Stempra

 

 



 

Summer 2008


From the Chair

New members

Sci Comm news

Eurochat

Feature: Publicising non peer-reviewed science

Feature: New media, new opportunities

Feature: Spinning science

Event Report: Science and the embargo

Event Report: Podcasting and new media

Interview: Emma Morton, The Sun

 

Stempra newsletter - Summer 2008

From the Chair
Katrina Nevin-Ridley spares a thought for science PR officers defending the cause of 'Frankenstein science' medical research nationwide and looks forward to the future of Stempra as a trend setter in the field of science communications.

News:

Upcoming events
New members
Sci Comm news
Eurochat

Features:

Breaking a golden rule of science public relations
Barnaby Smith, PR Manager from the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, considers the implications of publicising research that is both controversial and potentially unwelcome but is not peer reviewed. Do the public care? Do the media care? Should you care?

New media, new audiences, new opportunities
Louise Dalziel, director of Matchless Content, wonders why so many PR people still ignore the benefits that well-produced web content can bring. With podcasting and vodcasting often failing to satisfy and inspired opportunities missed, how should we be combating the effects of 'attention deficit'?

Spinning science
Craig Brierley, from the Wellcome Trust's media office, exaggerates the implications of research, deceives unwitting journalists and lies to the scientists who trust him. No, he doesn't really. But maybe you would if you didn't know better.

Event Reports:

Hold the front page; science and the embargo
Clowns to the left, jokers to the right; press officers are stuck in the middle of a constant battle between scientists producing research and journalists communicating its results. Imran Khan reports on Stempra's AGM event, where everyone tries to defend the indefensible.

Podcasting and new media
Hot on the heals of the Web 2.0 revolution, Stempra's event on podcasting and new media opened up new channels of communication for all attendees. In her report, MRC press officer Hazel Lambert lets you in on some of the secrets divulged that evening.

Interview:

Emma Morton, Science and Health editor, The Sun
Stempra newsletter talks to Emma about the dreams that keep her going - those Sun scoops that become the talk of the town, PR officers who know what they're doing, scientists who love talking to her and straightforward press releases that don't 'dumb down'.  Not particular at all, is she.

 

This newsletter is edited by Claire Bithell, with help from Simon Levey and Simon Wilde. For feedback, comments or suggestions of topics to cover, please contact newsletter@stempra.org.uk

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