SEB Bulletin October 2007 - In This Issue
Plant Power
In this issue we report extensively over 6 pages (10 - 17) on the Photosynthesis Congress 2007 which was managed by the SEB for the International Society of Photosynthesis Research (ISPR) and held in the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre (SECC). With the rapid move towards developing biofuels as an alternative to fossil fuels, the Congress was timely and promoted the communication of many of the latest fundamental research findings. Complementing the science programme the SEB Education & Public Affairs (EPA) Section ran two public outreach events - a 'Light and Life' Exhibition and a 'Sweetness and Light' show - in the adjacent Glasgow Science Centre, and an Education session during the Congress itself. The BBSRC also contributed to the outreach programme with a public debate on bioenergy alternatives - biofuels vs artifical photosynthesis.
As a direct result of the Light and Life event, those contributing to the exhibition, including Science and Plants for Schools (SAPS), American Society of Plant Biologists (ASPB), Gatsby Plants and ourselves are in discussion about plans to bring together a Biological Science practical resource for schools in cooperation with societies of the Biosciences Federation. The SEB already cooperates with the Biosciences Federation in generic areas where appropriate such as policy, public engagement and careers and this will be a new initiative bringing together and developing educational resources which are linked to all relevant areas of the curriculum. We also have an agreement for access to appropriate resources developed by the EU Framework 6-funded 'Volvox' project (www.eurovolvox.org/), which co-ordinates an internet-linked network to enhance bioscience education in European schools.
On the subject of education, our Teaching and Learning resources article in this issue centres on Biofuels and reports on some of the collaborative research programmes addressing this topic (pages 18 - 19). It sets the scene with some of the European Commission and US political energy strategies and plans providing definitions and snapshots of research initiatives which aim to introduce the topic to 6th formers and undergraduates new to the subject. The article builds on the series of teaching resources that myself and volunteers (mainly SEB postgraduates and postdoctorals aspiring to science communication and writing careers) have been producing over the past 5 years. If you would like to contribute an article to this series (which ranges from flower development to insect biomechanics, fish physiology and bioremediation) please get in touch - we pay £50 per article.
The EPA Section is currently in the process of attempting to redress the balance of information on ‘Intelligent Design’ entering schools, by developing Evolution resources and workshops for schools. Jeremy Pritchard, who is heading this up, has already run a successful workshop in his university for 6th formers and teachers and is piloting new interactive materials at the Association of Science Education (ASE) meeting in January (page 20). The EPA Section is also working with the ASPB to internationalise the resource.
As well as advertising our SEB Annual Main Meeting in Marseille next year (page 7), the FESPB Meeting (page 8) and listing other selected meetings over the next two years, we also announce two opportunities for Biosciences postgraduates and postdoctorals to attend careers conferences run by the SEB. The Biosciences Federation careers conferences in November and December (page 31) are organised by the larger UK Biological learned societies including the SEB. The programme provides information on various careers such as teaching, research in industry, science communication and technology transfer. Bioscience Futures (page 32) is the first Satellite meeting of the EPA since it raised its status in the SEB from ‘Committee’ to ‘Section’. The meeting is an extension of the careers workshops we ran in 2006 and 2007 but with the additional inclusion of ways to enhance your career and career prospects. With the input of speakers such as Prof. Ottoline Leyser (York University) and BBSRC Enterprise Unit the workshop aims to increase individual effectiveness and help towards future aspirations (whether towards a research or non-research career). The Satellite meeting is open to all postgraduate and postdoctorals SEB members with discounts and grants available to help with costs. It may be worth noting that in the UK you may also have access to ‘Roberts funding' available in university departments for continuing professional development courses and workshops such as this for which you would be eligible to apply. This support has been further consolidated recently with a new investment by the Research Councils UK (RCUK) of £15 million. The new contract, to run from 2008-2012, will include support for research staff as well as for postgraduate researchers (see page 6).
Finally please take a look at our inside front cover to see a glimpse of the new design of the SEB website and visit us at www.sebiology.org. Some of the site's new features are mentioned in the President's letter as well as other new developments relating to our main office and its situation (page 4).
Sarah Blackford
Editor