Engagers' Digest 12/09/12

In this edition:

University of Bristol engagement

1. University of Bristol Engage conference: 26 September 2012
2. Public engagement seminar - 'Science is only human': 5 October 2012
3. Volunteering at Thinking Futures: 5-9 November 2012

Funding

1. Reminder - Royal Academy of Engineering Ingenious grants: deadline 21 September 2012
2. Biochemical Society scientific outreach grants: deadline 27 September 2012
3. STFC Science in Society Small Awards: deadline 11 October 2012
4. Institute of Physics Public Engagement grants: deadline 22 October 2012

Events

1. Reminder – TEDxBristol FutureShock talk: 10am 15 September 2012, Bristol
2. Science Showoff: 7pm 25 September 2012, Bristol
3. Communicate 2012: 24-25 October, Bristol

Other news

1. BIS Science and Society Team seeking feedback on Action Plans: deadline 30 September 2012
2. Free online training on being a TV expert: various dates
3. Ionic Magazine first issue
4. Call for a speaker on the subject of ‘Being an academic’

University of Bristol engagement

1. University of Bristol Engage conference: 26 September
It’s not too late to sign up if you haven’t yet registered for Engage!
What do research funders think of public engagement? How do they see it fitting with their ethos and plans for the future? Hear the perspectives of funders including the AHRC, the Royal Academy of Engineering and the Wellcome Trust at Engage - the University of Bristol's annual conference about public engagement. Get inspired by colleagues' activities here at Bristol and meet and exchange ideas with potential partners over a networking lunch.
Registration is free and open to academic and support staff, students and external guests.
Time: 10:30-14:30
Venue: Arnolfini, 16 Narrow Quay, BS1 4QA
For more details see web: http://www.bristol.ac.uk/public-engagement/events/2012/93.html and register at: http://www.survey.bris.ac.uk/cpe/engage2012

2. Public engagement seminar - 'Science is only human': 5 October
The ideal, perhaps naive, conception of science is a self-correcting march towards greater truth and understanding about the world around us. In practice, it’s done and published by people, and people can be influenced by ego, motivated by power and swayed by personal biases. Science writer, Ed Yong, will talk about how this tension affects the conduct of science, its communication in the mainstream press, and how the internet is changing things for the better. For an example of Ed's writing see 'Replication studies: Bad copy', published in Nature: http://www.nature.com/news/replication-studies-bad-copy-1.10634
Venue: Medical Sciences Building, Lecture Theatre E29
3 pm Friday 5 October, booking not essential, but if you plan to come please add yourself to the list at web: http://goo.gl/HibDU

3. Volunteering at Thinking Futures: 5-9 November 2012
Thinking Futures is the University's Festival of Social Sciences and Law, with more than 30 public events, lectures and roundtable discussions at various venues around the University and across Bristol. We’re looking for staff and students who are willing to work as part of a team to help run one (or more) of these events, which take place in the daytime and evening. This is a great opportunity to get first-hand experience of how the University engages with the people of Bristol, and to learn about the exciting research being carried out by researchers within the social sciences (you don’t have to be part of the Social Sciences and Law Faculty to volunteer.)
To find out more about the events being held as part of the festival, visit http://www.bristol.ac.uk/thinking-futures and to volunteer, please email: fssl-festival2012@bristol.ac.uk, giving your name and a contact telephone number.

Funding

1. Reminder - Royal Academy of Engineering Ingenious grants: deadline 21 September 2012
The deadline for the RAEng Ingenious grant scheme for creative public engagement is coming up fast - 21 September.
Additionally there is now a Booster grant scheme for anyone who has already held an Ingenious grant – closing date 15 October.
web: www.raeng.org.uk/ingenious

2. Biochemical Society scientific outreach grants: deadline 27 September 2012
The Biochemical Society have grants of up to £1000 to help fund activities that communicate the excitement of molecular bioscience, or more general biology, to young people and the community.
See web: http://www.biochemistry.org/Grants/EducationalGrants/ScientificOutreachGrants.aspx

3. STFC Science in Society Small Awards: deadline 11 October 2012
The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) has announced that its Science in Society Programme Small Awards Scheme is now open for applications. The scheme provides grants for small, local or 'pilot' projects promoting STFC science and technology. For more information see web: http://www.stfc.ac.uk/Public+and+Schools/1396.aspx

4. Institute of Physics Public Engagement grants: deadline 22 October 2012
Applications are open for grants of up to £1500 to support individuals and organisations running physics-based events and activities during 2013. For more information see web: http://www.iop.org/about/grants/outreach/page_38843.html

 

Events

1. Reminder – TEDxBristol FutureShock talk: 10am 15 September 2012, Bristol
There are a few tickets remaining for this event in which Dr Steve Simpson, School of Biological Sciences, will be presenting along with a range of other speakers including Penny Evans from the Knowle West Media Centre.
Venue: M Shed, Princes Wharf, Wapping Road, BS1 4RN
To book tickets or to watch it live-streamed visit web: http://tedxbristol.com/

2. Science Showoff: 7pm 25 September 2012, Bristol
An open mic session for all communicators of science.
Venue: Grain Barge, Mardyke Wharf, Hotwell Road, BS8 4RU
Sign up at web: http://scienceshowoff.wordpress.com/2012/08/10/science-showoff-bristol-2/

3. Communicate 2012: 24-25 October, Bristol
‘Breaking Boundaries: The Next Ten Years for People and Nature.’
Communicate is the UK’s leading conference for environmental communicators, bringing together a blend of NGOs, media professionals, green business leaders, academics and policy makers.
Venue: Passenger Shed, Brunel’s Old Station, Clock Tower Yard, Temple Meads, Bristol, BS1 6QH
Register now to secure your place at this annual event - web: http://www.bnhc.org.uk/home/communicate.html

 

Other news

1. BIS Science and Society Team seeking feedback on Action Plans: deadline 30 September 2012
For a chance to comment on the BIS (Department for Business Innovation and Skills) ‘public engagement with science’ action plan and to give your views on the progress made since the plan was published, visit web:
http://scienceandsociety.bis.gov.uk/

2. Free online training on being a TV expert: various dates
Seminars include: ‘How to Shine on TV’, ‘How to Catch the Eye of a TV Producer’ and ‘Understanding the TV Programme Making Process’. Further information from web:
http://findatvexpert.eventbrite.co.uk/

3. Ionic Magazine first issue
Ionic magazine is a quarterly-available online magazine that aims at bridging the gap between Science and Art. To view the magazine and for more information go to: http://www.ionicmagazine.co.uk/

4. Call for a speaker on the subject of ‘being an academic’
If you are interested in speaking to year 11 pupils on the subject of working as a lecturer/researcher at university then please can you contact Chris Enos at Badminton School email: cenos@badminton.bristol.sch.uk