#scicomm events from STEMPRA (science tech eng med PR assoc’n) media law | TV expts

STEMPRA is an organisation which has its own rather fab mailing list – I’ve been a member for a couple of years, ever since I went to an event. Recommend signing up if you have ??15 to spare and an interest in science communication http://www.stempra.org.uk/ “Stempra, the science, technology, engineering and medicine public relations association, is an informal network set up to bring together people working in science communication. We offer the opportunity for people to get together and share information and expertise – via events, a newsletter and email discussion list.” There is some cross over on the list with PSCI-COM (which is free, browsable at https://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/webadmin?A0=psci-com [scroll down a bit] and joinable at https://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/webadmin?SUBED1=PSCI-COM&A=1). _________________________________ STEMPRA events (science, technology, engineering and medicine public relations association) Cost: Free for Stempra members, ??15 for non-members (includes Stempra membership) – further details below. Do you know your media law? – Wednesday 18 November Libel-related stories have peppered our papers in recent weeks, from the case of Simon Singh versus the British Chiropractic Associaton, to the injunction against the Guardian that was eventually dropped by oil trader Trafigura. Romana Canneti, a media lawyer who advises a range of newspapers including the Independent, will talk about her work proofing articles for potential libels, and offer tips and advice on ways to avoid getting into trouble with the libel laws. Tea/coffee refreshments will be provided before the event, and the talk will be followed by a reception. Date: Wednesday 18 November 2009 Time: Doors open at 6.30pm, talk starts at 7.00pm Venue: The Wellcome Trust, 215 Euston Road, London NW1 2BE Map: www.wellcome.ac.uk Cost: Free for Stempra members, ??15 for non-members (includes annual membership fee) To register: please email events@stempra.org.uk The rise of the TV Experiment – Thursday 3 December How should press officers respond to requests for live caterpillars or petri dishes filled with cancer cells? How do you get ethical approval for a TV presenter to be experimented on by your scientist? With the rise of programmes like Brainiac and pseudo-experiments conducted on TV, producers seem to be asking more and quirkier things of us than ever before. These and other issues will be debated at our Christmas session featuring guest speaker Jonathan Sanderson, an ex-physicist with many years experience in television. Jonathan has worked on Adam Hart-Davis’ Local Heroes, ITV’s Big Bang, STV’s How2 and most recently online for BBC One’s Bang Goes the Theory. Jonathan will offer insights into what goes on behind the camera and share tips on how press officers can best work with TV crews. UCL chemists Rosie Coates and Matthew Waugh will scorch some christmas puddings to kick off the festivities. Wine, soft drinks and ‘festive’ nibbles will be served. However, the puddings themselves are unlikely to be edible after passing through the hands of the chemists. Date: Thursday 3 December 2009 Time: 7.00 – 9.30pm Venue: Old Refectory, Main Building, UCL, Gower St, London WC1E 6BT Map: www.ucl.ac.uk Cost: Free for Stempra members, ??15 for non-members (includes Stempra membership joining fee) To register: please email events@stempra.org.uk To find out more about these and other events, please visit www.stempra.org.uk.