September 30, 2009
The latest newsletter is now available for download
August 6, 2009
SCANZ is holding its annual conference in Palmerston North on the 9th and 10th of November at Massey University. For details contact Peter Burke 021 224 2184 or peter.burke@horizons.govt.nz
August 6, 2009
SCANZ is holding its annual conference in Palmerston North on the 9th and 10th of November at Massey University. For details contact Peter Burke 021 224 2184 or peter.burke@horizons.govt.nz
August 3, 2007
The Australian Science Communicators have re-started the PCST discussion list, an international list for the discussion of science communication issues, events and ideas. If you would like to subscribe, go to: http://mailmanlist.net/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/pcst This address has information about joining the list, and also on posting a new message about an event or a publication. It will operate like the ASC list, without moderation, but on an international basis.
February 13, 2007
Auckland's Stardome Observatory is looking for an Education and Programmes Manager. Applications close 23 February 2007. To view the full job description go to www.stardome.org.nz This role used to be filled by SCANZ member Kate McKinney, who is leaving to complete a graduate diploma in education.
December 21, 2006
SCANZ is offering members financial assistance to attend the 5th World Congress of Science Journalists to be held in Melbourne between April 16 20, 2007. Details about the congress are available on the Congress web site: www.scienceinmelbourne2007.org SCANZ is offering a grant of $NZ500 for up to six members to attend the congress. Members are expected to cover the remaining costs themselves. The process: 1. Applicants should write a proposal stating: Their current role in science communications The benefits they would gain by attending the congress What reports or articles they would write as a result of attending the congress 2. Applications must be about 500 words in length 3. Successful applicants will be selected by a panel of SCANZ members 4. Applications should be sent to Peter Burke peterb@levin.pl.net 5. Applications close on 31 January 2007 6. All applicants will be advised of the outcome by mid February Conditions 1. Applicants must be financial members of SCANZ as at 31 December 2006 2. In making this application for funding, individuals do so on the clear understanding that they will meet the balance of any costs associated with attending the congress, undertake to attend the whole congress, and to provide a 500 word written report on the congress to SCANZ within one month of the event. 3. Late applications will not be accepted 4. If a person fails to meet these requirements they may be required to repay their grant Peter Burke PRESIDENT
November 17, 2006
The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment launched a web-based discussion forum on 16 November so that people can take part in a major review of New Zealand's progress on sustainable development. An invitation to contribute to the forum is being widely circulated so that anyone with an interest in sustainability can express their views. The results will help shape a PCE report due for publication in mid-2007. The review has two goals:
- to evaluate New Zealand's progress since 2002 (when the last PCE review was published)
- to explore what else we can do to advance environmental sustainability
November 15, 2006
QTV, the popular kids science show for television, is a finalist in the prestigious Japan Prize in two categories the first for its episode on Climate Change, the second for its funky interactive website designed in collaboration with Oktobor Interactive, which has already won the TUANZ Innovation award in the Education section. Producer Glenis Giles said she was 'delighted to be a finalist and in the company of so many educational producers and educators at such a prestigious international education forum, and that her business partner Di Oliver-Zahl would have been extremely proud of the whole team.' (Di was tragically killed in a bike accident as the show began production in February 2005). Di Oliver-Zahl was the visionary behind the QTV concept and had worked on its development with Glenis for three years. The JAPAN PRIZE International Educational Program Contest was established by NHK in 1965 with aims of contributing to the advancement of educational programs around the world and the promotion of international understanding and cooperation. It is widely known as a unique contest and receives many entries from around the world every year. The JAPAN PRIZE consists of a contest and Delegates Forum. With support from NIWA and Positively Wellington Business, Sadie Coe who was the web producer for the programme is off to attend the NHK Japan Prize conference in Tokyo at the end of this month for OliverGILES. The Q website, designed by Oktobor Interactive, provided the programme with interactive quizzes, experiments and flash games. The producers are now working with the Ministry of Education to make the content available for teachers in the classroom. QTV is a joint venture between Oliver Giles Productions Limited, The Sir Peter Blake Trust, NIWA, The Crown Research Institutes, Transpower, The Vodafone Foundation and the Ministry of Education with strategic partners Oktobor Interactive. It encompasses a 13 part television science series and interactive website and the first of a series on DVD, Q Careers which features 10 profiles of young scientists from NZ. As reviewer Jane Clifton said ' it's a neat, neat, neat science show!". The DVD of the 13 part television series is available for sale through Roadshow To order contact: Elizabeth Fordham - DVD & Videos for Education Roadshow Entertainment NZ Ltd Ph: 09 8208875 Fax: 09 8208877 attn Liz Email: liz_fordham@roadshow.co.nz Find out more about Q by visiting the website or QTV Producer, Glenis Giles. Email: glenis@qteam.co.nz or Mobile: 0216 50387. www.qteam.co.nz TUANZ Innovation Awards 2006 in association with General Cable Logo www.tuanz.org.nz JAPAN PRIZE www.nhk.or.jp/jp-prize/index_e.html
October 12, 2006
Proceedings and a slideshow of photos from the SCANZ conference 2006 are now available from the "Conference" tab. Speaker presentations are available in the members-only section under "Resources". Enjoy!
October 5, 2006
ESR is seeking a communications and marketing advisor based in Porirua, Wellington. ESR is a crown research institute with core business in forensic science and environmental health. www.esrcareers.cri.nz Job description and information is at: www.esrcareers.cri.nz/JobCentre/applycod.asp?job=432
August 1, 2006
It's official. We are now the Science Communicators Association of New Zealand Incorporated. Thanks to all those who signed the necessary documentation to allow us to register.
July 11, 2006
Responding to industry demand, The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand has recently launched an innovative new qualification, the Certificate in Technical Communication, with a course option that will interest those in the science and health fields. The certificate is made up of two papers. The first, Writing for Specific Purposes, is a compulsory paper allowing students to select the Science and Health option, which teaches them how to write and present research in a clear and accessible language to suit their audience's needs. Changing technology means that information is often required to be disseminated quickly to a wide audience, those who work in areas such as the medical profession, the pharmaceutical industry, the research industry, or deal with environmental issues will benefit from the skills they will learn in this paper. With no two audiences the same, this paper offers insight into the best way to craft research information into a written format to suit peers, the media, young people, and the pubic in general. It also touches on copyright issues- explaining how this affects both science and health writers and their publishers. Students then have a choice from two electives to complete the final paper towards their qualification. The can undertake either Professional & Technical Writing, which covers the principles and processes of writing effectively and targeting specific audiences, or Writing for the Web, which equips students with the skills they need to produce clear and effective content for web pages. Those who do not wish to complete a whole qualification can choose to only enrol in Writing for Specific Purposes, selecting the Science and Health option. Because the certificate is taught by distance education, it gives learners a chance to study when it suits them and immediately apply their learning directly into their workplace. "I'm really excited by this new certificate, and the Writing for Specific Purposes course," says Deirdre Viviers, programme leader for the qualification. "It will mean that those working in the science and technology fields can develop the technical writing skills they need to deliver well-written and effective documents." The Open Polytechnic enrolled over 30,000 students last year, and is New Zealand's specialist provider of open and distance learning, offering a wide range of courses and programmes on a national basis. For further information call freephone 0508 650 200 or check out www.openpolytechnic.ac.nz
July 4, 2006
The Annual SCANZ conference will be held on 11th and 12th of September 2006 at the Carlton Hotel in Auckland. A copy of the draft SCANZ conference programme is now available.
February 24, 2006
The latest newsletter is now available for download
September 26, 2005
The proceedings of this year's conference are now available for downloading.
Day 1
Day 2
September 6, 2005
A rare opportunity has arisen for a position with the dynamic and busy NZFSA communications team. You will likely have a science or technical background, and the ability to quickly and accurately turn science and research into clear and compelling communications for a variety of audiences, ranging from school kids to other scientists. You will probably have worked in communications in a technical environment, or in science with a strong communications component. Further details are available in this Word document or this pdf version.
July 14, 2005
Well known freelance science writer, Kim Griggs has won the 2005 Foundation for Research, Science and Technology and the British Council New Zealand Science Writer Scholarship. This scholarship will enable Kim to attend the prestigious British Association Science Festival to be held in Dublin from September 3 - 10. This is one of the largest science festivals in Europe and attracts more than 400 scientists and science communicators. Previous winners of this scholarship were Simon Collins and Veronika Meduna
April 22, 2005
The world's largest iceberg has crashed into an Antarctic glacier, snapping off a five-kilometre chunk of the glacial outflow and reshaping the coastline of Antarctica. The predicted "collision of the century" between the B15-A iceberg, which is the size of Luxembourg, and the 70-kilometre long Drygalski ice tongue had been expected at the beginning of the year. But the icy colossus became stranded a few kilometres from the tongue, starving penguins and blocking ships supplying food and fuel to Antarctic research stations. Scientists believe the iceberg, which contains enough water to supply the River Nile for 80 years, became stranded on a sandbank. Now the iceberg has finally scraped the side of the century-old ice tongue, an extension of the David glacier.
April 22, 2005
More private hospital mergers, takeovers or strategic alliances are on the cards, according to one of the players taking a cornerstone shareholding in Wellington's Wakefield Hospital. The Cushing family and the Royston Hospital have snared a 9 per cent holding after a stand in the market at $4.23 a share. The Cushings already hold 7.8 per cent, giving the two groups about 16 per cent of Wakefield - the single biggest block of shares. Royston Hospital chief executive Andrew Blair said he expected to see a continued "aggregation of hospitals" through strategic alliances or through acquisition and merger. "I expect the market to continue to grow as the public sector struggles to meet demand, as the population ages and as...the demand for choice continues." Mr Blair is immediate past president of the Private Hospitals Association. Bigger hospital groups would have more muscle on negotiating contracts and buying medical supplies. New Zealand has about 38 private hospitals, 10 wholly and three jointly owned by the biggest operator, Southern Cross. Wakefield Hospital Ltd is the second-biggest operator with just two hospitals, Wakefield and Bowen, both in Wellington. David Cushing, director of the family's long-term investment vehicle H&G, said they had teamed up with Royston because it was a "quality company". He would not comment on how Wakefield and Royston would function in future, saying that was a matter for the directors. But he said he believed there was the potential for further consolidation in the sector, as had been seen already in Australia. Last month, Ramsay Health Care, Australia's second-largest private hospital operator, agreed to buy bigger rival Affinity Health for $A1.4 billion ($NZ1.48 billion), looking to cash in on growth prospects in a country with a rapidly aging population and strained public health service.