If you think the phrase “offshore havens” must be the prelude to a piece on tax scams, you haven’t been paying attention to the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee, which is holding a wide-ranging inquiry on marine science. Are marine conservation zones, designated in 2009, helping or hindering coastal communities? And is the government doing enough to monitor global warming in the oceans? Submissions are due in by 19th September.
Birmingham, Sheffield, and Queen Mary in London are among the universities participating in Researchers’ Night, on 28th September. This Europe-wide feast of nocturnal nosiness opens up research labs to the curious. Queen Mary hopes its visitors will build a Lego universe in Whitechapel; or you may prefer to munch along to the Naked Scientists’ Crisp Packet Firework show. The Natural History Museum is also taking part.
With political bloggers wielding such influence, how is the internet helping to shape public policy? This and more will be under discussion on 20th and 21st September at a conference organised by the Oxford Internet Institute. Social networking and the way in which political organisations mobilise their supporters will be dissected, as well as whether the wealth of data available online can be used to advance the social sciences
Head to Aberdeen from 4th to 9th September for this year’s British Science Festival. Medical biologist Ann Rajnicek will provide a recipe for growing missing limbs and the University of Hertfordshire’s Richard Wiseman will explain how to have sweeter dreams; the granite city will also host familiar faces such as Iain Stewart and Bill Bryson. Did I mention that yours truly will be there to pick up an honorary fellowship from the British Science Association? Ah, modesty forbids.
