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<DIV class=bighead align=left>CALL FOR ABSTRACTS </DIV></TD></TR>
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<P class=smallhdorange align=left>Dear Colleagues, </P>
<P class=bodytext align=left>On <STRONG>18-21 February
2009</STRONG>, 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. </P>
<P class=bodytext align=left>Anchored by a highly successful 1st
ASCC in 2006, thematic sessions will address: </P>
<P class=bodytext align=left> The translation of research
for:<BR> policy,<BR> economically viable products or
initiatives,<BR> the facilitation of trans- and
inter-disciplinary research; and<BR> an informed society
through the mass media.<BR> Science, engineering and
technology human skills development, education and
learning;<BR> Science and the media<BR> International
benchmark activities in Science Communication;<BR> Research
and development in Science Communication. </P>
<P class=bodytext align=left>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. <STRONG>The deadline for
abstract submission is October 16 2008</STRONG>. </P>
<P class=bodytext align=left>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. </P>
<P class=bodytext align=left>Sincerely yours, </P>
<P class=bodytext align=left><STRONG>2nd ASCC Conference Committee
Members</STRONG><BR>Ms Beverley Damonse; Mr Diran Onifade; Prof
Sospeter Muhongo; Mr Andrea Bandelli; Prof Anusuya Chinsamy-Turan;
Mr Lorenzo Raynard </P></TD></TR>
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<DIV align=left>ABSTRACT GUIDELINES </DIV></TD></TR>
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<P class=bodytext>The 2nd African Science Communication Conference
Committee has issued this Call for Abstracts to solicit abstract
proposals from people interested in convening <STRONG>individual
oral presentations, workshops, roundtable sessions </STRONG>or
<STRONG>poster presentations </STRONG>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: </P>
<P class=bodytext> Science reporters / journalists<BR>
Academic researchers and scientists<BR> Policy makers /
decision makers<BR> Industry partners<BR> Science
communicators. </P>
<P class=bodytext>All accepted abstracts for individual oral
presentations, workshops, roundtable sessions and poster
presentations, will have <STRONG>ONE day of the total conference
registration costs waived. </STRONG>This will be reimbursed or
discounted on the day of registering to the conference. </P>
<P class=bodytext>Abstracts will be reviewed by the 2nd ASCC
Committee, and authors will be notified in writing if accepted to
serve as a presenter. <BR>All committee decisions are
final.</P></DIV></TD></TR>
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<DIV class=head align=left>CONFERENCE PROGRAMME CATEGORIES AND
THEMES</DIV></TD></TR>
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<P class=bodytext>The 2nd ASCC Programme sessions fall into four
categories: individual presentations, workshops, roundtable sessions
and poster presentations. </P>
<P class=bodytext> <STRONG>Individual oral presentations:
</STRONG>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. </P>
<P class=bodytext> <STRONG>Workshops: </STRONG>A workshop is
an in-depth, two-hour presentation on a topic relevant to one or
more of the conference themes. </P>
<P class=bodytext> <STRONG>Roundtables: </STRONG>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. </P>
<P><SPAN class=bodytext> <STRONG>Poster Presentation:
</STRONG>Poster presentations are placard-type exhibits relevant to
one or more of the conference themes displayed in a special
exhibition area at the conference.</SPAN> </P></DIV></TD></TR>
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<P align=left>All conference programme presentations are relevant to
one or more of the five 2nd ASCC themes. These are: </P>
<P align=left> <STRONG>The translation of research
for:<BR></STRONG> <STRONG>policy,<BR></STRONG>
<STRONG>economically viable products or
initiatives,<BR></STRONG> <STRONG>the facilitation of trans-
and inter-disciplinary research; and<BR></STRONG> <STRONG>an
informed society through the mass media.<BR></STRONG>
<STRONG>Science, engineering and technology human skills
development, education and learning;<BR></STRONG>
<STRONG>Science and the media<BR></STRONG>
<STRONG>International benchmark activities in Science
Communication;<BR></STRONG><STRONG> <STRONG></STRONG>Research
and development in Science Communication </STRONG></P></TD></TR>
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<DIV align=left>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 </DIV></TD></TR>
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<P class=bodytext align=left>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. </P>
<P class=bodytext align=left>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. </P></TD></TR>
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<DIV class=head align=left>THEME 2) SCIENCE, ENGINEERING AND
TECHNOLOGY, HUMAN SKILLS DEVELOPMENT, EDUCATION AND LEARNING
</DIV></TD></TR>
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<DIV class=bodytext align=left>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. </DIV></TD></TR>
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<P class=head>THEME 3) SCIENCE AND THE MEDIA </P></DIV></TD></TR>
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<P class=bodytext>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.
</P></DIV></TD></TR>
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<DIV align=left>THEME 4) INTERNATIONAL BENCHMARK ACTIVITIES IN
SCIENCE COMMUNICATION </DIV></TD></TR>
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<DIV align=left>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. </DIV></TD></TR>
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<DIV align=left>THEME 5) RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN SCIENCE
COMMUNICATION</DIV></TD></TR>
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<P class=bodytext align=left>This theme seeks abstracts following
academic publication in the area of science communication,
communication for development, behavioural change communication,
etc. </P></TD></TR>
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<DIV align=left>ABSTRACT SUBMISSION GUIDELINES </DIV></TD></TR>
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<P align=left><SPAN class=bodytext>Please use the following
guidelines to prepare your abstract submission. For additional
guidance, or to submit an abstract online, please visit</SPAN> <A
class=abody href="http://www.saasta.ac.za/application/"
target=_blank>http://www.saasta.ac.za/application/</A> </P>
<P class=bodytext align=left> 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. </P>
<P align=left><SPAN class=bodytext> 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
<STRONG>ONLY </STRONG>as a seminar, do not indicate on the form that
it also should be considered for selection as a workshop, roundtable
or poster presentation.</SPAN> </P></TD></TR>
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<DIV align=left>ABSTRACT SUBMISSION FORMATS </DIV></TD></TR>
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<P class=bodytext align=left>Authors are required to submit
abstracts in one of the following formats: </P>
<P class=bodytext align=left><STRONG class=smallhdorange>Format I:
</STRONG>For abstracts concerning a specific programme, project or
study: </P>
<P class=bodytext align=left> <STRONG>OBJECTIVE:
</STRONG>Describe the purpose of the programme, project or
study.<BR> <STRONG>METHODS: </STRONG>Briefly describe the
methods or strategies used in the programme.<BR>
<STRONG>RESULTS: </STRONG>Describe the objective outcomes of the
programme, project or study. Include quantifiable data, if
possible.<BR> <STRONG>CONCLUSIONS: </STRONG>State the
conclusions reached as a result of the programme. </P>
<P class=bodytext align=left><BR><STRONG class=smallhdorange>Format
II: </STRONG>For abstracts addressing a broader issue area, problem
or community need: </P>
<P class=bodytext align=left> <STRONG>TOPIC:
</STRONG>Identify the topic of the proposed presentation.<BR>
<STRONG>ISSUES: </STRONG>Dictating the specific issues, problems or
needs it will teach or discuss.<BR> <STRONG>LEARNING
OBJECTIVES: </STRONG>Describe what the audience will learn from the
presentation.<BR> <STRONG>STRATEGIES, METHODS, MODELS, and
EXAMPLES: </STRONG>Provide information about the teaching or
discussion strategies and <BR>methods that will be employed. Include
models or examples, if possible. </P></TD></TR>
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<DIV class=head align=left>SUBMISSION DEADLINES</DIV></TD></TR>
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<P class=bodytext align=left>Please complete and return the abstract
submission form on or before <STRONG>October 16 2008</STRONG> by
<STRONG>17h00 (GMT+02h00)</STRONG>, to the <BR>following address:
</P>
<P class=bodytext align=left>2nd ASCC Abstract
Submissions<BR>SAASTA<BR>PO Box 1758<BR>Pretoria Central<BR>SOUTH
AFRICA <BR>0001 </P>
<P align=left><SPAN class=bodytext><STRONG>Please note:
</STRONG>Abstract submissions will only be accepted by postal mail
or be online submission. Faxed submissions will <STRONG>NOT
</STRONG><BR>be considered.</SPAN> </P></TD></TR>
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<DIV class=head align=left>HONORARIUM AND REIMBURSEMENT </DIV></TD></TR>
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<P class=bodytext>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 <STRONG>ONE</STRONG> day of the total conference
registration costs waived. This will be reimbursed or discounted on
the day of registering to the conference. </P></DIV></TD></TR>
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<DIV align=left>QUESTIONS</DIV></TD></TR>
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<P class=bodytext align=left>For additional information visit the
2nd ASCC website at <A class=abody href="http://www.saasta.ac.za/"
target=_blank>www.saasta.ac.za</A> or contact </P>
<P align=left><SPAN class=bodytext><STRONG>Ms Maphefo Chauke,
Project Officer, SAASTA</STRONG><BR>E-mail address: </SPAN><A
class=abody
href="mailto:maphefo.chauke@saasta.ac.za">maphefo.chauke@saasta.ac.za</A><SPAN
class=bodytext><BR>Telephone number: +27 12 392 9300<BR>Facsimile
Number: +27 12 320 7803</SPAN> </P></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR>
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