Category Archives: ACT

For information on ACT branch activities please contact Claire Harris (ACT President) or Ruth Pitt

Discovery Science Writers Series: 9th May, Richard Stirzaker

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9 May 2010
2:00 pmto3:00 pm
2:00 pmto3:00 pm

Discovery Science Writers Series: Richard Stirzaker on Out of the Scientist’s Garden

Dr Richard Stirzaker discusses the science behind turning water, sunlight and nutrients into food in your own back yard.
9 May 2010 2:00pm

Location

CSIRO Discovery
Black Mountain Laboratories
Clunies Ross Street
Acton ACT 2601
Australia

General Information

About the talk

There are few more fundamental issues facing humanity than how best to feed ourselves in an increasingly crowded world, and – in Australia especially – what that means for scarce water resources.

Dr Richard Stirzaker’s book Out of the Scientist’s Garden explores this subject, and in this discussion, Dr Stirzaker will talk about the challenges and excitement of building a sustainable working garden for your family.

‘For Australian households trying to save water, collect rainwater and use grey water on their gardens, and for anyone interested in food and how to grow it, rich insights about in Stirzaker’s distinctive blend of science, passion and practical, grounded experience…

‘This is an incredibly important book that deserves to become a classic of Australian agricultural and environmental literature. It should be read widely and carefully by policy makers, by scientists, and above all by citizens everywhere interested in food, water and the environment,’ says Mr Andrew Campbell from ABC Radio.

Read more about Out of the Scientist’s Garden: A Story of Water and Food

About the author

Dr Richard Stirzaker is Principal Research Scientist at CSIRO Land and Water, whose work looks at irrigation, salinity, water use of farming systems and the ecological footprint of agriculture.

Read about the work of Dr Richard Stirzaker.

About the Discovery Science Writers Series

CSIRO Discovery presents a series that celebrates authors from the Canberra region who publish in the science arena. Our talks will focus on the science behind the publications as well as the writing process.

Our authors have all recently published, and where possible, copies of their books will be on sale at our events and our authors will sign copies for you.

The Discovery Science Writers Series is presented in association with the Australian Science Communicators ACT Chapter.

Read more about this event on CSIRO’s events listing.

Read more about CSIRO Discovery.

Discovery Science Writers Series: 23 April, Dr Leo Joseph and Dr Libby Robin

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23 April 2010
12:30 pmto1:30 pm

Discovery Science Writers Series: Leo Joseph and Libby Robin

23 April 2010 12:30pm

Authors Dr Leo Joseph and Dr Libby Robin discuss the science behind their book ‘Boom and Bust: Bird Stories for a Dry Country’.

Location

CSIRO Discovery

Black Mountain Laboratories

Clunies Ross Street, Acton

About the talk

Dr Leo Joseph and Dr Libby Robin have edited the marvellous new work Boom and Bust: Bird Stories for a Dry Country, which recounts the history and the authors’ personal experiences of a particular bird species and their strategies for survival in the ever-changing climate of Australia.

Dr Joseph and Dr Robin join Mr Cris Kennedy from CSIRO Discovery Centre in a conversation about the process of writing for and editing their Whitley Award Winning book.

Read more about Boom and Bust: Bird Stories for a Dry Country.

About the authors

Dr Joseph is the Director and research leader of the Australian National Wildlife Collection (ANWC) and a board member of the ANWC Foundation.

Dr Joseph and Dr Robin join Mr Cris Kennedy from CSIRO Discovery Centre in a conversation about the process of writing for and editing Boom and Bust: Bird Stories for a Dry Country.

Read more about Dr Leo Joseph: investigating the evolution of Australian birds.

Dr Robin has a joint appointment in the Fenner School of the Australian National University, and as Senior Research Fellow in the Centre for Historical Research, National Museum of Australia, Canberra.

She is an environmental historian with a Doctor of Philosophy in the History of Science from the University of Melbourne, Victoria. She currently coordinates the Australasian Environmental History Network.

About the Discovery Science Writers Series

CSIRO Discovery presents a series that celebrates authors from the Canberra region who publish in the science arena. Our talks will focus on the science behind the publications as well as the writing process.

Our authors have all recently published, and where possible, copies of their books will be on sale at our events and our authors will sign copies for you.

The Discovery Science Writers Series is presented in association with the Australian Science Communicators ACT.

Read more about this event on CSIRO’s events listing.

Read more about CSIRO Discovery.

Position Vacant – Public Affairs Officer, ACIAR, Canberra

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The Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) looks to a world where poverty has been reduced and the livelihoods of many improved through more productive and sustainable agriculture emerging from collaborative international research. ACIAR is a small government agency where your contribution can have wide reaching international impact.

About you

You are a highly energetic, achievement-oriented person with a proven track record in public affairs, media or journalism. You are a relationship builder and an influential communicator and dedicated to working in a collegial mode with internal and external stakeholders.

About the role

Reporting to the Manager Communications and Governance the Public Affairs Officer duties include:

  1. Assisting with media relations (with local and international media), including: handling media inquiries, writing media releases, organising press events, monitoring and compiling media coverage and building and maintaining target media lists.
  2. Facilitating and arranging media interaction for senior staff and project leaders, providing support including arranging interviews, briefing and press conferences.
  3. Preparing statements, backgrounders, key messages, talking points, opinion articles and Questions and Answers.
  4. Assisting with planning, writing, copyediting and proofreading articles for Partners magazine, photo sourcing and editing, preparing information for the website and other communications material.
  5. Conducting research and fact checking for the preparation of publications, media releases, speeches, presentations, reports and briefs.
  6. Assisting with developing and implementing communications plans (corporate and program), media plans and public awareness initiatives.

About our conditions

We are located at Fern Hill Park, Bruce (Canberra) close to bus routes and community facilities and we have free parking. We offer flexibility in working practices and employment conditions.

How to apply

Applicants must address the selection criteria and must be Australian citizens. A candidate information pack including selection criteria should be obtained from www.aciar.gov.au/recruitment or by telephoning 02 6217 0500.  Completed applications, can be emailed to the HR Manager: Ms Sharyn Turner email turner@aciar.gov.au.  Applications close 28 February 2010.

Canberra drinks – all invited (post-conference)

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10 February 2010
6:30 pmto9:30 pm

The ASC ACT branch welcomes you to continue your conference conversations in style with a drink in the gardens of University House from 6:30pm…

If you’re from Canberra, it’s a great place to grab a beer, meet the local committee and tell us what events you’d like to see in 2010.

If you’re from out of town, it’s a great place to grab a bite to eat, say farewell to new friends and call a taxi. And if you were involved with conference organising, planning, speaking or volunteering, it’s a great place to grab a glass of champagne, put your feet up and celebrate.

In short, if you’re interested in anything to do with communicating and science, come along for a social drink.

University House is a short walk across campus – more info at http://www.anu.edu.au/unihouse – ACT members will be around to lead the way from CPAS, the new scienc-art hub.

Attention Canberrans – what do you want from ASC in Canberra?

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The Canberra ASC committee is running a survey to find out what Canberrans want from ASC

What is important to you? What events do you want?

Click here to take the ASC Canberra survey

The survey should take only 5-10 mins (10 questions).

Responses to the survey will be used to inform where the ASC Canberra committee should be investing its energy and to tailor the events we’re planning on running this year.

Please only respond if you are in Canberra or take advantage of Canberra events.

No personal details are gathered through this survey. If you have any questions please email asccanberra@gmail.com

ASC ACT branch AGM

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1 December 2009
6:00 pmto8:00 pm

The ASC ACT branch is holding its Annual General Meeting and you are invited

Date: Tuesday 1 December, 6pm
Location: King O’Malley’s ‘snug’ room, Garema Place, Civic

Free entry, nibblies provided, drinks available from the bar.

Agenda items include:

  • Discussion of the ASC’s future at the local level: What do members want? Who would like to be involved?
  • Call for nominations for the new committee. Committee will include required office bearers (president, treasurer, national liaison (which can be combined with the other positions)) and the ‘brains trust’.
    The brains trust is made up of interested people who may like to provide feedback, get involved at different times, or simply be kept informed of internal ASC ACT brains trust discussions. What do you think? If you would like to be on the brains trust, or take on an official role, please contact the ASC Committee (details below) before the meeting so we can send you more information on the roles.
  • Reports from the president and treasurer
  • Update on the National Conference, to be held in Canberra in February.

If you cannot make the meeting, please send your proxy vote to Jo Savill (2009 President): jo.savill ‘at’ gmail.com; the current committee: asccanberra ‘at’ gmail.com; or another member who is attending so we have the required quorum.

Stem Cells at the Pub

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22 November 2009
7:00 pmto9:00 pm
7:00 pmto9:00 pm

Whether the story is about promises of groundbreaking cures, allegations of scientific fraud or warnings of ethical dilemmas, stem cell research makes headlines and sparks debate.

How does the media shape the public’s perceptions of stem cells and scientists? Is the promise of stem cells over-hyped?

Who is responsible for keeping the story straight?

Stem Cells at the Pub

Date: Sunday 22 November

Time: 7pm for 7.30pm start

Venue: Canberra Labor Club, Civic, 16 Petrie Plaza

Panel features:

  • Prof Alan Trounson (California Institute of Regenerative Medicine)
  • Leigh Dayton (The Australian)
  • Simon Grose (Science Media)
  • Rebecca Skinner (Communication Officer, Australian Stem Cell Centre)
  • Assoc Prof Edna Hardeman (University of Sydney)

This event is free and open to the public.

Seats are limited so rsvp to 0402710943 or asccanberra ‘at’ gmail.com.

Presented by the Australasian Society for Stem Cell Research and the Australian Science Communicators.

More links: Alan Trounson’s profile on ABC, Australian Stem Cell Centre, About Science Media.

Canberra event: Communicating science for policy – the role of science communicators

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24 September 2009
6:00 pmto7:00 pm
6:00 pmto7:00 pm

Join our panel of speakers to find out discuss research can better inform policy from the perspective of policy and practice, and the role of science communicators in this process.

Speakers include: Dr Lorrae van Kerkhoff, Visiting Fellow, ANU National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health. Dr van Kerkhoff has research interests in the role of research in informing policy, particularly in low-income countries and fragile states, and in institutional arrangements that foster better integration between research and policy and practice, particularly in public health and sustainable development.

Mr Allen Kearns, Theme Leader for Sustainable Cities and Coasts in CSIRO’s Climate Adaptation Flagship. Mr Kearns is an environmental scientist with international experience and practical expertise in the social, economic and ecological consequences of urban and industrial developments.

When: 5.45pm for a 6pm start. Thursday 24 September

Where: Conference Room, CSIRO Corporate – Limestone Ave, Canberra (next to the war memorial)

Entry by gold coin donation. Nibblies provided, drinks available at a small cost.

The event will be recorded and the audio file put on this website shortly after.

Contact Jo if you have any questions: ph 0410 996 158, joanna.savill [at] csiro.au

Canberra networking opportunity 4 June

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4 June 2009
6:00 pmto10:00 pm

Wondering who else is communicating science in Canberra? Wondering where they are, what they do, and what great ideas they can share?

This is an open invitation to anyone interested in meeting other professional science communicators and those interested in science communication — whether from government departments, research organisations or the private sector. Join us to meet new people and make professional contacts. Bring your colleagues or just bring
yourself –we’ll have an activity to get people talking.

Date: Thursday 4 June 2009
Time: 6:00pm
Location: King O’Malley’s Irish Pub, 131 City Walk, Canberra City.
Food: Some nibbles will be provided – gold coin donation gratefully received.

RSVPs appreciated (but not essential) – email Claire (claire.harris at csiro.au).