Monthly Archives: July 2015

Pre National Science Week Mixer

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Kick off your National Science Week with a bang at the Markov in Carlton Thursday 13th August from 6pm!

Your ASC Vic are once again hosting a celebration mixer event on the eve of the big week. Part social, part networking, part informative, part entertainment, this is the chance to get together, have a drink, win a lucky door prize and hear from the event holders themselves about what will be happening during national science week!

This year we are taking our mixer to the next level with international guest, Yvette d’Entremont, aka SciBabe. Cost is free, but we would love it if you could register through our Facebook event, so we can keep track of numbers.

If you are an event holder and you would like to come along to spruik, please drop an message to our President George Aranda. We are also happy to hand out promotional material if you have any.

Time: 6pm

Date: Thursday 13th August

Place: Markov, 352 Drummond Street, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia 3053.

VIC Event Review: Science + Media Speed Dating

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Great science stories are often out there waiting to be discovered and told to a broader audience. ASC is fortunate to reflect a community of storytellers, journalists, science writers and broadcasters as well as scientists with media savvy and a passion for communicating their discoveries. But do we do enough to bring them together?

ASC Victoria saw an untapped opportunity, and Toni Stevens put together an event, ‘Science/media speed dating’, looking to connect great stories with people who can help disseminate them.

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The evening of Tuesday 2 June saw an eager crowd of ASC members and non-members meet at Southbank’s Belgian Beer Cafe for a series of short ‘speed dates’. Before the 2-minute power chats commenced, scientists heard from the perspective of print journalists, broadcast and radio presenters as to what they look for in a science story and how best to pitch to their particular medium. The crowd took to their seats, and 26 scientists and science communicators launched into a networking frenzy over a beverage or two.

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Despite some hiccups of being first-timers to the speed dating format (hint to other ASC branches: have table numbers to help direct participants around the room!), the event was wildly successful and many participants stayed on for further networking after the official component of the event was finished. The perspective from the journalist side of the room was that there were many gold nuggets of scicom out there, ready for the big league. Scientists and those with a science message noted it was a great platform to help give them a better idea of how to refine their pitch, and provided them with encouragement to take their tales out to a broader audience, as well as identifying potential resources to help them do so.

ASC Victoria would like to thank all the members who joined us for this terrific event; we hope to revisit this very successful format again next year.

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Anneliese Gillard

First published Proceedings of an Australian Science Communicators Conference are now available online

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Thank you to Nancy Longnecker for the update and for kindly editing the Proceedings!

Professor Nancy Longnecker – Centre for Science Communication, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand

The first published proceedings of an Australian Science Communicators conference are now available online at ASC Publications. The 200-page volume includes full papers and presentation abstracts as well as summaries of keynotes, plenaries, panel discussions, workshops, the Spectrum Science Art exhibition and other special events as a record of this noteworthy conference.

Many people played important roles in this undertaking. Authors submitted their work for review and waited patiently for the review process and publication to be completed. The Program Committee (Claire Harris, Kali Madden, Nancy Longnecker and Jesse Shore) went through each abstract and proposal submitted and allocated all those accepted to thematic strands to strengthen coherence of sessions at the conference.

Without reviewers, there is no peer review process and thanks for reviewing efforts go to Emma Bartle, Jenny Donovan, Jean Fletcher, Mzamose Gondwe, Will Grant, Nancy Longnecker, Jennifer Manyweather, Vicky Martin, Jenni Metcalfe, John O’Connor, Lindy Orthia, Will Rifkin and Miriam Sullivan.

Editing the ASC2014 Proceedings was my parting gift to ASC after almost two decades of membership. Editing any volume is a big but satisfying job. Incorporation of a research stream at the ASC conference and production of a peer-reviewed conference proceedings are ways to enhance the rigour of science communication for both practitioners and theorists. I am proud to have helped make this conference proceedings a reality and am happy to share what I learned with the next editors.

While many hands make lighter work, production of an edited volume is a substantial job and it was a relief when we finally published this. So why bother? For me personally, belonging to ASC shaped my career and this was a chance to give back to the ASC community. It has been extremely satisfying to be a member and to contribute to ASC in a variety of ways over the years. The small band of friends and colleagues who helped revive the WA branch in the mid-naughties and those on the Executive at that time taught me a great deal as have those who contributed to production of this volume.

Using a peer review process in publishing means that these papers are scholarly publications as  defined by the Australian Government’s audit standards. The full papers ‘count’ as a publication category E1 for those who record publications as a performance indicator. The research abstracts in this publication satisfy the requirements for publication category E2.

So what? As science communicators, we know that peer-reviewed articles are not the be-all and end-all of good communication. Yet for all its flaws, the peer-review system is still widely regarded as providing an important source of credible information.

Given there are so many alternative mechanisms to communicate, why do academics and other researchers remain so fixated on publishing peer-reviewed papers? It is important for our employers and in turn, they ensure it is important to us as individuals by rewarding publishing via the promotion process.

Most of us would agree that this is not a great mechanism. But the rules of the game we play in are that organisational publication tally is one thing that determines the size of slice of the university funding pie that individual universities get from government (at least in Australia and New Zealand). This funding is substantial at a research intensive university. While funding for one publication is small, it adds up. The financial reward for publications in a large research department can be enough to fund a full-time salary each year.

We can try to change the rules, but the maxim to publish or perish is likely to be with us for at least the remainder of my career. Publication of the ASC2014 proceedings has enabled some early career science communication researchers to add to their CVs. In addition to the value to authors on their CVs, readers will find value in papers and abstracts in the proceedings.

The papers in this volume touch on current critical issues such as risk communication, science and art collaboration and use of social media to support the community of science communication. Research students invest months of dedicated work into writing research proposals and literature reviews. Half of the full, peer-reviewed papers in this volume fall into this category. It can be difficult to find an appropriate place to publish these types of reviews since they usually do not contain ‘new’ results. Yet, literature reviews and synopses often synthesise a great deal of current work and can contain insights that are useful to other science communicators. Happy reading!

The citation for this resource is:

Longnecker, C. Harris & K. Madden. (Eds.). 2015. Proceedings of the Australian Science Communicators National Conference. 2–5 Feb, 2014, Brisbane. www.asc.asn.au/publications/

 

Neural knitworks: craft a healthy brain

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Thank you to Jackie Randles for the update.

Neural Knitworks, the collaborative project about mind and brain health, was first on show last August at the Hazelhurst Regional Gallery during National Science Week. A giant, walk in brain sculpture made from more than 1600 knitted, crocheted and woven brain cells donated from all over Australia was created by textile artists Pat Pillai and Rita Pearce.

Many other neuron-inspired artworks from delicate crotched neurons to jewellery and sculpture accompanied the impressive brain installation that was the centerpiece of this exhibition seem by thousands of visitors over a three-week period.

So far Neural Knitworks has seen dozens of knit-ins held across the country at which people of all ages and abilities get together to create textile neurons and find out about neuroscience at the same time from guest presenters. The project’s aim is to encourage community members to learn about neuroscience as they have some fun with yarn craft and reap the benefits that it can bring – in particular mindfulness, creativity, learning something new and being with others. Take up of this grass roots initiative has been sensational, with more than 12000 people visiting the Neural Knitworks webpage in the project’s first 6 months.

In 2015 Neural Knitworks continues and all are encouraged to get involved!

This year we’re encouraging people everywhere to create a brain installation in their own community. We need as much help as we can get to spread the word and inspire people to have a go. Scientifically informed patterns and installation ideas are available on the National Science Week website so that everyone can enjoy the experience of yarn craft in a group.

It’s a great way for people of all ages to learn about the billions of neurons in our bodies that save memories, send electrical signals to every muscle and receive signals from every sense. The best thing about this community art/science project is that everyone can get hands on with knitting neurons no matter their age or level of competence.

Rita and Pat have enjoyed running yarn craft sessions with Dementia sufferers and we’ve had wonderful neurons donated from knit ins held at kindergardens, age care facilities, universities and schools. No knit patterns are especially popular with those of us who cannot yet knit or crotchet and participants have ways to make other brain cell like astrocytes. A group has even begun making footy neurons to raise awareness of brain injury in sport.

Not surprisingly, the project has been popular with neuroscientists, attracting support from luminaries like Professor Ian Hickie, Director of the Brain and Mind Research Institute and brain surgeon Dr Charlie Teo, who each led knit ins that were covered by the media last year. Pat and Rita have been invited to present at international brain imaging conferences and will be heading to Brisbane later this year to lead a knit in at QUT with Queensland based neuroscientists.

We anticipate that many more brain experts will again join knit ins this year and to promote important brain health messages in the community. There are many angles that can be explored, from adolescent brains and ageing through to addiction, dementia, brain injury, depression and more. Why not get a group together and invite a brain expert to join you at a knit in? We need your help to keep this national neural network thriving and look forward to seeing your creations on Facebook where you can join us here. https://www.facebook.com/groups/648068261927343/

Congratulations to artists Pat Pillai and Rita Pearce who have been so successful in bringing community members together with leading neuroscientists and brain health experts. What a fantastic and inspiring science communication success story!

Jackie Randles is Manager, Inspiring Australia (NSW). Neural Knitworks is supported by the Brain and Mind Research Institute, Alzheimer’s Australia, ANSTO, Inspiring Australia (NSW), National Science Week, the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, Hazelhurst Regional Gallery and Arts Centre, Gymea Tradies, Your Brain Health and Carringbah Lions Club. Find out more on the National Science Week website at www.scienceweek.net.au/neuralknitworks

 

 

Cosmos Media and Science Alert support the 2015 ASC Grants Program

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After a successful first year in 2014, the Australian Science Communicators (ASC) is continuing its Annual Professional Development Grants Program and this year it is bigger and better thanks to two sponsors coming on board, Cosmos Media and Science Alert.

The program, opening today, will again provide members with an exclusive opportunity to gain support to undertake professional development in the field of science communication. This year the program is proud to announce partnerships with Cosmos Media and Science Alert who are offering exclusive member opportunities.

Cosmos Media is offering an ASC member up to $1000 to undertake professional development in the area of feature article writing.

Dr Ella Finkel, Editor-In-Chief of Cosmos Magazine, one of Australia’s biggest science magazines said she was delighted to support this year’s grant program.

“Feature writing is something which is not easy to do well, and if we can assist an ASC member to improve their skills in this area, it is something I personally have a lot of pleasure in supporting” Dr Finkel said.

Science Alert are also offering an exclusive week long internship for an ASC member to go behind the scenes of one of biggest social media science Facebook pages – with close to 7 million followers. This internship includes up to $1000 in travel assistance to work with the Science Alert team in Sydney.

Chris Cassella, Managing Director of Science Alert was also very proud to support the grants program and impart an ASC member with skills around running a social media business.

“We are very proud of what Science Alert has become and how it has grown over the past few years.” Mr Cassella said.

“If we can offer an ASC member an exclusive opportunity to be one of our team for the week, working with some of the best science writers and social media gurus and see just how we do things from start to finish….well I’m game if they are” Mr Cassella finished with.

Professor Joan Leach, ASC National President said she is extremely proud to see this program grow in only its second year and thanks Cosmos Media and Science Alert for supporting the program, while also thanking Ian McDonald, the Grants Program Manager for building the program from the ground up.

“We have over 400 members from many corners of the country. They may be working for big organisations or themselves and may be using a range of skills related to science communication, engagement, media and education,” Professor Leach said.

“These grants are about supporting members, in a small way, to develop up skills and experiences for their futures and it is great to see science communication organisations now getting on board and I would implore others to support the program in future years,” she finished by saying.

In 2015, the total value of the program is worth an estimated $5000 and three grants and one internship will be offered:

  • The Peter Pockley Grant for Investigative Journalism (one grant worth $600)
  • The ASC Grant Science Communication (one grant worth $600)
  • The Cosmos Media Grant for Professional Development in Feature Writing (one grant worth $1000)
  • The Science Alert Social Media Internship (week long internship with access of up to $1000 in travel funds)

More details on the program and application process are available at http://www.asc.asn.au/grants and applications close at 5pm AEST, 7th August 2014. The grant recipients will be publicly announced at the Australian Science Communicator’s National AGM later in the year.

For more information or to help publicise the program contact:

Ian McDonald, ASC Grants Program Manager

E: grants@asc.asn.au M: 0439 746 556

To find out more about the 2014 recipients please visit – http://www.asc.asn.au/blog/2014/12/05/grantsreport2014/ 

Unsung Hero of Science Communication Award 2014 announcement

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Thanks to Sarah Lau for the award announcement round up.

Recently, we celebrated the best and brightest of Australian Science Communication at the Unsung Hero award presentation ceremony in Sydney.

The ASC created the Unsung Hero award to honour a person or group who exemplifies science communication and who has not yet received significant recognition for their contributions.

Frankie Lee was crowned as the 2014 winner, in recognition of her diverse, creative and wide-reaching efforts in science communication across the country.

Frankie has worked tirelessly to engage audiences in science by managing varied and unusual science communication projects in Sydney and around Australia. She was recognised for her work in developing the careers of emerging science communicators through connecting them with events and media opportunities.

Whilst Frankie has been instrumental in many of Australia’s highest profile science communication programs, her work is nearly always behind the scenes – facilitating, coordinating and mentoring. It was for this reason that the panel considered Frankie to be the definition of ‘unsung’ in creating and promoting excellent science communication in Australia.

Frankie’s full citation from the judging panel and ASC President, Associate Professor Joan Leach, is included below.

The judging panel was impressed with the calibre of nominations and also selected two highly commended finalists for recognition – Dr Shane Huntington, from the University of Melbourne and broadcaster on 3RRR’s Einstein-a-Go-Go program and Jeannie-Marie LeRoi from the University of Tasmania.

Shane is a true all-rounder in science communication, whether exploring science via radio interviews, implementing science outreach programs with schools or developing partnerships to support scientific research. Shane’s dedication to quality science communication, coupled with his community spirit, is evident in the quality of his work and the extent of his contributions.

27 years, Jeannie-Marie has initiated, developed, co-ordinated and supported a diversity of education and engagement programs. These have spanned student programs, community engagement, government relations, teacher professional learning and science-arts collaborations. Jeannie-Marie’s work has been extensive and she has made an extraordinary contribution within Tasmania and across Australia.

UNSUNG HERO OF AUSTRALIAN SCIENCE COMMUNICATION WINNER

FRANKIE LEE

FRANKIE LEE is honoured as the 2014 Unsung Hero of Australian Science Communication for her significant contribution to science promotion.

Frankie has worked tirelessly to engage audiences in science by managing varied and unusual science communication projects in Sydney and around Australia. She is also recognised for her work in developing the careers of emerging science communicators through connecting them with events and media opportunities.

As a project manager across a number of science communication projects, Frankie is creative and sets up science communication in unusual settings, ranging from the Woodford folk festival to online ‘weather detectives’.

Frankie’s ability to monitor trends in science and seek opportunities for effective science communication is reflected in her involvement with the ‘I F***ing Love Science Live’ and ‘Science Alert – Space Oddity’ events. In both instances, Frankie worked tirelessly to secure interesting local and international talent, creating successful events that achieved significant attendance and media coverage. Frankie has played a huge part in bringing science to the forefront in Australia and ‘making science cool’ for different and unexpected audiences.

During her time with the ABC, Frankie was the driving powerhouse behind the ABC’s successful science outreach programs. She worked with scientists, broadcaster and ABC staff to produce creative science programs which highlighted the work of the scientists involved, engaged high school students and promoted a range of science events.

Frankie is a founding member of the Ultimo Science Festival (a partnership between Powerhouse Museum, ABC, University of Technology Sydney and TAFE Ultimo) and project manages many of the events as part of the festival, having been involved since its creation in 2006. Frankie has also project managed Science in the Pub across Australia, contributed to the genre of science comedy with the Science Comedy night at Ultimo Science Festival and the series of “That’ll Learn You” at Giant Dwarf Theatre, Redfern in late 2014.

Frankie works with many well-known as well as new science communicators to produce events on radio, television and live events. Frankie puts science communicators in the spotlight while staying behind the scenes. She is the brain behind the operation, curating inspiring and engaging science events and bringing science communicators to the forefront. She makes science communicators shine by ensuring that they are taken care of and that events run without a glitch.

Over the course of her extensive and diverse career, Frankie has made many significant contributions, but nearly always behind the scenes. It is for this reason the panel considers Frankie to be the definition of ‘unsung’ in creating and promoting excellent science communication in Australia.

Associate Professor Joan Leach

President, Australian Science Communicators

 

 

UNSUNG HERO OF AUSTRALIAN SCIENCE COMMUNICATION HIGHLY COMMENDED FINALIST

JEANNIE-MARIE LEROI

JEANNIE-MARIE LEROI is recognised as a highly commended finalist in the 2014 Unsung Hero of Australian Science Communication.

Over the last 27 years, Jeannie-Marie has initiated, developed, co-ordinated and supported a diversity of education and engagement programs. These have spanned student programs, community engagement, government relations, teacher professional learning and science-arts collaborations. Working primarily in Tasmania, Jeannie-Marie’s work has been extensive and she has made an extraordinary contribution across a wide range of activities.

Jeannie-Marie’s background in marine microalgal research has provided a strong scientific platform, whilst her creativity has contributed to new ways to inform and engage. Her commitment to improving community knowledge of local science research and career pathways has informed many successful programs and collaborations. She has excelled at pitching science communication activities, securing support and funding at the state and national levels.

In her current role managing marketing and engagement activities across the Faculty of Science, Engineering & Technology at UTAS, Jeannie-Marie works with internal and external partners on a range of mutually beneficial science education and engagement programs.

Under her leadership, Jeannie-Marie has helped develop the National Science Week program in Tasmania, expanding the number of events from 35 in 2001 to over 160 in 2013, with participation rates each year as the highest per capita of any state. Jeannie-Marie is currently the Chair of NSWk Tasmanian Co-ordinating Committee and member of the IA state partnerships with Questacon and DEDTA.

Jeannie-Marie initiated the Young Tassie Scientist program in 2003, which involves early career researchers in an interactive presentation program for Tasmania, focussing on regional and rural areas. This program has reached thousands of people in Tasmania and has helped the scientists share their work. She has also initiated and led a number of professional development programs for teachers, securing funding to establish targeted learning opportunities to support teacher skill development. These activities led to the establishment of the UTAS Graduate Certificate in Science Education in conjunction with the Faculty of Education.

Jeannie-Marie is committed to promoting the values of science as a career – and why we need scientists – challenging the commonly-held stereotype of scientists, and increasing the awareness of the importance of science in our society.

Associate Professor Joan Leach

President, Australian Science Communicators

 

 

UNSUNG HERO OF AUSTRALIAN SCIENCE COMMUNICATION HIGHLY COMMENDED FINALIST

DR SHANE HUNTINGTON

DR SHANE HUNTINGTON is recognised as a highly commended finalist in the 2014 Unsung Hero of Australian Science Communication.

Shane is a true all-rounder in science communication who works across a variety of media, a range of scientific fields, and targets a diverse range of audiences.

In his capacity broadcasting on 3RRR’s Einstein-a-Go-Go program, Shane has interviewed over 1000 scientists and communicated a variety of scientific concepts. Over the past 21 years, he has championed science, scrutinised bad science, and invited listeners into the discussion of where science is taking us.

As the Medicine, Science and Engineering host of Melbourne University’s Up Close podcast program, Shane hosted more than 1000 episodes, helping scientists and engineers tell their stories through in-depth interviews.

All of these activities are above and beyond Shane’s full-time role as Executive Officer (Strategy) to the Dean of the University of Melbourne’s Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences. In this role, Shane advocates for researchers across the faculty, building important linkages with hospitals and other partner organisations and supports the development of the Faculty as a vibrant and successful research hub.

Along with Professor Rachel Webster, Shane founded, conceived and funded the Telescopes in Schools program, drawing on his background in physics and passion for astronomy. This program places research-grade telescopes into secondary schools in Melbourne. The schools targeted by the program are local government schools, predominantly in areas of socio-economic disadvantage. Through the program, students have access to a research-grade telescope, along with on-going training and outreach evenings that help to foster an interest in science at these schools. This program has now reached thousands of students.

Shane has also conducted communications training for hundreds of students and early career researchers over the last 10 years, and MCs numerous science communication events.

Shane’s dedication to quality science communication, coupled with his community spirit, is evident in the quality of his work and the extent of his contributions.

Associate Professor Joan Leach

President, Australian Science Communicators

 

President’s update

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Thank you to Joan Leach for the update!

Not enough happening?

At our last National Council meeting, the representatives from our branches gave a bit of an overview of the activities that have been going on around Australia. There are science and film nights, cafe scientifiques, professional development meetings, networking and speed networking events, and even awards nights (check out our Unsung Heroes!) as we recognise each other’s strengths. It is pretty amazing the volume and quality of activities that are designed to support and develop us as science communicators. To add to that, I was just in Sydney for the Inspiring Australia Engagement Summit. There, I heard about what IA officers are doing to interact with ASC professionals and encourage keen volunteers in their local communities to give science communication ‘a go’. It’s impressive. Very occasionally, someone grumbles to me that ‘there is not enough happening’ in science communication. I’ve always given such grumbles short shrift but I think what is really being said is that ‘there is so much happening, it’s hard to characterise’. And, that’s different. I’ve also been inspired by the ways in which ASC members have characterised it themselves—for example, AUSSCM just launched SciMEX to be a hub for experts to tell their stories about Australian science (and review others!), the RiAus has launched their own digital channel, and the Australian Academy of Science has re-launched NOVA (a website with a wealth of digital content). And, I’ve sat at a table with ASC members from each of these organisations who clearly characterised what makes these different, but very complementary efforts to improve the availability and quality of digital science content. Not enough happening? No way. And, ASC members are also good at characterising the wealth of what they produce.

Soft power of science communication

One of the most stimulating discussions at the Sydney IA summit was had with colleagues from DFAT (I don’t usually get to write such things) about science diplomacy. Usually this refers to scientists in one country working with scientists from another to achieve a larger goal (the SKA or other big international science project). But, then, what is scienceinpublic doing when it puts out “Stories of Australian Science 2015”? Isn’t this a kind of science communication diplomacy, with science communicators making conversations among industry and governments in different countries possible? I’d say it is. So, it was so rewarding to find that colleagues at DFAT immediately saw a value in science communication in the cultural diplomacy area. Another thing that science communicators do—they are cultural ambassadors. I’m actually very keen on collecting examples of this from around Australia. So, if you think your organisation is doing this, please give me a shout by email.

Soft launch of STEM consultation

You may have missed it; I nearly did!  However, as you see in this month’s SCOPE, there is an open consultation on “Vision for a Science Nation”. ASC needs to make a contribution here—there is a lot in this paper about science engagement and that is great.  I think we need to underscore our value,  remind government about our continuing professional contributions to ’the science nation’, and even talk about how we’ve used the national strategy, Inspiring Australia, for good. I’m also keen to represent members views.  I’ll put a note on LinkedIn where you can comment or just email me on j.leach@uq.edu.au. But don’t wait, consultation is over at the end of July so I’d like to get your views by the 20th.