18-20 April 2012, Florence, Italy
12th International Public Communication of Science and Technology
Conference: Quality, Honesty and Beauty in Science Communication
The PCST International Network and the Italian conference hosts have pleasure in
inviting you to submit proposals for presentations at this major event.
I would personally like to urge you to organise a panel / roundtable session around a specific topic of relevance (see below formats).
Proposals are welcome for presentations on science communication and science in
society research, science journalism, science museums public engagement with
science and technology and communication activities by research institutions.
The deadline for proposals is 30 September, 2011. Submitted proposals will be
reviewed by members of PCST Scientific Committee, and the final programme will
be announced in January 2012.
Submissions should include:
1. a description of your proposed paper or session in no more than 2500
characters, including the affiliation of proposed speakers;
2. the proposed format: a paper, discussion, poster etc. A list of possible
formats is below;
3. your contact details.
To submit a proposal, please go to our website at: www.pcst2012.org
General information
All successful proposals will be notified by December 31 2011. Papers will only be
added to the program when the speakers have registered for the conference.
Reduced fees will be available for early registrants and students.
Plenary speeches will be delivered by leading international experts in science
communication research and practice.
The official language of the conference is English. Further details and practical
information about registration and accommodation at www.pcst2012.org
Themes
The overall theme of the conference is Quality, Honesty and Beauty in Science
Communication. Proposals are especially invited on themes such as
• What does quality mean in science communication?
• Evaluating public communication of science
• The art of communicating science
• Ethics and Responsibility in Science Communication
• Aesthetics of Science Communication
Other themes of interest are:
• Communicating the Social Sciences
• Reflexive challenges: Communicating PCST
• Public Communication of Technology: the ‘Cinderella’ of PCST?
• Professionalisation and career models in science communication
• Science centres as forums for communicating controversial science
As always at PCST conferences, proposals are also welcome that address:
• Emerging trends and issues in science communication
• Changing media, changing formats, changing science communication models?
Formats
Proposers are asked to nominate a presentation format from the following list:
Panel sessions/roundtable discussions (3-4 papers/contributions that tackle a
key theme from different angles, with an international perspective).
Individual papers (these will be arranged in thematically linked sessions)
Posters (these will be presented orally as well as being displayed)
Speakers’ Corner (5-minute presentations + 5-minute discussions of an
experience, activity or argument relevant to science communication)*
Performances (dramatisations of issues, debates or controversies relevant to
science communication)*
Show, Tell and Talk (demonstrations of science communication practices
with commentary on their application and effectiveness; these will be
arranged in thematically linked sessions and feedback will be provided by
experienced and qualified mentors. Some will be selected for recognition as
‘Best Practice’)
*= power point free session formats
Important dates and deadlines
1 May 2011 Opening of registration and proposal submissions
30 September 2011 Deadline for proposal submissions
December 2011 Confirmation of proposal acceptance and draft conference
programme
Travel Grants for Junior Participants
Foundation Giannino Bassetti is offering two travel grants for junior participants
presenting papers on the theme of “Responsibility in Science Communication”. The
grants are available for participants under 30 years of age and include the covering
of conference fees plus 600 euros to be used for travel and accommodation. To
apply, go to the Foundation website www.fondazionebassetti.org
Social and Cultural Programme
A rich social programme will be offered to conference participants. Guided tours
to places of scientific interest in Florence and Tuscany will also be available before
and after the conference. Screenings, performances and exhibitions will be
presented during the conference.
Satellite Events
PCST 2012 is a great opportunity for those institutions and groups who wish to
organise workshops or professional meetings as satellite events, taking advantage
of conference facilities and of the presence of an international qualified audience.
Contact the conference secretariat if you are interested.
Exhibition space
An exhibition space will be available for institutions and publishers who wish to
present their activities and publications. For rates and conditions, see
www.pcst2012.org
Conference Venue
Congress Center – Palazzo dei Congressi
Piazza Adua 1 – 50123 Florence
The exhibition and congress facilities in Florence are among the most important
and best equipped in Italy and are capable of holding a number of events at the
same time. The Palazzo is just a few steps from the Central Railway Station of
Santa Maria Novella and 4 km from the motorway exit (A1 Firenze Nord) and the
International Airport Amerigo Vespucci (Peretola).
The Congress Center is hosted in the 19th century Villa Vittoria. The Villa was built
by the Strozzi Ridolfi family and it is located a few steps away from the historical
center of the city. The building is surrounded by a park and it has a large
auditorium with a seating capacity up to 1.100 people.
Jenni Metcalfe
Director, Econnect Communication
www.econnect.com.au
phone: 07 3846 7111; 0408 551 866
jenni@econnect.com.au
skype: jenni.metcalfe
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