Winter 2011

From the Chair

Upcoming events

Eurochat

Sci Comm news

New members

Event Report: NHS reform debate

Event Report: Society of Biology report launch

Event Report: Bright Club

Event Report: Christmas party

Feature: Blurring the lines

Feature: Stem cell patents

Interview: Q&As with new science correspondents

The Last Word

Stempra newsletter

From the Chair

2011 was quite a year for Stempra. Not only did we host a BIS funded training day for press officers, we organised lively events on working with journals and NHS reform and questioned whether twitter is a waste of time. The year culminated in an xmas party in an ‘adult video store’!

I was going to wrap up last year’s events in more detail, considered flagging what’s upcoming but then decided to begin this newsletter with a request.

Back in April at the AGM Bob Ward stood down from the committee with an impassioned speech about how Stempra exists to serve its members and a plea to you all to use us, your committee, to get what you want from Stempra. We haven’t included a write up in the newsletter as it was of a moment but I’m sure if you ask Bob he’ll give you a summary of the highlights.

Often our best events spring from discussions on the mailing list, or from suggestions from the members. We do endeavour to provide support where we see lots of questions are being asked about an issue or area of our work but if you know of an excellent speaker, or have an idea for an event, please don’t be shy. Or if you spotted that we ran an event and you missed it we may be able to put on, or to help you organise something similar in your region.

This isn’t to say we haven’t got ideas – indeed we are bringing you a lively debate later in January and have events in hand for the next few months – but we can tweak current plans, or be guided in future plans with your help.

In the meantime enjoy this New Year newsletter and see you soon!

Ruth Francis
Chair, Stempra
chair@stempra.org.uk