Dear
Michael,
I take your point, however,
the SEB has been running its internship scheme for some years now with no
complaints from our postgrads and postdocs who have been able to continue with
their studies/contracts at the same time. I do not see it as unpaid labour but
a valuable opportunity for someone to get some experience in this field of
work (and a reference) to enable them to secure a job in the future or even
just to get a taster of what the career looks like. A science communication
course would be costly to most as an alternative option. In addition, we have
paid for our intern’s expenses including accommodation, travel and
registration etc at our main international conferences free of charge, also
allowing them to attend sessions whilst carrying out their PR duties.
I suspect some of them may be
reading this right now as most have secured a position in science
communication as result of our internship scheme. I am still in touch with
nearly all of them.
With best
wishes.
Sarah
Sarah
Blackford
Head of Education & Public
Affairs
Society for Experimental
Biology
Bailrigg
House
Lancaster
University
Lancaster LA1
4YE
Tel: +44 (0) 1524
594850
Fax: +44 (0) 1524
594696
www.sebiology.org
From:
psci-com: on public engagement with science [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Michael Kenward
Sent: 23 March 2010
12:55
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [PSCI-COM]
Science communication internship
Forgive me for being picky,
although regular readers will expect this, but am I right in thinking that
this is an unpaid internship?
I guess it is OK for something
as short as this, but it does bring up a subject that has been aired
elsewhere. In media circles there is some concern about using internships as
unpaid labour.
Take this
piece:
http://www.sourcewire.com/releases/rel_display.php?relid=54602
“Are unpaid internships
creating an elitist media profession?”
Only young persons with rich
parents can work for nothing.
As Daryl Willcox puts it: “If
the only people who can get decent work experience are those who can afford to
work for free for extended periods then media inevitably becomes
elitist.”
http://www.dwpubsporadic.com/2010/03/sourcethatjob-strikes-a-chord-over-media-internship-exploitation.html
He runs a media recruitment
service and no longer accepts ads for unpaid
internships.
Is this phenomenon unique to
the media? Or has it reached other parts of the world of
PEST?
___________________________________
Michael
Kenward
Science Writer &
Stuff
Genetically modified words for
sale
From:
psci-com: on public engagement with science [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Blackford, Sarah
Sent: 23 March 2010
10:06
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [PSCI-COM]
Science communication internship
Science Communication
Internship 2010
The Society for Experimental
Biology (SEB) is offering an internship for a postgraduate student/early
career scientist to gain a month’s training in press and publicity during the
period 7th June – 3rd July 2010. The placement will be suitable for someone
who is seeking a career in science journalism, scientific administration, or
as a publicity officer. Applicants with some experience of non-academic
science writing will be given priority.
Working under the guidance of
the Education & Public Affairs (EPA) Manager, the main activities will
be:
To write press releases for
the SEB’s Annual Main Meeting (30 June – 3rd July, http://www.sebiology.org/meetings)
in advance of the Meeting.
You will be expected to review
the meeting abstracts, talk to session convenors and interview speakers in
order to produce interesting, eye-catching press notices.
To send out the press releases
to the media using Eurekalert and email.
To attend the SEB Meeting as
its Press officer: to liaise with journalists and science editors, organise
interviews, take publicity photos, attend relevant talks and visit posters,
and write additional news for release during the
meeting.
To assist in the organisation
and running of the EPA programme during the Meeting when
required.
You will need to be
self-motivated with excellent communication and time management skills. You
will be given the option to work remotely for the most-part of the internship
if it is not practical for you to absent yourself from your research full-time
for one month. However, you will be expected to visit the EPA office initially
to liaise with the head of EPA and remain in close contact throughout the
duration of the placement. You will also attend the SEB Meeting full-time from
30 June – 3 July inclusive. All reasonable travel and accommodation expenses
will be paid.
This is an excellent
opportunity to further develop your experience of science communication
(previous winners have secured jobs as news editors, science writers and
publicity officers). To register your interest for this post please email
Sarah Blackford, with your CV highlighting your science communication
experience and skills, and stating why you are applying for this
post.
[log in to unmask]
Closing date: 31st March
2010.
Sarah Blackford
Head of Education & Public Affairs
Society for Experimental Biology
Bailrigg House
Lancaster University
Lancaster LA1 4YE
Tel: +44 (0) 1524 594850
Fax: +44 (0) 1524 594696
www.sebiology.org
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