NZ science bloggers – new opportunity

The NZ Science Media Centre will soon launch a blogging platform for New Zealand scientists. A site has been parked at NZ sciblogs for this.

Initially some of those scientists currently blogging, as well as new people keen to get into blogging, will be invited onto the platform. Existing bloggers may be offered the chance to syndicate their content onto Sciblogs. So it looks like Sciblogs will sart off with plenty of activity.

The site is based on Worpdpress MU which gives control to the individual blogger. Peter Griffin, Manager of the Science Media Centre hopes the new site will bring New Zealand’s community of science bloggers together in one place to provide ready access for interested readers. He hopes it will become “the public address of science” in New Zealand.

I think this will be a great place for new bloggers. Because it will be a community with plenty of new input there will not be pressure on individuals to post more frequently than they wish to. The community should also generate more traffic than an individual new to blogging can create on their own. I hope this will encourage those scientists who have been thinking of branching out in this way, but have not yet motivated themselves top “take the plunge.”

My rough count found about a dozen science-related blogs, or blogs belonging to scientists. These range through educational, ecological and conservation aligned, biology, physics and other disciplines to more general blogs talking about scientific methodology and philosophy. Bloggers are from Crown Research Institutes, private companies and the universities. Put together this should make New Zealand’s Sciblogs an interesting site.

I have a feed on the side aggregating a number of New Zealand science blogs. Have a look to see what’s available.

Any scientist thinking of blogging, or currently blogging, who wants to find out more or register their interest can contact Peter Griffin at the Science Media Centre.

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