The end of the world in 2012? Science communication and science scares

Professor Jocelyn Bell Burnell DBE FRS, University of Oxford

21st December 2012 marks an ending of the Mayan calendar and is asserted by some to mark the end of the world. This scare is examined from an astronomical point of view, followed by some reflections on what the scare tells us about the communication of science.

This lecture is the 2011 Michael Faraday Prize Lecture.

Now a Visiting Professor at Oxford University, Professor Bell Burnell has been Dean of Science at the University of Bath and for ten years Professor of Physics at The Open University, with a year as a Distinguished Visiting Professor at Princeton University, USA. A Physics degree at Glasgow University, was followed by a PhD at Cambridge in radio astronomy. During her time there she was involved in the discovery of pulsars.

In 2008 she became the first female President of the Institute of Physics. She is a fellow of the Royal Society and a Foreign Member of the US National Academy of Science, and has received numerous awards from learned bodies and universities in the UK and the USA. Professor Bell Burnell sees public engagement with science as important, and by being visible she hopes to encourage more women into science.

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BIT's 1st Annual World Congress of Nano-S&T

IT's 1st Annual World Congress of Nano-S&T
Theme: A Dedicated Events for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Professionals
Time: October 23-26, 2011
Venue: World EXPO Center, Dalian, China

Nano S&T-2011 aims to offer professionals in Nano related filed a multidisciplinary platform to learn more about the latest scientific updates and current industry standards. Participants will explore intimate knowledge of the research, business and investment activities occurring throughout the global nanotechnology community through business and technology plans. It consists of 1 plenary forum from a panel of leading experts in nano science and technology, 1 focused parallel conference on nanomedicine, 16 tracks of parallel scientific symposia on basic research to industrial development, 500+ Oral Presentations by Top Level Engineers and Scientists in Nano S&T and 100+ Poster Presentations for Updating Current Nano S&T. Nano S&T-2011 provides an ideal platform to showcase your novel technologies and products in China. It is developed to offer comfort to delegates while maximizing exhibitor exposure, the coffee breaks and poster sessions will all take place in the exhibition area promoting frequent repeated opportunities for delegates to visit the exhibits. It is estimated that 1500+ professionals will visit the conference this time.

For Speech Opportunity
Ms. Selina Zhao
Organizing Commission of Nano S&T-2011
26 Gaoneng St., F4
Dalian Hightech Zone
Dalian, LN 116025, China
Tel: 0086-411-84799609-801
Fax: 0086-411-84799629
Email: selina@bitconferences.com

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Numbers For a Better World

The IAEA?s contribution to worldwide stats may be small, but is invaluable to the nuclear community.

When it comes to economic and social development, knowledge is power. Understanding past and current trends provides indispensible information that can be used to make decisions that will profoundly affect future generations.

Comprehending the value of accurate numerical data, the IAEA joined other international organisations based at the Vienna International Centre in Austria to recognise the first ever World Statistics Day on 13 October.

?Statistics are often considered cold and impersonal, but if you gather the right information and apply the knowledge you gain in the right way, statistics can save lives,? said Jong Kyun Park, Director of the IAEA?s Division of Nuclear Power.

The IAEA?s contribution to worldwide stats may be small, but is invaluable to the nuclear community.

Its Power Reactor Information System (PRIS) is the largest collection of global statistical information on nuclear operating experience and can be used to systematically assess performance by looking at outage causes. PRIS contains two kinds of data: general and design information on power reactors, and data on operating experience with nuclear power plants.

Also, the IAEA?s Planning and Economic Studies Section (PESS) maintains information references of energy and economic data for all Member States, plus nuclear power projections through 2030.

As the expert UN agency on nuclear energy, the IAEA conducts research and provides input for international negotiations on climate change and sustainable development.

A project on Indicators for Sustainable Energy Development is also in progress.

See Story Resources for more information.

-- By Sasha Henriques, IAEA Division of Public Information

View the original article here

Numbers For a Better World

The IAEA?s contribution to worldwide stats may be small, but is invaluable to the nuclear community.

When it comes to economic and social development, knowledge is power. Understanding past and current trends provides indispensible information that can be used to make decisions that will profoundly affect future generations.

Comprehending the value of accurate numerical data, the IAEA joined other international organisations based at the Vienna International Centre in Austria to recognise the first ever World Statistics Day on 13 October.

?Statistics are often considered cold and impersonal, but if you gather the right information and apply the knowledge you gain in the right way, statistics can save lives,? said Jong Kyun Park, Director of the IAEA?s Division of Nuclear Power.

The IAEA?s contribution to worldwide stats may be small, but is invaluable to the nuclear community.

Its Power Reactor Information System (PRIS) is the largest collection of global statistical information on nuclear operating experience and can be used to systematically assess performance by looking at outage causes. PRIS contains two kinds of data: general and design information on power reactors, and data on operating experience with nuclear power plants.

Also, the IAEA?s Planning and Economic Studies Section (PESS) maintains information references of energy and economic data for all Member States, plus nuclear power projections through 2030.

As the expert UN agency on nuclear energy, the IAEA conducts research and provides input for international negotiations on climate change and sustainable development.

A project on Indicators for Sustainable Energy Development is also in progress.

See Story Resources for more information.

-- By Sasha Henriques, IAEA Division of Public Information

View the original article here