Author Archives: sonaswindley

Plenary 3 Australia’s state Chief Scientists: science policy and the role of science communication challenges, science communication solutions

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Australia has five state Chief Scientists. Hear them talk about their roles, how effective have they been in achieving their goals, and what directions they will take for the future. Most importantly you will hear their views on the role of science communication in their work and for their state, and what directions they see for science communication. This panel discussion may provide new opportunities for working with individual Chief Scientists or with them as a group.

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

Toss Gascoigne (chair), Executive Director, Toss Gascoigne and Associates

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

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

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

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

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

Plenary 2 Inspiring Australia: catalyst, irritant, opportunity or irrelevant

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Graham Durant, as a Divisional Head in the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, has been a key voice in developing Inspiring Australia, the national science communication strategy for Australia. He will provide an overview of where this ambitious program is placed after a year of activity. All states and territories have lead agencies and most have officers to implement the various goals of Inspiring Australia. So it is timely for science communicators to hear what has been achieved and where is the program going.

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

Wilson da Silva (chair), Editor-in-Chief, Cosmos Magazine, Luna Media Pty Ltd

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

Pre-conference materials

Download the full Inspiring Australia report or related documents here:

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

Concurrent Session 1D Speed mentoring: short shots of career tips

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Want to get a load of tips from experienced people about how to build a successful career in science communication in only 60 minutes? And get practice in networking skills and interviewing techniques at the same time? Then join the speed mentoring session. In groups of three, you will move through a room filled with people who have been there and done that in diverse areas of sci-comm. In short energetic conversations you can find out the likes and dislikes of various fields, what are the jobs prospects and maybe find a match for a future ongoing mentoring relationship.

Jesse Shore (session producer and facilitator), Principal, Prismatic Sciences & ASC President

Chris Casella (mentor), Managing Director, ScienceAlert Pty Ltd

Cassandra Casey (mentor), Brand and Communications Manager , Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO)

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

James Hutson (mentor), Manager of Digital Production, Bridge8

Karl Kruszelnicki (mentor), Julius Sumner Miller Fellow, Science Foundation for Physics, University of Sydney

Elizabeth Finkel (mentor), Science writer, journalist, Freelance correspondent

John Curran (mentor), General Manager, Communications, CSIRO

Tim Thwaites (mentor), Freelance science writer and broadcaster, Science in Public

Wilson da Silva (mentor), Editor-in-Chief, Cosmos Magazine, Luna Media Pty Ltd

Craig Cormick (mentor), Manager Enabling Technologies, Public Awareness and Community Engagement, Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education

Paul Willis ( mentor), Director, RiAus

Susannah Eliott  (mentor), CEO, Australian Science Media Centre (AusSMC)

Bernie Hobbs (mentor), Science Broadcaster, ABC

Yen Heng (mentor), Science Communications Manager, National Measurement Institute

Adam Spencer (mentor), Radio Presenter, ABC

 

Concurrent Session 1C Professional Development; Seven step process for making a Communication Plan

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The best ideas will be lost if people never see them.

Ideas and research results need to be communicated if they are to have impact. Not to communicate is to diminish the value of a research project. People won’t appreciate the capacity of your organisation or research because they have not heard about its work. Staff and colleagues will lack a clear sense of direction.  Poor communication causes ignorance and confusion. 

This session sets out seven practical steps to designing a communication plan, a sure-fire way to add value to any research.

Jenni Metcalfe (session leader), Director, Econnect Communication

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

Concurrent Session 1B 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.

Science communication for Marine ecosystem management: what works for whom?

Deborah Cleland, Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia

The uptake of public benefit research outcomes – an ongoing communication

Corinna Lange, Pear Communication, Brisbane, Australia

Science communication and the lost art of listening

Will Grant, Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science, Canberra, Australia

Science communication e(value)ation: Perspectives on best practice

Melanie McKenzie, The University of Queensland, School of English, Media Studies and Art History and Econnect Communication, Brisbane, Australia

Searching for useful climate adaptation information

Liese Coulter (presenting author), National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility (NCCARF), Gold Coast, Australia

Ann Penny (co-author), National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility (NCCARF), Gold Coast, Australia

Target Audience versus actual audience – an evaluation of science by email

Patrick Mahony, CSIRO Education, Campbell, Australian Capital Territory, Australia

Jasmine Leong, CSIRO Education, Campbell, Australian Capital Territory, Australia



Concurrent Session 1A Science exhibitions – making the most of a ‘slow media’ in a fast world

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What makes a science exhibition resonate with audiences? Can science exhibitions be agents of change? How do they compliment other media? What potential and limitations do exhibitions have as a ‘slow media’ in a fast world? Communicators involved in developing science exhibitions explore these questions. We encourage the audience to drill and grill the issues to make it a lively discussion about the next generation of science exhibitions.

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

http://museumvictoria.com.au/melbournemuseum/discoverycentre/wild/

http://museumvictoria.com.au/melbournemuseum/discoverycentre/600-million-years/

Kate Phillips (speaker and session producer); Senior Curator, Science Communication, Museum Victoria

Andi Horvath (session facilitator); Senior Curator, Science Communication, Museum Victoria

Sandra Mc Ewen (speaker); Principal curator, Biosciences & Built Environment, Powerhouse Museum

Michael Harvey (speaker); Head of Exhibitions, Web, and Creative Services, Public Engagement Division, Australian Museum