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James has trained as a lawyer, animator, molecular biologist and computer programmer. So if you want to develop an animated documentary series about bioinformatics patent infringements, James is your man.

PM’s and Minister’s speeches from PM’s Prizes dinner

Posted on 18 November 2010 by ASC Webmaster

Dear ASers,

Last night the PM spoke about Inspiring Australia.

And Senator Carr talked about the importance of good science journalism.

Full text at http://www.scienceinpublic.com/blog/prime-ministers-prize/pmspeech

And http://www.scienceinpublic.com/blog/prime-ministers-prize/speech

Here’s an extract from the PM’s speech:

…That is why my government is investing $21 million over three years in Inspiring Australia, the country’s first ever national strategy for science engagement.

This program has been developed by Senator Carr to champion the cause of science and help share the achievements of science with the whole nation.

The early phases of the strategy are already underway.

Through Inspiring Australia, we will continue to recognise achievement through these Prizes for Science.

We will continue to support National Science Week, Australia’s premier vehicle for bringing science and research to the people, right across the country.

But Inspiring Australia will go further, supporting science events and activities in Australia’s cities, regional and remote areas all year round.

We will target young people, outer-metropolitan and regional areas, and Indigenous and remote communities too.

We will connect with popular community events such as writers’ weeks and music festivals.

And Inspiring Australia will connect with mainstream and new media to promote science issues and achievements to an even wider public.

You do great things.

Let’s ensure the community gets to hear about them.

And from the Minister’s speech:

…Think for a moment of how few special science rounds there are in our major dailies.

The Australian Science Media Centre has identified just eleven dedicated science writers writing in the major national and metropolitan papers. Eight of them double as environment, technology, or general news reporters.

So who’s giving us the science news? More and more, it comes from what Robyn Williams calls ‘the Dark Side’ – the world of public relations. In a recent edition of The Walkley (February 2010), he points out that PR officers outnumber journalists twenty to one in the Australian Science Communicators.

Then there is social media, some of which is well-informed. But a lot of it is not. There is a mass of anecdote, opinion, and special pleading – all demanding to be treated as the intellectual equivalent of science. There are too many people who are willing to acquiesce to that demand.

Since the days of Galileo, individual scientists have been reluctant to engage in public controversy. A sense of isolation can be intimidating. And intimidation is a powerful silencer. That’s why the friends of science within the political system have to speak up. But we need more…

________ Niall Byrne Science in Public has moved to: 82 Hudsons Road, Spotswood Vic 3015 Our postal address is PO Box 2076 Spotswood VIC 3015 Our landline stays the same – 03 9398 1416

Niall’s mobile: 0417 131 977 Sarah’s mobile: 0413 332 489 niall@scienceinpublic.com.au Twitter scienceinpublic Full contact details at www.scienceinpublic.com.au/blog

_______________________________________________ ASC-list mailing list list@asc.asn.au http://www.asc.asn.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=97&Itemid=115

Prime Minister’s Science Prizes, CERN director to visit Australia, and more

Posted on 16 November 2010 by ASC Webmaster

Dear ASC’ers,

Tomorrow the Prime Minister will present her Prizes for Science. The embargo is 5 pm on Wednesday 17 November 2010.

The winners will be at Parliament House from 11 am tomorrow morning and available in the Press Gallery from 1 pm.

Other science news: a L’Oréal award and $100,000 for an Aussie scientist discovering bacteria everywhere; Chinese science leaders in Australia marking 30 years of collaboration; CERN director here soon for physics congress; the end of the world; and…

‘When you’re up to your arse in alligators, it’s hard to remember that your original intention was to drain the swamp.’ This quote sets the scene for a black comedy on biodiversity staged in the skeleton gallery of the Australian Museum tonight and Thursday.

Our latest bulletin includes information on: Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science L’Oréal Award for Australian geo-microbiologist – finding bugs everywhere The LHC, the end of the world in 2012… physics in action What does Jack Bonhom have in that box? Thirty Stories for Thirty Years Biodiversity Year Did the Earth move for you?

For more information on any of the above, read our latest bulletin at http://www.scienceinpublic.com/blog/bulletins/november16

Kind regards,

Niall

________

Niall Byrne

Science in Public has moved to:

82 Hudsons Road, Spotswood Vic 3015 Our postal address is PO Box 2076 Spotswood VIC 3015 Our landline stays the same – 03 9398 1416

Niall’s mobile: 0417 131 977 Sarah’s mobile: 0413 332 489

niall@scienceinpublic.com.au Twitter scienceinpublic Full contact details at www.scienceinpublic.com.au/blog

_______________________________________________ ASC-list mailing list list@asc.asn.au http://www.asc.asn.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=97&Itemid=115

Making Science as pervasive as Sports

Posted on 15 November 2010 by ASC Webmaster

ASC NSW branch – November get-together

MAKING SCIENCE AS PERVASIVE AS SPORTS IN TODAY’S SOCIETY

Dennis Schatz, Pacific Science Centre, Seattle, Washington State, USA

Tuesday 30TH NOV, 6.30 – 8 PM Clarendon Hotel – Upstairs 156 Devonshire St, Surry Hills ( 5 minutes walk from Central Railway ) RSVP: ascnsw@gmail.com

Light catering provided Free drink for ASC members Bar menu and drinks available.

Description: If we want a STEM literate public, then we need to focus on more than what happens in primary and secondary education where people spend only 3% of their lives. This means making STEM a lifelong, life-wide and life-deep activity just like sports. Come hear Dennis Schatz, Senior Vice President at Pacific Science Center in Seattle, Washington, describe his institution’s activities that seek to attain this dream.

Some of Dennis’s interests include:

* Co-directing Washington State LASER (Leadership and Assistance for Science Education Reform), Washington state¹s science education reform effort. More information is at www.WaStateLASER.org http://www.wastatelaser.org/

* Portal to the Public program that works with scientists from universities, government agencies and industries to help them effectively communicate with public audiences. More information is at www.pacsci.org/portal/ http://www.pacsci.org/portal/

* US National Research Council¹s development of Surrounded by Science (http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12614). This book and its companion book (Learning Science in Informal Environments — http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12190) provide a theoretical framework for how people learn science in informal settings.

_______________________________________________ ASC-list mailing list list@asc.asn.au http://www.asc.asn.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=97&Itemid=115

COSMOS picks up its 39th award

Posted on 14 November 2010 by ASC Webmaster

COSMOS has taken out its 39th award since launching in 2005, making it by far the most decorated science magazine in Australian publishing history.

Australia’s #1 science magazine was recognised with four commendations at the annual Publishers Australia Excellence Awards in Sydney: Analytical Writer of the Year and New Journalist of the Year, plus a Highly Commended certificate for Editor of the Year and for Most Successful Subscriptions Campaign.

The awards, staged annually by the magazine industry body Publishers Australia, were chaired by ABC Radio’s Adam Spencer and held before an audience of 430 on Friday 12 November at Cockle Bay Wharf in Sydney.

Analytical Writer of the Year was won by Elizabeth Finkel, the Melbourne science writer and co-founder of COSMOS who is also a contributing editor. Her feature on junk genes, “The Trouble with Genes” in Issue 31 – coupled with her online articles “Crisis in Australia’s Seed Banks” (30 Sept 2010) and “Proto-Animal Packs Complex Gene Toolkit” (17 Aug 2010) clinched her the award for the second time.

The New Journalist of the Year trophy was won by Fiona Macdonald, the assistant editor of COSMOS who only joined the team earlier this year. She won for her feature “A Numbers Game” on the troubling fall in vaccination rates (Issue 34), as well as a passionate online opinion piece defending the science of climate change and her research, writing and management of the COSMOS “Better Bodies” schools poster.

Another new recruit, publishing assistant Tara Francis, won a Highly Commended certificate for Most Successful Subscriptions Campaign for her organisation and execution of a successful inittiative that grew the number of COSMOS subscribers and boosted their average length of subscription.

Wilson da Silva, one of the founders of COSMOS, also won a Highly Commended certificate for Editor of the Year. He is a previous winner of the trophy in both 2005 and 2006.

Publishers Australia was founded in 1964 and represents the country’s magazine publishers. It has 120 publisher members who produce 500 magazines.

_______________________________________________ ASC-list mailing list list@asc.asn.au http://www.asc.asn.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=97&Itemid=115

Biodiversity in November

Posted on 12 November 2010 by ASC Webmaster

Dear ASC’ers

Here is a brief rundown on our November biodiversity bulletin.

You can view the full bulletin at http://www.scienceinpublic.com/blog/other/november

Kind regards,

Niall

October saw the launch of the crocheted coral reef, the discovery of science, policy, leadership and action in Wellington, New Zealand, and discussion of the politics of biodiversity in Canberra.

Here’s a taster of what’s on in November:

* The Melbourne performance collective ‘The Masters of Space and Time’ are performing at the Australian Museum: Swamped is a razor-sharp black comedy demonstrating how the universe twists good intentions into disastrous consequences.

* There are more than 25 events taking place around the country over the month including asparagus fern eradication in NSW; biodiversity photography in the Murray Darling; the Dunstan dialogues in SA, discovering Victoria’s marine sanctuaries; and butterfly study in WA.

* And have you visited the biodiversity website lately? You can find out what would you look like as a snail, fish or bat with Monkey Me! www.biodiversity2010.org.au/?monkeyme.

* Next month The Ecological Society of Australia will be holding their annual conference ‘Sustaining biodiversity: the next 50 years’.

Event highlights for the coming months include a Murray Darling photo exhibition in NSW; coming face to face with super crocodilians in the NT; learning about Victoria’s marine parks and sanctuaries and more.

For full details of events and activities near you, visit www.biodiversity2010.org.au.

The website is open for events, blogs, essays, photos and more. Please use it to promote your own events and ideas. It is the only source of event listings for this bulletin.

We are keen to communicate with anyone with an interest in biodiversity. Please pass this bulletin on to others you think might like to receive it.

Our next bulletin will cover December events.

News Crack Theatre Festival at the Australian Museum

‘When you’re up to your arse in alligators, it’s hard to remember that your original intention was to drain the swamp.’

This November at the Australian Museum in Sydney, performance collective ‘The Masters of Space and Time’ present Swamped, a razor-sharp black comedy demonstrating how the universe twists good intentions into disastrous consequences.

Set in Melbourne in 1866, Swamped is based on the real-life Victorian Acclimatisation Society, a group of academics and landowners dedicated to ‘civilising the savage bush’ by introducing as many European species to Australia as possible.

As the Society prepares to unveil their latest triumphant acquisition at a gala event featuring the cream of 19th century Victorian society, one tiny oversight in their planning triggers a series of increasingly catastrophic disasters.

More details at www.biodiversity2010.org.au/2010/10/what-does-jack-bonhom-have-in-that-box-4/

And event details at www.biodiversity2010.org.au/2010/10/swamped/

Take your revenge on Asparagus fern

Asparagus fern (Protasparagus aethiopicus) is the worst noxious weed in the Pittwater local government area. It infests various types of bushland and requires a lot of digging to control as spraying is often impossible.

Rocky Point is on the western shores of Pittwater, NSW, near Elvina Bay and only accessible by water. Join the local bushcare group in their quest to eradicate asparagus fern. Enjoy a free ferry ride and splendid lunch and an opportunity to work in the endangered ecological community of Pittwater spotted gum forest.

More details at www.biodiversity2010.org.au/2010/08/asparagus-out-field-day/

Murray Darling Basin proposed plan

9 & 11 November 2010, Horsham, Echuca, Narrandera & ACT region

To discuss the ‘Guide to the proposed Basin Plan’, the Murray-Darling Basin Authority is holding community information sessions across the Basin and in Adelaide, Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne. Senior staff from the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, are also attending to provide information on the Australian Government’s Water for the Future program.

Details of the plan are available at www.mdba.gov.au. Session times and locations at http://mdba.gov.au/communities/meetings-events

The crochet coral reef is now open

In Upwey, in the Dandenong Ranges on the outskirts of Melbourne, you can visit The Melbourne Reef. It’s a fusion of higher mathematics, women’s handicrafts, marine biology and environmental activism. Actually-it’s a crocheted coral reef, with contributions from Melbournians ranging in age from three to 93. See how it has come together on the blog at http://melbournesatellitereef.blogspot.com

Sustaining biodiversity: the next 50 years

Ecological Society of Australia – annual conference 6-10 December 2010, Manning Clark Centre, Australian National University, Canberra

Speakers will set the achievements of the past 50 years of ecology in Australia against the biodiversity challenges that still face us. And we will hear from how biodiversity science can be applied on the ground and can shape biodiversity policy.

For further details see www.biodiversity2010.org.au/2010/06/sustaining-biodiversity-the-next-50-years/

You can view a range of events happening across the country on the International Year of Biodiversity website – http://www.biodiversity2010.org.au

IYOB 2010 is an initiative of the Council of Australasian Museum Directors (CAMD), funded with assistance from the Science Connections Program within the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research.

________

Niall Byrne

Science in Public has moved to:

82 Hudsons Road, Spotswood Vic 3015 Our postal address is PO Box 2076 Spotswood VIC 3015 Our landline stays the same – 03 9398 1416 but is currently going straight to messagebank Please use mobiles to contact us during the transition.

Niall’s mobile: 0417 131 977 Sarah’s mobile: 0413 332 489

niall@scienceinpublic.com.au Twitter scienceinpublic Full contact details at www.scienceinpublic.com.au/blog

_______________________________________________ ASC-list mailing list list@asc.asn.au http://www.asc.asn.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=97&Itemid=115

Science Communication Workshops Nov-Dec, 2010

Posted on 8 November 2010 by ASC Webmaster

SCIENCE COMMUNICATION WORKSHOPS

UWA’s Science Communication Program and Teresa Belcher of Science Communications are offering a new range of workshops for scientists and communicators to learn and practice skills that will enable you to effectively communicate research.

Communicating your research: the basics

Monday 15 November, 9:00am – 12:00pm Understand the relationships between science, the media and the public. Learn to pin-point and target the key messages of your research, and be comfortable explaining your work to different audiences, avoiding jargon, acronyms and technical terms. Practice communicating your message to different stakeholders including other scientists, policy makers, the media and the public. $330 per person (GST inclusive)

Using social media for public engagement and communication of your science Friday 19 November, 9:00am – 12:00pm, Computer Lab Confused about how social media can really help you to communicate your research? This workshop will provide an introduction to Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn, demonstrating how they can benefit you in your work environment. Learn about tweeting, hashtags and ‘following’ people. Appreciate the use of groups, fan pages and social networking in expanding your network and spreading news of your research. $330 per person (GST inclusive)

Writing winning press releases Friday 26 November, 9.00am – 12.00pm What makes a good news story and how do you attract the attention of a journalist? Learn how to structure and write a winning press release that has all the key information required to tell your story. Understand the time frames the media works to and how to distribute your release effectively. $330 per person (GST inclusive)*

Media Skills – Getting your message across in interviews Friday 3 December, 9:00am – 3:00pm You will learn how to prepare yourself for radio and TV interviews, be interviewed on your topic by an experienced broadcast journalist, receive extensive feedback from a broadcast journalist and use the feedback in a second workshop interview. Lunch is also included. $495 per person (GST inclusive)* **There is a discount price ($660, GST inclusive) for enrolling in both Writing winning press releases and Media Skills – Getting your message across in interviews workshops.

Turning your research into success stories Friday 10 December, 9.00am – 12.00pm As a researcher you’re often required to write about your work whether it be in a proposal to secure more funding, a contribution to an annual report or describing your work to the public. Step away from the traditional scientific way of writing about your research. Learn how to write a success story about your research following a formula that will ensure success. $330 per person (GST inclusive)

Registration for the workshops can be down by completing the enrolment form found online at: http://communicatingscience.org/

All workshops will be held in the Centre for Learning Technology in the ground floor of the Physics building at UWA Crawley campus.

Visitors can park free on the dates of these workshops in the yellow student parking zones.

Morning tea is provided.

If you have queries regarding these workshops, contact

Nancy Longnecker 08 6488 3926 nancy.longnecker@uwa.edu.au http://communicatingscience.org OR

Teresa Belcher 0488 594 324 teresa@sciencecommunications.co.uk www.sciencecommunications.eu

SCIENCE COMMUNICATION WORKSHOPS

UWA’s Science Communication Program and Teresa Belcher of Science Communications are offering a new range of workshops for scientists to learn and practice skills that will enable you to effectively communicate your research.

Communicating your research: the basics

Presentation skills for postgraduate students Wednesday 17 November 9:00 – 12:00 Friday 19 November 9:00 – 12:00 Monday 22 November 9:00 – 12:00 This workshop of three half days will focus on the key elements of successful presentations and will be conducted via mini-lectures, discussion and activities. Be prepared to contribute your thoughts and participate in practical exercises. You will gain skills in identifying what key messages you want to convey, understanding how to design your presentations to target your audience and developing and delivering engaging talks. You are provided tuition, are videoed and receive individual feedback. $495 per person (GST inclusive) Using social media for public engagement and communication of your science Friday 19 November, 9:00am – 12:00pm, Computer Lab Confused about how social media can really help you to communicate your research? This workshop will provide an introduction to Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn, demonstrating how they can benefit you in your work environment. Learn about tweeting, hashtags and ‘following’ people. Appreciate the use of groups, fan pages and social networking in expanding your network and spreading news of your research. $330 per person (GST inclusive)

Media Skills – Getting your message across in interviews TBA, 9:00am – 3:00pm You will learn how to prepare yourself for radio and TV interviews, be interviewed on your topic by an experienced broadcast journalist, receive extensive feedback from a broadcast journalist and use the feedback in a second workshop interview. Lunch is also included. $495 per person (GST inclusive)* **There is a discount price ($660, GST inclusive) for enrolling in both Writing winning press releases and Media Skills – Getting your message across in interviews workshops.

Registration for the workshops can be down by completing the enrolment form found online at: http://communicatingscience.org/

All workshops will be held in the Centre for Learning Technology in the ground floor of the Physics building at UWA Crawley campus.

Visitors can park free on the dates of these workshops in the yellow student parking zones.

Morning tea is provided.

Teresa Belcher – Managing Director Science Communications Ltd Email: teresa@sciencecommunications.co.uk Website: www.sciencecommunications.eu

Communicating your research…

Europe: Silbury Court, 420 Silbury Boulevard, Milton Keynes MK9 2AF, UK Tel (UK): +44 (0)845 805 0309

Australia: PO Box 200, Bull Creek WA 6149 Australia Tel (Australia): +61 (0)8 6364 0903 Mobile: +61 (0)488 594324

_______________________________________________ ASC-list mailing list list@asc.asn.au http://www.asc.asn.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=97&Itemid=115

Science Communication Vacation Scholarship at CSIRO

Posted on 3 November 2010 by ASC Webmaster

Summer Vacation Scholarship at CSIRO Mathematics, Informatics and Statistics

Currently studying science communication? Gain communications experience in a professional environment! Applications close 11 November 2010!

CSIRO is advertising a position for a talented Science Communication student to join the Mathematics, Informatics and Statistics Division over the Summer Holidays from Dec 2010 – Feb 2011.

Location: North Ryde, NSW Salary: stipend $650 gross per week

Working in a small communications team you will assist with the daily communications support activities for CSIRO Mathematics, Informatics and Statistics. As the mathematical and statistical backbone of CSIRO, our scientists work within multidisciplinary science teams on projects as diverse as finding genetic markers for Alzheimer’s, analysing environmental data from river catchments and catch counts from fisheries, simulating dam breaks and industrial fluid flows, optimising supply chains, detecting disease outbreaks from emergency room data, improving the Australian welfare system and developing software for imaging biological cells and grading opals. You will also be working on some projects to support the Computational and Simulation Sciences (CSS) Platform, an essential group within CSIRO who provide scientists with the cutting edge computing facilities and training to speed up their scientific applications. This includes Australia’s first CPU-GPU supercomputer and a range of other activities that utilise the power of GPU computing, visualisation and other leading computing technologies.

For more details visit the job ad here: https://recruitment.csiro.au/asp/job_details.asp?RefNo=2010%2F812

Any questions about the position, please contact Sarah Wood sarah.wood@csiro.au on 02 9325 3227

_______________________________________________ ASC-list mailing list list@asc.asn.au http://www.asc.asn.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=97&Itemid=115

Australian Science Communicators

The national forum for science communicators and science journalists

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