Have text books and journals taken over your bedside table?

Then take back the power of the written word – join the Science Communication Book Club and pick up a book guilt-free!

The feature book for our next meeting is Manthropology by Peter McAllister, our Writer-in-residence. Meet Peter, hear about the joys and trials of writing Mathropology and discuss the book with other science communicators.

Drawing from archaeology, anthropology and evolutionary psychology, the author (a qualified palaeoanthropologist) confirms the awful truth: every man in history, back to the dawn of the species, did everything better, faster, stronger and smarter than any man today.

Find out more about the book at http://www.hha.com.au/books/9780733623912.html

Location:_ Seminar Room, CLT, Physics UWA (map available at http://sponsored.uwa.edu.au/spice/contact) Time & Date:_ 4-5pm Friday 16th April 2010 Drinks and nibbles provided.

Following week on Friday the 23rd of April, we will be joined by guest speaker *Sean O’Halloran*, who has recently submitted his PhD on science communication about roadside drug testing.

The story of the implementation of legislation dealing with the effects of drugs on road safety is an interesting case study at the boundary of policy and science. The story helps to demonstrate that science is not always the dominant influence in political decision-making, even when scientific issues affect the assessment of the problem or the presentation of solutions.

Technocratic assessments of risk are necessarily balanced by public perceptions of risk, where politicians are under pressure to act, or at least be seen to act, to combat perceived threats to community health and safety. Traditional expectations of scientific expertise are also challenged by a ‘democratisation’ of expertise, where ‘appropriate’ scientific evidence is considered more important than ‘reliable’ scientific evidence.

Rhetorical strategies for communicating the many scientific complexities surrounding the effects of drugs on road safety also help to demonstrate the framing of risk, not only in the context of road safety, but in many other contexts – GMO, climate change, uranium mining, nanotechnology and the like. Risks associated with illicit drugs are often framed in value-laden and emotionally charged language where science is co-opted to legitimise problem framing and legitimise unvalidated technological solutions.

For the full Science Communication events calendar, visit http://uwasciencecomm.blogspot.com

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Try 2 – without attachments. For bookings, phone the venue!

Try 2 – without attachments. For bookings, phone the venue!

The University of Queensland and ABC Science present CAFÉ SCIENTIFIC The Irish Club, 175 Elizabeth St, Brisbane Wed 5 May, 7pm-9pm FREE ENTRY

“Manthropology – The science of the inadequate modern male”

Is modern man evolution’s greatest mistake? Why do we fail to measure up to men of the distant past?

Could your husband, brother or father be the worst man in history? University of Queensland-trained anthropologist Peter McAllister claims that today’s man isn’t a patch on what he once was: that despite his huge brain, the modern bloke fails to measure up physically, creatively and emotionally with men of the distant past.

Join the author of ‘Manthropology: the science of the inadequate modern male’ and other experts for a lively debate and discover why ancient men were smarter and stronger, and what the future holds for this once-mighty gender.

The bar will be open, so come down for a drink and a chat with some anthropologists, evolutionary biologists and Bernie Hobbs from New Inventors.

Presented by UQ Science to celebrate The University of Queensland’s centenary

PETER McALLISTER is an anthropologist who studied at The University of Queensland. For his latest book, he gathered evidence form archaeology, evolutionary psychology and ancient history to expose the unpleasant truth: modern man is sadly inadequate.

BERNIE HOBBS is a science broadcaster, environmentalist and a judge on the ABC’s New Inventors program and was originally a Queenslander.

More guest s to be announced soon.

‘Manthropology: the science of the inadequate modern male’ by Peter McAllister is published through Hachette Australia http://www.hachette.com.au/books/9780733623912.html

Media and science inquiries: Abbie Thomas ABC Science 02 8333 5116

Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail.

The information contained in this email and any attachment is confidential and may contain legally privileged or copyright material. It is intended only for the use of the addressee(s). If you are not the intended recipient of this email, you are not permitted to disseminate, distribute or copy this email or any attachments. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately and delete this email from your system. The ABC does not represent or warrant that this transmission is secure or virus free. Before opening any attachment you should check for viruses. The ABC’s liability is limited to resupplying any email and attachments.

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The position below is posted on behalf of Prue Loney at the CRC for Forestry.

The Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Forestry is an Australian-wide research venture funded by the Australian Government, research organisations and Industry.

The CRC is seeking a new Communications Manager to be based in the CRC’s headquarters in Hobart, Tasmania. The position is yet to be formally advertised through the University of Tasmania’s Human Resources department, but it is hoped application details will be available on line within the next week and a closing date of Friday 30 April is expected.

The position will be offered as a fixed-term contract until June 30 2012.

If you are interested in this position, please keep an eye out for the official application package on this website (expected by next week).

http://jobs.admin.utas.edu.au/positions/ http://jobs.admin.utas.edu.au/positions/

If you have any queries regarding the position or would like a copy of the position description or selection criteria prior to its availability on the University of Tasmania website, please contact Prue Loney, prue.loney@crcforestry.com.au or 03 6226 7967.

Kind regards,

Prue

Members may be aware of AusAID’s Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development (AYAD) program, which places skilled young Australians (18-30) on short-term assignments in developing countries. Hoping some of you may find the following of interest:

COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST – NAIROBI, KENYA

Africa has lagged behind in the scientific field due in part to lack of state of the art facilities. Biosciences Eastern and Central Africa-International Livestock Research Institute (BecA-ILRI) Hub is a new world-class bio-sciences research facility recently launched in Nairobi, Kenya and open to scientists and other stakeholders from Africa’s national research institutes and universities. It brings to par the continent’s research capability with that of the world’s most advanced countries.

Applications are sought for a Communication Specialist at Beca in a 12 month placement from July/Aug 2010 through the Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development Program. Ideally the applicant will have either an undergraduate science degree and post-graduate communication qualifications or a bachelor’s degree in journalism, advertising, communications or related subject area. Applicants should also have at least two years experience in a relevant field with demonstrated experience in graphics arts, writing, editing, design, layout, web work and database management.

The Communication Specialist will assist in implementing the BecA-ILRI Hub communication strategy and to provide communications support to research scientists and technical support staff at the Hub. The person will help transform data and information into highly readable and informative messages conveyed through stories and other information products aimed at specific target audiences including donors, scientists, policy makers and the general public, through the media.

Further general details on AYAD (eligibility, allowances etc) can be found at http://ayad.com.au/home http://ayad.com.au/home The Crawford Fund is the Australian Partner Organisation for the placement and further information is available below and by contacting Cathy Reade, Coordinator, Public Awareness at the Crawford Fund by email initially at creade@squirrel.com.au To be eligible for the AYAD Program you must be 18-30 year old and an Australian citizen.

It is envisaged that through applications and subsequent interviews, suitable candidates will be identified by 20 May for placement in July/Aug 2010. If you are interested, please contact Cathy asap so that additional information can be provided to you in the first instance, and then further information provided by phone or contact with the partners in Africa. Ideally, your CV will be received by 8 May.

BECA received a special mention by Bill Gates in his annual letter 2010 as follows: “In December I visited the BECA Laboratory in Nairobi, Kenya, which is headed by a scientist named Segenet Kelemu. Their laboratory is doing state-of-the-art marker-assisted breeding to improve sorghum, cassava, and corn so the crops yield more food and resist pests, drought, and diseases… For products like sorghum, even when they can tell that a seed has all the right characteristics, they still have to develop varieties that also match local tastes, since unlike corn or wheat in rich countries there isn’t one standard form that everyone prefers.”

Cathy Reade

Coordinator – Public Awareness

Crawford Fund

Ph/Fax: 07 54483095

Mobile: 0413 575 934

www.crawfordfund.org

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My role within the Queensland Government is available whilst I am on a 12-months leave of absence. See below for details. Please contact Kylie Hickling on the number below for further information.

Role Title: Senior Project Officer Salary: $75,779 – $81,075 p.a. Status: Temporary full time for 12 months with possible extension Job Ad Reference Number: QLD/EEDI10156/10 Service Delivery Group: Employment and Economic Development Closing Date: Tuesday, 27 April 2010 Division: Science Infrastructure and Engagement Contact: Kylie Hickling Location: 111 George St, BNE Telephone: (07) 3224 8209 Classification: AO6 Apply Online: www.jobs.qld.gov.au

Within DEEDI, the Innovation group contributes to the government’s 2020 vision for Queensland (Toward Q2) by supporting a strong Queensland and creating a diverse economy powered by bright ideas. Science Engagement facilitates collaborative promotion of innovation through science/technology R&D activity in Queensland, and develops strategic programs to raise industry and community awareness of the benefits of innovation to the community, the economy and the environment.

Job details * Provide high level support and assistance to the Science Engagement Manager to implement and further develop the department’s Science Engagement Strategy * Co-ordinate key engagement activities, including business and public participation, relating to science policy, infrastructure, research and development and commercialization * Assist with specific projects (including co-ordination, budgets, project plans, project management) * Assist in engaging stakeholders including business, scientific, research and innovation institutions, clients and community groups in key smart state/innovation themes * Develop, co-ordinate and implement communication and engagement activities and events including conferences, launches and sponsorships. * Create high-quality written material for publications, websites, editorial and media releases * Provide advice on communication issues, promotional opportunities, engagement activities and sponsorships.

Link to advertisement: https://smartjobs.govnet.qld.gov.au/jobtools/jncustomsearch.viewFullSing le?in_organid=15033&in_jnCounter=221299509&in_version=&in_jobDate=All&in _jobType=&in_residency=&in_graphic=&in_param=&in_searchbox=YES&in_recrui ter=&in_jobreference=&in_orderby=&in_sessionid=&in_navigation1=&in_summa ry=S

If link above does not work, go to www.jobs.qld.gov.au, click on Advanced Search, and enter the Job Ad Reference Number: QLD/EEDI10156/10.

Regards, 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

Free Astronomy Public Lecture Series (VIC) The Cosmic Dark Ages

The Cosmic Dark Ages Presenter: Dr Emma Ryan-Weber, Centre for Astrophysics and Supercomputing Swinburne University of Technology

The details surrounding the end of the dark ages are among the final unknowns in modern astronomy. We have yet to discover when the starlight from the first galaxies lit up the Universe, ionizing the surround neutral hydrogen gas. As part of my research we have discovered some of the oldest and most distant carbon in the Universe, but there’s not enough to support the standard theories of how the Universe lit up. This will be a talk about how the elements came into existence, and how we can use them to count the number of stars in the early Universe. It’s also a tale about astronomical research, and an example of how scientific results sometimes present more questions than answers. I will discuss possible solutions this current puzzle including ongoing observations using some of the world’s largest telescopes.

Venue: Swinburne University, Hawthorn Campus, EN building Room: EN313 Date: Friday 16 April Time: 6.20 pm for a 6.30 pm start Duration: 1 hour including questions

Places are limited so please RSVP to Liz Thackray via email ethackray@swin.edu.au by Wednesday 14 April

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Dear ASC colleagues,

I’m writing to seek your help in identifying candidates for the 2010 L’Oréal Australia For Women In Science Fellowships.

Applications open today and close on Monday 3 May.

The three $20,000 Fellowships are intended to help early-career women scientists to consolidate their careers and rise to leadership positions in science.

The Fellowships are awarded to women who have shown scientific excellence in their career to date and who have an appropriate research plan that will be assisted by the one-year Fellowship.

The 2009 Fellows were:

· Tamara Davis from the University of Queensland/University of Copenhagen. Tamara is searching for supernovae and dark energy.

· Marnie Blewitt from the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research. Marnie is investigating how our genes get turned on and off.

· Zenobia Jacobs from the University of Wollongong. Zenobia is dating the emergence of human society using the clock inside every grain of sand.

We are looking for women who have completed their PhD in the last five years (allowance is made for maternity leave).

The L’Oréal Australia For Women In Science Fellowships are now in their fourth year. They are supported by the Australian Academy of Science and the Australian National Commission for UNESCO.

The Fellowships are highly competitive and we encourage potential nominees to read the brief profiles of past recipients before applying.

Full criteria for eligibility, application instructions and profiles of past Fellows are online at http://www.scienceinpublic.com.au/loreal.

Read about past Fellows at http://www.scienceinpublic.com.au/loreal/fellows.

Applications close at midnight on Monday 3 May 2010 and will only be accepted via the online form.

Please circulate this email to any early-career scientists you think may be eligible for this award.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.

Kind regards,

Niall Byrne

For Megan Ryan, Corporate Communications Manager, L’Oréal Australia

Science in Public ph 03 9398 1416 niall@scienceinpublic.com.au www.scienceinpublic.com.au/loreal

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