Category Archives: NatConf

ASC National Conference
8 – 10 February 2010, ANU Canberra

Announcing members of ASC 2012 National Conference Planning Committee

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I am pleased to announce the names of the twelve members who will comprise the ASC 2012 national conference planning committee.

Below is the list of committee members with the briefest of mentions about each person. The comment ‘New member’ basically means an early career person with energy to offer and a willingness to gain experience.

We will soon appoint a member to serve as the conference chair for the entire committee. The position will require someone with experience and a bit of time. I will recommend to the National Council to co-opt the conference chair to the ASC Executive and National Council to ensure regular updates on the progress of the committee.

The committee is responsible for or will advise the Executive in the appointment of a Professional Conference Organiser; selecting the date, city and venue for the next conference; develop the program; and look after other conference related tasks.

Committee meetings will be held by Skype teleconference as much as possible.

The first group Skype teleconference will be in January.

ASC members will be kept informed of significant progress. I hope we all will contribute ideas and support for the conference development process ahead.

Names grouped by state or territory

Name Branch Special mentions
Lisa Bailey SA RiAus – Senior Programs Co-ordinator
Amanda Tyndall SA RiAus – Head of Programs
Ann Pocock SA New member
Toss Gascoigne ACT ASC Past president, President PCST Network
Rod Lamberts ACT Organised research presentations for 2010 conference
Laurence Goux NSW Uni researcher
Stuart Lewis NSW Experienced with fundraising, logistics, outreach programs
Anneliese Gillard VIC New member
Ian Muchamore VIC Very experienced in event management
Paula Taylor VIC Newly rejoined member
Nancy Longnecker WA Coordinator, Sci-comm faculty UWA
Phillip Arena WA Active with WA ASC activities

Jesse Shore
National President

ASC National Conference 2011 – Call for Expressions of Interest

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The ASC National Conference in February of this year set us off in a good direction for 2010. It had excellent sessions about many aspects of the science communication profession, featured the rich field of research into science communication, was well attended, had a fun vibe and was the launching platform of ‘Inspiring Australia, A national strategy for engagement with the sciences’.

Planning and delivering the excellent program for the conference took a lot out of our key people. To allow time to recoup and regroup, and to try something different, we are planning a series of day long professional development workshops in several capital cities for 2011 rather than a multi-day conference in one location.

To give adequate time to plan our next major gathering for a date in 2012 I’m inviting ASC members to submit an expression of interest to join the committee to plan and deliver our next national conference.

I’m also inviting expressions of interest from potential sponsors of the conference and associated events. It’s never too early to seek possible funding.

The planning committee will consult with ASC Executive to:

determine the date and venue for the conference (we’ll avoid conflict with the PCST2012 conference, 18-20 April in Florence)

consider seeking a university as a venue (timing would be in semester break or common week of university holidays)

consider bodies or societies with similar interests which might be interested in presenting or attending

develop sessions and themes suitable for the various interests of science communicators such as editing, script writing, illustrating, evaluation

develop thematic content which makes connections with the Inspiring Australia Report and its associated recommendations

suggest and arrange speakers for sessions and further details of the conference.

Tim Thwaites, the convenor for the 2010 National Conference, offers to act as a consultant to the committee. Tim is preparing a report with tips on the process and decision making involved in developing the conference.

The membership of the committee will be announced before the next AGM in December 2010.

The conference committee has the challenging role to chart the next part of the course for ASC. If you have event management skills, foresight, energy and have a sense of fun helping to plan the next national conference may be the next right step for you.

Please send me your expressions of interest by 15 October 2010.

Jesse Shore
National President

From the President: February 2010; A commendable conference

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My congratulations to all those involved in organising and presenting the recent ASC conference. After the first day of the conference I was asked what the highlight of the day was for me. Every session I attended was so good that I replied the entire day was a highlight. I enjoyed meeting and chatting with so many people and felt the day just went so well. After a moment’s reflection I did add that it was pretty exciting for Senator Carr to launch the Inspiring Australia report at the opening of the conference. The report announcement was a coup for the conference but the conference proper was a gem.

Days two and three maintained the quality of my conference experience. My conversations with delegates swirled around the challenges of usefully evaluating our science communication activities and how we can work more closely with our colleagues in the arts and humanities. A highlight of day two was Professor Will Steffen’s plenary on communicating climate change. His presentation combined with sessions on authority in science, scientific process, communicating a pandemic and risk to help me frame my discussions with the denialists and doubters who I occasionally encounter.

‘Another notable aspect of the conference was that all the speakers, presenters and session producers were sourced from within Australia. We rightfully can be impressed with the depth of people Australia has in the science communication area. Yet recognising that overseas speakers contribute international perspectives and add star quality to a conference, for future ASC conferences we’ll consider adding international ingredients to our local cocktail.

The conference convenor, Tim Thwaites, and conference director, Kali Madden, will soon send out a short survey to all conference delegates and to ASC members who didn’t attend the event. I heard a rumour that Tim and Kali are offering an incentive to answering the survey so I’ll be racing to get my response in.

Jesse Shore
National President

ASC 2010 Conference – Opening Session

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Over 230 science communications professionals gathered today at the Australian National University in Canberra for an inspiring and lively opening session.

Aunty Ruth Bell welcomed delegates to country with some rousing words on the importance of science and scientists and the correct pronunciation of Canberra.  Professor Ian Chubb reflected on an increase in demand for places on science courses at ANU and the difference between a “deep” and a “profound” understanding of scientific ideas.

Senator the Hon Kim Carr, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research suggested that “science communication matters because democracy matters” and that citizens only have a meaningful say in the democratic process if they understand the science.  The Senator also cited the new science strategy report which calls for all scientific organisations to promote the ideals of “clear vision, strong leadership and coherent action”.

Incoming ASC National President, Dr Jesse Shore welcomed the report with its “national framework: local action” focus on behalf of the ASC membership, and expressed thanks to all delegates for attending our annual flagship event.

Watch this space for more news – and follow us on Twitter: #asc2010

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.

New speakers announced for the Conference: Seven days left to register

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With a week to go before the Conference, there’s still time to register and join us in Canberra for a packed program of expert plenaries and social events from 7 – 10 February at the ANU.  Tim Thwaites, Kali Madden and team have compiled an exciting array of the very best speakers from around the country.

We have too many speakers to mention but they include: Warwick Anderson, CEO, NHMRC; Margaret Sheil, CEO, ARC; and Mike Whelan, Deputy CE (Operations) CSIRO on the challenges of science communication, Wilson da Silva, COSMOS; Dr Susannah Elliot, CEO, Australian Science Media Centre; and Deborah Smith, Science Editor, Sydney Morning Herald, on the future of science reporting, Laurel Papworth, #4 blogger in Australia; Julie Posetti, University of Canberra; and Casey Whitelaw, Google on social media applications, Dr Craig Cormick and Wendy Williams from DIIRD on public attitudes to science, and some innovative, ‘non-traditional’ approaches to science communication from Dr Joan Leach, Associate Professor Errol Vieth and colleagues.

View the full program, register now or click here to view the current list of delegates.  See you in Canberra!

Bushfire science and journalism: Communicating when emotions run high

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7 February 2010 7:00 pmto10 February 2010 10:00 pm

Australian Science Communicators (ASC) presents a public panel discussion to kick-off the national conference.

BUSHFIRE SCIENCE AND JOURNALISM: COMMUNICATING WHEN EMOTIONS RUN HIGH

Date: Sunday 7 February
Time: 6:45pm for a 7pm start
Venue: CSIRO Discovery, North Science Road, off Clunies Ross in Acton (up behind the ANU) Google map here
Cost: Free entry, drinks and bar snacks available at bar prices

Panel and MC:

  • Dr Andrew Sullivan, Team leader of CSIRO’s Bushfire Dynamics and Applications Team, interviewed many times by the media following the Victorian bushfires
  • Michael Gawenda, Director, University of Melbourne’s Centre for the Advanced Study of Journalism and co-author of the report ‘The Black Saturday Bushfires: How the media covered Australia’s worst peace-time disaster’
  • Lyndal Byford, Media manager at the Australian Science Media Centre, ASMC provided rapid-roundups of expert comment following the Victorian bushfires
  • Louise Maher, Drive program presenter for ABC Canberra, was on-air during the Canberra bushfires in 2003
  • MC: Mary Mulcahy, Communication Manager, CSIRO

This is also the welcome function for the ASC national conference being held in Canberra from 8-10 July. You can still register to attend the conference: www.asc.asn.au

National Day of Mourning
The Prime Minister has declared Sunday 7 February, a National Day of Mourning to remember those who died in the 2009 Victorian bushfires with the Australian flag to be flown at half-mast. In Victoria, a central multi-faith service, will be held at St Paul’s Cathedral. There will be a minute’s silence at noon for Australians to pause and remember the devastating effects of the Black Saturday and Gippsland fires.

From The President: December 2009

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In a year of doom and gloom, bushfires, swine flu and climate change, it is great to be able to report some upbeat news of the feats of our ASC colleagues—the resurgence of ASC in South Australia, a major magazine award for a former president, and some excellent public activities organised by local branches.

These vibrant signs of life in ASC are just what we need, leading into a National AGM to be held in Sydney on 16 December, and our National Conference at ANU in Canberra from 7 to 10 February.

Nearly 50 people turned up to an event organised by vice-president Rob Morrison, at the new Science Exchange (re-vamped Stock Exchange) in downtown Adelaide which has become the headquarters of the Royal Institution, Australia (RiAus). Not only did they learn about “The Science of Wind Instruments”, but they began planning an AGM for 14 December and activities for the next couple of years. Many stayed well beyond the proposed ending time playing science board games and making full use of the very fine bar. An appropriate outcome for all Rob’s hard work.

ASC boy makes good! Wilson da Silva’s magazine Cosmos was adjudged Magazine of the Year and won six other awards, including Best Consumer Magazine and Best Publisher, at the annual Bell Awards for Publishing Excellence of the magazine industry association, Publishers Australia. This is the second time in its five-year history the publication has won Magazine of the Year and Best Publisher. It was hailed for  its connection with its readers, and its “product extensions”.

A story by deputy editor John Pickrell has won an earth journalism award linked to the forthcoming UN climate change conference in Copenhagen, and is in the running for a global public award. You can read the story and, if you like it, vote for it before 9 December by clicking here.

The local ASC branches have been active, with events happening in most states over the past month. Two that come to mind are a particularly poignant session staged by the Victorian branch (at a new venue) on keeping the human impact in mind when communicating the science of bushfires, and the Stem Cells in the Pub session which the ACT-ASC organised in association with the Australian Society for Stem Cell Research.

See you at the ASC AGM (16 December) and the ASC Conference 2010 (7 – 10 February).

Tim Thwaites
National President

ASC 2010 National Conference: Themes

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Previous ASC national conferences have mixed sessions presenting science with science communication issues and workshops/seminars on techniques.

The 2010 program is a little different.  This year we will be emphasizing science reporting and include a new academic/research component.  The 2010 conference also hosts the third of our hugely popular Hot Air symposia looking at communicating climate change issues to the public.

ASC President, Tim Thwaites said, “The ASC conference 2010 reflects the ‘coming of age’ of science communication as a serious area of study and employment.”

The sessions over the three days reflect the following themes:

  • The Challenges and Future of Communicating Science;
  • Reporting and Communicating Complex Issues to a Lay Audience; and
  • The Use of Social Media and the Arts in Communicating Science.

This year’s conference will actively include a social media component both in the program and in communicating to the ASC membership in web-based discussions before and after.  Not forgetting a strong program of social events for more informal discussions in Canberra’s finest cafes and restaurants.

For more information, see the ASC Conference 2010 website (event code: 7DNY37XD2S5) or contact the Conference Organiser.