Author Archives: sonaswindley

Concurrent Session 4A The Consultancy Game

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How does one go about setting up a business in science communication consultancy?  Where do the clients come from?  What services do they want?  How much should they be charged?  What are the first steps to take?  How do you begin to ‘think business’?  What are the advantages of working from home, and working from an office?  Should you buy-in skills like book-keeping, graphic design, web site design and IT, or do them in-house?  Anyone contemplating consultancy work (or even looking to hire consultants) will be interested in this explanation of what it takes to establish and maintain a science communication consultancy.

Toss Gascoigne (session producer), Director, Toss Gascoigne and Associates

Cobi Smith (chair), PhD researcher at the Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science and Science in Society and Facilitator at the Royal Institution of Australia.

Jenni Metcalfe (speaker), Director, Econnect Communication

Kristin Alford (speaker), Managing Director, Bridge8

Niall Byrne (speaker), Creative Director, Science in Public

Plenary 4 “Science Communication is what I want to do, now what? -career possibilities and resources”

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Science is big, broad and exciting—so is the field of science communication.  So what are some of the opportunities for students, early career professionals or experienced hands looking for a change?  We’ve lined up a panel of young professional science communicators to give you a taste—from their own experiences.

There’ll also be a list of handy resources. Hashtag: #ASC2012 #nextgen

AJ Epstein (session producer), Operations Manager, Science in Public

Andrew Wight (session producer), Science Writer, Science in Public

Bec Crew (speaker), Blogger turned COSMOS magazine online editor.

Catherine Beehag (speaker), Brings science from the Australian Museum to the masses.

David Murray (speaker), Biologist turned videographer and jack of all trades.

Concurrent Session 3D Philanthropic support for science: shaking the hand that feeds you

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‘Shaking the hand that feeds you’ will be a stimulating session exploring communications that return real benefit to the mix of funders, donors, supporters and  wider stakeholder groups that make science happen on a philanthropic and cause related partnerships basis in Australia.

Jessica Tyler (session producer, facilitator), CEO, SciBiz Media & Communications

Daniella Goldberg (session producer), CEO,Gene Genie Media

Terri Sheahan (speaker), Senior Consultant, Xponential

 

Concurrent Session 3C Professional Development; How to spot and fix common problems with science writing

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Unfortunately, much scientific material is written in a way that is not very interesting to read and is difficult to understand without rereading each sentence two or three times. With good editing, it doesn’t have to be like this! This interactive workshop will give you the tools to analyse your writing and improve it, using simple techniques that professional science editors use. By working on a real sample of your own writing at the workshop (or one supplied by the session presenter), you will practise these techniques and learn how to bring your writing to life.

Important Note; To help Malini plan, could you please email her on malini.devadas@biotext.com.au if you will be attending this session.
Also, please let her know if you’ll be bringing a sample of your own work, or if you need her to provide one for you.

Malini Devadas (session producer and presenter), Senior science writer and editor, Biotext

Concurrent Session 3B Research and Papers ( PhDs plus )

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Australia is rapidly becoming a notable player in the world of science communication research and scholarship. The ASC 2012 national conference features 5, hour-long sessions in which some of our best and brightest share their research stories. Presentations are brief as the opportunity to interact with presenters and other delegates is something we feel is of great value in the conference space.

What scientists may be missing: threshold concepts in communication

Will Rifkin (presenting author), University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia

Nancy Longnecker (co-author), University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia

Joan Leach (co-author), University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia

Lloyd Davis (co-author), University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand

Catherine Jamb (co-author), Voice2Words Pty Ltd

Science communication at Macquarie: Reflections on co-creation and collaboration

Catherine Simpson, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia

Penny Wilson, Wilsonant Consultants Pty Ltd, Sydney, Australia

Scientists’  communication with the public – why time is an issue

Suzette Searle, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia

Exploring change in public engagement with science over time

Christine Critchley (presenting author), Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Australia

Wendy Williams (co-author), Victorian Department of Business and Innovation, Melbourne, Australia

Charlie Coulton (co-author), Sweeney Research, Melbourne, Australia

What science teachers want: Research-based insight for providers of field trip and guest speaker activities

Sophia  Bickford (presenting author),The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia

Nancy Longnecker (co-author), The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia

Grady Venville (co-author), The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia

Science theatre in the golden age, 1995-2005

Timothy Daly, Centre for the Public Awareness of Science, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia

Concurrent Session 3A Inspiring Australia: is it engaging Australians with Science?

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Is evidence the name of the game for the Inspiring Australia program or still lip service? After a year of activity what can we demonstrate about its achievements? State and territory Inspiring Australia officers, representatives of lead agencies and Graham Durant, Director of Questacon, provide national and regional perspectives for how Inspiring Australia is progressing. Will they be able to back their words with data or is it still too early for meaningful measures? Whether tangible or not, we can examine details of how the program is unfolding.

Preconference material/links to be viewed prior to attending the session;

http://www.innovation.gov.au/Science/InspiringAustralia/Pages/default.aspx

Jesse Shore (session producer), Science Communicator, Prismatic Sciences & ASC President

Sue Stocklmayer AM (chair), Director, CPAS, ANU

Graham Durant (panellist), Director, Questacon, Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research

Cris Kennedy (panellist), Director, CSIRO Discovery Centre, Canberra

Peter Leihn (panellist), Director, Office of the Chief Scientist and Scientific Engineer

Cobi Smith (panellist),  PhD researcher at the Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science and Science in Society and Facilitator at the Royal Institution of Australia

Jeannie-Marie Leroi (panellist), Science Marketing & Communication  Officer, University of Tasmania

Chris Krishna-Pillay (panellist), Victorian Manager, CSIRO Education

Simon Carroll (panellist), Director, Science partnerships

Keely Quinn (panellist), Major Projects / Inspiring Australia Officer, Engineers Australia Northern Division

Concurrent Session 2D SA & WA Chief Scientist: a closer look at science communication and outcomes in SA & WA

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Hear your state Chief Scientist explore their region’s science & public policy, and how they interact with other states and the Commonwealth agencies. The Chief Scientist will discuss their views of key science issues in their region and how science communication plays a role or falls short in affecting public and political support for action. Find out how and who they work with to achieve outcomes. They may address positive interactions in their region and might also discuss areas where initial work was less effective and the lessons learned.

Pre-conference materials/links to be viewed prior to attending the session

http://www.innovation.sa.gov.au/latestnews/NewsItems/chief_scientist

Jesse Shore (session producer), Science Communicator, Prismatic Sciences & ASC President

Cobi Smith (chair),  PhD researcher at the Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science and Science in Society and Facilitator at the Royal Institution of Australia

Don Bursill (speaker), Chief Scientist of South Australia, Department of Further Education, Employment, Science and Technology

Simon Carroll (chair), Director, Science partnerships

Lyn Beazley (speaker), Chief Scientist of Western Australia, Department of Commerce

Concurrent Session 2C QLD Chief Scientist: a closer look at science communication and outcomes in QLD

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Hear your state Chief Scientist explore their region’s science & public policy, and how they interact with other states and the Commonwealth agencies. The Chief Scientist will discuss their views of key science issues in their region and how science communication plays a role or falls short in affecting public and political support for action. Find out how and who they work with to achieve outcomes. They may address positive interactions in their region and might also discuss areas where initial work was less effective and the lessons learned.

Jesse Shore (session producer), Science Communicator, Prismatic Sciences & ASC President

Jenni Metcalfe (chair), Director, Econnect Communication

Geoff Garrett (speaker), Queensland Chief Scientist, Queensland Government

 

Concurrent Session 2B Victoria’s Chief Scientist: a closer look at science communication and outcomes in Vic

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Hear your state Chief Scientist explore their region’s science & public policy, and how they interact with other states and the Commonwealth agencies. The Chief Scientist will discuss their views of key science issues in their region and how science communication plays a role or falls short in affecting public and political support for action. Find out how and who they work with to achieve outcomes. They may address positive interactions in their region and might also discuss areas where initial work was less effective and the lessons learned.

Pre-conference materials/links to be viewed prior to attending the session

http://www.foursight.com.au/aboutus.htm

Jesse Shore (session producer), Science Communicator, Prismatic Sciences & ASC President

Wendy Williams (chair), Manager, Science and Innovation Outreach, Victorian Department of Business and Innovation

Graham Mitchell (speaker), Chief Scientist of Victoria, Department of Primary Industries and the Department of Sustainability and Environment

Concurrent Session 2A NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer: a closer look at science communication and outcomes in NSW

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Hear your state Chief Scientist explore their region’s science & public policy, and how they interact with other states and the Commonwealth agencies. The Chief Scientist will discuss their views of key science issues in their region and how science communication plays a role or falls short in affecting public and political support for action. Find out how and who they work with to achieve outcomes. They may address positive interactions in their region and might also discuss areas where initial work was less effective and the lessons learned.

Jesse Shore (session producer), Science Communicator, Prismatic Sciences & ASC President

Attila Brungs (chair), Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Research), University Technology Sydney

Mary O’Kane  (speaker), NSW Chief Scientist and Scientific Engineer