Science Journalism :: Future Directions in Science Journalism Conference Program

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2007

2:00 P.M.
TRIUMF, 4004 WESBROOK MALL, UBC SOUTH CAMPUS
Canada's National Laboratory for Particle and Nuclear Physics
Guided tour for conference participants
www.triumf.info

7:30 P.M.
WEDGEWOOD HOTEL, 845 HORNBY STREET, DOWNTOWN VANCOUVER
Opening reception
Keynote address: Alfred Hermida, UBC School of Journalism

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2007

PETER WALL INSTITUTE FOR ADVANCED STUDIES, UBC

8:30 A.M.
Guests arrive, breakfast served (included in fee)

9:15 A.M.
Welcoming remarks

9:30 A.M.
Session 1: Hype, Spin and Conflicts of Interest in Science Journalism

Moderator
Beth Haddon, UBC Graduate School of Journalism

Panellists
Ira Basen, CBC Radio
Tammy Boyce, Cardiff School of Journalism
Alan Cassels, Media Doctor Canada, University of Victoria
Alanna Mitchell, reporter and author

How much is science hyped in the press, who is responsible for it and why does it happen? How can science reporters recognize hype, avoid manipulation and look for conflicts of interest in the stories they write? How does the commercialization of science relate to science journalism? What conflicts do science journalists themselves have?

11:00 A.M.
Coffee refills

11:15 A.M.
Session 2: Talking to the Media

Moderator
David Secko, Department of Journalism, Concordia University

Presenters
Jaymie M. Matthews, Department of Physics and Astronomy, UBC
Elizabeth M. Simpson, Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, UBC

During this session of the conference, two prominent UBC scientists will present recent research in a press-conference-like setting. After the presentations, the audience can ask questions about the science, but this will also be an opportunity to create a dialogue between scientists, journalists and media experts in the same room about what was included in the press release, how the questions were answered, what else the journalists might have wanted from the scientists, what the scientists thought of the journalists' questions, etc.

12:15 P.M.
Lunch served (included in fee)

1:15 P.M.
Post-lunch wake-up exercise! Test your knowledge of recent science news!

1:30 P.M.
Session 3: Going Online for Science

Moderator
Stephen Ward, UBC Graduate School of Journalism

Panellists
François Heinderyckx, Department of Information and Communication Science, Université Libre de Bruxelles
Anne Casselman, inklingmagazine.com
Richard Black, BBCNews.com

Studies show that more and more people are going online when they look for health and science news. Where are they looking? How is that changing? And what do these new audiences want?

3:00 P.M.
Coffee break

3:30 P.M.
Session 4: A Science Journalism Toolkit

Moderators
Alan Boyle, MSNBC.com
Alfred Hermida, UBC School of Journalism

Using the information collected in the previous sessions, how can science reporters actually apply this knowledge to the stories they write online? Alfred Hermida and Alan Boyle will assemble their thoughts from the day and lead a group discussion.

5:00 P.M.
Concluding remarks

5:30 P.M.
Move to Sage Lounge for post-conference reception or free time (cash bar)

6:15 P.M.
Guests to be seated for dinner, banquet and awards ceremony begins (dinner and wine included in fee, cash bar)

Four-course meal, drinks and the first annual Canadian Science Journalism Awards Ceremony! Award winners will be in attendance.