RSNZ/2002 Yearbook/Promoting Science and Technology

2002 Annual Report Of The Royal Society of New Zealand

Incorporating the 2002 Academy Council Yearbook

Promoting science and technology

***Royal Society Alert* and *Science Daily New***s

Science Daily News is an email bulletin consisting of brief summaries of all the day's science news stories. The service is exclusively for Royal Society members. Royal Society Alert is a weekly email newsletter, which goes to members and others on request. It mainly comprises information submitted by universities, crown research institutes, government departments, Royal Society branches, and member organisations. Each issue begins with topical comment by the Chief Executive, Dr Steve Thompson.

A membership survey conducted in August showed that both information services are popular with members. Royal Society Alert is the principal communications vehicle of the Royal Society and the science and technology community.

Media promotion of science and technology

The Royal Society is very active in promoting science and technology through the media, especially in arranging interviews with scientists, both local and international. Radio New Zealand's National Programme has been supportive and conscientious in tackling some of the more challenging topics. Early in 2002, the NZ Herald appointed a very experienced journalist, Simon Collins, as science reporter, resulting in high quality and in-depth treatment of science and technology. The Royal Society keeps close track of media coverage of science and technology through a clippings service, and records the interviews it has initiated.

Television New Zealand is showing greater interest in science and technology with the change to its Charter. Consultants to TVNZ preparing a three-year strategy for science/ education television requested assistance from and collaboration with the Royal Society.

Visits by high profile scientists such as Lord May are very important for the media interest they generate. A number of overseas speakers came to the Royal Society's Conference in November (Being Human: science, culture and fear), all of whom were interviewed on national radio and/or television.

Visit by Robert Lord May, President of the Royal Society of London

Robert Lord May, Professor of Zoology at Oxford University and President of the Royal Society of London, visited New Zealand 4-11 March. He made a profound impression on the audiences he addressed. These included:

a biotechnology conference in Auckland
over 300 guests at the Beehive presentation on "Science in Society Melding Facts and Values"
senior scientists and public servants at a State Services seminar on science policy and issues
over 400 members of the public at the Christchurch UNESCO NZ Science Lecture on "Diminishing Biological Diversity: the Ultimate Threat to our Heritage"
academics at a professional seminar in Christchurch: "Nonlinear phenomena in the spread of viruses among humans, livestock, and on the internet"
senior students who took part in a question and answer session at science alive!, Christchurch

Lord May, Genevieve Becroft, and Dr David Becroft FRSNZ at the Rutherford medal presentation to Professor Peter Gluckman FRS, FRSNZ.
Lord May presented the 2001 Rutherford Medal to Professor Peter Gluckman at Old Government House, The University of Auckland, before a large gathering of Fellows of the Royal Society, staff of the Liggins Institute and the University, family and friends.

The Royal Society is very grateful to the private benefactors, the Ministry of Research, Science and Technology, UNESCO, the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology, and The University of Auckland, who made Lord May's visit and extensive programme possible.

Masterclass! Science

The first Masterclass! Science took place in August. The concept is an extension of the already established arts Masterclasses.

The Royal Society was invited to join with the British Council, Fulbright New Zealand, and Montana Wines, to bring two scientists to New Zealand one from the UK, one from the US to give a series of seminars, lectures and media interviews on a particular topic. The first Masterclass! Science was on climate change and related energy issues and was given by Drs Larry Parker (US) and Kevin Anderson (UK). They toured Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin from 4-13 August. The media coverage of their visit was extensive.

Dr Larry Parker is a Specialist in Energy and Environmental Policy with the Congressional Research Service of the United States Library of Congress.

Dr Kevin Anderson is Senior Research Fellow at the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, Manchester, responsible for research on aviation, transport and the environment.

UNESCO sponsored a public lecture by Larry and Kevin at Wellington's Paramount Theatre, and the Royal Society organised lectures in Christchurch and Dunedin. The Mayor of Dunedin City hosted a farewell reception for Larry and Kevin following the Dunedin lecture. NIWA sponsored a seminar for business people, which was held at The University of Auckland.

The partners wish to acknowledge the help given by Gavin Fisher (NIWA), Roy Geddes (AUT), Jim Johnston (Victoria University), John Peet (Canterbury University), Jake Roos (Otago University), Terry Collier (Ministry of Economic Development) and Robert Tromop (EECA).

Royal Society Communicators Programme

This programme, funded by the Ministry of Research, Science and Technology, identifies speakers who are willing to talk to general audiences and seeks out speaking opportunities for them. The Royal Society has contracted Jim Tully (The Department of Mass Communication and Journalism, University of Canterbury) and Lee Wilkinson (Communicate Consultants Ltd) to run courses in media and presentation skills for scientists who are prepared to make themselves available for speaking engagements through this programme. Courses were held in Auckland (two), Wellington, and Christchurch. Participants were shortlisted with the invaluable assistance of Companions of the Royal Society and Branch Presidents. The courses are considered to be very practical and worthwhile, reflected in the number of applicants for subsequent courses.

Communications course by Professor Pierre Laszlo

The Royal Society worked with the French Embassy in Wellington to organise a four-day course on science communication, led by Professor Pierre Laszlo, a chemist who is well-known in France for popularising science. The course was very successful; participants enjoyed the chance to meet scientists from other locations and disciplines. Each day, a guest speaker addressed the group, which post-course evaluations showed to be very popular. Our thanks to Professor Paul Callaghan (MacDiarmid Institute), Mr Alan Samson (freelance science writer), Ms Kate Smith (Saatchi & Saatchi), and Mr Francis Wevers (Life Sciences Network) for contributing their time.

Alan MacDiarmid portrait unveiling

On 10 June, the Royal Society hosted a function together with the NZ Portrait Gallery to unveil the portrait of Professor Alan MacDiarmid that was commissioned as part of the prize for the Adam Portraiture Award. Sir Gil Simpson officiated for the Royal Society. The Gallery has very kindly given the Royal Society this beautiful portrait by Marianne Muggeridge on permanent loan.

Professor Maurice Wilkins and the DNA50 celebrations

A portrait of New Zealand-born Nobel Laureate Maurice Wilkins was commissioned in association with the NZ Portrait Gallery. This was made possible by donations from:

Auckland University of Technology
Massey University, College of Sciences
NZ Institute of Chemistry
NZ Institute of Physics
NZ Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biosciences
UNESCO
Victoria University of Wellington, Faculty of Science
Wellington Branch of the Royal Society

The portrait was painted by New Zealand artist Juliet Kac, who lives in Brighton, UK. It was unveiled at a special event in London on 26 November, which was hosted by Kings College and the NZ High Commission. Television One News reported the unveiling and the Holmes Show did a special feature on Professor Wilkins the night before. As a further tribute to him, the Royal Society also commissioned a poem by Chris Orsman, Institute of Modern Letters, Victoria University of Wellington. It was read to Maurice by New Zealand writer Emily Perkins, who is resident in London.

As it turned out, the acquisition of the portrait was timely since 2003 is the 50th anniversary of the discovery of the structure of DNA. The Royal Society applied for, and was awarded, a one-off grant to initiate and coordinate national celebrations of the discovery, in particular to make New Zealanders aware of Wilkins' contribution and the ongoing research work of New Zealand scientists in this field. A number of activities are planned for 2003, principally visits by high profile international scientists and speaking tours by local scientists.

New corporate identity

The graphic design company engaged by the Royal Society, Scenario, updated the logo and applied it to stationery, publications, and the website.