President’s update

Thank you to Joan Leach for the President’s Update

Somehow, it’s February already. And if you are doing an austere February to atone for the festive season, make sure its finish is well-timed so we can enjoy some festivities together in Brisbane in March.

On March 11, we’ll be getting together for a one-day conference in the midst of the exciting World Festival of Science. We’re trying something a bit different after our feedback from our previous conference–attendees told us that they like plenary sessions and they like opportunities to network. So, we’ve packed a program that we hope has something for everyone and will continue the ‘big’ conversations in the field.  By request, we have a plenary session ‘Beyond Beginner’ which is going to push us to think a bit harder about the value of science communication *now*.  We’re having a panel with leading journalists, some visiting for the festival to check in with us on trends and where science journalism is going–this is a must-see panels for science writers and for communicators. We’ve got Walkley award-winners, Future fellows, a PM-prize-winner…and I’m looking forward to soaking up what these thought leaders have to say.

We’ll be confirming our keynotes in the next week or so–we’ve aimed high, so as all of you who plan events know, we’re working hard with schedulers. We’ll send out a special note as soon as our stars are in place!

I’ve really been enjoying the ‘meet the members’ sessions online–I tend to have to catch them ‘after the fact’ but it’s great to know what draws people to science communication–and keeps us in the field!  Inspirational and provocative stuff.  Keep an eye out on the list–we’re doing these on Thursdays 6pm (EST).

As ever, contact me with ideas, your thoughts, and tell me what you’re thinking.

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