Thursday, December 03, 2009
LitSciMed Social Space
Join the new Social Space of the Theories and Methods: Literature, Science, Medicine group here. For further details see here.
Boojums All the Way Through
I thought I'd add to the blog a reference to the book I mentioned at the group's last discussion -- David Mermin's delightful and fascinating collection of essays, "Boojums All the Way Through: Communicating Science in a Prosaic Age". Here Mermin explains his coinage of the Carollian term "boojum" for a particular configuration of a spherical drop of superfluid Helium-3 remaining after a precursor has "softly and suddenly vanished away", his heroic campaign to get "boojum" into Physical Review Letters, and another skirmish with the editors of Physical Review over the acceptability of referring to a paper as "charming". The volume also contains a relativistic tragicomedy that has been termed "the only [known] Elizabethan drama that is explicitly Lorentz invariant", some very nice pedagogical introductions to quantum entanglement and nonlocality, and much else for anyone involved or interested in science or scientific exposition to enjoy.
Adrian Kent
Adrian Kent
Tuesday, December 01, 2009
Alternatives Théatrâles
A while ago, we spent a very successful and enjoyable couple of terms discussing science and drama. One of the participants, Liliane Campos, has now co-edited a special issue of the journal "Alternatives Théatrâles", entitled "Côté Sciences" and dedicated to this topic. The issue includes articles by three of us -- Liliane's own contribution, one by Kirsten Shepherd-Barr, and my decidedly experimental attempt to say something about Frayn's "Copenhagen" from the perspective of a quantum physicist. Other contributors include John Barrow, Bruno Latour and Lewis Wolpert. More details and a full list of contributors here. The issue was launched late last month at Le Laboratoire.
I'm looking forward to reading the other contributions -- and maybe to the group returning to science and drama some time soon.
Adrian Kent
I'm looking forward to reading the other contributions -- and maybe to the group returning to science and drama some time soon.
Adrian Kent
CFP - Science Communication Conference
24-25 May 2010, London
The British Science Association is working in partnership with the Wellcome Trust to organise the 2010 Science Communication Conference. The event will take place from 24-25 May in central London and we are now looking for people and organisations to propose sessions.
The conference addresses the key issues facing science communicators in the UK and each year brings together people who are involved in public engagement - a diverse group of people from a broad range of backgrounds. It is a fantastic opportunity to network, share ideas and good practice.
The theme for the conference will be ‘audiences for engagement’ and can involve experts from other disciplines who have engaged successfully with certain audiences, not necessarily about science.
Conference sessions are generally 60-75 minutes long and run in parallel with between two and five other sessions. This allows for smaller group discussion and better sharing of learning. We wish to encourage a range of formats at the conference. It is more likely that your proposal will be successful if you use a format other than a traditional panel of a certain number of speakers and a chair. We are particularly interested in showcasing activities within the sessions.
If you are interested in submitting a session idea please visit:
www.britishscienceassociation/ScienceCommunicationConference for more information. Here you can view programmes and reports from previous conferences.
Please note that the deadline for submissions is Monday 21 December 2009. If you would like to discuss your idea prior to submission then please contact Alice Taylor-Gee on 020 7019 4940 or email alice.taylor-gee@britishscienceassociation.org.
If you would like to receive updates about the conference then please sign up to our e-lert list by emailing events@britishscienceassociation.org with 'SCC e-lert' in the subject line.
The British Science Association is working in partnership with the Wellcome Trust to organise the 2010 Science Communication Conference. The event will take place from 24-25 May in central London and we are now looking for people and organisations to propose sessions.
The conference addresses the key issues facing science communicators in the UK and each year brings together people who are involved in public engagement - a diverse group of people from a broad range of backgrounds. It is a fantastic opportunity to network, share ideas and good practice.
The theme for the conference will be ‘audiences for engagement’ and can involve experts from other disciplines who have engaged successfully with certain audiences, not necessarily about science.
Conference sessions are generally 60-75 minutes long and run in parallel with between two and five other sessions. This allows for smaller group discussion and better sharing of learning. We wish to encourage a range of formats at the conference. It is more likely that your proposal will be successful if you use a format other than a traditional panel of a certain number of speakers and a chair. We are particularly interested in showcasing activities within the sessions.
If you are interested in submitting a session idea please visit:
www.britishscienceassociation/ScienceCommunicationConference for more information. Here you can view programmes and reports from previous conferences.
Please note that the deadline for submissions is Monday 21 December 2009. If you would like to discuss your idea prior to submission then please contact Alice Taylor-Gee on 020 7019 4940 or email alice.taylor-gee@britishscienceassociation.org.
If you would like to receive updates about the conference then please sign up to our e-lert list by emailing events@britishscienceassociation.org with 'SCC e-lert' in the subject line.
Lent Term 2010
18th January
15th February
Primo Levi, L'altrui mestiere (1985). Translated by Raymond Rosenthal as Other People's Trades. Michael Joseph Ltd, London, 1989. This is a collection of short essays, which originally appeared in
in conjunction with two chapters from Oliver Sacks' memoir, Uncle Tungsten: Memories of a Chemical Boyhood (2001). Reprinted by Picador, London, 2002. Chapter 7, "Chemical Recreations" (pp. 67-76) Chapter 8, "Stinks and Bangs" (pp. 77-90)
1st March
Tony Harrison, Square Rounds. Faber and Faber, London, 1992.
Selections from Elias Ashmole (ed.), Theatrum Chemicum Britannicum (London: 1652).
Reprinted as No. 39 of The Sources of Science by Johnson Reprint Corporation, New York & London, 1967. Available online at http://dewey.library.upenn.edu/sceti/printedbooksNew/index.cfm?textID=ashmole (Note that pp. 281-288 are misnumbered in the printed text.) We will look at "Pearce the Black Monke upon the Elixir" (pp. 269-274) "The Breviary of Naturall Philosophy. Compiled by the unlettered Scholar Thomas Charnock" (pp. 291-303 in the printed text; 287-303 online) "The Vision of Sr George Ripley" (pp. 374)
1st February
Honoré de Balzac, La Recherche de l'absolu (1834).
Honoré de Balzac, La Recherche de l'absolu (1834).
This has been translated into English at least three times: by William Robson as Balthazar; or, Science and Love (1859), by Katharine Prescott Wormeley as The Alkahest: or, The House of Claës (1887), by Ellen Marriage as The Quest of the Absolute (1895). We will use the Ellen Marriage translation, as this is the cheapest one to buy in paperback reprint. Various texts are also available online from google books, Internet Archive, and Project Gutenberg.
15th February
Primo Levi, L'altrui mestiere (1985). Translated by Raymond Rosenthal as Other People's Trades. Michael Joseph Ltd, London, 1989. This is a collection of short essays, which originally appeared in
the Turin newspaper La Stampa. We will look at "The Mark of the Chemist" (pp. 86-90), "The Language of Chemists (I)" (pp. 100-105), "The Language of Chemists (II)" (pp. 106-110), "Ex-Chemist" (pp. 174-176)
in conjunction with two chapters from Oliver Sacks' memoir, Uncle Tungsten: Memories of a Chemical Boyhood (2001). Reprinted by Picador, London, 2002. Chapter 7, "Chemical Recreations" (pp. 67-76) Chapter 8, "Stinks and Bangs" (pp. 77-90)
1st March
Tony Harrison, Square Rounds. Faber and Faber, London, 1992.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
PhD programme - "Internationalisation of Literature and Science since the Early Modern Period"
King’s College London / University of Stuttgart
Application deadline: 30/11/2009
The PhD-Net “Internationalisation of Literature and Science since the Early Modern Period” is a bi-national PhD programme run collaboratively by King’s College London and the University of Stuttgart, which aims to forge interdisciplinary connections between various subjects in the Humanities (German Studies, English Studies, Comparative Literature, Philosophy, and the Histories of Medicine, Science and Technology). Partner institutions in Germany include the German Literature Archive in Marbach and the Institute for the History of Medicine of the Robert Bosch Foundation.
An international research group will support and connect projects which address both inter- and trans-national tendencies within the Humanities. Projects will develop both theoretical models for the as yet under-researched area of internationalisation within the Humanities, as well as critically assess historical case studies from the early modern period onwards, which address the role of exchange movements and networks and the transfer of topics, practices and methods in literature and science.
Of particular interest is the relevance of literature(s) for the internationalisation of the sciences, alongside critical reflections on the significance of the presentation and the mediality of knowledge (language, text, image) for its circulation, communication and implementation.
Applicants from all disciplines are welcome to apply to the programme – both those who are already registered as PhD candidates at King’s or Stuttgart, and those who are planning to undertake a PhD at either
institution. Up to 15 PhD students will be supported in England and in Germany each year. Support covers: travel costs, book grants, and assistance in obtaining further PhD funding / reduced fees. Successful candidates not otherwise funded by a full scholarship and who decide to undertake the dual degree will qualify for a grant of 2,000 pounds a year.
The PhD programme lasts three years, and students registered at King’s will spend their second year at the partner university in Stuttgart. The programme is bilingual, and as such some knowledge of German is desirable for English speaking applicants.
All applications received by the 30/11/2009 will be considered.
Applications should include:
- a CV
- a brief project outline (max. 2,000 words) including the topic, thesis, state of research, methods and a plan of work
- a cover letter (max. 600 words) explaining your interest in the programme and the thematic connections between your research project and your previous academic experience
Please address all applications and enquiries to:
Ben Schofield
Department of German
King’s College London
Strand
London UK-WC2R 2LS
benedict.schofield@kcl.ac.uk
Application deadline: 30/11/2009
The PhD-Net “Internationalisation of Literature and Science since the Early Modern Period” is a bi-national PhD programme run collaboratively by King’s College London and the University of Stuttgart, which aims to forge interdisciplinary connections between various subjects in the Humanities (German Studies, English Studies, Comparative Literature, Philosophy, and the Histories of Medicine, Science and Technology). Partner institutions in Germany include the German Literature Archive in Marbach and the Institute for the History of Medicine of the Robert Bosch Foundation.
An international research group will support and connect projects which address both inter- and trans-national tendencies within the Humanities. Projects will develop both theoretical models for the as yet under-researched area of internationalisation within the Humanities, as well as critically assess historical case studies from the early modern period onwards, which address the role of exchange movements and networks and the transfer of topics, practices and methods in literature and science.
Of particular interest is the relevance of literature(s) for the internationalisation of the sciences, alongside critical reflections on the significance of the presentation and the mediality of knowledge (language, text, image) for its circulation, communication and implementation.
Applicants from all disciplines are welcome to apply to the programme – both those who are already registered as PhD candidates at King’s or Stuttgart, and those who are planning to undertake a PhD at either
institution. Up to 15 PhD students will be supported in England and in Germany each year. Support covers: travel costs, book grants, and assistance in obtaining further PhD funding / reduced fees. Successful candidates not otherwise funded by a full scholarship and who decide to undertake the dual degree will qualify for a grant of 2,000 pounds a year.
The PhD programme lasts three years, and students registered at King’s will spend their second year at the partner university in Stuttgart. The programme is bilingual, and as such some knowledge of German is desirable for English speaking applicants.
All applications received by the 30/11/2009 will be considered.
Applications should include:
- a CV
- a brief project outline (max. 2,000 words) including the topic, thesis, state of research, methods and a plan of work
- a cover letter (max. 600 words) explaining your interest in the programme and the thematic connections between your research project and your previous academic experience
Please address all applications and enquiries to:
Ben Schofield
Department of German
King’s College London
Strand
London UK-WC2R 2LS
benedict.schofield@kcl.ac.uk
Monday, November 23, 2009
Book - New Edition of 'Flatland'
A new edition of Edwin Abbott's Flatland (1884) has just been published by Broadview Press as part of their literary editions series. The introduction to this edition provides context for the book's references to Victorian culture and religion, mathematical history (particularly the 1880s "textbook wars"), and the history of philosophy. The Appendix material includes autobiographical selections from Abbott's The Kernel and the Husk and statements on his religious views from The Spirit on the Water, contemporary reviews of Flatland, Victorian mathematical essays on non-Euclidean geometry, and selections from C. H. Hinton's writings.
Further details can be found here.
Further details can be found here.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
CFP - Insects and Texts: Spinning Webs of Wonder
Explora International Conference
4-5 May 2010
Toulouse Natural History Museum/CAS (UTM)
Vladimir Nabokov, both writer and entomologist, once explained that he could not “separate the aesthetic pleasure of seeing a butterfly and the scientific pleasure of knowing what it is” [Interview with Robert H. Boyle, Sports Illustrated, 1959]. This conference proposes to examine man’s fascination with the world of insects as reflected not only in the rich history of entomological research, from amateur or professional collecting to scientific expeditions, but also in more artistic forms of expression - myth, literature, painting, photography, cinema and music. Whether insects stimulate man’s curiosity or inspire fear, whether parallels or contrasts are seen between human society and the astonishing skills of insects, this conference aims to explore the relation between man and insects. Through the study of either scientific and technological developments in entomology, or artistic concerns with insects, we invite specialists of entomology and/or the arts to reconsider the relationship of man to nature through the magnifying glass of an entomologist. Papers that offer an interdisciplinary approach on science and art are especially welcome.
We invite 20-minute papers that engage with, but are not limited to, the following topics:
- the history of entomology and insect classification
- the history of insect collecting
- the popularization of entomology
- entomology and scientific expeditions
- entomology and technological development
- insects and biodiversity
- representations of insects, ecosystems and ecology
- the resurgence of insect worlds in human society
- entomology and naturalist painters
- entomology and photography
- insects in literature
- insects in illustrated books
- insects in cinema/films
- insects and the fantastic
- insects and music
- entomological metamorphoses in science and art
Please send 300-word proposals (attached as a .doc-file) together with a short biographical note to exploraentomology@gmail.com. Deadline for submissions: 15 February 2010.
4-5 May 2010
Toulouse Natural History Museum/CAS (UTM)
Vladimir Nabokov, both writer and entomologist, once explained that he could not “separate the aesthetic pleasure of seeing a butterfly and the scientific pleasure of knowing what it is” [Interview with Robert H. Boyle, Sports Illustrated, 1959]. This conference proposes to examine man’s fascination with the world of insects as reflected not only in the rich history of entomological research, from amateur or professional collecting to scientific expeditions, but also in more artistic forms of expression - myth, literature, painting, photography, cinema and music. Whether insects stimulate man’s curiosity or inspire fear, whether parallels or contrasts are seen between human society and the astonishing skills of insects, this conference aims to explore the relation between man and insects. Through the study of either scientific and technological developments in entomology, or artistic concerns with insects, we invite specialists of entomology and/or the arts to reconsider the relationship of man to nature through the magnifying glass of an entomologist. Papers that offer an interdisciplinary approach on science and art are especially welcome.
We invite 20-minute papers that engage with, but are not limited to, the following topics:
- the history of entomology and insect classification
- the history of insect collecting
- the popularization of entomology
- entomology and scientific expeditions
- entomology and technological development
- insects and biodiversity
- representations of insects, ecosystems and ecology
- the resurgence of insect worlds in human society
- entomology and naturalist painters
- entomology and photography
- insects in literature
- insects in illustrated books
- insects in cinema/films
- insects and the fantastic
- insects and music
- entomological metamorphoses in science and art
Please send 300-word proposals (attached as a .doc-file) together with a short biographical note to exploraentomology@gmail.com. Deadline for submissions: 15 February 2010.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Talk - Communicating Science: Easy But Impossible
7pm, Thursday 26th NovemberLeverhulme Centre for Human Evolutionary Studies, Fitzwilliam Street, Cambridge.
Despite a growing interest among scientists in engaging with the public and
the media, we still lacks a genuine science communication culture. While
communication of every kind is on everyone's lips, we are still far from the
genuinely 'intelligent' communication promised by the advent of the
'knowledge society'. Technologies may be partly responsible for this
paradox. Having pervasive 'means' of accessing and exchanging information
creates the feeling that we are communicating better. While this is no doubt
true in so far as society is spontaneously generating new and creative
initiatives, much remains to be done when it comes to the various levels in
established institutions and organizations. We will discuss other challenges
science communication is facing today such as:
- Do we need science journalists?
- New technologies: friends or foes?
- Turning science into "mediascience"
- Promoting the science-society dialogue
About the speaker:
Michel Claessens is currently Deputy Head of the Communication Unit in the
Research Directorate-General at the European Commission. He is also the
editor-in-chief of the research*eu magazine of the European Commission. A
scientific journalist and writer, Michel Claessens has published 250
articles and 8 books on several aspects of modern science and technology. He
is also professor of science communication at the Free University of Brussels.
http://ec.europa.eu/research/research-eu/index_en.html
www.michelclaessens.net
Free to BlueSci members otherwise £2.
Dance - Light Matter: Celebrating 800 years of science through art
Special Cambridge 800th Anniversary Gala - University Senate House
Friday 4 December 7:30pm; Saturday 5 December 6pm (Black Tie preferred)
Tickets £16/£12 concessions (includes interval wine reception)
Further details here. Free online booking here or call (0)1223 300085.
Friday 4 December 7:30pm; Saturday 5 December 6pm (Black Tie preferred)
Tickets £16/£12 concessions (includes interval wine reception)
We invite you to a unique and unforgettable gala evening of new dance, art and music works in the historic Senate House. The performance features world premieres of new dances by Vanessa Fenton of the Royal Ballet and triple award winning contemporary choreographer Katie Green. All live music from 16th century choral work to newly commissioned chamber instrumentals by Jeremy Thurlow, David Earl and Ewan Campbell as well as performance by Theremin virtuoso Lydia Kavina—the grand niece of its inventor!
Further details here. Free online booking here or call (0)1223 300085.
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