Monthly Archives: November 2011

Life Member Profile: Barbara Hardy AO

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Barbara Hardy has been working in the environment field in a voluntary capacity since the early 1970s.   During this time she spent five years at the Flinders University of South Australia studying the Earth Sciences (1974-79), following a Science Degree at The University of Adelaide in 1947 (majoring in Chemistry).

She has been a Commissioner of the Australian Heritage Commission, President of the National Parks Foundation of South Australia (now the Nature Foundation SA), Founding President of the Investigator Science and Technology Centre, and Chairman of the South Australian Landcare Committee amongst a number of other roles.

Barbara Hardy was appointed an Officer of the General Division of the Order of Australia (AO) in 1987, an Honorary Doctorate of the Flinders University in 1993, as well as an Advance Australia Award 1991, SA Great Award 1992, Institution of Engineers Medal 1992, ABC Eureka Award for the Advancement of Science 1994, and was named South Australian Citizen of the Year in 1996.  She is now a Companion of the Institution of Engineers Australia, and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Energy where she is a member of the Hydrogen Division.

In October 2001 she was appointed as the Member from Australia in the Asia-Pacific Forum for Environment and Development (APFED), a major international project initiated and funded by the Japanese Ministry for Environment.   APFED “aims to propose a model of equitable and sustainable development for Asia and the Pacific Region”.  Barbara has now stood down as the APFED Member from Australia, as of July 2006, and her place was taken by Greg Bourne, CEO of WWF Australia.

In August 2009 the University of Adelaide presented Barbara with a Distinguished Alumni Award “in recognition of her lifelong commitment, and significant contribution to the advancement of Science Education, Science Awareness, and Environmental Conservation”.

In November 2009. The University of South Australia established the Barbara Hardy Centre for Sustainable Urban Environments.   This organization later became an Institute.

In April 2010 the University of Adelaide admitted Barbara to the Degree of Doctor of the University (honoris causa).

Barbara Hardy’s principal interests are in ecologically sustainable development, biodiversity conservation, environmental valuation, renewable energy production and use, and in business and industrial matters especially as they affect the environment within which we all live.

Member Profile: Chris Krishna-Pillay

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Chris Krishna-Pillay is one of Australia’s most prominent science communicators and performers. His writing and performing credits include, Howard Florey – a Tale of Tall Poppies, Somnium, Pre-Coital, Dante’s Laboratory and the Great Big Science Gig. He recently directed Faraday’s Candle for re-science.

Chris has performed across Australia, as well as in the UK, New Zealand and Japan. Recent engagements have been with BHP Billiton, Bunnings, ABC, Siemens, State Library of Victoria and CSIRO. Chris has experience in television, drama, musicals, stand-up comedy and radio (an extensive listing of performances is available on request).

Chris was science consultant for children’s television series Wicked Science (Network Ten), and has appeared on television on Today, Scope and Totally Wild. He is also a regular guest on popular radio programEinstein A Go Go (Triple R radio).

Chris has worked for CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation – Australia’s national science and technology organisation) for more than 17 years and is Victorian Manager of CSIRO Education (note that the opinions expressed on this website are Chris’ own and not those of CSIRO (or anyone else). Chris is Secretary of the National Science Week Victorian Coordinating Committee and is a member of the Victorian Science Drama Awards Committee. He is a member of the Australian Science Communicators and has presented at education and performance conferences in Australia, the UK, the US, South Africa, Japan and New Zealand.

Please note opinions expressed on this website are Chris’ own and not those of CSIRO.

Joy of Chocolate: Event Review

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Thanks to Rebecca Rose for sending in this event review…

The Joy of Chocolate event held on the 16th of November was a great night. We had a good turn out. Galit gave an interesting overview of the chocolate life cycle and patiently answered the avalanche of questions that ensued. We learnt how the beans were fermented, dried and pounded to a paste. What the difference was between cocoa powder, cocoa butter and cocoa solids (though technically I think by this stage they are termed ‘cacao’) and all about the tempering and refining process that makes silky smooth chocolate. Galit had an array of show and tell items and we were all tempted with samples of cocoa beans and chocolate buttons from different single source locations. The highlight of the evening for me however, was her amazing gananche samples. The lime and basil white ganache and the leatherwood honey milk chocolate ganache had people sneaking back for seconds and thirds… it was just too good!

When energy counts in a changing climate

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From Craig Macaulay, CSIRO:

While recent political activity has centred on the passing of the Clean Energy Bills, 170 delegates from 50 countries were meeting (http://www.csiro.au/news/Securing-energy-supply-in-changing-variable-climate.html) away from the limelight in conversations centred on a closely-related subject, energy and climate.

With Australian science heavily engaged at the research coalface in all forms of energy generation, CSIRO has sought to bridge the international gap at the interface with climate through its support of the first International Conference on Energy and Meteorology on the Gold Coast last week.  (http://www.icem2011.org/ICEM2011_Final_Programme.pdf)

The conference brought together scientists, engineers, planners, and insurers to review  the scope for related lines of research that will re-enforce risk management and energy security in weather, seasonal variability and global and regional climate change, as outlined broadly in this interview with the ABC’s World Today program – http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2011/s3358909.htm

The pace of growth in renewable energy and community attitudes towards it, food and biofuel production, forecasting to maximise energy generation, and support for decision-making were common themes in a week that the International Energy Agency also released its 2011 report.

CSIRO Energy Group leader, Bev Ronalds, provided an opening keynote, outlining what she described as a ‘rainbow’ of options for Australia’s energy mix through to 2050, and the conference closed with a keynote from Energy Tansformed Flagship Director, Alex Wonhas.

Convenor, CSIRO’s Alberto Troccoli, said he hoped that from among the extensive range of presentations given, there would be a wealth of seeds sown to generate collaborations and relationship to further bridge the energy and climate sectors, with CSIRO as a potential leader in the process. The Climate & Atmosphere theme of CSIRO was a major sponsor of the event.

AGM in Perth, 30 November 2011: reminder about proxies and membership

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I hope to see WA members and some from the more easterly states at the AGM. If you are unable to attend please send your proxy to Sarah Lau, slau@chemcentre.wa.gov.au, or someone else you know is attending the meeting.

The WA branch of the ASC has agreed to host this year’s national AGM in Perth. We will keep the AGM short and to the point, have some lively discussion, and follow it with an evening of entertainment.

David Ellyard is presenting his science quiz. Around 100 people enjoyed this competitive challenge at last year’s end-of-year meeting in Adelaide.

Only financial members can attend the AGM so renew now if you haven’t done so already. The quiz will be open to all so bring someone along and remember to register for the event.

See you in Perth soon!

Jesse Shore
National President

ASC National Conference 2012 – Update & session overview

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The ASC National Conference will be at Sydney Masonic Centre from 27-29 February 2012. The program is coming into shape and looks enticing. Here’s a quick overview (some sessions may change, not all are listed, and titles and details of sessions will be refined):

Day 1

  • Opening keynote: Professor Ian Chubb, Australia’s Chief Scientist will open the conference and be the first plenary speaker.
  • After lunch: State Chief Scientists will feature in a plenary and then in parallel sessions.

Day 2

  • Plenary: Careers in science communicating – hear about career possibilities and resources.
  • Plenary: New media – continuing insights into how to use a range of rapidly evolving communication channels to communicate science (and maybe make a buck?).
  • Plenary: The NBN and how to use it –  a science communication perspective of  nation changing technology.

Day 3

  • Plenary: The Nobel experience – in an exclusive for the conference, Brian Schmidt, the 2011 Nobel Prize winner for Physics, is interviewed on video by Rod Lamberts. The discussion will interweave winning a major science prize with effective science communication of astronomy.
  • Plenary: Science and Art – a star-studded illustrated talk by David Malin and a conversation about beauty and science communication.
  • Plenary: Heads of Science Agencies – the big wigs will be prodded to tell all as they are quizzed about the role and funding for science communication in their patches.
  • Plenary: Advocacy – explore how heads of science advocacy groups represent their members’ interests to politicians and government departments.

Other parallel session topics include (partial listing; PD means session has a professional development focus):
*       Speed mentoring (PD)
*       The consultancy game – a follow-on from the careers plenary
*       Communication strategies
*       Philanthropy, fundraising and science communication
*       Beyond evaluation (PD)
*       Science as theatre
*       Putting the ‘confer’ back into conferences (PD)
*       The latest in research in science communication
*       Science and art sessions and exhibitions
*       War on science

Website: The conference website is http://2012conf.asc.asn.au/.
Online registration is active. See http://2012conf.asc.asn.au/register/.

Jesse Shore
National President

Seeking an assistant treasurer – advertisement on its way

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With the ASC Conference approaching, the coming months will be a great time to get training in a range of financial skills. David Ellyard, our long serving and excellent national treasurer, will be taking someone under his wing as Assistant Treasurer.

An advertisement for the position will be sent soon to the membership. This will be a good professional development opportunity for the right person.

This new position is part of our succession planning for senior ASC Management positions.

Jesse Shore
National President

Windy Joules from MadLab

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In light (pun intended) of the theme for National Science Week 2012 – “Energy Evolution” reflecting (there it is again) the UN’s International Year of Sustainable Energy For All, event organisers might be interested in a new purpose-designed electronic kit from MadLab:  Windy Joules.
This DIY kit becomes an alternative energy device that logs light levels and wind speeds – a very handy tool for carrying out investigations around the home, school or workplace.
More information at http://www.madlab.org/kits/windyjoules.html
Or contact Adam Selinger +61 417 690 423 adam@madlab.org
MadLab is an electronics workshop teaching people safe use of soldering irons while they learn to construct an imaginative electronic gadget.

The Transit of Venus

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From Nick Lomb:

The transit of Venus on 6 June 2012 will be the last opportunity for all of us to see this rare and significant astronomical event. It is of special importance to Australians as James Cook’s first voyage that led to the colonisation of the country by the British was to observe the 1769 transit from Tahiti. Australia will be one of the best places from which to view the 2012 transit for it will be visible from beginning to end from most of the country.

To give people an appreciation of the long history behind transits of Venus, I have written a book, ‘Transit of Venus: 1631 to the present’ that is published by NewSouth Publishing in association with Powerhouse Publishing and is available from 1 November 2011. The book relates some of the adventurous journeys undertaken by astronomers to view past transits and explains why the astronomers regarded the transits of such great importance that they were willing to risk their lives to observe them. The book has numerous illustrations including some beautiful original illustrations of the 1874 transit from the archives of Sydney Observatory.

More information at http://www.powerhousemuseum.com/publications/publications_item.php?id=254 and at https://www.unswpress.com.au/isbn/9781742232690.htm.

Dr Nick Lomb

Phone: 03 9570 8418
Mobile: 0403 892 778
Email: nrl@bigpond.com

 

ASC Corporate Members

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The ASC now has five corporate members which is an increase on last year. I welcome the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), the Powerhouse Museum (NSW), Scitech (WA), the CSIRO Energy Group, and one other CSIRO group of communicators.

Each corporate member nominates 10 people as part of their membership group and designates one of these people as their voting delegate.

I will encourage our corporate members to talk about their particular science communication challenges. Grappling to explain a challenge may help to clarify it, and sharing it with the membership may provide useful feedback and insights into corporate science communication.

The corporate members bring new members to the ASC, which in turn offers value to all concerned. It’s great to have them on board and I look forward to hearing about their collective corporate thoughts.

Jesse Shore
National President