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Hi Will (and all) Yes, the salaries paid to staff, particularly front-line, visitor-facing staff in science centres in the UK are scandalously low, and the staff structures adopted are mostly wrong, too: As you say the only way to get a job paying more is to move into some kind of more management-orientated post which takes you away from working with the public. Neither the low salaries nor the notion that the people who actually deliver the work of the centre have the lowest status (as measured by pay) are in the best interests of the science centre industry in the long run. Surely,GSC, and other centres can afford to pay least the living wage? It would also be very good to see these front-line roles being offered on long salary scales which rise to a half decent whack, to encourage talented people to stay in them and develop their skills as face-to-face science communicators and show presenters. Centres also need to acknowledge that managing their talent is not the same job as being a very talented presenter, and get away from the notion that being the manager means you necessarily have to be paid more than the people you manage: It isn’t like that in other performance-based professions, and its shouldn’t be like that in science centres. Some people will turn out to be OK presenters, but have good organisational and management abilities. These people should have the chance to progress to management roles. Other people will turn out to be much better presenters (or exhibition designers, or whatever) and these people should be offered the opportunity to develop their core skills without having to take on uncongenial management responsibilities in order to make even a half-decent living. OK, this all sound utopian, but here’s a practical question for Will, and all the other people working for poverty pay in science centres: which Union are you in? If you’re not in a Union you really don’t have a voice to negotiate better pay and conditions with your centre management, or to work across the sector to improve things for all your colleagues. There’s a simple lesson from the history of the Labour movement in the last 150 years, that organised, unionised, labour gets results in the form of better pay and conditions. This is why the present government and its financial backers doesn’t like them. So if you don’t like the way you’re paid, do something about it; get angry and then get organised. Richard Richard Ellam L M Interactive Science Shows and Hands-On Stuff [log in to unmask] www.lminteractive.co.uk On 26 Jun 2015, at 08:50, Will Davies <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > Morning all. > > I work in At Bristol Science center (New LST positions available, see psicomm) as a member of the live science team. We present shows to schools and families, work with a wide range of exhibition content across all topics, host the UKs first 3D planetarium, and are all around great guys. We've got more degrees than we know what to do with, and mostly MSc or some postgrad on top of that. > > My monthly take home is about £1200PCM. > > Now, does this mean i should sack in the job that i love, get a living wage and volunteer instead? I could, i guess, At Bristol has loads of volunteers who're a huge help and do great work. Some of them are actual doctors, way more qualified than me. Or, should we as a team be paid more and work towards developing professionally so that we can one day look back on the wages at GSC, which is more than what i earn currently and kinda tempting as a raise, and think "Who could ever live that way?" Would sure be nice. > > As it is, in our entry-level science communication positions we're somewhere between the two. If we do want to develop we need to aim for officer-level positions that take us away from audiences and try freelancing projects on the side, but at least we're getting paid something. > > So, rather than scorn for a position that, again, is more than i get paid, how about we turn the discussion to > How do we promote science communication careers as both enjoyable and livable? > > Will > > > > ------------------------------ > > > > Date: Thu, 25 Jun 2015 22:11:38 +0100 > > From: Michael Kenward <[log in to unmask]> > > Subject: Re: NEW VACANCY - PLANETARIUM PRESENTER AT GLASGOW SCIENCE CENTRE > > > > Better off retraining as a plumber. > > > > > > > > 'At some point we will have no one coming into the construction industry' | Business | The Guardian > > > > > > > > http://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/jun/24/construction-industry-apprenticeships-skilled-workers-training > > > > > > > > “The average advertised salary in the sector is up 14% on a year ago to £38,813, according to the jobs search engine Adzuna.” > > > > > > > > Spookily close to three times the salary for this job. > > > > > > > > MK > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > From: psci-com: on public engagement with science [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Joe Crossland > > Sent: 25 June 2015 17:06 > > To: [log in to unmask] > > Subject: Re: [PSCI-COM] NEW VACANCY - PLANETARIUM PRESENTER AT GLASGOW SCIENCE CENTRE > > > > > > > > Yep, you're right. > > > > > > > > Was just thinking you might be better off getting a job in a shop, working for the Living Wage, and then volunteer at the planetarium in your spare time? > > > > > > > > Just a thought! > > > > > > > > Joe > > > > > > > > _____ > > > > From: Kat Arney <[log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]> > > > To: [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]> > > Sent: Thursday, 25 June 2015, 16:59 > > Subject: Re: [PSCI-COM] NEW VACANCY - PLANETARIUM PRESENTER AT GLASGOW SCIENCE CENTRE > > > > > > > > *gets popcorn* > > > > > > > > Hey, at least it’s paid… > > > > > > > > > > > > Dr Kat Arney > > > > Science Communications Manager > > > > Cancer Research UK > > > > > > > > > > > > From: psci-com: on public engagement with science [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Joe Crossland > > Sent: 25 June 2015 16:47 > > To: [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]> > > Subject: Re: [PSCI-COM] NEW VACANCY - PLANETARIUM PRESENTER AT GLASGOW SCIENCE CENTRE > > > > > > > > Long time reader, first time emailer. > > > > > > > > Why anyone with a “degree level qualification in astronomy or equivalent relevant experience (essential)” would want to work, full time, for £12,411 a year is beyond me. > > > > > > > > I'm quite shocked at this, but maybe it's standard fare for visitor attractions? > > > > > > > > Joe > > > > > > > > _____ > > > > From: Ashley Nisbet <[log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]> > > > To: [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]> > > Sent: Thursday, 25 June 2015, 16:12 > > Subject: [PSCI-COM] NEW VACANCY - PLANETARIUM PRESENTER AT GLASGOW SCIENCE CENTRE > > > > > > Glasgow Science Centre (GSC) is one of Scotland’s must-see visitor attractions. Our mission is to promote science and technology through thought provoking, fun and exciting experiences that inspire all to explore and understand the world around them. > > > > GSC is recruiting for a highly motivated, creative candidate to fill the exciting role of Planetarium Presenter. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone with a strong interest and passion for astronomy to work within Glasgow Science Centre's new digital full dome planetarium delivering and facilitating high quality planetarium shows and astronomy projects for education and public visitors. > > > > This position is permanent, on a 1872 annnualised contract (based on 36 hours per week). > > > > Key responsibilities include: > > > > To develop and maintain a broad knowledge of astronomy research and topical astronomy news to ensure the planetarium show content is cutting edge. > > To operate and present within one of GSC’s flagship areas, establishing the planetarium as a world-class venue for astronomy education. > > To engage visitors and communicate astronomical concepts accurately within the Planetarium and the broader astronomy mission of Glasgow Science Centre. > > To deliver planetarium shows and other astronomy activities to a consistent 5* standard for public, education and community groups of all ages. > > To implement the GSC 5 star Customer Service promise. Offer a fun, safe and welcoming environment to all customers. > > > > Qualifications, Skills and Experience: > > > > Confident with excellent interpersonal and communication skills - essential. > > Degree level qualification in astronomy or equivalent relevant experience – essential. > > Experience of dealing with the public, community groups and school children – desirable > > Good presentation skills with ability to present to large groups/ audiences – desirable. > > > > Personal Qualities: > > > > Positive and dynamic self-starter with a passion for excellence, creativity and innovation > > A genuine enthusiasm for science and technology with a high level of commitment to GSC’s vision and mission. > > Ability to work effectively as part of a team unsupervised. > > > > To apply for this position please refer to the full job description available on the GSC website (http://www.glasgowsciencecentre.org/vacancies/planetarium-presenter.html). > > > > Application forms are also available to download from the GSC website and should be submitted before the closing date on Wednesday 8th July at 12 noon. > > > > ********************************************************************** > > > > > > > > > > > > ********************************************************************** > > > > Commands - send an email (any subject) to [log in to unmask] with one of the following messages (ignoring text in brackets) > > > > • set psci-com nomail (to stop receiving messages while on holiday) > > • set psci-com mail (to resume getting messages) > > • signoff psci-com (to leave the list) > > • Subscribe here https://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/webadmin?A0=psci-com > > > > Contact list owner at [log in to unmask] > > Small print and JISCMail acceptable use policy https://sites.google.com/site/pscicomjiscmail/the-small-print > > > > ------------------------------ > > > > End of PSCI-COM Digest - 24 Jun 2015 to 25 Jun 2015 (#2015-145) > > *************************************************************** > ********************************************************************** > Commands - send an email (any subject) to [log in to unmask] with one of the following messages (ignoring text in brackets) > • set psci-com nomail (to stop receiving messages while on holiday) • set psci-com mail (to resume getting messages) • signoff psci-com (to leave the list) • Subscribe herehttps://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/webadmin?A0=psci-com > Contact list owner at [log in to unmask] Small print and JISCMail acceptable use policy https://sites.google.com/site/pscicomjiscmail/the-small-print > ********************************************************************** ********************************************************************** Commands - send an email (any subject) to [log in to unmask] with one of the following messages (ignoring text in brackets) • set psci-com nomail (to stop receiving messages while on holiday) • set psci-com mail (to resume getting messages) • signoff psci-com (to leave the list) • Subscribe here https://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/webadmin?A0=psci-com Contact list owner at [log in to unmask] Small print and JISCMail acceptable use policy https://sites.google.com/site/pscicomjiscmail/the-small-print **********************************************************************