Clear your news diary for the last week of August, with an unprecedented number of high-level meetings taking place in Auckland that will attract visitors from all over the world.
A number of events and public talks are taking place in Auckland this month 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. Check out the public talks here.
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.
NZ-US Science
August 25-26 will 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.
Antarctic Research focus
From August 23rd, the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research will meet in Auckland, 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.
Science Councils meet
Capping off a hectic schedule is the General Assembly of ICSU – the International Council of Science, which will feature attendees representing scientific societies and unions from all over the world – and hosted by the Royal Society of New Zealand.
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 CSA 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 that week.