Communicating Research
Events at universities
This section provides a look at the innovative events and programs being organized at universities across Canada that are designed to promote researchers and their work. Websites are provided for a detailed description of the event, as well as dates and times.
Athabasca University
Lunch ‘n’ Learn
The Lunch ‘n’ Learn series provides faculty and professional staff the opportunity to disseminate research, present papers and build the collegial research atmosphere of the University. Visiting presenters to the university are also encouraged to participate in the Lunch ‘n’ Learn.
For a list of the past year’s presenters, please visit: http://www.athabascau.ca/research/lunch-n-learn.html
Bishop’s University
Annual Bishop’s Research Week - held in March
Research Week is a unique opportunity to promote research in all fields of study to the Bishop’s community, to enrich the students’ learning experience, to encourage the pursuit of advanced study and academic careers, and to encourage and recognize student-professor collaborations.
http://www.ubishops.ca/research/research-week/index.html
University of British Columbia
Research Awareness Week
UBC hosts an annual Research Awareness Week every March, which includes free public forums, symposia, research days, and exhibits, all highlighting outstanding research. The week also includes aCelebrate Research Gala where the accomplishments of UBC research award winners are celebrated.
A full list of Research Awareness Week events can be found at:
http://www.celebrateresearch.ubc.ca/
University of Calgary
The Big Rock University
Big Rock Brewery and the University of Calgary have teamed up to offer a lecture series showcasing Calgary professors. This initiative provides mutual benefits to the partners: university faculty gain public profile while the brewery uses the lecture as a means to attract members of the community to their facility to enjoy food prepared by their chef and sample their beers.
For more on the lecture series visit: http://www.bigrockbeer.com/events-lecture.htm
University of Manitoba
Smartpark Interactive
Smartpark Interactive is a series of events, workshops and receptions— designed to connect people in technology-driven research, business and government communities. All events are held at the world-class research and technology park at the University of Manitoba’s Fort Garry Campus.
For a list of upcoming events visit: www.umanitoba.ca/research/smartpark/interactive/
McMaster University
Science in the City
McMaster University, in partnership with the local newspaper, The Hamilton Spectator, sponsors a program called the Science in the City Lecture Series, which is an opportunity for the community to learn more about research in the areas of engineering, science and health sciences. The lectures are free and open to the public.
For a list of public lecture topics and more on the researchers visit: http://www.mcmaster.ca/research/ScienceintheCity.htm
University of Ottawa
'Frontiers in Research' lectures
This free lecture series allows the public to learn more about a given issue or research field from prominent thinkers from a range of institutions and organizations.
To read more about this year’s lectures or to review presentations from past lectures visit:
http://www.research.uottawa.ca/frontiers/
Université de Sherbrooke
Journée de la recherche
Since 2000, the Université de Sherbrooke has been organizing a one-day multidisciplinary research congress called Journée de la recherche. Graduate students from all faculties participate in the event, which includes presentations to the public, a debate between professors and students, and workshops for graduate students.
For more information and descriptions of this year's events visit: http://www.usherbrooke.ca/jrecherche/programme.html
Simon Fraser University
Research Matters website
This website illustrates the many ways that SFU research and scholarship have an impact locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally. The site is a part of a major initiative to increase awareness of the research and scholarship performed at SFU.
Visit the Research Matters Web site at:
http://www.sfu.ca/vpresearch/research+matters.html
Vancouver GreenTech Forum
VGF is an evening event held on the second Thursday of each month connecting Greentech researchers and professionals and SFU’s TIME Ventures Incubator. The forum includes keynote speakers, Greentech pitches, an elevator pitch competition, and networking with Greentech professionals.
http://www.sfu.ca/uilo/VGF.html
University of Victoria
UVic knowlEDGE
KnowlEDGE is a series of profiles and stories about research at the University of Victoria, which are written by faculty and students of UVic’s SPARK program. For the latest edition as well as the archives visit: http://communications.uvic.ca/edge/index.html
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Public events
These initiatives all showcase outstanding research accomplishments in a variety of fields and in a variety of ways. These events and programs help communicate the impact of research on our daily lives to decision makers and the general public.
6th World Conference of Science Journalists
The 6th World Conference of Science Journalists will be hosted in London, UK in 2009. The three-day event will include optional satellite conferences, meetings and tours.
For more details visit: http://www.wcsj2009.org/
Bacon and Eggheads
These breakfast lectures bring together Parliamentarians with experts in science and engineering, showcasing outstanding Canadian research accomplishments. Breakfasts are organized by the Partnership Group for Science and Engineering, which is a cooperative association of national organizations in science and engineering with combined memberships of about 50,000.
For more information visit: http://www.pagse.org/en/breakfasts.htm
Breakfast on the Hill
This program brings research results directly to the attention of Parliamentarians and their staff, senior public servants and the media. Begun in 1994 by the Canadian Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences, the breakfasts are held in the parliamentary restaurant and foster a broader understanding of the role of social science and humanities research in the development of public policy.
For more information and a list of past seminars visit: http://www.fedcan.ca/english/boh
CRAM Science
CRAM Science is a non-profit organization that aims to promote a life-long interest in science among teenagers. It is an e-zine that uses many multimedia tools to provide engaging materials and activities related to how Science fits into the daily lives of teenagers.
The contents offer students a chance to pose scientific questions to scientists, participate in online scientific experiments and find out more information on science-related careers. Everything on the site is presented to teens in a way that interests them, often using pop culture examples.
To view the site visit: http://www.cramscience.ca/
Innovation Canada
Innovation Canada, the Canada Foundation for Innovation's e-zine, features exciting, leading-edge research taking place in universities and research institutions across the country.
To view the latest edition visit: http://www.innovationcanada.ca/
L’Oreal Canada
Girls’ Mentorship Program
An extension of the L’Oreal-UNESCO “For Women in Science”, this program offers young girls the chance to talk about their scientific career aspirations with women who are already successful in science.
The program aims to match women working in the fields of science, engineering, technology, math and business with young girls who are looking into these same fields. Profiles of mentors are posted online and girls are able to choose who they would like to contact.
For more information, visit http://www.girls.actua.ca/mentorship/index.html
Math Outreach
MITACS has also developed a national Mathematics Outreach Program with two activities to inspire kids’ interest in mathematics and the mathematical sciences. MathAmaze / Math en Jeu is a free, online, multiplayer mathematics quiz game aimed at elementary and high school students. Show Math is a live, multimedia stage show for high school students, which combines humour and skits to introduce students to the history of math, cryptography and probability. Operating since 2005, Show Math has been performed in Quebec, Ontario, New Brunswick and British Columbia.
http://www.mitacs.ca/main.php?mid=10000427&pid=348
NSERC News Bulletin : Success Stories
The NSERC News Bulletin Success Stories is a window on the latest developments in Canadian science and engineering.
For more on this service, subscription details, and the bulletin archives visit:
http://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/Media-Media/SuccessStories-Reussites_eng.asp
Royal Canadian Institute for the Advancement of Science
Sunday Lectures
The Royal Canadian Institute for the Advancement of Science is the oldest surviving scientific society in Canada and was founded by a group of civil engineers, surveyors and architects in 1849. The group was originally led by Sandford Fleming.
Its mission is to enhance public awareness in the field of science. The Sunday Science Lecture series is one of their longest standing programs. All of the lectures are held on the University of Toronto campus and discuss various aspects of science today. A second lecture series is held on Thursday evenings at the Mississauga Central Library.
To find out dates and topics of this year’s lecture series, or to view multimedia presentations of the 2005 lectures, please visit: http://www.psych.utoronto.ca/~rci/
Science Exhibition 2011
The Musee de la Civilisation in Quebec City, jointly with MITACS Inc. and the Université Laval, are proposing Science Exhibition 2011 to showcase cutting edge science. The Exhibition will give patrons the opportunity to have an interactive, hands-on experience. The purpose is to highlight how science moves through all aspects of society, from universities to industry and to the final users.
Proposals are currently being accepted for specific aspects of cutting edge science to be presented at the Exhibition. Selections will be based on the novelty of science, relevance of its possible applications, the interactive component of the proposal and the ability to reach out and excite young people. For further information about where to send proposals, or more information on the Exhibition itself, please visit: http://www.mitacs.ca/main.php?mid=10000235&pid=192
Science pour tous
Science pour tous (Science for all) is a non-profit Quebecois organization that brings together scientific and cultural organizations to promote general scientific knowledge.
One of its most successful activities is “24 hours of science”, an event showcasing researchers and their findings. The activities of the event touch on all areas of science and are intended to stimulate public interest in science and technology and to promote scientific careers to younger Canadians.
http://www.sciencepourtous.qc.ca/
Students Promoting Awareness of Research Knowledge (SPARK)
NSERC's SPARK (Students Promoting Awareness of Research Knowledge) program was launched in 1999 at ten universities across Canada. Through SPARK, which is based on the University of Guelph's highly successful program, students with an aptitude for communications are recruited, trained and paid to write stories based on the NSERC-supported research at participating universities.
For SPARK news, contacts and stories visit:
http://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/Promoter-Promotion/SPARK-ECLATS_eng.asp
University Research Magazine Association
The U.S.-based University Research Magazine Association promotes excellence and professionalism among those who publish magazines written for the general public and special constituencies which are dedicated to the research and scholarly activities of a university, nonprofit research centre or institute.
To learn more about URMA or to apply for membership visit: http://www.urma.org/index.html
Science and journalism
The Banff Centre
The Banff Centre Science Communications program
The Banff centre now offers a two-week intensive program aimed at scientists and communicators who want to discover new ways to present science. Professional communicators and scientists will work through the rigorous program with workshops, debates, visits, talks and one-on-one dialogue with some of the worlds leading science communicators.
For information on how to apply and detailed course descriptions and requirements, please visit: http://www.banffcentre.ca/programs/program.aspx?id=806
Canadian Foundation for Innovation: Science Writing Award
The Canadian Foundation for Innovation presents this award to recognize a writer who has developed an outstanding print story that contributes to an increased awareness and understanding of science in Canada.
Submissions must have been written for a lay audience and must have appeared in a Canadian publication between a given set of dates. The award carries a $2,500 cash award. The winning entry will be featured in the Canadian Foundation for Innovation’s online magazine.
For more information on the award process visit:
http://www.innovation.ca/en/mediaroom/cfi-science-writing-award
Canadian Science Writers' Association
The Canadian Science Writers' Association is a national association with more than 450 members including media professionals, communications officers in science and technology institutions, technical writers and educators — all of whom are committed to increasing public awareness of Canadian science.
For upcoming events or to become a member visit: http://www.sciencewriters.ca/
CSWA Science in Society Journalism Awards
Canadian Science Writers' Association holds an annual national Science in Society Journalism Awards competition to honour outstanding contributions to journalism in the Canadian media. Each award carries a $1000 prize value. The Science in Society Journalism Awards are presented each year at a gala event during the CSWA’s annual conference.
Ernest C. Manning Awards Foundation
The Young Canadian Program
Introduced in 1992, this program recognizes eight innovative projects selected by a team of judges at the Canadian Science Fair each year. Each project receives $500, presented at the Science Fair awards ceremonies. The eight are further judged and four are chosen to receive $4,000 Manning Young Canadian Innovation Awards.
Ideas and past winners are included at the web site: http://www.manningawards.ca/pressroom/pressroom.htm
Manning Awards of Innovation
Four awards are given each year to those involved in science who have demonstrated innovative talent in developing and successfully marketing a new concept, process or procedure.
The Principal Award is valued at $100,000, the Award of Distinction is valued at $75,000 and the Innovation Awards are valued at $10,000 and two are given out.
For past winners and further information on application procedures, please visit: http://www.manningawards.ca/pressroom/pressroom.htm
Laurentian University and Science North
Graduate Diploma in Science Communication
Science North and Laurentian University have combined their expertise in a multidisciplinary one-year program that links theory and practical experience in communicating science.
This is a program created for those with a science background, not necessarily a science degree, and for those who enjoy the art of explaining things. In the face of such a challenging and changing world, science communicators must illuminate new discoveries and the process to get to those discoveries in a way that is clear to all.
For more information on this program, please visit the website: http://www.sciencecommunication.ca/
The McNeil Medal for the Public Awareness of Science
Established in 1991, this award is intended to highlight the important role that science plays in our society. It is also in place to encourage the communication of scientific practices to students and the public.
The medal is awarded to the individual who best demonstrates the ability to promote and communicate science to students and the general public in Canada. There is a cash award of $1,500 and a bronze medal.
Further information and past award recipients biographies can be found at: www.rsc.ca/index.php?page_id=61&award_id=18&lang_id=1
Research Money Magazine
First published in 1987, Research Money provides information and analysis on trends happening in science and technology policy and investment. Published 20 times per year, the magazine is available in print and web versions.
For subscription rates or to subscribe visit: http://researchmoneyinc.com/
Sanofi Pasteur Medal for Excellence in Health Research Journalism
This is awarded to a journalist who demonstrated excellence in the reporting of health research in print form. Applicants for the award must have demonstrated an interest and effort in reporting health research issues within Canada.
The award was established to recognize the pivotal role that journalists play in raising public awareness of the importance of health research in Canada. The award is presented at a gala event at the annual conference of the Canadian Science Writers’ Association.
Further information on the award can be found by visiting the website at:
www.chrcrm.org/main/modules/pageworks/index.php?page=028&id=211
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