Scientists get advice on how to communicate

The European Commission has come out with a new report that CORDIS News describes as "a 'survival kit' to help scientists communicate their activities to the public more effectively".

The 76-page report 'Communicating Science: A Scientist's Survival Kit', claims that it "provides the essentials for public communication in science and technology for scientists who wish to take this task on in person as well as for those who choose to use the media or professionals".

Unfortunately, the list of "web links" is tilted heavily towards the official view. It is also out of date as it has a link to a report that is no longer available where promised on the web site of Department of Trade and Industry.

Tags: science writing, media, PEST

EuroStemCell documentary winner

"A film made by scientists working in an EU-funded research programme beat off strong competition from European broadcasters to take top honours at a science media festival in Tromsø, Norway, last week. Scientists from EuroStemCell, a European stem cell research consortium, produced the short documentary "A Stem Cell Story" in collaboration with Edinburgh-based filmmakers."

See the details, with more long sentences, in the announcement on the EU web site: EU research-financed film takes top award at European science media festival.

Tags: media, EU, stem cell, awards

NSF Invites Media to Apply to Report From Antarctica on Andrill Paleoclimate Research

The US National Science Foundation (NSF) has put out a press release NSF Invites Media to Apply to Report From Antarctica on Andrill Paleoclimate Research.

The key bit is probably: "Application Deadline: July 15, 2006. U.S. media receive preference in selection.". (Our emphasis.)

Then again, some might balk at this bit: "Medical: Finalists must pass comprehensive physical and dental exams conducted at their own expense by their personal physicians and dentists and subject to screening by the U.S. Antarctic Program. Certain medical conditions may disqualify a candidate from visiting Antarctica, even if initially selected as a media visitor." (Their emphasis.)

Tags: science writing, Antarctica, National Science Foundation, NSF, climate change

Welcome to the ABSW's new unofficial blog

This will be somewhere to pass on details of events and other important news about the ABSW.

It is a way of bringing "RSS" capability to the ABSW.

Tags: science writing, journalism, media