[PCST] What makes a PCST conference unmissable?

[SAKURA Osamu]

Dear Toss,

Thank you for your proposals for more attractive conference.

I would like to propose more structured organization for the pcst
conference, related to the points #5 & #10. Science communication
consists of several diversified areas, from theoretical and
philosophical analysis to quite practical activities.  Hence I suppose
the conference should be divided into some sub-sessions, e.g.,
"theoretical analysis," "case reports of practice," "workshop," etc.  I
believe that how to combine theory and practice is one of the key issues
for the successful science communication.

Yours sincerely,

Osamu

====================================
  Osamu Sakura, PhD
  Interfaculty Initiative in Information Studies
  The University of Tokyo
  Hongo 7-3-1, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
  Phone & Fax: +81-(0)3-5841-2662
====================================

> What makes a conference unmissable?
> Some members of the Scientific Committee discussed this at a recent  
> meeting to plan the 2012 PCST conference in Florence.   Here is their  
> list.
> Do you have anything to add or comments to make?
> 
> 1.     From a participant痴 point of view, a paper that is accepted
> 2.     From an intellectual perspective it is about learning new  
> things, participating in discussions which are contributing to the  
> field eg new practice, new breakthrough, genuine outcome that has  
> relevance to other places.
> 3.     Good conferences attract speakers doing relevant and innovative  
> research, practice or teaching.
> 4.     To be significant 
it should set directions in science  
> communication and take a position.
> 5.     Newer entrants into the PCST field want workshops to boost  
> their skills, where more experienced people want to stretch to meet  
> new ideas.  Good conferences cater for different interests.
> 6.     The quality of the content, particularly outstanding invited  
> plenary speakers.  Plenary speakers need to be managed so they  
> appreciate the context and focus their talk.
> 7.     Community-building and networking, including with students.
> 8.     Being able to meet the mentors, real experts in the field,  
> including 礎ook club
sessions where authors discuss their writings
> 9.     Papers that are coherent to the topics, in a program which  
> links related topics and stimulates discussion
> 10.  A mixture of formats: discussions, plenaries, workshops,  
> practical advice, debates, and poster sessions that really work.
> 11.  Good conferences leave a trace and extend the conference  
> experience.  They lead to other activities eg collaborations on books  
> or events; and have a significant effect on the host country.
> 12.  The crowd, the conversations, the consequences
> 13.  Fun
> Essential is good organisation: efficient processing of abstracts,  
> early advice on the program so propospective registrants can judge  
> whether it is relevant, an informative website, smooth registration  
> and welcoming functions, excellent venue, reasonable registration  
> fees.  Chairs should be trained so sessions run efficiently.
> So - any comments or additions?
> (And a reminder - the next PCST Conference is in Florence, April 18-20  
> April 2012.  Then it is Brazil in 2014.)
> Toss Gascoigne
> 
> ***************
> Toss Gascoigne
> President
> PCST Network
> 
> Join the PCST network at:
> http://mailmanlist.net/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/pcst/
> 
> E.  director at tossgascoigne.com.au
> P.  +61 408 704 442
> W.  tossgascoigne.com.au
> 
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