[AstroNet] Call for Abstracts - 2nd ASCC 2009
Gareth Allison - Webfactory
gareth at webfactory.co.za
Mon Aug 4 17:18:08 SAST 2008
SAASTAIf you are having trouble viewing this email, please click here for an online version.
CALL FOR ABSTRACTS
Dear Colleagues,
On 18-21 February 2009, the 2nd African Science Communications Conference (ASCC) will convene in Gauteng, South Africa. The theme of the 2nd ASCC will be "Shaping Africa's Future: Science Communication's contribution to Science, Technology and Innovation, and the development of democracy in Africa ". With an emphasis on integrating academic research with policy-decision making and industry, the meeting will address important issues in the development and advancement of Science Communication.
Anchored by a highly successful 1st ASCC in 2006, thematic sessions will address:
. The translation of research for:
. policy,
. economically viable products or initiatives,
. the facilitation of trans- and inter-disciplinary research; and
. an informed society through the mass media.
. Science, engineering and technology human skills development, education and learning;
. Science and the media
. International benchmark activities in Science Communication;
. Research and development in Science Communication.
We are particularly interested in attracting abstracts related to the broad topics mentioned above. Accordingly, we invite you and your colleagues to submit abstracts for consideration for presentation at the conference. Please use the enclosed abstract form as your guide. The deadline for abstract submission is October 16 2008.
We look forward to your participation in the 2nd African Science Communications Conference and to a combination of outstanding science and great fun. We hope that you and your colleagues will be able to join us.
Sincerely yours,
2nd ASCC Conference Committee Members
Ms Beverley Damonse; Mr Diran Onifade; Prof Sospeter Muhongo; Mr Andrea Bandelli; Prof Anusuya Chinsamy-Turan; Mr Lorenzo Raynard
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ABSTRACT GUIDELINES
The 2nd African Science Communication Conference Committee has issued this Call for Abstracts to solicit abstract proposals from people interested in convening individual oral presentations, workshops, roundtable sessions or poster presentations at the 2nd ASCC. The call goes out to people working as communicators, which includes science reporters and journalists, ICT specialists, as well as people working in science centres, private and public research centres, science councils, industry, the media, the education field and professional practitioners. In short, the following key groups are included:
. Science reporters / journalists
. Academic researchers and scientists
. Policy makers / decision makers
. Industry partners
. Science communicators.
All accepted abstracts for individual oral presentations, workshops, roundtable sessions and poster presentations, will have ONE day of the total conference registration costs waived. This will be reimbursed or discounted on the day of registering to the conference.
Abstracts will be reviewed by the 2nd ASCC Committee, and authors will be notified in writing if accepted to serve as a presenter.
All committee decisions are final.
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CONFERENCE PROGRAMME CATEGORIES AND THEMES
The 2nd ASCC Programme sessions fall into four categories: individual presentations, workshops, roundtable sessions and poster presentations.
. Individual oral presentations: Each oral presentation will be 20 minutes long with 10 minutes to deliberate. The conference committee will cluster the presentations according to the respective Science Communication topics and relevant community groups.
. Workshops: A workshop is an in-depth, two-hour presentation on a topic relevant to one or more of the conference themes.
. Roundtables: A roundtable is a 90-minute, informal participatory session at a table of participants concerning a topic relevant to one or more of the conference themes. The roundtable leader facilitates discussion among all session attendees.
. Poster Presentation: Poster presentations are placard-type exhibits relevant to one or more of the conference themes displayed in a special exhibition area at the conference.
All conference programme presentations are relevant to one or more of the five 2nd ASCC themes. These are:
. The translation of research for:
. policy,
. economically viable products or initiatives,
. the facilitation of trans- and inter-disciplinary research; and
. an informed society through the mass media.
. Science, engineering and technology human skills development, education and learning;
. Science and the media
. International benchmark activities in Science Communication;
. Research and development in Science Communication
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THEME 1) THE TRANSLATION OF RESEARCH FOR a) POLICY b) ECONOMICALLY VIABLE PRODUCTS OR INITIATIVES; c) THE FACILITATION OF TRANS- AND INTER-DISCIPLINARY RESEARCH; AND d) AN INFORMED SOCIETY THROUGH THE MASS MEDIA
The translation theme brings together a diverse group of professionals linked to the system of innovation and the practical application of research into everyday lives. This is done by following through on the process of creating an enabling environment for research to flourish; followed by that research reaching its full glory in practical application and feeding the African economy as it is taken up by industry; and improves every day lives by influencing policy by reaching the decision makers. Abstract submission could possibly profile case studies where the effective translation of academic research resulted into policy changes, innovative or financially viable products, or behavioural and attitudinal change. The profiling of health science communication methods to deal with HIV and AIDS, TB and Malaria may be profiled here. The influence environmental research has had on policy-related decisions may be another area of focus.
This theme seeks abstracts which includes the profiling of case studies where the effective communication of research has lead to even further research being identified and conducted across the vast range of often silo'd research disciplines, aetiologies, fields of interests and subject matters. The theme also seeks interactive abstracts that address typical obstacles that prevent such a transfer or diffusion of information and knowledge such as intellectual property issues, academic accreditation, publishing rights, and access to information, etc.
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THEME 2) SCIENCE, ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY, HUMAN SKILLS DEVELOPMENT, EDUCATION AND LEARNING
This theme explores the challenges of providing inspirational guidance to learners to enter careers in science, engineering and technology while supporting the educator. Here strategies will be profiled where Science Communication can assist in strengthening the continent's human skills base by ensuring that African youth pursue science, engineering and technology careers; remain in the science, engineering and technology sector; and conducts research in science, engineering and technology. Topics may include issues related to the creative or innovative profiling of science/scientists/innovators/technologists and technicians to the education environment.
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THEME 3) SCIENCE AND THE MEDIA
Here the focus will be on the effective use of the media to profile cutting edge scientific research. Various methods used to bridge the gap between the worlds of media and science can be explored while focusing on what key challenges / opportunities currently exist in the African science reporting sector.
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THEME 4) INTERNATIONAL BENCHMARK ACTIVITIES IN SCIENCE COMMUNICATION
This theme seeks advanced-level abstracts that profile benchmark activities developed in effective science communication across the globe. In particular, how Science Communication has been effective as a pillar for the democratisation of science. Possible topics include, but are not limited to: science centre exhibitory, scientific editing and editorial processes, audience analysis, audience segmentation, public understanding of science, ICT convergence, science on the web, science in the media, etc. In addition, abstracts may profile communicating science from unique African angles, such as: African skies; indigenous knowledge systems; biodiversity and conservation; African origins; and HIV and AIDS.
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THEME 5) RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN SCIENCE COMMUNICATION
This theme seeks abstracts following academic publication in the area of science communication, communication for development, behavioural change communication, etc.
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ABSTRACT SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
Please use the following guidelines to prepare your abstract submission. For additional guidance, or to submit an abstract online, please visit http://www.saasta.ac.za/application/
. Authors must identify their abstract as a seminar, workshop, roundtable or poster presentation, and prepare their submission according to the format, time length and scheduling requirements of each session category. In addition, only one target audience may be selected: beginner, intermediate or advanced.
. Though each abstract may be submitted for consideration in all four session categories, the 2nd ASCC Committee strongly encourage authors to limit their choice to those most appropriate. For instance, if an abstract work ONLY as a seminar, do not indicate on the form that it also should be considered for selection as a workshop, roundtable or poster presentation.
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ABSTRACT SUBMISSION FORMATS
Authors are required to submit abstracts in one of the following formats:
Format I: For abstracts concerning a specific programme, project or study:
. OBJECTIVE: Describe the purpose of the programme, project or study.
. METHODS: Briefly describe the methods or strategies used in the programme.
. RESULTS: Describe the objective outcomes of the programme, project or study. Include quantifiable data, if possible.
. CONCLUSIONS: State the conclusions reached as a result of the programme.
Format II: For abstracts addressing a broader issue area, problem or community need:
. TOPIC: Identify the topic of the proposed presentation.
. ISSUES: Dictating the specific issues, problems or needs it will teach or discuss.
. LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Describe what the audience will learn from the presentation.
. STRATEGIES, METHODS, MODELS, and EXAMPLES: Provide information about the teaching or discussion strategies and
methods that will be employed. Include models or examples, if possible.
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SUBMISSION DEADLINES
Please complete and return the abstract submission form on or before October 16 2008 by 17h00 (GMT+02h00), to the
following address:
2nd ASCC Abstract Submissions
SAASTA
PO Box 1758
Pretoria Central
SOUTH AFRICA
0001
Please note: Abstract submissions will only be accepted by postal mail or be online submission. Faxed submissions will NOT
be considered.
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HONORARIUM AND REIMBURSEMENT
The committee regrets that it cannot offer conference presenters honorariums or reimbursements for food and/or transportation costs. All accepted abstracts for individual oral presentations, workshops, roundtables and poster presentations, however, will have ONE day of the total conference registration costs waived. This will be reimbursed or discounted on the day of registering to the conference.
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QUESTIONS
For additional information visit the 2nd ASCC website at www.saasta.ac.za or contact
Ms Maphefo Chauke, Project Officer, SAASTA
E-mail address: maphefo.chauke at saasta.ac.za
Telephone number: +27 12 392 9300
Facsimile Number: +27 12 320 7803
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