New science bloggers wanted for Sciblogs 2.0

Sciblogs 2.0 coming soon

After nearly six years in operation, Australasia’s largest blog network is getting a facelift and some fresh voices.

Sciblogs features commentary from around 30 scientists and science writers and is consistently ranked among the country’s top 10 blogs based on Sitemeter statistics.

But the platform is well overdue for a revamp and will soon be relaunched with a new look, new additions to the blogging line-up and a remit of appealing to a wider audience.

Among the changes will be:

• A more visual look and refreshed blog homepages
• Mobile-friendly design so Sciblogs looks good on smartphones and tablets
• Some new bloggers covering everything from drones to psychology
• News content drawing from sources such as our new Scimex.org research news portal.

Become a Scibling

We are on the lookout for new science bloggers to join our lively stable of bloggers and as well as writers, videographers and social media gurus who are passionate about science communication and who are keen to collaborate on Sciblogs.

“The likes of Iflscience, Science Alert and the science blog networks of Scientific American and Scienceblogs shows there’s strong appetite for science news and commentary,” said Sciblogs editor and SMC Director, Peter Griffin.

“We want to grow the Sciblogs community featuring the best, most interesting science from New Zealand and around the world. We’ll improve our mobile and social media presence so Sciblogs content is easier to browse and share.”

The new Sciblogs will go live by the end of August – contact Sciblogs editor Peter Griffin if you would like to get involved.

The changing face of science communication

All the reports from the inquiries into the climategate issue are worth reading. It is the nature of thoughtful inquiries that not only are problems identified, claims checked and unjustified accusations refuted. There are also usually some suggestions for improvements.

I think the attention that has been paid to issues like peer review, importance of statistical analysis, making public data available and the handling of freedom of information requests has been worthwhile. Hopefully scientific  institutes, professional bodies and scientific journals will pay attention.

The Independent Climate Change email Review which reported last week  made interesting comments on the communication of science and the role of scientists in this. Mike at Watching the Deniers has written a thoughtful article on lessons we can draw from this report on this and other matters. It’s well worth a read – I recommend it (see The chief lesson of Climategate: the depths of our naivety).

A competition for Aussie science blogs

I wonder how many science blogs there are in Australia. How do the numbers compare with New Zealand?

Anyway it looks like organisers of the Australian National Science Week are taking their local blogger seriously. They have launched a competition to determine the National Science Week 2010 blogger. All Australian-based science blogs are eligible and anyone can nominate their favourite blog (or their own blog).

NOTE: Nominations close 28 June 2010.

The Prize

Besides being named the official National Science Week 2010 blogger the winner will receive a four-day blogging trip to their choice of events during National Science Week (14 – 22 August). As the official National Science Week 2010 blogger the winner will have the opportunity to blog about the events they attend, the people they meet and some of the interesting things they learn.

Seems like a great idea.

Have a look at  Big Blog Theory for more information and the nomination form.

Can anyone suggest suitable blogs to nominate?

How about?:
Watching the Deniers
Deltoid
10 Days of science
Australian Science Media Centre
Homologous Legs
Moth incarnate

Click here to nominate your favourite science blog. Nominations close 28 June 2010.

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Is New Zealand ripe for science blogging?

Yes. I say this because of the science funding reforms of the 1990s – particularly as they effected the Crown Research Institutes. For better or worse (and it was both better and worse) the change in science funding forced scientists closer to industry.  Stakeholders (a new word for many of us at the time) got input into science funding decisions and scientists became more motivated to form contacts and collaborations with these stakeholders.

Now scientists attend non-specialist industry conferences and workshops, speak about their work to industry groups and attempt to get coverage in relevant newspapers and magazines. This means scientists have had to improve their skills in communicating their findings and ideas to non-specialists.