 5000 Ph: (08) 7120 8604 | Fax: (08) 8221 6563 | skern@riaus.org.au| www.riaus.org.au The Royal Institution of Australia Inc is a Charitable Institution and is a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) ABN: 98638459658

Think B4U Print 1 ream of paper = 6% of a tree and 5.4kg CO2 in the atmosphere 3 sheets of A4 paper = 1 litre of water

_______________________________________________ ASC-list mailing list list@asc.asn.au http://www.asc.asn.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=97&Itemid=115

EL1 – Outreach Operation Manager – Sydney

Closes: COB 18th March 2010 Salary: $79,726 – $85,854 Contact Officer: Mr Allen Rooney (02) 6126 2280

Duties: The primary focus of the Operations Manager is to manage, develop, co-ordinate, promote and present the Questacon Science Squad in the Sydney metropolitan area, and the Questacon Science Play early childhood program in regional and remote Australia.

Employment Details: This is a non-ongoing full time position for a period of 12 months, working Monday to Friday 37.5 hours per week, with flexibility provided by the Questacon Collective Agreement.

APS4 – Education Officer – Sydney

Closes: COB 18th March 2010 Salary: $51,745 – $54,683 Contact Officer: Ms Kelly Osowski on (02) 9209 4110

Duties: The primary focus of this position will be to deliver science and technology based performances in school, preschools and other venues to a range of audiences, within the Questacon Science Squad and Questacon Science Play programs, and may also extend to other Outreach projects.

Employment Details: This is a non-ongoing position for a period of 12 months with the possibility of extension. It is a full time position working Monday to Friday 37.5 hours per week, with flexibility provided by the Questacon Collective Agreement.

For more information, please visit the website: http://www.questacon.edu.au/recruitment/

Classification: UNCLASSIFIED

_______________________________________________ ASC-list mailing list list@asc.asn.au http://www.asc.asn.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=97&Itemid=115

http://www.abc.net.au/rural/telegraph/content/2010/s2841791.htm

Jenni Metcalfe

Director Econnect Communication

PO Box 734

South Brisbane Q 4101

Australia

www.econnect.com.au

jenni@econnect.com.au

phone: + 61 7 3846 7111, +0408 551 866

skype: jenni.metcalfe

_______________________________________________ ASC-list mailing list list@asc.asn.au http://www.asc.asn.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=97&Itemid=115

Dear ASCers,

Chris Mooney is speaking at the Press Club today. You may recall that he was our opening speaker at the World Conference of Science Journalists in 2007.

Acclaimed science writer to speak at National Press Club

Mr Chris Mooney, author of the controversial New York Times bestselling book, ‘The Republican War on Science’, will speak

at the National Press Club on Wednesday 10th March as part of the program for the 11th annual Science meets Parliament

[SmP].

Organiser of the event, Ms Anna‐Maria Arabia, Executive Director of the Federation of Australian Scientific and

Technological Societies [FASTS] , said Mr Mooney’s thought‐provoking views would be a timely addition to scientific debate

in Australia.

“Globally the integrity and validity of science is being placed under question largely as a result of the climate change

debate. The negativity surrounding science is palpable and is having a detrimental impact on decision makers and young

scientists’ career decisions.

“In Australia policy action by government has already stalled as a result of this negativity and the community is losing

confidence in the scientific research effort.

“Restoring confidence in the peer‐review process and the scientific profession, and raising a deeper awareness of the

importance of the scientific endeavour requires a joint effort.

“Collectively, we must ensure we remain a nation driven by knowledge, not by doubt.

“Chris Mooney is widely respected and will bring to SmP a fresh perspective, challenging many established ideas. He is

abundantly qualified to discuss the importance of distinguishing legitimate research from ideology and unsubstantiated

opinion ,” she said.

AUTHOR BACKGROUND

A senior correspondent for The American Prospect magazine, Chris has achieved widespread acclaim

with The Republican War on Science dubbed “a landmark in contemporary political reporting”

by Salon.com and a “well‐researched, closely argued and amply referenced indictment of the right

wing’s assault on science and scientists” by Scientific American.

His second book Storm World: Hurricanes, Politics, and the Battle Over Global Warming was dubbed

“riveting” by the Boston Globe and selected as a 2007 best book of the year in the science category by

Publisher’s Weekly. Unscientific America: How Scientific Illiteracy Threatens Our Future was published last year.

Chris Mooney’s writings have been nominated for a National Magazine Award and included in the volumes Best American

Science and Nature Writing 2006. Mooney was also named one of Wired magazine’s top ten “sexiest geeks.”

FOR MEDIA INFORMATION ONLY

Andrew Heslop

0404 038 106

Released 09.03.2010

_______________

Niall Byrne Science in Public

ph +61 (3) 9398 1416 or 0417 131 977 niall@scienceinpublic.com.au

Full contact details at www.scienceinpublic.com/blog http://www.scienceinpublic.com/blog

_______________________________________________ ASC-list mailing list list@asc.asn.au http://www.asc.asn.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=97&Itemid=115

Free ANZAAS talk Melbourne Wed 17th March 6:30pm

All welcome, no booking needed

At: Gene Technology Access Centre, 1H Royal Parade, Parkville

Free drinks and pizza after the talk

“Can experts be trusted?”

Professor Mark Burgman

Director, Australian Centre of Excellence for Risk Analysis (ACERA)

Expert judgements are a routine and necessary part of risk analysis because it is usually too cumbersome and costly to collect all the necessary information. We need experts to fill gaps in knowledge, and to provide explanations of how systems work. However, research over the last 40 years in psychology has shown that perception of risk is filtered by memory, context, anchoring, experience, emotion, and other subjective factors. Research on the performance of nuclear risk engineers, geophysicists, ecologists and other professional groups has shown that most experts are overconfident in their abilities to estimate quantities. How can we make better use of experts? Can we anticipate and adjust for their biases and psychological sensitivities? How should knowledge of their foibles affect our trust in their assessments?

***Enter off Story Steet, GTAC is at the western end of University High School’s oval***

These talks are supported by CSL

http://www.anzaas.org.au/ _______________________________________________ ASC-list mailing list list@asc.asn.au http://www.asc.asn.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=97&Itemid=115

Science Communication Friday Seminar

Movie Showing

This week will be a showing of short films created by UWA Science Communication students in 2009. The films profile emerging researchers.

Location: Centre for Learning Technology, Physics Building UWA Map http://sponsored.uwa.edu.au/spice/contact)

Time & Date: 4-5pm Friday, 12th March 2010

Drinks and Nibbles Provided

Check out the Seminar Calender at http://uwasciencecomm.blogspot.com/

[3]view email in browser | [4]unsubscribe | [5]update your profile | [6]forward to a friend

Links: 3. http://us1.campaign-archive.com/?u=13668cc7a87872d08c05184a5&id=fee307839b&e=d8ba4a1e8b 4. http://blogspot.us1.list-manage.com/unsubscribe?u=13668cc7a87872d08c05184a5&id=5f8fda28a3&e=d8ba4a1e8b&c=fee307839b 5. http://blogspot.us1.list-manage.com/profile?u=13668cc7a87872d08c05184a5&id=5f8fda28a3&e=d8ba4a1e8b 6. http://us1.forward-to-friend.com/forward?u=13668cc7a87872d08c05184a5&id=fee307839b&e=d8ba4a1e8b

Assoc Prof Nancy Longnecker

Coordinator, Science Communication Program Faculty of Life and Physical Sciences, M011 The University of Western Australia 35 Stirling Highway Crawley, WA 6009

ph: 61 8 6488 3926 email: nancy.longnecker@uwa.edu.au skype: nancylongnecker

There is no point explaining everything in the universe if no one is listening to you. (UWA Sci Comm student, 2009)

CRICOS Provider No. 00126G

Science Communication Friday Seminar

Movie Showing

This week we will showing a selection of short films profiling emerging researchers, which were created by science and the media students in 2009.

Location: Centre for Learning Technology, Physics Building UWA Map http://sponsored.uwa.edu.au/spice/contact) Time & Date:_ 4-5pm Friday, 12th March 2010 Drinks and Nibbles Provided_

Check out the Seminar Calender at http://uwasciencecomm.blogspot.com/

[3]view email in browser | [4]unsubscribe | [5]update your profile | [6]forward to a friend Links: 3. http://us1.campaign-archive.com/?u=13668cc7a87872d08c05184a5&id=fee307839b&e=d8ba4a1e8b 4. http://blogspot.us1.list-manage.com/unsubscribe?u=13668cc7a87872d08c05184a5&id=5f8fda28a3&e=d8ba4a1e8b&c=fee307839b 5. http://blogspot.us1.list-manage.com/profile?u=13668cc7a87872d08c05184a5&id=5f8fda28a3&e=d8ba4a1e8b 6. http://us1.forward-to-friend.com/forward?u=13668cc7a87872d08c05184a5&id=fee307839b&e=d8ba4a1e8b

You are receiving this email because you are or were involved with the Science Communication Program. University of Western Australia 39 Myers St Crawley, WA 6025 Email Marketing Powered by MailChimp http://www.mailchimp.com/affiliates/?aid=13668cc7a87872d08c05184a5&afl=1

Copyright (C) 2010 University of Western Australia All rights reserved.

_______________________________________________ ASC-list mailing list list@asc.asn.au http://www.asc.asn.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=97&Itemid=115

Posted on behalf of Kylie Ahern, chair, NSW National Science Week committee

The NSW Committee for Science Week is seeking an experienced science communication specialist to work as a contractor for approximately 20 days of work.

This contract role involves:

– Assist the NSW Chair in increasing the awareness and involvement in Science Week by key organisations in NSW

– Develop and manage our e-newsletter communication strategy

– Develop an Event-Holder Kit for NSW organisations

The role will report to the NSW Chair and will work out of offices in Chippendale. It can be undertaken on a full-time or part-time basis.

The following skills and experience are required:

– High level stakeholder engagement skills

– Excellent written and verbal communication

– Someone who is proactive and a self-starter

– Good knowledge of the science communication landscape in NSW

– Excellent attention to detail

– Experienced user of Excel, Word and the Web

To apply for the role please email your covering letter and resume to:

Kylie Ahern

Chair of the NSW Science Week committee

kylie.ahern@lunamedia.com.au

Applications close 16th March

Jesse Shore, PhD

Prismatic Sciences

Science communicator

P: (02) 9810 2328 M: 0415 841 276 E: jesse@prismaticsciences.com W: http://www.prismaticsciences.com/ www.prismaticsciences.com

_______________________________________________ ASC-list mailing list list@asc.asn.au http://www.asc.asn.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=97&Itemid=115

Dear fellow South East Queensland ASCers,

It’s once again time for our Branch AGM – hope you can join us for: 1. Debrief and feedback from 2009 events 2. A report back from the ASC conference in February and discussion of the ‘Inspiring Australia’ National science engagement strategy 3. Election of committee positions 4. Discussion around events for 2010.

When: 6pm for 6.30pm start, Tuesday 30 March, 2010.

Where: For a bit of peace and quiet, the meeting will be held at Former Treasurer Lynelle Ross’ house at 1/24 Balmain St, Wooloowin. Wine and nibbles will be provided.

(http://maps.google.com.au/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=24+Balma in+St,+Wooloowin&sll=-25.335448,135.745076&sspn=46.019261,67.587891&ie=U TF8&hq=&hnear=24+Balmain+St,+Wooloowin+Queensland+4030&z=16)

RSVP: Please RSVP to me by Friday 26 March 2010.

Survey: To inform our discussions at the AGM, we’d like your input as to what you’d like to see for your membership in 2010. Please take 5 minutes to complete the short survey at: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/GY278JF. We’d like as many responses to this survey as possible, so please feel free to complete it even if you cannot attend the AGM.

Look forward to seeing you there.

Cheers, Annie

Annie Harris Senior Project Officer Science Engagement Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation Level 10, 111 George Street, Brisbane Qld 4000 PO Box 15168, City East Qld 4002 t: +61 7 3224 2383 f: +61 7 3225 8754 e: annie.harris@deedi.qld.gov.au www.science.qld.gov.au

Business Information Centre 13 25 23 www.deedi.qld.gov.au