Sense about Science

Sense About Science- what I was gibbering on about…….

What:

Sense About Science (SaS) is a charity organisation set up in the UK to help the public understand the scientific issues that important to them in their lives.

http://www.senseaboutscience.org.uk/index.php

Who:

SaS was set up by scientists early in their careers who were tired of the way science and the people who work were and are portrayed by the media. Run by a staff based in London and volunteers all over the UK who write articles, attend events etc. As well as a huge email list of scientists who are available (If required to answer questions on there expertise).

What:

SaS activities stretch to any project which covers the main aim of the organisation. One of the most important roles is to build bridges with the media and provide a mediator between “honest” journalists ( I know-really!!!!) and scientists, so that the journalists can get quotes and information from people who actually know what they are talking about and not some dodgy maverick. Other projects include:

Spots:

Just tabs on the website with articles explaining issues which the public are interested in ie GM, stem cells, peer review (what is it!), energy, MMR, detox etc etc.

Voice of Young Science:

This is a day long “ workshop” in which PhD students and Postdocs have a chance to meet up with journalists and other folk from the media to discuss the way in which in which there area of research is portrayed in the media and how as two opposing groups they can work together to paint a more accurate picture for the public. Having attended one of these sessions it can be quite heated at first but overall the day serves both parties well I think. This is something maybe we can do? Locally at first with local papers? Even just say “Hola” first, let them know what we are trying to do.

http://www.senseaboutscience.org.uk/index.php/site/about/11/

Celebrity and Science:

Was a little project to shame celebrities and their sudo-science claims.

http://www.senseaboutscience.org.uk/index.php/site/project/132/

There goes the Science bit:

Project against bogus science claims in products.

http://www.senseaboutscience.org.uk/index.php/site/about/11/

Funding:

Yup copied and pasted from the website! I’m not writing all that out, but just to give you an idea. The ABPI, AstraZeneca plc, BBSRC, The Biochemical Society, Blackwell Publishing, BP plc, British Institute of Radiology, Dixons Group plc, Elsevier, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, The Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, Garfield Weston, GE Healthcare, GlaxoSmithKline, Halifax Bank of Scotland, Health and Science Communication Trust, Institute of Physics, Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine, John Innes Centre, John Innes Trust, Medical Research Council, NESTA, New Scientist, Oxford GlycoSciences plc, Pfizer plc, The Physiological Society, Royal Academy of Engineering, Royal Astronomical Society, Royal College of Radiology, Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, Royal Society of Chemistry, Science Careers.org, Social Issues Research Centre, The Society for Applied Microbiology, The Society for Endocrinology, The Society for General Microbiology, Unilever plc. Help with equipment, facilities and services has been received from: AXA Investment Management, Horticultural Research International, Institute of Biology, The Natural History Museum, Lord Stevenson of Coddenham, and WPP.

Where:

Ahhh in the UK, we could have it translated into Spanish and Catalan for the Spanish public? Maybe? Or have a wee Barcelona franchise SaS? I will email as talk to them about it if everyone is ok with that? And see how we can maybe work together.

That’s me I think……. See you in the bar next week…Roni