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

EVENT REPORT: Bright Club

Bright Club, 'the thinking person's variety night', held their second 'Science and the Media' special on Tuesday 22 November in conjunction with Stempra. Amongst those who bravely took to the stage were Stempra Chair Ruth Francis (Nature Publishing Group Press Office), and member Cathy Beveridge (MRC Press Office). Following a rather unscientific poll, the Stempra newsletter can exclusively reveal that they were the funniest!

Alongside Stempra's finest were compère Joe Lycett (YouTube) Linda Geddes from New Scientist, Martin Beckford of the Daily Telegraph, Professor Sophie Scott and Dr Cath Mercer from UCL and the singer ‘Cream’ (not Eric Clapton’s band), all doing stand up sets based on their experiences in sci comm. The back room of the Wilmington Arms in London’s Clerkenwell felt just like an underground comedy club, packed with punters and raucous laughter. Dealing with journalist’s demands – Cathy’s set featured a radio presenter who wanted to speak to vegetative state patients(!) – and embargos featured, although Martin and Linda did the journalists proud too.

Bright Club has its own website and details of the next event – on New Year’s Eve – are available there. You can also keep updated with Bright Club in your area (it’s not just in London) via the various Twitter feeds for the different locations – have a look at Last Word column for details. If you would like more information please email Ruth and she will put you in touch with the organisers.

James Lush
Biochemical Society
james@stempra.org.uk