ABOUT US
The objectives of SCANZ are:
- To promote science communication
- To foster professional communication of science and technology, especially through high standards in the crafts of journalism and other forms of communication
- To promote awareness and understanding of science and technology
- To celebrate achievements in science and science communication
- To encourage discussion and debate of ethical, policy, economic and social issues related to science and technology
- To provide opportunities for dialogue between science and technology communicators
What we do
- SCANZ has established this website as the communications hub for its members and those wishing to learn more about science communication. This site is in an embryonic state and over time more elements and information will be added
- SCANZ produces a newsletter every two months and this will also be posted on the website
- SCANZ stages an annual conference to provide additional networking opportunities, an opportunity to learn more about effective science communication and discuss topical issues
- SCANZ holds regular functions in those parts of the country where it has members
SCANZ has close links with Australian Science Communicators (ASC), Public Communication of Science and Technology (PCST) and other international science communication organisations and networks.
History
The organisation was formally established on June 23, 2004 at a meeting in Auckland attended by 150 science communicators from throughout New Zealand. A number of factors led to the establishment of the organisation.
- The staging of the Science Communicators Conference by the Royal Society of New Zealand in 2001
- The setting up of a network of science communicators from government agencies in 2001 and the gradual expansion of this
- Attendance by Peter Burke, Communications Manager for the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology (FRST), at an international science communication conference (PCST) in Cape Town, South Africa in 2002. Peter said this conference highlighted to him the fact that most countries had organisations for science communicators and that ideally a similar organisation should be established in New Zealand
- An organising committee was set up and the conference staged in June 2004 with the support of the Royal Society of New Zealand, Merck Sharp & Dohme, the Australia High Commission and the Foundation (FRST).
- The Australian Science Communicators (ASC) provided valuable assistance to SCANZ in the drafting of a constitution and governance structure
- There was widespread support from a range of organisations and individuals for the establishment of the organisation
- At the Auckland meeting SCANZ formally came into being by the adoption of a constitution
Where to from here
SCANZ has the potential to add significant value to the science sector by promoting excellence in science communication. This website and the activities organised by SCANZ are designed to ensure that people with similar interests and objectives have a formal and simple means of keeping in touch with each other and with developments in the field of science communication. In 2006, SCANZ plans to have regular events in each of the main centres, an annual conference in August or September and develop the website to facillitate the creation of an on-line community. It is hoped that SCANZ will push out the boundaries in science communication and develop new and exciting outcomes.