Dear all,

There are a few places available at the next Stempra event (see details 
below) being held next Monday at the Science Media Centre. If you would 
like to come along can you let me know as soon as possible (places will be 
allocated on a first come first served basis).

Best wishes,
Claire


STEMPRA Event: Science in the news – Radiation and Health Scares
Monday 27th November – 6.15-7.15
Science Media Centre, 19 Albemarle Street, London W1S 4BS 

Science, Technology and Engineering generate some of the biggest stories 
in the news and press officers are integral to getting the voices of their 
institutions and experts heard. STEMPRA is running a new series of events 
to highlight the ways that different organisations have responded to being 
in the news and their tactics for getting their scientists’ views into the 
media.

The subject of radiation and health has sparked many scary headlines in 
the news: from mobile phones and brain tumours, to nuclear power stations 
and leukaemia, to sensitivity to electricity and ‘electrosmog’, to 
concerns over the handling of nuclear waste.   The challenge of dealing 
with these types of stories in the news is great, and often means not only 
communicating complex science and epidemiology but also taking into 
account the issues of risk and uncertainty. Dr Mike Clark is the science 
spokesperson for the National Radiological Protection Board at the Health 
Protection Agency and has to deal with these issues on a daily basis. He 
will be speaking about his experiences dealing with the media on issues 
surrounding radiation, how to overcome some of the challenges of 
communicating risk, and tips for those who are involved in dealing with 
the media on controversial issues.

These events are usually held in the informal setting of a pub – but due 
to the proximity to Christmas I can not get a room in a pub for free. So 
we are planning to have a short presentation followed by discussion in the 
Science Media Centre, then head to the pub afterwards for more informal 
networking for those who want to join us. The places for this event are 
free, but they are limited, so you need to register by emailing Claire 
Bithell at [log in to unmask] NB please do not try to register by replying 
to this email – if you do you will send your email to the whole mailing 
list.

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