National Science Writers Festival

The National Science Writers Festival 2000 will be held in association with the Brisbane Writers Festival. The Festival will be held in Brisbane from October 19 to the 22.

The Queensland branch of Australian Science Communicators (ASC) will be organising the Festival as the first of an annual series that will bring together science writers for professional development and the sharing of ideas. Both beginners and experienced science writers are welcome with the program designed for attendees to develop science writing and communication skills.

The Festival will have two components. The public component will be run in conjunction with the Brisbane Writers Festival with two slots in the timetable secured to run a Science in the Pub session and a Science Hypothetical.

The second component will be the weekend workshop where sessions will be conducted by experts in individual areas. Each session will be run as either a quarter-day, half-day or full day activity. Other sessions may be run depending on demand. Existing workshops may also be extended for participants wishing to continue.

Several international science writers have confirmed an interest in attending including the Editor of Scientific American and the UK Editor of NewScientist. Science writers from around Australia will also be participating at the Festival.

Science writers or those interested in science writing for any medium are invited to attend.