Science stakeholder bulletins

Creating future TV stars of science; $1.25 million CSL Fellowships for medical researchers; $50,000 stem cell prizes; training

Could your research stories engage billions of viewers through science and factual TV?

The people who create, fund and broadcast science TV will be meeting in Brisbane in November at the World Congress of Science and Factual Producers.

They deliver big audiences. Discovery Channel alone has over 440 million viewers. Animal Planet has over 350 million. China Central Television has 50 channels and a billion viewers.

We helped bring Congress to Melbourne in 2009. After nearly 10 years it’s back, this time in Brisbane thanks to the support of the Queensland Government, the ABC and SBS.

Last year’s Congress included commissioners and producers from the BBC, Netflix, NHK, PBS, Discovery, Canada’s CBC and dozens of other networks from national broadcasters to cult YouTube channels.

How can you reach this community? The options include:

  • presenting your researchers via exhibition booths
  • holding your own presentations or group meetings at breakfast and lunch events
  • hosting post-Congress tours
  • supporting Australian researchers who are potential TV stars of the future
    supporting producers from emerging countries
  • and the usual range of sponsorships.

Read more about the Congress at: https://www.wcsfp.com/

[continue reading…]

Getting more out of your ARC impact statements; meet the 2018 Fresh Scientists at the pub; Science Week is coming; and more

Fresh Science: join us at the pub in Sydney, Adelaide, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane and (for the first time) Canberra to meet this year’s Fresh Scientists, 60 early-career researchers with stories to tell.

Details below.

Impact statements: you’ve sweated blood getting them together and uploaded to the ARC. Can you do more with them? Or do you have other research you’d like to promote? We’d love to help you turn them into short impact stories for the public and get them out through your, and our, social media channels.

We’ll also publish a selection of them in our next Stories of Australian Science print publication. If you book five or more stories, we’ll include them as a feature spread with your logo, and design flyers that you can share with partners, hand out at Open Day and the like.

Prices range from $1,300 + GST for a single story to $1,100 + GST per story when you book five or more.

More details below.

National Science Week: more than a million people and 2,000 events—it’s big. As national publicists for the Week we can help publicise any Science Week event that grabs our interest. Make sure you register your event so we can consider it for promotion. And let me know by email if you’ve got something really special happening.

Read on for some of the early highlights.

Pitch and communication training: we have courses coming up around the country.

Melbourne: Tuesday 31 July, Tuesday 9 October
Adelaide: Wednesday 14 November
Sydney: Wednesday 4 July, Wednesday 29 August
Perth: Friday 7 December

You can book via Eventbrite, or read on for more about our bespoke training.

In this bulletin:

[continue reading…]

Fresh Science; new CRCs; training around the country; and more

Nominations for Fresh Science – our annual competition for early-career researchers – are open for one more week. So, have a think about which ECRs you could tap on the shoulder to nominate.

We run Fresh Science in every state where we can secure enough support – so far that’s Qld, SA, WA, Vic and NSW. Big thanks to our hosts and the 17 unis and research organisations who’ve come on board so far.

It’s highly likely we will run an event in the ACT, we just need a couple more supporters to confirm.

So, make sure you encourage any Canberra-based ECRs you know to nominate. More on that below.

Nominations close midnight 24 April 2018.

If you’d like to share our flyer calling for nominations, you can download it as a PDFor a JPEG or share the call on social media using #FreshSci

Even if you’re not an ECR, we can still help you find the story in your science.

We’ve just announced our media and communication training dates for the rest of 2018.

Join us in:

  • Melbourne: Tuesday 5 June, Tuesday 31 July, Tuesday 9 October
  • Adelaide: Tuesday 8 May, Wednesday 14 November
  • Sydney: Wednesday 4 July, Wednesday 29 August
  • Perth: Thursday 10 May, Friday 7 December

You can book via Eventbrite, or read on for more about this course and our bespoke training.

Also in this bulletin:

[continue reading…]

PM’s science prizes close Monday; Fresh Science; and how to get media for your research, conferences, and events

Nominations for $750,000 Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science close on Monday.

You’ve got to be in it to win it, as they say… and it’s simple to nominate in the first (shortlisting) stage – more below.

We’ll also be opening nominations for Fresh Science next week, our competition for early-career researchers with a story to share.

Now in its 21st year, Fresh Science has trained over 500 scientists to share their science, and generated hundreds of news stories via TV, print, radio and online.

We’re looking for partners around the country and will run Fresh Science in any state or territory where we can secure local support. If you’d like to join us, get in touch.

National Science Week is also fast approaching – and now is the time to register your event, apply for state funding and gain a piece of the action. More below.

We’ll be providing publicity support again this year – including resources on how you can prepare your own media kit. So, if you’re planning an event or speaker with strong media appeal, let us know—email scienceweek@scienceinpublic.com.au and we’ll consider including it in highlights media releases.

We also offer media support for conferences to help you put your field of science in the spotlight and reach beyond the walls of the conference centre. More on that below.

And we’ve got communication training courses coming up in Melbourne (12 April & 5 June), Adelaide (8 May), Perth (10 May), Sydney (4 July). Details below.

I’m in Japan this week, and China next week, and will be posting some of the stories of research collaboration you shared with me via @AusAsiaScience.

If you need more info on any of the above I’ll be on email, or you can call the office on (03) 9398 1416.

Regards,

Niall [continue reading…]

Case studies; build your profile; comms training; the PM’s Science Prizes and more

Case studies and profile building

We can help you raise the profile of your research and researchers by:

  • writing case studies and stories for you to use with your institution’s communication platforms
  • publishing your stories via social media, media, the web, your stakeholders, flyers and our Stories of Australian Science
  • teaching your researchers how to tell and pitch their own stories.

For example, for $5,000 we can write 10 short case studies; for $10,000 we can write them, share them, and get some attention for your researchers. If you’d like more information give me a call – 0417 131 977.

China and Japan 

If you’ve had any recent success with collaborations in China or Japan, I’d love to hear about it. I’m visiting China and Japan at the end of the month with a City of Melbourne Business Mission. I’ll be tweeting and We-Chatting about great collaborations in research and also drawing on our past lists and case studies: http://stories.scienceinpublic.com.au/japanand http://stories.scienceinpublic.com.au/china

Training

Communication training for researchers is happening around the country over the next few months. If your researchers need some guidance, mentoring or practice in media interviews, social media or pitching, check out the courses in Sydney, Perth, Adelaide, and Melbourne. Details below.

The Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science

$750,000 for science/innovation/teaching—nominations for the Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science now open

Have you ever nominated someone for a prize? Felt the buzz on anticipation when you hear they are a finalist? Shared the thrill as they win? Then watched the impact it has on their career?

It’s time to put forward your unrecognised leaders and your rising stars for a Prime Minister’s Prize for Science. And if you don’t have time to drive the nomination, pass this email on to someone who does.

And more prizes

Read on for details about the PM’s Prizes and other prizes open right now including the Eureka’s, L’Oréal, Tall Poppies and Academy awards.

Regards,

Niall

[continue reading…]

It’s time to nominate

Prizes

Yes, I know it’s only the second week of February. But it’s time to start thinking about nominations for the big prizes.

The $750,000 Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science open on 21 February. Across the Prizes, it would be great to see more nominations of innovators, more women for the science prizes, and more men for the teacher prizes. And Victorian teachers as Victoria has only one teacher recognised to date.

Read on for more information on changes to the Prime Minister’s Prizes.

We’ve also updated our Science Prizes Calendar to help you track all the opportunities we’re aware of. The Eurekas, FameLab and CRC Innovation awards are open now, and the Academy of Science’s honours open soon. More below.

Australians of the Year

It was a great start to 2018 seeing quantum physicist Michelle Simmons, photosynthesis guru Graham Farquhar, and superstar maths teacher and YouTube sensation Eddie Woo recognised as Australians of the Year.

We also counted 11 scientists in the Australia Day Honours.
Our list is below. Let us know who we missed.

Nominations are now open for the 2019 Australian of the Year, and details of how to nominate someone for an Order of Australia are on the Governor General’s website.

Outreach training

Train your scientists in how to talk to the media, government and other stakeholders at one of our courses around Australia.

We’ll be in Melbourne (12 April, 5 June), Sydney (7 March, 4 July), Adelaide (8 May), Perth (10 May) and other cities by demand.
Details below.

And Science Meets Parliament kicks off tomorrow. Look out for Tanya Ha, our engagement director and a member of the STA executive. And I’ll be there for the big Parliament House dinner.

In this bulletin:

Australia Day Honours
Changes to the Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science
Fresh Science winners and 2018 dates announced
Other science prizes and other opportunities
Shaping the future for early-career researchers
Communication training dates
Dates for the big events – World Science Festival, National Science Week and others
Kind regards,

Niall

[continue reading…]

Pitching to Japanese, Chinese businesses and science TV; debunking pseudoscience; 1,000 scientists for World Record; Fresh Science in the Pub and more

Interested in profiling your science to those who make, buy, and produce science television? I’m heading to San Francisco next week for the World Congress of Science and Factual Producers.

Next year the conference is coming to Australia and they are keen to meet local researchers with good stories. Drop me a line.

Pitching your technology to Asian partners. Join me for a free session hosted by the City of Melbourne on 4 December. It’s a precursor to the City’s annual business mission to China and Japan in March next year. More below.

Tune up your critical thinking and pseudoscience radar at Skepticon this weekend in Sydney, and with Jason Silva in Melbourne tonight and Sydney on Sunday.

Break a World Record and the stereotype of what a scientist looks like by joining in UNSW’s record-breaking attempt at the largest gathering of people dressed as scientists at the end of November.

Or head to the pub in Melbourne (29 November) and Perth (6 December) for the latest science over a beer.

In this bulletin:

And finally, media & communication training for scientists.

If you or any of your staff need help shaping your science into a story for stakeholders, the public, industry, or the media join us for one of our training courses. Or talk to us about a customised course.

We’ve got courses coming up in:

  • Perth – 7 December
  • Melbourne – 12 December.

[continue reading…]

Sex, dragons, toothpaste, lasers and genetics—meet this year’s PM’s Prizes for Science winners

Last night the Prime Minister presented the 2017 Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science to six outstanding scientists and science teachers.

  • What kangaroos, platypus and dragons can tell us about sex and humanity: Professor Jenny Graves AO, La Trobe University, Prime Minister’s Prize for Science
  • Saving the world’s teeth with Australian dairy milk: Professor Eric Reynolds AO, The University of Melbourne/Oral Health CRC, Prime Minister’s Prize for Innovation
  • Unravelling the genetic complexity of height, intelligence, obesity and schizophrenia: Professor Jian Yang, The University of Queensland, Frank Fenner Prize for Life Scientist of the Year
  • Creating new ways to visualise the processes of life: Professor Dayong Jin, University of Technology Sydney, Malcolm McIntosh Prize for Physical Scientist of the Year
  • Using the “outdoor classroom” to make science fun and relevant to the whole curriculum: Neil Bramsen, Mount Ousley Public School, Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Primary Schools
  • Inspiring his students to love science and to use it in their daily lives: Brett McKay, Kirrawee High School, Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Secondary Schools.

Read more about them below.

Eric Reynolds, Brett McKay, Dayong Jin, Minister Michaelia Cash, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, Jenny Graves, Neil Bramsen, Jian Yang. Credit Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science.

[continue reading…]

Fresh Science in the pub; half a million in Science Week grants; and more training dates

Fresh Science turns 20 this year.

We’re giving 50 up-and-coming researchers from 25 organisations the chance to hone their communication skills, and practise presenting their science to journalists, schoolkids, science leaders, and down at their local pub.

We received close to 150 nominations for Fresh Science this year. It was tough to judge!

Hear the latest science and meet this year’s Fresh Scientists at pub events in Brisbane, Adelaide, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth – details below.

Thank you to the 17 universities, three museums, and other groups that have partnered with us to deliver Fresh Science this year.

Also this month:

And finally, media & communication training for scientists:

If you or any of your staff need help shaping your science into a story for stakeholders, the public, industry, or the media, join us for one of our training courses. Or talk to us about a customised course.

We’ve got courses coming up in:

  • Sydney – 11 October
  • Melbourne – early December (TBC)
  • Perth – 7 December

[continue reading…]

Get your Fresh Science in; Japan stories; Science Week report back; and training all over the country

Help us find the next generation of Fresh Scientists

Nominations for Fresh Science 2017 close next Thursday 31 August. So encourage all the great early-career researchers you know to apply and become our next generation of spokespeople for science.

Thank you Curtin, UWA, Murdoch, Edith Cowan, Notre Dame, Adelaide, UniSA, Flinders, Monash, Melbourne, LaTrobe, Deakin, Swinburne, RMIT, UNSW, UQ, QUT, Griffith, and CSIRO for your support.
More below.

Next year the Australian Government’s Australia Now program will focus on Japan. Look out for opportunities to be involved.

See some examples of Australia Japan partnerships in innovation.

They include giant robot trucks, repairing teeth together, new malaria drugs, and solar furnaces.

Watch and download the videos here.

There is also a new batch of Stories of Australian Science, including making motorcycle clothing safer, robotic arms for stroke rehab, finding gold with volcanoes and much more.

You can read and share the stories via Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
More below.

Just about every science organisation in Australia got behind National Science Week this year, with a record breaking 2,100+ events around the country.

But there’s no time to rest. 2018 Science Week grants open soon and next year’s dates are 11 – 19 August. More below.

We’re holding communication courses around the country over the next month.
If you or any of your staff need help shaping your science into a story for stakeholders, the public, industry, or the media, join us for one of our training courses. Or talk to us about a customised course—our entry level session takes just 90 minutes.

We’ll be in Sydney on 31 August, Melbourne on 12 September, Canberra on 5 September, Adelaide on 19 September and Perth on 21 September. More below.

Finally, it’s the Eureka Prizes next week.

We’re not driving the media this year, so I’m looking forward to sitting back and enjoying a good night with friends and colleagues, and celebrating some of our best Australian science. You can read more about the finalists here: https://australianmuseum.net.au/2017-eureka-prizes-finalists

Also in this bulletin:

[continue reading…]