International Polar Year - Nederland

Young Polar Scientists Meeting 2007

16 October 2007 10.00 - 17.30 h

Media training and network day for a new generation of polar researchers

Location:

Objectives:

To launch the future generation of Polar Researchers by:

Actively stimulating collegial networks within the multi-disciplined Young Polar Scientists community within The Netherlands;
Increasing awareness of the importance of communicating Polar Science to broad non-specialised audiences by developing communication skills.

How will this be achieved?

Ever tried to explain your research to your friends? Communication with friends as well as performance in front of other non-specialist audiences (e.g. television, radio, discussion panels, newspapers) requires translation of your scientific results into short but clear messages.

How to improve the success of you, your message, and Polar Science outside the University will be the focus of a media training workshop.
Networking Skills of the participants will be trained during an active workshop ‘Speed- dating’, and will be put to practise during the various lunch and coffee breaks.
Two key speakers, known for their experience in Polar areas and their success in transmitting science beyond the Ivory Towers will complete the program.

*Preliminary Programme*
09.30	Registration and coffee
10.00	Opening
10.10	Key-speaker: Arend Meerburg First-hand experience from the 3rd Belgian-Dutch Antarctica expedition (1966). During this expedition, Meerburg was Head of the Meteorological Group and he conducted ozone research. He and his expedition members lived for fourteen months on (most of the time under) the Antarctic ice.
11.00	Coffee
11.15	Workshop Networking: Speed-dating Get to know all your fellow polar researchers and learn how to present yourself in 2-min. face-to-face meetings (with many chances for continued discussions during the remainder of the day).
12.00	Lunch
13.30	Key-speaker: Govert Schilling (science journalist) About the Aurora borealis (northern lights), with examples of how to bridge the gap between science and people.
14.15	Workshop Media-training Enhance the impact of your message in front of non-specialist audience in small-group workshops, which introduce the most important “dos and don’ts” of e.g. presentations, interviews, and discussion panels.
16.15	Drinks and workshop presentations

Who is eligible:

Young Scientists (PhD-students, Postdocs) who are actively involved in Dutch Research Projects in Polar areas (Arctic and Antarctic), from the full range of natural and social sciences.

Application and information:

To apply, please fill in the online Registration Form.

The deadline for application was 15 August 2007, but late applications can still be accepted. Please use the online Registration Form. For more information, please contact ipy@nwo.nl