Science media centre planned for Adelaide

At the suggestion of eminent UK neuroscience researcher Baroness Susan Greenfield, the South Australian Government is establishing an Australian Science Media Centre (AusSMC) in Adelaide to serve as a national portal for the media to obtain expert advice on science subjects.

Baroness Greenfield, who is one of the SA Government's Thinkers in Residence, was responsible for establishing the UK's Science Media Centre several years ago.

South Australian premier Mike Rann said the AusSMC, whose board met for the first time in Adelaide last week, would develop a database of science experts who could speak to accredited news media on a wide range of topics and disciplines related to current and breaking news.

Rann said when the tragic Indian Ocean tsunami struck in December, it had taken some time for the media to track down a tsunami expert to explain what had happened.

The SA Government has contributed $105,000 towards the centre's startup costs, and media outlets and the private sector will provide equal sponsorship for its operation. The government has advertised for its first CEO.

"The "thinking" behind this idea is to create a resource aimed at ensuring the media receives immediate, accurate, informative, interesting and evidence-based information about often complex issues that is made easy to understand," Rann said.

"It's also about engaging the community more in the sciences and to inspire a higher level of interest and debate in the sciences across all age groups."

Rann said the AusSMC will be based in Adelaide and will be sponsored in equally by the private sector and media outlets. Fairfax Holdings, the ABC, Publishing and Broadcasting Ltd (PBL), News Ltd, Macquarie Bank and the CSIRO had already confirmed their support by contributing $30,000 each for two years, and more sponsors are expected to sign up soon.

The centre will be advised by a Science Advisory Panel and government by a board of management chaired by former CEO of PBL, Peter Yates.

Rann himself is a board member, along with the director of the UK Science and Media Centre, Fiona Fox, ABC science broadcaster Robyn Williams, SA Museum director Tim Flannery, science communicator Associate Professor Rob Morrison, Bulletin Editor in Chief Gary Linnell, Adelaide Advertiser Editor in Chief Mel Mansell, Corporate Communications head of Macquarie Bank, Warwick Smith, and Mavis Abbey, a CSIRO assistant chief.

Yates said the board would approach a group of leading organisations to join as foundation sponsors, and he expects the centre to begin operating before the end of the year.