Category Archives: National

Unsung Hero of Science Communication Award

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For a number of years the ASC presented an award called the ‘Unsung Hero of Science’ to worthy recipients. This award acknowledged a scientist for their body of work that we felt wasn’t given the spotlight the work and the person deserved.

We last presented this award in 2007. As we prepared the background information to ask for nominations, we reconsidered the nature of the award in light of e-list discussions during the year.

We feel that the ‘unsung hero’ concept is valid but that we should be acknowledging excellence in science communication rather than science. We are now preparing the criteria for the realigned award and will be issuing a call for nominations soon.

On a related and sad note, I am sorry to report the passing of our 2004 Unsung Hero of Science. Associate Professor Alan Norman Wilton from the School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences at The University of New South Wales passed away on 14 October 2011 after a 20-month battle with cancer. He was 56.

Jesse Shore
National President

Update: ASC conference 2012, 27-29 February, Sydney Masonic Centre

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There has been a lot of behind the scenes development work on the upcoming ASC conference. The call for session producers has just been issued and I’ve previously announced that Professor Ian Chubb, Australia’s Chief Scientist, has agreed to open the conference and be our keynote speaker.

We have received acceptances from several state Chief Scientists to join Professor Chubb in a plenary panel discussion about their takes on science communication and related matters. I anticipate the Chief Scientists will also be available to present separate discussion presentations with others from their state in parallel sessions.

Each day of the conference will have a different feel. The second day will likely feature a plenary with executives from major scientific research and funding agencies. They will be able to discuss how they adjust to changing science policies along with other matters that the session producer and program committee throw at them.

The conference team is thinking the third day will focus on edgier topics such as the rapidly changing world of communication media. It might cover the spread of computer gaming as a learning and communications media, and wherever and whatever the many threads of social media are at present.

The conference team is planning for an active exhibition area as a complement and contrast to the presentation sessions. They are aiming for a strong art-science presence and displays from the science communication industry.

The web site will go live very soon as we complete final details and testing. It will be easy to navigate and will continue to be improved as program updates and other information gets added.

The conference team is ably led by Rod Lamberts, as conference convenor, and Kali Madden, as conference director, with much involvement from several ASC members.

Being fun people the team is planning a busy social program to balance the other conference activities. So mark your diaries for the 27-29 February and keep the night before open too as the pre-opening evening should be thought provoking as well as entertaining.

Jesse Shore
National president

Visit to Adelaide for National Science Week 2011

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The ASC South Australia branch, had a busy National Science Week. I missed their contribution to the launch event, but arrived in Adelaide in time to see Science Alive, the huge local Science Week event. I met a number of ASC members who were involved in exhibit stands and talks at this enormous undertaking, which filled a large pavilion at the Adelaide showgrounds. The event attracted around 24,000 people over 3 days. I’ve heard Science Alive will be offered even more space for next year.

The day after Science Alive closed, ASC SA hosted the book launch of Dinosaurs in Australia, a CSIRO publication, and attracted a full house of 120 people to this fun evening.

They held this event in association with RiAus. I look forward to a continued close relationship between the branch and RiAus which is now being led by its new director, Paul Willis.

Jesse Shore

National President

Member Profile: Dr Maia Sauren

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Dr Maia Sauren

Victorian National Representative

As a stubborn six-year-old, Maia Sauren heard about the scariness of bees (‘your whole hand gets huge! and then they DIE!’), so she decided to find out for herself. She resolutely stalked a poor, helpless creature and poked it until it duly gave its life for science. As an adult, Maia is a little more gentle with her experimental subjects.

A few years ago, Maia heard about this amazing job description called ‘know cool things about science and find ways to tell people how incredible they are’, so she joined the ASC list and is the current Victorian National Representative.

Just last week, Maia became the rather awesome-sounding Dr. Sauren, Electrical Engineer. She’s not quite sure what to do with all her freedom now the Ph.D. is behind her, but she’s considering reverting to using the first person when referring to herself. Her thesis was on the radiation safety of mobile phones, and she thinks they’re quite safe to use now!

Grants to realise big ideas from young rural innovators

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Information provided by Lara Cole, Events Coordinator ABARES
(Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences)

Grant applications are now open for the 2012 Science and Innovation Awards for Young People in Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. If you’re 18-35, this is your chance to apply for up to $22,000 to fund your project on an innovative or emerging scientific issue to benefit Australia’s primary industries.

The Awards aim to encourage science, innovation and technology in rural industries and help to advance the careers of young scientists through national recognition of their research ideas. Project recipients can undertake groundbreaking research and innovation with the objective of keeping Australia’s rural industries sustainable and profitable. The Awards have already helped more than 150 young Australians make their ideas a reality and showcase their talent to the world.

Visit the website for information on applying for the Awards, tips and advice from Award partners, the application form and details on the successful 2011 recipients and their projects. Applications close 5pm AEDT Friday 18 November 2011.

ASC National Conference 2012

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The Sydney Masonic Centre has been selected as the venue for the ASC conference. It has impressive facilities and is well located. The dates for the conference are 27-29 February 2012. Very shortly Rod Lamberts will issue the call for papers for the research stream of the conference.

Rod has lined up a significant keynote speaker and I expect that we can build some important sessions around this dignitary. I’ll leave it to Rod to make the the relevant announcements soon.

I’m looking forward to a thought provoking three days. Be sure to mark it in your diaries and attend what I anticipate will be a terrific group of sessions.

Jesse Shore

National President

New look for ASC Website & Scope

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A big thanks to James Hutson for putting a lot of (volunteer) effort into reviving the ASC website – the new look is fresh and clear – we love it!

Also, our new Scope editors, Sally Miles and Silvia Piviali, have given our newsletter a new look. Sally, Silvia and I welcome suggestions from members for content and further ideas for making Scope more valuable.

I like the section listing Internet sites of interest. This is one area where members can surely contribute new or refreshed websites that they have come across, that address science communication and related areas.

Given the growing flood of information, it’s useful to have many eyes to help pick the plums from the orchard.

Jesse Shore

National President

Improve your writing skills

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The media scene has changed, and so has the role of the media release. But what is the new role, and how can science make the best use of them?

ASC QLD’s first writing workshop for 2011 will teach you how to:

  • How to identify the most important and interesting thing in the story, the essential idea that will interest the journalist
  • Structure an effective media release
  • Design clear media messages – that make both journalists and scientists happy!
    Write, and rewrite effective media release
  • Manage scientists: what they think is important is not necessarily going to interest the media!
  • Get timely approvals from the talent, your managers and collaborators
  • Distribute and follow up your releases

This will be a practical workshop and participants should bring laptops, and draft or past media releases to work on. Comprehensive notes will be provided to students.

What:

ASC Writing Workshop

When:

Tuesday 27th September, 2011 6pm-9pm

Where:

The Queens Arms Hotel, 64 James Street, New Farm.

Presenters:

Jenni Metcalfe and Toss Gascoigne, who have been training scientists and others for more than 18 years in communication skills

Entry:

$99 for ASC members; $165 for non-ASC members. This includes food and supper.

Participants:

Maximum 15

RSVP:

Please RSVP robbie[at]econnect.com.au ASAP to secure your spot

The 2nd Annual National Science Communication Officers’ Forum 2011

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Thanks to Karine Bruron from Liquid Learning Group for providing this information:

Liquid Learning is delighted to present The 2nd Annual National Science Communication Officers’ Forum 2011 – the premier event for communication professionals to exchange and acquire knowledge, tools and skills for true performance excellence.

The National Science Communication Officers’ Forum 2011 will be held on 22 & 23 November 2011 at Citigate Central, Sydney

Essential Tools and Approaches for Developing Communication Strategies within Scientific and Technical Research Environments

View the brochure here: http://bit.ly/pxt0bc

ASC Members receive a 10% discount off the standard registration fee.

Visit Liquid Learning’s website at: www.liquidlearning.com.au

Email: marketing@liquidlearning.com.au

Phone: (02) 9437 1311

 

ASC National Conference 2012 Update

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The news from the head of our conference organising committee, Rod Lamberts, is that our professional conference organiser has produced a short-list of Sydney venues. The dates for the conference are 27-29 February 2012 with a preconference event likely on the evening of Sunday 26 February. We are now in the process of deciding which venue to choose. Rod has the conference committee started on a range of tasks and program ideas and soon will issue a call for papers for the research stream of the conference.

I note that several new topics are being proposed for the conference. This reflects the growing maturity of the field of science communication and that as professionals, our work is involving a wider range of activities, technologies and responsibilities.

A popular feature of the previous conference was that many sessions had a range of speakers presenting various aspects of a central topic. This encouraged greater discussion from the floor and interaction among the speakers. The upcoming conference will also emphasise interactive discussions, opportunities to network and professional development sessions.

Details will be coming soon. In the meantime I encourage you to mark the conference dates in your diaries, include it as part of your professional training plans, and put your hands up to be a session producer when the call is issued.

Jesse Shore

National President