Australia and China to contribute $9 million for science projects.
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Australia and China commit to joint science fund
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Monthly Archives: April 2011
Julian Cribb’s Coming Famine Spearheads AIFST Convention
An action-provoking keynote address by well-known visionary and science communications specialist Julian Cribb headlines the 44th annual Australian Institute of Food Science & Technology convention, to be held 10 – 13 July 2011 in Sydney.
In keeping with the convention’s theme ‘Tackling Tomorrow Today’, Cribb will speak about the major risks to global food security over the coming half century, the implications for food, science, technology and society, and of the effects of a 30 year lack of local investment in agricultural and food science and technology.
Cribb believes the world faces the probability of extreme regional food insecurity by the mid-century unless we take action now on land, water, nutrients, energy, fish, technology and climate instability. One of the challenges he will put to the industry is to help reinvent our cities and food systems so they recycle water, energy and nutrients, to help head off the ‘coming famine’.
He returns to the stage later to present a proposal for a national nutrient plan’, prompting the design of systems that recapture the current phenomenal waste of nutrients by agriculture, processing, retail, foodservice and consumers. He will also speak on the need to totally redesign the Australian diet.
Other speakers at the Food Production Security session include David Barling (City University, London, UK) addressing ‘impact of food policy on food security’, and Alison Bowman (Industry & Investment NSW, Wagga Wagga, NSW) on ‘The value of investing in R&D to secure the food supply’.
The AIFST Convention is co-located with FoodPro at the Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour, Sydney NSW Australia.
It opens on Sunday 10 July and concludes Tuesday 12 July, with additional workshops Wednesday 13 July 2011.
For registration details visit www.aifst.com.au. Bookings made before 3 June attract an earlybird rate.
BIOGRAPHICAL DETAIL:
Julian Cribb is the principal of Julian Cribb & Associates, specialists in science communication. He is a fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering.
From 1996-2002 he was Director, National Awareness, for Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO where he oversaw a 150 per cent growth in the organisation’s media profile.
A journalist since 1969, he was editor of the “National Farmer” and “Sunday Independent” newspapers, editor-in-chief of the Australian Rural Times, and chief of the Australian Agricultural News Bureau. For ten years he was agriculture correspondent, science and technology correspondent and scientific editor for The Australian and still writes a regular column for the national daily. He edits Australian R&D Review and ScienceAlert.com.au, the nation’s leading scientific news site.
He has received 32 awards for journalism including the Order of Australia Association Media Prize, the inaugural Eureka Prize for environmental journalism, the inaugural AUSTRADE award for international business journalism, the Dalgety Award for rural journalism, two MBF Awards for medical journalism and five Michael Daley Awards for science journalism.
He was national foundation president of the Australian Science Communicators (ASC), president of the National Rural and Resources Press Club, a member of CSIRO advisory committees for agriculture, fisheries and entomology. He has served as a Director of the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), the Crawford Fund, the Secretariat for International Landcare, CSIRO Publishing, the Australian Minerals and Energy Environment Foundation, the National Science and Technology Centre (Questacon) and the Council of the Academy of technological Sciences & Engineering.
His published work includes more than 8,000 print articles, 1000 broadcasts, 3000 media releases and 400 speeches as well as “The Forgotten Country”, six editions of “Australian Agriculture”, “The White Death”, “Dry Times” and “Open Science”. His most recent book is “The Coming Famine: the global food crisis and what we can do to avoid it”, which explores the issues around food security and the actions by nations and individuals necessary to assure it.
Two free tickets plus big student discounts up for grabs at Media140
We are pleased to announce yet another endeavour to support those who make science accessible.
ASC have partnered with Media140 to offer FREE tickets to two lucky ASC members at the frontiers event exploring the impact of social technologies on science communication being held in Brisbane next week.
http://www.amiando.com/media140FrontiersBrisbane.html?page=463781
Members who think they would benefit from attending this event are invited to submit a submission to office@asc.asn.au by 7 pm AEST this Sunday 24 April, describing in no more than 50 words what current role or project could use some social media enhancement. Please include a contact phone number and e-mail address so we can notify you if you win.
ASC President Jesse Shore will select two of the entries for free admission to this international and timely event. Winners will be required to write a short article for publication on the ASC web site no more than a month after the event briefly describing their current role or project, what it aims to accomplish, and how the frontiers event contributed to their social media skills, knowledge and/or intentions for future. Good luck!
To check how relevant the event will be for your own explorations and applications of social media to science communication, see the event program here: http://www.amiando.co/media140FrontiersBrisbane.html?page=513990
In addition three full student scholarships were allocated to support the future of science communication in Australia.
The student scholarship recipients are enrolled in “Presenting Science” with lecturer Melanie McKenzie this semester in the Science Communication Program at the University of Queensland.
You can read more about tertiary science communication programs in Australia on our web site here: http://www.asc.asn.au/about/tertiary-programs/
Students still wishing to attend the event are eligible for a 40% discount, and ASC members are still eligible for 10%.
Interested? Register here:
Posted on behalf of Kali Madden, ASC Membership Officer
office [at] asc.asn.au
Inspiring…ASC and friends
At a recent meeting, the ASC Canberra committee decided we had heard of the Inspiring Australia (IA) report, but didn’t know much about what it said, what was happening as a result or what the implications were for us as science communicators. So we asked Simon France from the Australian government Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Resources and Margaret McIver, our local IA officer, to tell us all about it.
We had a good turn-out of over 30 people, including a few new faces and a few new members.
Simon gave us a national perspective in a polished way – he’s been touring the country presenting information sessions about IA recently. The full report is online (http://www.innovation.gov.au/science/inspiringaustralia/Pages/default.aspx) so I won’t repeat it here, but my five top bits of useful information from Simon were:
- all Australian government departments have appointed IA contact officers to manage their organisations’ involvement
- there are expert working groups in a number of areas, and plans for more (including an arid zone working group!)
- the IA brand will hopefully be developed to a point where it’s a mark of ‘quality science communication’
- the Scicommunity website has been developed to share stories and build collaboration about public engagement
- the youth aspect will be a focus for an expert working group with representation from the various departments of education.
I hope Simon will correct me if my scribbly notes have not been translated correctly.
Marg gave us a run-down of local action, including presentations by Dr Fiona Wood, authentique Cafe Scientifique events in conjunction with the Alliance Francaise and a Science meets Art competition for Youth Week (which we got to admire over wine and cheese after her presentation). Marg has developed a calendar of science events in Canberra which she sends to her email list monthly (or so).
David George, from the ACT government’s Chief Minister’s Department, which supports Marg’s position, was also able to tell us about their recent move into the science communication realm, though which they are involved in a number of programs such as the Tall Poppy Campaign and CSIRO’s Canberra education centre.
Big thanks to our presenters, who have inspired us to get involved with Inspiring Australia. We’re watching that space with interest.
Liz Yuncken
ASC Canberra Committee
Inspiring Australia conference, Melbourne 28-29 March 2011
I’m working my way through the possible outcomes of the recent Inspiring Australia conference. The main matter for me was the closing plenary. We were asked to vote on a number of poorly worded questions. I took issue with two points in particular. One was about whether the attendees supported Questacon overseeing the allocation of funding for projects related to IA initiatives or whether an independent committee should be established for this task. The point hadn’t been fully explored by the entire assembly and we were rushed to a vote based on minimal discussion. Let’s say that I had a brief but lively disagreement with the view that Questacon should have oversight. I think the result may lead to an advisory panel with Questacon providing the secretariat which I feel will be acceptable and time and cost efficient.
The other sore point was about a new website funded by DIISR which listed science communication events and profiles of the communicators who were the event organisers. I have no issue with the event listing but I think the listing of profiles partially duplicates what ASC has trying to do to promote the skills of its members. At this time the matter is under discussion and yet to be resolved.
Inspiring Australia should be about coordinating science communication activities in Australia and not duplicating functions of others. IA initiatives will be most effective and efficient when done in consultation with existing organisations. It seems the process needs some refinement.
I will report again when matters are made clearer.
Jesse Shore
National President
Rally for Research – Adelaide
This article was originally published here with pictures and video.
In Australia at the moment there is a real fear that our Government (who are supposed to be on the left side of that political line) is going to cut $400 million from medical research budgets. To protest this rallies are being run in most Australian capital cities to advertise the role of scientists in the community and to show all scientists that collectively we have a voice that can be heard, you just have to start shouting.
A couple of days ago the rally in my city was held and whilst I couldn’t make it (due to teaching obligations) my good friend Thomas Tu, with whom I started Disease of the Week (on which he has also written a post about this) a few years ago, has been heavily involved. You can find a radio interview he did on one of Australia’s largest radio stations, Triple J, here (about a third of the way in) and there is a video of him giving a speech at the rally. He is standing on the steps of our city’s Parliament House.
So what can you do if you can’t make a rally or are in another country but want to show your support? Jump on the Discoveries need Dollars website or the Facebook page and ‘Like’ or follow the Twitter page and at all these places there is more info.
We are trying to make it a big issue to protect medical research, our livelihoods and encourage more students into science careers and it makes it very difficult when not only is money taken away but when its predicted to affect early career researchers hardest.
If you can help and you care about medical research I implore you to do as much as you can.
I’ll get off my high-horse now.
James Byrne
Associate Lecturer at University of Adelaide
Bacteriology PhD student and writer at Disease Prone
BrisEvents: Cafe Scientific
Kids Research Institute at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead Science Communication Internship Program
Do you have a love for science, and a talent for writing? Do you enjoy interviewing researchers about their work, and then reporting on it in an engaging, clear style?
If so, then Kids Research Institute has an outstanding internship opportunity for you!
The internship program has been developed in an effort to further identify the key areas in which an intern, carrying out, or having recently completed, tertiary education, can learn from the various aspects of the Kids Research Institute (KRI) at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead.
The current length of an internship within the KRI is for 3 months minimum, at least 2 days per week (9am – 5pm). This program endeavours to outline the basis for the internship program providing interns with an understanding of the key areas they will be exposed to during the course of their internship and also the way in which their tasks will develop with their experience.
Each Intern will be co-supervised by the Research Office at KRI and the Public Relations Department at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead.
Proactive writers willing to dig for stories are strongly encouraged to apply!
For more information on the program or to apply please email research [at] chw.edu.au
To view our website visit www.kidsresearch.org.au
Australian Science Festival closes
You will have read the sad news that the Canberra based Australian Science Festival will not happen this year and it’s future seems bleak.I am loath to speak in the past tense about the ASF and I hope that its book has not closed for good. ASF has been very influential on the science communication event scene in Australia. The ASF team has been a creative spark and I wish Mary-Anne and her team all the best for the immediate future. I’m hoping we still get to read a new chapter from them before long.
Jesse Shore
National President
Professor Ian Chubb appointed as Chief Scientist
Professor Chubb was formally appointed to his new role by Innovation Minister Kim Carr at Parliament House in Canberra today.
Professor Chubb has had a distinguished career in higher education and research and recently retired after a decade as vice-chancellor of the Australian National University.
A neuroscientist by training, he has co-authored some 70 full papers and co-edited one book all related to his research. He later took on leadership roles in university administration and sector advocacy bodies.
Professor Chubb will work closely with the Gillard Government to provide highest quality advice on science and technology issues that impact on Australia and the world.
The Prime Minister said as a past advocate in the university sector Professor Chubb would effectively engage with industry, researchers and the wider community as part of important scientific debates
Senator Carr said a lifetime of work in the research community was recently recognised in Canberra when Professor Chubb was named the ACT’s Australian of the Year for his contribution to higher education.
“He also understands that government needs frank and objective advice and communities need strong advocates. Professor Chubb is an outstanding leader. I congratulate him on his appointment and look forward to working with him.”
Professor Chubb will begin his three year term on 23 May 2011.
[Taken from the Chief Scientist’s website]George also blogs as PopSciGuy