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