Auckland is abuzz with science as a number of high-level conferences kick off in the city. The events are taking place under the banner of World Science Week New Zealand, supported by the Royal Society of New Zealand and the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment.
In addition to a number of conferences, there is also a swathe of fascinating public talks from researchers and experts, covering diverse topics such as Antarctic science, climate change and astronomy. A full list of public events is available on the Royal Society of New Zealand website.
Conferences taking place in Auckland as part of World Science Week include:
Science Advisors
Chief among the gatherings is the first-ever meeting of international science advisors, which will take place in Auckland 28-29 August 2014 and be hosted by Professor Sir Peter Gluckman, Chief Science Advisor to the Prime Minister.
Chief Science Advisors from the UK, Australia, the European Union and numerous other countries will discuss approaches to delivering science advice to government, science in times of crisis, science in the context of opposing ideological and political positions and many other issues.
A related symposium will look at the role of science in diplomacy and touch on issues including trade and aid.
Journalists are invited to attend the conferences and can register here. Contact Marian McCay at the PMCSA’s office for more information. You can follow the action on twitter as well: @GlobalSciAdvice
You can watch Sir Peter Gluckman discussing the meeting on TV3’s Firstline and listen to him on Radio New Zealand’s Morning Report.
Antarctic Research focus
Already underway is the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research, bringing together top researchers from around the world looking at the state of Antarctica – from its climate and wildlife, to the health of its ice sheets and surrounding seas.
Check out the SCAR website for more information, or follow the #SCAR2014 twitter hashtag for updates on what’s going on.
Antarctica New Zealand CEO Peter Beggs appeared on TV3’s Firstline ahead of the conference to talk about the research being covered.
Science Councils meet
Capping off a hectic schedule is the General Assembly of ICSU (the International Council for Science), which is hosted by the Royal Society of New Zealand and will feature attendees representing scientific societies and unions from all over the world.
Nobel prize winner Professor Gordon McBean, the Canadian president elect of the International Council for Science, was interviewed by New Zealand Herald ahead of the Assembly. You can read the article here.
NZ-US Science
World Science Week will also see the biennial United States – New Zealand Joint Committee Meeting on Science and Technology Cooperation (JCM), a joint dialogue on areas such as natural hazards and resilience, climate change, and oceans.
Science Media Centres
The Science Media Centre will also welcome colleagues from our sister SMCs around the world, including Fiona Fox from the UK and Susannah Elliot from Australia, as we meet in Auckland to discuss future expansion of the network. We will also be on hand throughout the Chief Science Advisor conference.
The presence of so many senior scientists, advisors and policy experts in Auckland is unprecedented and will generate many interesting news angles. Contact the SMC if you would like some help navigating the numerous events and people that will be accessible during this week: smc@sciencemediacentre.co.nz