Dear All,
I got this from Robert Massey at the RAS, who says that (UK) geophysicists, particularly
those working on global climate change, might also find the "Introduction to
News Media Day" useful.  It's on 29th Sept at the Royal Institution, London,
and the organiser expects it to be oversubscribed, so do not delay in applying.

Please apply directly to Ed Sykes as directed below.

Regards,
Sheila Peacock (BGA)

The workshops are aimed at any scientist (postgraduates qualify too) who
wishes to have a better understanding of the media. Astronomy features
regularly in the media across the world, so is certainly a ‘hot topic’.
To apply, please contact Ed Sykes directly.



Regards



Robert Massey

Press and Policy Officer

Royal Astronomical Society



*From:* Ed Sykes [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
*Sent:* 02 September 2008 12:53
*To:* [log in to unmask]
*Subject:* Science Media Centre: Invitation to Introduction to News
Media day [Scanned]



Hello there,



It is time for us to announce another one of our much celebrated
*/Introduction/*/ *to the News Media*/ days! It will be held on *29
September 2008* at the *Royal Institution* in London from *1pm to 5pm*.
But before you read any further, please note:

* *

*THIS IS NOT FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE ALREADY DONE A LOT OF MEDIA WORK – It
is for those who work on controversial issues but have no media
experience, are wary of hostile journalists or who wonder about the
value of talking to the media. If this isn't for you, please feel free
to pass it on to your colleagues.*



There is more information below but if you are available on 29 September
and wish to attend then please send your *name, job title, institutional
e-mail address and phone number* to: [log in to unmask]
<mailto:[log in to unmask]>



*_INTRODUCTION TO THE NEWS MEDIA DAY_*

*Further Information*

* *

*What is it?*

A beginner’s guide to the way the UK news media works. Much of the
tension between scientists and journalists is caused by a lack of mutual
understanding and this event gives you an insight into a day in the life
of a journalist. You will get a whistle stop tour of news media, hearing
from journalists, scientists and press officers about:

     * The deadlines that journalists work to
     * The role of the editor
     * How journalists find stories
     * Top tips for dealing with the media
     * The role of the press officer
     * The importance of engaging with the media

* *

*What Professor Chris Higgins, Vice Chancellor of Durham University said:*//

/ “Working with the Science Media Centre has given me many opportunities
to communicate my knowledge of and passion for science to the wider
public, through interviews with a variety of media.   It has also helped
influence the political agenda in a very positive way, for example on
animals in medical research./

/ /

/“I encourage any scientist who wants to engage successfully with the
media and the SMC to attend this session, particularly to improve their
understanding of how to work effectively to influence the agenda.”/

* *

*What the scientists who took part in 2007 said:*

/“It gave me a good insight into why the media view is so different- and
makes me listen to the views expressed now in a different light.”/

/ /

/“Have already had some contacts with the media, but was very nice to
hear things from their point of view. Must be said, have not appreciated
fully the time pressures they work under.”/

/ /

/“I found the event very interesting and useful.  I feel more
comfortable with the idea of talking to journalists now.”/

/ /

/“I thought it was great and gave me at least 5 major take home points
which I will use in the future.”/

/ /

/“//Extremely revealing and entertaining.”/

* *

*What it isn’t:*

Traditional media training. This session will NOT prepare you for a
confrontation with Paxman or Humphries and it is not skills based media
training; instead it will give you a flavour of the media to help you
understand its demands and make it easier to work with journalists
effectively.



*Is it for you?*

     * This is only for scientists who have not had much/any media
       experience before.
     * This event will be very similar to previous SMC Introduction to
       the News Media Days – so *please don’t come if you have been to
       the event before*.
     * The sessions only deal with news journalism, so will only be
       relevant to scientists who work on a ‘hot’ topic that is likely to
       hit the headlines.

* *

The event will be divided up into sessions with a few tea breaks and
we’ll finish off over a glass of wine and the opportunity for you to
network. I’ll distribute the final session timetable as soon as it's
finalised, but to give you a taster, we currently have confirmed the
following speakers – Tom Clarke (Channel 4 News), Christine McGourty
(BBC News), Rebecca Morelle (BBC Online), Alok Jha (The Guardian), Tara
Womersley (Press Officer), Prof. Peter Braude (Kings College London).



The event is completely *free of charge*. However, due to the size of
the lecture theatre, numbers will be limited so we are keen to give
these limited places to those of you who will benefit most from this
event.**



*_Finally – please do not request a place unless you are absolutely sure
you can attend this session and it is definitely in their diary. We are
limited to 200 places and we anticipate that the demand for places will
be higher than we can accommodate._*

* *

If you are available on 29 September and wish to attend then please send
your *name and institutional e-mail address* to:
[log in to unmask]
<mailto:[log in to unmask]>



Best wishes,



Ed





Dr. Ed Sykes

Press Officer



Science Media Centre

21 Albemarle Street, London W1S 4BS

[log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>

www.sciencemediacentre.org <http://www.sciencemediacentre.org/>

T: 020 7670 2921

F: 020 7670 2950



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