I am pleased to let you know about the upcoming TalkScience@BL event that we are hosting at the British Library on 15th March (18.00 - 20.30) entitled:

 

‘Communicating Risk and Scientific Advice during Emergencies: Don’t Panic?’

 

A conversation between UK Government Chief Science Advisor Sir John Beddington CMG FRS and The Times Science Editor Mark Henderson will introduce the topic, followed by a discussion among the audience.

 

This provocative title aims to stimulate discussion on the following questions:

 

·        During a national emergency, such as the 2010 volcanic ash incident, how is scientific advice acquired and evaluated?

·        What is the right balance of scientific advice and policy intervention required to prepare for recurrent threats such as pandemic flu?

·        Should policy-makers evaluate scientific advice in planning for long-term risks such as climate change differently to emergency situations?

·        What lessons have we learned from previous emergencies such as the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak?

·        How can the Government work more effectively with scientists and the mass media to communicate risk in a balanced way?

 

Sir John Beddington, CMG FRS is the UK Government Chief Science Advisor and Professor of Applied Biology at Imperial College London. Since being in this post, he has led on providing scientific advice to Government during the swine flu outbreak and the 2010 volcanic ash incident, has embedded scientific advisors within Government departments, and has raised the issue of a “perfect storm” of food, water, and energy shortages as a result of climate change.

 

Mark Henderson is the Chief Science Editor for the Times, and writes for the paper’s monthly Science Magazine Eureka.  He takes a particular interest in the politics of science.   

 

This event costs £5, booking is required - please reserve you place by visiting our box office. 

http://purchase.tickets.com/buy/TicketPurchase?agency=AGENCY_NAME&organ_val=org_id&pid=6947105

 

Limited refreshments and snacks will be provided; there will also be a cash bar.

 

Please do forward on to any colleagues that you think might be interested.  Further details and more discussion points can be found on the event website. 

http://www.bl.uk/reshelp/experthelp/science/talkscience/ournextevent/ournextevent.html

 

 

Please email [log in to unmask]">[log in to unmask], with any enquires about this event.

 

Kind regards,

Johanna

 

Dr. Johanna Kieniewicz

Environmental Sciences Research Officer

Science Technology and Medicine

THE BRITISH LIBRARY

96 Euston Road, London, NW1 2DB

 

M +44 (0)750 012 4997

P +44 (0)207 412 7232 

F +44 (0)207 412 7789

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