About ASC Webmaster

James has trained as a lawyer, animator, molecular biologist and computer programmer. So if you want to develop an animated documentary series about bioinformatics patent infringements, James is your man.

UWA seminar Knowledge transfer between scientists and science communicators – Managing various perspectives in program development

Posted on 24 March 2010 by ASC Webmaster

UWA Science Communication Seminar

Knowledge transfer between scientists and science communicators – Managing various perspectives in program development

Speaker: Nadine Smith, CSIRO_ Location: Centre for Learning Technology, Physics Building UWA Time & Date: 4-5pm, Friday 26th March 2010 Drinks and Nibbles Provided

A difficulty in developing formal and informal education initiatives is the co-ordination of various stake holder perspectives. These perspectives range from determining mutually beneficial program outcomes to facilitating understanding between stake holders and building in obsolescence.

In the context of Marine education it is recognised by the IOC (Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission) that; co-operative initiatives should include all sectors of the community such as scientists, policy makers, businesses and schools. The intent of this ‘networked’ approach is to build community capacity for the sustainable management of marine resources. However, there are potentially barriers in the transmission and appropriation of knowledge at various points along this network, which could ultimately limit community capacity and therefore the management of marine resources. It is the barriers experienced by science communicators in the development of public education programs which is of specific interest.

About The Speaker Nadine Smith has worked on a number of education programs including: Secondary School Science; Teacher professional development at Scitech; Real World Science – a School / Industry partnership initiative; Leeuwin Ocean Adventure sail training program (now endorsed by Curriculum Council) and is currently in the Co-operative Research Centre (CRC) Education program.

The next Friday event will be a book club on Friday 16th April, after the holidays. The featured book is _[1]Manthropology_, by Peter McAllister. To see the full science communication events calender, please visit http://uwasciencecomm.blogspot.com/ Links: 1. http://www.hachette.com.au/books/9780733623912.html

_______________________________________________ ASC-list mailing list list@asc.asn.au http://www.asc.asn.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=97&Itemid=115

South East Queensland branch AGM and member survey

Posted on 23 March 2010 by ASC Webmaster

Hi All, Just a quick reminder about next Tuesday’s ASC AGM for South East Queensland Members. If you haven’t already RSVP’d or taken the survey, please do so – your attendance and feedback is vital for the future health of the group!

AGM Agenda:

> 1. Debrief and feedback from 2009 events > 2. A report back from the ASC conference in February and discussion of > the ‘Inspiring Australia’ National science engagement strategy > 3. Election of committee positions > 4. Discussion around events for 2010. > > When: 6pm for 6.30pm start, Tuesday 30 March, 2010. > > Where: For a bit of peace and quiet, the meeting will be held at > Former Treasurer Lynelle Ross’ house at 1/24 Balmain St, Wooloowin. > Wine and nibbles will be provided. > > (http://maps.google.com.au/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=24+Bal > main+St,+Wooloowin&sll=-25.335448,135.745076&sspn=46.019261,67.587891& > ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=24+Balmain+St,+Wooloowin+Queensland+4030&z=16) > > RSVP: Please RSVP to me by Friday 26 March 2010. > > Survey: To inform our discussions at the AGM, we’d like your input as > to what you’d like to see for your membership in 2010. Please take 5 > minutes to complete the short survey at: > http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/GY278JF. We’d like as many responses to > this survey as possible, so please feel free to complete it even if > you cannot attend the AGM. > > Look forward to seeing you there. > > Cheers, > Annie > > Annie Harris > Senior Project Officer > Science Engagement > Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation > Level 10, 111 George Street, Brisbane Qld 4000 > PO Box 15168, City East Qld 4002 > t: +61 7 3224 2383 > f: +61 7 3225 8754 > e: annie.harris@deedi.qld.gov.au > www.science.qld.gov.au > > Business Information Centre 13 25 23 > www.deedi.qld.gov.au > >

Online Editor | Australian Geographic

Posted on 22 March 2010 by ASC Webmaster

Online Editor | Australian Geographic

Australian Geographic is seeking an enthusiastic, highly motivated and hardworking web editor and content manager to join our team.

Reporting to the Online Producer and Online Editorial Director, and based in Sydney’s CBD, the successful applicant will be responsible for running and maintaining AG’s daily news web site as well as the parts of the site devoted to the AG Shop and AG Society. A love of all things relating to the natural history, environment and heritage of Australia is a pre-requisite as are several years experience of journalism, news editing and new media.

You will be tasked with seeking and presenting interesting and engaging online content and achieving a fast turnaround of it at high volume. You will have the ability to manage relationships with a range of stakeholders to ensure the constant, timely and accurate supply of this content. You will need to demonstrate skills at subbing and fact checking and have a great eye for detail as well as a keen news sense.

A degree in geography, history, journalism or any science or technical subject would be an advantage. You should be comfortable using basic html, Microsoft Office programs, content management systems and Adobe Photoshop. You will have a knowledge of social media and an interest in the latest online trends and be able to tailor content for search engine optimisation.

This extremely busy role requires strong organisational skills and the ability to work under pressure. You’ll need to be able to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, be able to balance multiple priorities, and to meet daily deadlines. You’ll be a self-starter but able to work well as part of a team, and have strong interpersonal skills.

Please send a cover letter, CV and example clips of articles.

Applications close 30 March 2010.

Australian Geographic is published by ACP Magazines, Australia’s leading magazine publisher. The company is the magazine arm of leading Australian media and entertainment company, PBL Media. ACP Magazines publishes over 85 titles in Australia which sell nearly 114 million individual copies each year. They include some of the longest-running and most successful mastheads such as The Australian Women’s Weekly, Woman’s Day, Dolly, NW, TV Week, Cleo, Cosmopolitan, Madison, Australian House & Garden, Zoo Weekly, Wheels and Ralph.

_______________________________________________ ASC-list mailing list list@asc.asn.au http://www.asc.asn.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=97&Itemid=115

What do the public really think? + Victorian AGM

Posted on 22 March 2010 by ASC Webmaster

20 April 2010
6:00 pm

Date: Tuesday 20 April 2010
Location: The Clare, 421 Rathdowne St Carlton VIC 3053

part 1: ASC Victorian Branch AGM
6pm for 6.15pm. Free drink for all members in attendance.

The Victorian branch is due for an annual general meeting to renew and refresh our committee. Please come along and so help to shape the ASC locally. We’d love more passionate communicators to get involved.

The Committee’s main function is organising networking and professional development events for ASC members in Victoria. Often we invite speakers on current issues relating to science communication and it is an opportunity to share our thoughts and experiences in an informal atmosphere. We have had a range of speakers such as Fred Mendelsohn, Director of the Howard Florey Institute talking about the biochemistry of depression; Peter McGauran, the Federal Science Minister at the time; science comedians; science artists; museum exhibitors and more. Recent sessions have included:

Lawrence Krauss on The Physics of Star Trek
Scott Sampson on The Dinosaurs of West America
A designer, a publisher and a typographer discussing Brochures, banners and budgets. Oh my!
Our networking evening Science Centric at the three degrees bar and brewery

Current committee positions and office bearers are:
– President: Niall Byrne
– Secretary & Treasurer: Jason Major
– ASC national committee representative: Meg Rive (not seeking re-election)
– General committee members: L.E. Ohman, Ian Muchamore, James Hutson, Maia Sauren, and Laura Miles

part II: Polls and surveys what works?: Finding out what the public really think 6.45pm for 7pm.

We write for the general public, we talk to the general public. But who exactly are the general public? And how do we know what they think? Or even whether they are interested in science in the first place?

Join us for a discussion on public surveys, polls and focus groups.

How easy is it to conduct a survey? What can surveys reveal? And how can we use them to better direct our communication efforts.

Our panel includes a representative of polling company Roy Morgan, who will explain what’s involved in creating and running a poll; and two users – one from state government, one from federal government – who will talk about their experiences in conducting large public surveys, what worked, what didn’t and what people really think about science.

The speakers are:

Craig Cormick, Manager of Public Awareness for the federal government’s National Enabling Technologies. Craig has used public surveys and focus groups to track community attitudes over time to biotechnology, genetically modified foods, cloning and more recently, nanotechnology. He is a regular spokesperson on public attitudes and has written several reports and books on the topic.
Wendy Williams, Manager of Science and Community for the Victorian Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development. Wendy coordinated a major study in 2007 on adult attitudes to science and technology and looked at whether attitudes to science mirrored attitudes to new applications of science and whether attitudes an indicator of behaviour?
Bruce Packard, National Customised Research Director for Roy Morgan Research. Roy Morgan is the company that can tell you exactly how many people read Cosmopolitan magazine, the Herald Sun or The Australian. They specialise in market research and public opinion surveys and cover all aspects of market research from personal interviews, to telephone, self-administered and the Internet. Bruce has undertaken a wide range of qualitative research for both public sector and private sector clients, ranging from in-depth interviews with indigenous leaders in remote communities in the Northern Territory to focus group discussions with gamblers in Melbourne. He currently looks after the company’s social and government research.

Download the pdf poster for prominent public display at your work place.

Free for members.
$10 for non-members. $5 non- member students.
Meals and drinks at bar prices
(+ a free drink for members attending AGM!)

RSVP and enquiries:
Sarah Brooker sarah@scienceinpublic.com.au 0413 332 489

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-03-21

Posted on 21 March 2010 by ASC Webmaster

Guardian UK: "The killer combination of salt, fat and sugar" – http://tinyurl.com/yd2khn7 /via @mpesce #

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-03-21

Posted on 21 March 2010 by ASC Webmaster

Guardian UK: "The killer combination of salt, fat and sugar" – http://tinyurl.com/yd2khn7 /via @mpesce #

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-03-21

Posted on 21 March 2010 by ASC Webmaster

Guardian UK: "The killer combination of salt, fat and sugar" – http://tinyurl.com/yd2khn7 /via @mpesce #

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What do the public really think? + Victorian AGM

part 1: ASC Victorian Branch AGM
6pm for 6.15pm. Free drink for all members in attendance.

part II: Polls and surveys what works?: Finding out what the public really think 6.45pm for 7pm.

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-03-21

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-03-21

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-03-21

About ASC Webmaster

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part 1: ASC Victorian Branch AGM 6pm for 6.15pm. Free drink for all members in attendance.

part II: Polls and surveys what works?: Finding out what the public really think 6.45pm for 7pm.

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part 1: ASC Victorian Branch AGM
6pm for 6.15pm. Free drink for all members in attendance.