Tag Archives: conference

ASC National Conference 2012 – Update & session overview

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The ASC National Conference will be at Sydney Masonic Centre from 27-29 February 2012. The program is coming into shape and looks enticing. Here’s a quick overview (some sessions may change, not all are listed, and titles and details of sessions will be refined):

Day 1

  • Opening keynote: Professor Ian Chubb, Australia’s Chief Scientist will open the conference and be the first plenary speaker.
  • After lunch: State Chief Scientists will feature in a plenary and then in parallel sessions.

Day 2

  • Plenary: Careers in science communicating – hear about career possibilities and resources.
  • Plenary: New media – continuing insights into how to use a range of rapidly evolving communication channels to communicate science (and maybe make a buck?).
  • Plenary: The NBN and how to use it -  a science communication perspective of  nation changing technology.

Day 3

  • Plenary: The Nobel experience – in an exclusive for the conference, Brian Schmidt, the 2011 Nobel Prize winner for Physics, is interviewed on video by Rod Lamberts. The discussion will interweave winning a major science prize with effective science communication of astronomy.
  • Plenary: Science and Art – a star-studded illustrated talk by David Malin and a conversation about beauty and science communication.
  • Plenary: Heads of Science Agencies – the big wigs will be prodded to tell all as they are quizzed about the role and funding for science communication in their patches.
  • Plenary: Advocacy – explore how heads of science advocacy groups represent their members’ interests to politicians and government departments.

Other parallel session topics include (partial listing; PD means session has a professional development focus):
*       Speed mentoring (PD)
*       The consultancy game – a follow-on from the careers plenary
*       Communication strategies
*       Philanthropy, fundraising and science communication
*       Beyond evaluation (PD)
*       Science as theatre
*       Putting the ‘confer’ back into conferences (PD)
*       The latest in research in science communication
*       Science and art sessions and exhibitions
*       War on science

Website: The conference website is http://2012conf.asc.asn.au/.
Online registration is active. See http://2012conf.asc.asn.au/register/.

Jesse Shore
National President

ASC National Conference 2012 – update

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The conference will be at Sydney Masonic Centre from 27-29 February 2012. Here’s a quick overview on progress so far:

  • Opening keynote: Professor Ian Chubb, Australia’s Chief Scientist will open the conference and be the first plenary speaker.
  • Hail to the Chiefs: Several state Chief Scientists have accepted invitations to speak at the conference. We anticipate they will feature in a plenary and perhaps parallel sessions.
  • Nobel presence: In a special video interview made for the conference, Australia’s 2011 Nobel Prize winner for Physics, Professor Brian Schmidt, will talk about the role of science communication in his work both before and after being awarded the Nobel. Rod Lamberts and Sue Stocklmayer will be asking him the hard questions. This special session will include a broad discussion of the role of science communication for science prize winners. Brian will be speaking in Washington during our conference and was sorry that he couldn’t be in two places at once.
  • Program progress: The program committee is digesting the submissions from the recent call for session producers and their proposals.
  • Pre-conference kick-start: There have been discussions with key people about the pre-conference event. If all goes well it will be fun and thought-provoking, and be a great way to lead into the conference proper.
  • Research stream: Rod Lamberts has nine reviewers lined up to scrutinise submitted research papers. Some of them may help with a subsequent monograph of a selection of edited papers to be produced after the conference is over.
  • Website: The conference website has gone live. Have a look at http://2012conf.asc.asn.au/.
  • Lots of infrastructure is being set in place and there are a few hurdles to get over. Online registrations will be activated any day now.

Jesse Shore
National President

International Conference Energy & Meteorology (ICEM) 2011

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Dear Colleague,

I am pleased to send you an update on the provisional programme for the International Conference Energy & Meteorology (ICEM) http://www.icem2011.org) 2011. The programme can be downloaded at: http://www.icem2011.org/ICEM2011_Programme_latest.pdf

ICEM 2011 will be held from 8 – 11 November 2011 at the Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort & Spa, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia (Pre-Conference Seminar Energy & Meteorology: Fundamentals and Challenges on 7 November 2011).

New keynote speakers have been confirmed:

  • Prof. Roberto Schaeffer, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
  • Mr Peter Cowling, GE Ecoimagination, Australia
  • Dr Giovanni Pirovano, Ricerca sul Sistema Energetico, Italy

The updated programme also includes details of accepted abstracts for oral presentation. There will be 4/5 parallel sessions for 90 minutes each day, many interesting topics will be covered and a wide variety of exciting presentations to listen to.

In addition, ICEM 2011 will provide a premium forum to discuss key issues such as:

  • An international framework for the exchange of information between the weather & climate community and the energy industry
  • Training the next generation of experts: Plans for an Energy & Meteorology Degree

Networking is also an important part of this busy week, with social events including the Welcome Reception, Happy Hour and Conference Dinner, in addition to an exhibition.

For more details about the provisional programme, keynote speakers’ bios, social events and/or to register, please visit http://www.icem2011.org, where you can also register online (credit card payment required).

We look forward to welcoming you to ICEM 2011 in November.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the event manager:

Aurélie Favennec
ICEM 2011 Manager
Tel: +61 2 9431 8632
Email: info@icem2011.org

Best regards
Alberto Troccoli (ICEM 2011 Convenor)

——
Dr Alberto Troccoli
Ph:   +61 (0)2 6246 5759
Email: alberto.troccoli@csiro.au

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

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

What’s happening with Inspiring Australia?

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I recently had a useful discussion with key people of the Inspiring Australia (IA) team in Canberra. IA is moving in several directions in line with the IA Report and it seems clear that the ASC has many shared interests in this initiative.

One of the main points of discussion was about the upcoming ASC National Conference in February 2012 and potential ways for IA to be involved. We enthusiastically explored several topics covering common ground. I hope we can make some of the suggestions happen as this collaboration would have substantial mutual benefit.

As foreshadowed in the IA Report, the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research (DIISR) plans to organise discussions and a review of the science prizes it supports. I will collate and forward to the IA team the comments many of you contributed to our ASC-list discussion about science prizes.

To find out which expert working groups IA has underway, check out the Inspiring Australia newsletter. The July issue came out last week. If you want to subscribe send an email to inspiring.australia@innovation.gov.au.

For further information about the newsletter and IA call (02) 6270 2868 or view www.innovation.gov.au/InspiringAustralia.

Jesse Shore

National President

Great communication tips from the BSA Conference

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Reports and Presentations from the British Science Association’s Science Communication Conference 2011 are now available to download. See what was discussed, the issues raised, suggested solutions and read great case studies of innovative public engagement projects.
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“You can now download the final 2011 Science Communication Conference report packed with all the case studies, break-out discussions and learning points from the two days.” Amy Lothian, Science in Society Officer, British Science Association

Go to BSA Link

Provided by Susan Kirk (QLD Web Editor)

Call for Applications to Attend or Sponsor Attendees to Youth ANZAAS 2011

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10 July 2011to15 July 2011

Anyone with links into high schools or direct to senior science students may be interested in promoting this, and if there are bodies out there keen to throw a small amount of dollars toward student scholarships or event funding please let us know.

Applications for Youth ANZAAS 2011: Brisbane are open to science students in grades 10-12 across Australia, and close very shortly (Fri 27rd May), although applications received after the closing date will be accepted until all places are filled. More information is available at www.anzaas.org.au/youth and full information/application packages are available upon request.

Youth ANZAAS is a week-long residential conference for approximately sixty science students in Years 10, 11 and 12 from Australia and New Zealand. The event is organised by the Australian & New Zealand Association for the Advancement of Science (ANZAAS), one of Australia’s oldest scientific associations. YA 2011 will be held in Brisbane from Sunday 10th July to Friday 15th July. The programme is based around advanced-level lectures and activities that will challenge attendees and expand their knowledge of the applications of science in the real world. Students will have the opportunity to visit world-class facilities where research is taking place and to engage with leading scientists, experiences which are usually unavailable to the general public. The conference also allows students to meet and create a network of like-minded peers who share their passion for science.

A registration fee (recently reduced to $400 with the aid of some sponsorship) covers all expenses through the week including travel to Brisbane from students’ local capital city. It is understood the cost may inhibit some students’ decision to apply, however some sponsorship of places may be available upon application and funding is also still being sought to further reduce the cost or provide sponsorship for individual places. Special consideration (students from regional and remote areas and with indigenous or ethnic backgrounds are encouraged to apply) is available for candidates upon request.

If there are people or groups interested in offering sponsorship to students please feel free to contact us with your offer.

Cheers,
Felicity

If you have any queries about the program, the application process or anything else regarding Youth ANZAAS 2011 please contact us via anzaas.qld@gmail.com or 0408 797 837. Further information may be available at www.anzaas.org.au/youth.

ASC national conference 2012 – plans are progressing

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Rod Lamberts, the chair of our national conference organising committee, has been working feverishly to get the nuts and bolts in place before the fun planning begins in earnest. He has received quotes from professional conference organisers and we will make a selection soon on who we’ll appoint. Then after the PCO’s tasks are spelled out the organising committee will map out what we expect will be an exciting and innovative program.

Rod has already discussed a range of roles with the members of his committee and they seem eager to get underway. Rod and/or I will keep you informed of progress.

Jesse Shore
National President