20 Mar 2017
SCI is pleased to bring you news from our Collaborative Partner Sense About Science.
Sense About Science works with scientists and members of the public to change public debates and to equip people to make sense of science and evidence.
They do this by running a variety of activities including campaigns and events. Details on their latest programme of activities can be found below.
Upcoming Events
The application deadline for our Manchester Standing up for Science media workshop is 9am on 21 March.
Sense about Science is delighted to be running our annual programme of Standing up for Science media workshops for early career researchers again this year. The first 2017 workshop will be at the University of Manchester on Friday 7 April.
This event is open to early career researchers and scientists (PhD students, post-doctoral fellows or equivalents) in all sciences, engineering and medicine and is free to attend. During the workshop we combine discussion about science-related controversies in media reporting with practical guidance and tips for how to deal with the media.
Now more than ever we need to support early career researchers to stand up for science and make their voices heard in public debates about science and evidence.
Please get in touch (Joanne Thomas) if you would like more information about this event, Voice of Young Science partnership or if you'd like to join the event as an observer.
-------------------------------------------------------------Media Workshop
Friday 7 April 2017
University of Manchester
Sense about Science is holding a Standing up for Science media workshop at the University of Manchester on Friday 7 April 2017. This free full day event is for early career researchers and scientists in all sciences, engineering and medicine (PhD students, post-docs or equivalent).
Join us to find out how to make your voice heard in public debates about science. Meet scientists who have engaged with the media and learn from respected science journalists about how the media works, how to respond and comment, and what journalists want and expect from scientists.
These workshops are very popular and places are limited. To apply, please complete this form: http://bit.ly/2kZi4Jl. If you are a member of or are funded by any of our partner organisations (listed on the flyer), please include this on the application form – our partners hold five priority places for this workshop. For more details, get in touch with Joanne (jthomas@senseaboutscience.org)
Closing date for applications: 9am, Tuesday 21 March.
-------------------------------------------------------------Peer Review: the nuts and bolts
Friday 12 May 2017, 2pm– 6pm
Find out about peer review.
Debate challenges to the system.
Discuss the role of peer review for scientists and the public.
Workshop to be held at Informa's offices, 5 Howick Place, London
Peer Review: The nuts and bolts is a free half-day workshop for early career researchers and will explore how peer review works, how to get involved, the challenges to the system, and the role of peer review in helping the public to evaluate research claims.
Should peer review detect plagiarism, bias or fraud? What does peer review do for science and what does the scientific community want it to do for them? Should reviewers remain anonymous? Does it illuminate good ideas or shut them down?
To apply to attend this workshop, please fill out the application form by 9am on Tuesday 25 April: http://bit.ly/2mCFsyr
For more details, get in touch with Joanne Thomas jthomas@senseaboutscience.org.
More information: http://senseaboutscience.org/activities/peer-review-workshop/
Campaigns
In January 2016, Voice of Young Science (VoYS) members launched their latest campaign, a weather quiz called Haven't the Foggiest. VoYS members initiate campaigns when they become frustrated by the misrepresentation of a particular area of science in the wider public discussion. This latest campaign was launched to stop misuse of weather terms & to promote a more sensible discussion of meteorology.
So far, more than 3,400 people have taken the quiz and VoYS members and supporters have been busy talking about it:
- Andrew Barratt wrote about the quiz on Carbon Brief: Untangling fact from fiction warnings of extreme weather
- Georgina Glaser shared her thoughts on The University of Reading's Weather and Climate Discussion blog: Talking sensible science when wondering about the weather
- Hana Pearce was interviewed live on BBC Radio Sheffield's Rony Robinson's show (from ~1hr36).
- Cory Doctorow posted about the quiz on Boing Boing
You can take the quiz by clicking on the link below.
VoYS members have also been getting involved in the Ask for Evidence campaign this week, chasing down the evidence behind claims to do with sleep.
- Jessica Taylor exposed the lack of evidence behind a mobile phone app and supplement combo intended to help you have more lucid dreams.
- Leah Fitzsimmons helped examine the evidence that chamomile tea would help you drift off (it probably won't).
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