text:
<?php

/**
 * This code was generated by
 * \ / _    _  _|   _  _
 * | (_)\/(_)(_|\/| |(/_  v1.0.0
 * /       /
 */

namespace Twilio\Rest\Sync\V1;

use Twilio\Options;
use Twilio\Values;

abstract class ServiceOptions {
    /**
     * @param string $friendlyName A string that you assign to describe the resource
     * @param string $webhookUrl The URL we should call when Sync objects are
     *                           manipulated
     * @param bool $reachabilityWebhooksEnabled Whether the service instance should
     *                                          call webhook_url when client
     *                                          endpoints connect to Sync
     * @param bool $aclEnabled Whether token identities in the Service must be
     *                         granted access to Sync objects by using the
     *                         Permissions resource
     * @param bool $reachabilityDebouncingEnabled Whether every
     *                                            endpoint_disconnected event
     *                                            occurs after a configurable delay
     * @param int $reachabilityDebouncingWindow The reachability event delay in
     *                                          milliseconds
     * @param bool $webhooksFromRestEnabled Whether the Service instance should
     *                                      call webhook_url when the REST API is
     *                                      used to update Sync objects
     * @return CreateServiceOptions Options builder
     */
    public static function create(string $friendlyName = Values::NONE, string $webhookUrl = Values::NONE, bool $reachabilityWebhooksEnabled = Values::NONE, bool $aclEnabled = Values::NONE, bool $reachabilityDebouncingEnabled = Values::NONE, int $reachabilityDebouncingWindow = Values::NONE, bool $webhooksFromRestEnabled = Values::NONE): CreateServiceOptions {
        return new CreateServiceOptions($friendlyName, $webhookUrl, $reachabilityWebhooksEnabled, $aclEnabled, $reachabilityDebouncingEnabled, $reachabilityDebouncingWindow, $webhooksFromRestEnabled);
    }

    /**
     * @param string $webhookUrl The URL we should call when Sync objects are
     *                           manipulated
     * @param string $friendlyName A string that you assign to describe the resource
     * @param bool $reachabilityWebhooksEnabled Whether the service instance should
     *                                          call webhook_url when client
     *                                          endpoints connect to Sync
     * @param bool $aclEnabled Whether token identities in the Service must be
     *                         granted access to Sync objects by using the
     *                         Permissions resource
     * @param bool $reachabilityDebouncingEnabled Whether every
     *                                            endpoint_disconnected event
     *                                            occurs after a configurable delay
     * @param int $reachabilityDebouncingWindow The reachability event delay in
     *                                          milliseconds
     * @param bool $webhooksFromRestEnabled Whether the Service instance should
     *                                      call webhook_url when the REST API is
     *                                      used to update Sync objects
     * @return UpdateServiceOptions Options builder
     */
    public static function update(string $webhookUrl = Values::NONE, string $friendlyName = Values::NONE, bool $reachabilityWebhooksEnabled = Values::NONE, bool $aclEnabled = Values::NONE, bool $reachabilityDebouncingEnabled = Values::NONE, int $reachabilityDebouncingWindow = Values::NONE, bool $webhooksFromRestEnabled = Values::NONE): UpdateServiceOptions {
        return new UpdateServiceOptions($webhookUrl, $friendlyName, $reachabilityWebhooksEnabled, $aclEnabled, $reachabilityDebouncingEnabled, $reachabilityDebouncingWindow, $webhooksFromRestEnabled);
    }
}

class CreateServiceOptions extends Options {
    /**
     * @param string $friendlyName A string that you assign to describe the resource
     * @param string $webhookUrl The URL we should call when Sync objects are
     *                           manipulated
     * @param bool $reachabilityWebhooksEnabled Whether the service instance should
     *                                          call webhook_url when client
     *                                          endpoints connect to Sync
     * @param bool $aclEnabled Whether token identities in the Service must be
     *                         granted access to Sync objects by using the
     *                         Permissions resource
     * @param bool $reachabilityDebouncingEnabled Whether every
     *                                            endpoint_disconnected event
     *                                            occurs after a configurable delay
     * @param int $reachabilityDebouncingWindow The reachability event delay in
     *                                          milliseconds
     * @param bool $webhooksFromRestEnabled Whether the Service instance should
     *                                      call webhook_url when the REST API is
     *                                      used to update Sync objects
     */
    public function __construct(string $friendlyName = Values::NONE, string $webhookUrl = Values::NONE, bool $reachabilityWebhooksEnabled = Values::NONE, bool $aclEnabled = Values::NONE, bool $reachabilityDebouncingEnabled = Values::NONE, int $reachabilityDebouncingWindow = Values::NONE, bool $webhooksFromRestEnabled = Values::NONE) {
        $this->options['friendlyName'] = $friendlyName;
        $this->options['webhookUrl'] = $webhookUrl;
        $this->options['reachabilityWebhooksEnabled'] = $reachabilityWebhooksEnabled;
        $this->options['aclEnabled'] = $aclEnabled;
        $this->options['reachabilityDebouncingEnabled'] = $reachabilityDebouncingEnabled;
        $this->options['reachabilityDebouncingWindow'] = $reachabilityDebouncingWindow;
        $this->options['webhooksFromRestEnabled'] = $webhooksFromRestEnabled;
    }

    /**
     * A string that you assign to describe the resource.
     *
     * @param string $friendlyName A string that you assign to describe the resource
     * @return $this Fluent Builder
     */
    public function setFriendlyName(string $friendlyName): self {
        $this->options['friendlyName'] = $friendlyName;
        return $this;
    }

    /**
     * The URL we should call when Sync objects are manipulated.
     *
     * @param string $webhookUrl The URL we should call when Sync objects are
     *                           manipulated
     * @return $this Fluent Builder
     */
    public function setWebhookUrl(string $webhookUrl): self {
        $this->options['webhookUrl'] = $webhookUrl;
        return $this;
    }

    /**
     * Whether the service instance should call `webhook_url` when client endpoints connect to Sync. The default is `false`.
     *
     * @param bool $reachabilityWebhooksEnabled Whether the service instance should
     *                                          call webhook_url when client
     *                                          endpoints connect to Sync
     * @return $this Fluent Builder
     */
    public function setReachabilityWebhooksEnabled(bool $reachabilityWebhooksEnabled): self {
        $this->options['reachabilityWebhooksEnabled'] = $reachabilityWebhooksEnabled;
        return $this;
    }

    /**
     * Whether token identities in the Service must be granted access to Sync objects by using the [Permissions](https://www.twilio.com/docs/sync/api/sync-permissions) resource.
     *
     * @param bool $aclEnabled Whether token identities in the Service must be
     *                         granted access to Sync objects by using the
     *                         Permissions resource
     * @return $this Fluent Builder
     */
    public function setAclEnabled(bool $aclEnabled): self {
        $this->options['aclEnabled'] = $aclEnabled;
        return $this;
    }

    /**
     * Whether every `endpoint_disconnected` event should occur after a configurable delay. The default is `false`, where the `endpoint_disconnected` event occurs immediately after disconnection. When `true`, intervening reconnections can prevent the `endpoint_disconnected` event.
     *
     * @param bool $reachabilityDebouncingEnabled Whether every
     *                                            endpoint_disconnected event
     *                                            occurs after a configurable delay
     * @return $this Fluent Builder
     */
    public function setReachabilityDebouncingEnabled(bool $reachabilityDebouncingEnabled): self {
        $this->options['reachabilityDebouncingEnabled'] = $reachabilityDebouncingEnabled;
        return $this;
    }

    /**
     * The reachability event delay in milliseconds if `reachability_debouncing_enabled` = `true`.  Must be between 1,000 and 30,000 and defaults to 5,000. This is the number of milliseconds after the last running client disconnects, and a Sync identity is declared offline, before the `webhook_url` is called if all endpoints remain offline. A reconnection from the same identity by any endpoint during this interval prevents the call to `webhook_url`.
     *
     * @param int $reachabilityDebouncingWindow The reachability event delay in
     *                                          milliseconds
     * @return $this Fluent Builder
     */
    public function setReachabilityDebouncingWindow(int $reachabilityDebouncingWindow): self {
        $this->options['reachabilityDebouncingWindow'] = $reachabilityDebouncingWindow;
        return $this;
    }

    /**
     * Whether the Service instance should call `webhook_url` when the REST API is used to update Sync objects. The default is `false`.
     *
     * @param bool $webhooksFromRestEnabled Whether the Service instance should
     *                                      call webhook_url when the REST API is
     *                                      used to update Sync objects
     * @return $this Fluent Builder
     */
    public function setWebhooksFromRestEnabled(bool $webhooksFromRestEnabled): self {
        $this->options['webhooksFromRestEnabled'] = $webhooksFromRestEnabled;
        return $this;
    }

    /**
     * Provide a friendly representation
     *
     * @return string Machine friendly representation
     */
    public function __toString(): string {
        $options = \http_build_query(Values::of($this->options), '', ' ');
        return '[Twilio.Sync.V1.CreateServiceOptions ' . $options . ']';
    }
}

class UpdateServiceOptions extends Options {
    /**
     * @param string $webhookUrl The URL we should call when Sync objects are
     *                           manipulated
     * @param string $friendlyName A string that you assign to describe the resource
     * @param bool $reachabilityWebhooksEnabled Whether the service instance should
     *                                          call webhook_url when client
     *                                          endpoints connect to Sync
     * @param bool $aclEnabled Whether token identities in the Service must be
     *                         granted access to Sync objects by using the
     *                         Permissions resource
     * @param bool $reachabilityDebouncingEnabled Whether every
     *                                            endpoint_disconnected event
     *                                            occurs after a configurable delay
     * @param int $reachabilityDebouncingWindow The reachability event delay in
     *                                          milliseconds
     * @param bool $webhooksFromRestEnabled Whether the Service instance should
     *                                      call webhook_url when the REST API is
     *                                      used to update Sync objects
     */
    public function __construct(string $webhookUrl = Values::NONE, string $friendlyName = Values::NONE, bool $reachabilityWebhooksEnabled = Values::NONE, bool $aclEnabled = Values::NONE, bool $reachabilityDebouncingEnabled = Values::NONE, int $reachabilityDebouncingWindow = Values::NONE, bool $webhooksFromRestEnabled = Values::NONE) {
        $this->options['webhookUrl'] = $webhookUrl;
        $this->options['friendlyName'] = $friendlyName;
        $this->options['reachabilityWebhooksEnabled'] = $reachabilityWebhooksEnabled;
        $this->options['aclEnabled'] = $aclEnabled;
        $this->options['reachabilityDebouncingEnabled'] = $reachabilityDebouncingEnabled;
        $this->options['reachabilityDebouncingWindow'] = $reachabilityDebouncingWindow;
        $this->options['webhooksFromRestEnabled'] = $webhooksFromRestEnabled;
    }

    /**
     * The URL we should call when Sync objects are manipulated.
     *
     * @param string $webhookUrl The URL we should call when Sync objects are
     *                           manipulated
     * @return $this Fluent Builder
     */
    public function setWebhookUrl(string $webhookUrl): self {
        $this->options['webhookUrl'] = $webhookUrl;
        return $this;
    }

    /**
     * A string that you assign to describe the resource.
     *
     * @param string $friendlyName A string that you assign to describe the resource
     * @return $this Fluent Builder
     */
    public function setFriendlyName(string $friendlyName): self {
        $this->options['friendlyName'] = $friendlyName;
        return $this;
    }

    /**
     * Whether the service instance should call `webhook_url` when client endpoints connect to Sync. The default is `false`.
     *
     * @param bool $reachabilityWebhooksEnabled Whether the service instance should
     *                                          call webhook_url when client
     *                                          endpoints connect to Sync
     * @return $this Fluent Builder
     */
    public function setReachabilityWebhooksEnabled(bool $reachabilityWebhooksEnabled): self {
        $this->options['reachabilityWebhooksEnabled'] = $reachabilityWebhooksEnabled;
        return $this;
    }

    /**
     * Whether token identities in the Service must be granted access to Sync objects by using the [Permissions](https://www.twilio.com/docs/sync/api/sync-permissions) resource.
     *
     * @param bool $aclEnabled Whether token identities in the Service must be
     *                         granted access to Sync objects by using the
     *                         Permissions resource
     * @return $this Fluent Builder
     */
    public function setAclEnabled(bool $aclEnabled): self {
        $this->options['aclEnabled'] = $aclEnabled;
        return $this;
    }

    /**
     * Whether every `endpoint_disconnected` event should occur after a configurable delay. The default is `false`, where the `endpoint_disconnected` event occurs immediately after disconnection. When `true`, intervening reconnections can prevent the `endpoint_disconnected` event.
     *
     * @param bool $reachabilityDebouncingEnabled Whether every
     *                                            endpoint_disconnected event
     *                                            occurs after a configurable delay
     * @return $this Fluent Builder
     */
    public function setReachabilityDebouncingEnabled(bool $reachabilityDebouncingEnabled): self {
        $this->options['reachabilityDebouncingEnabled'] = $reachabilityDebouncingEnabled;
        return $this;
    }

    /**
     * The reachability event delay in milliseconds if `reachability_debouncing_enabled` = `true`.  Must be between 1,000 and 30,000 and defaults to 5,000. This is the number of milliseconds after the last running client disconnects, and a Sync identity is declared offline, before the webhook is called if all endpoints remain offline. A reconnection from the same identity by any endpoint during this interval prevents the webhook from being called.
     *
     * @param int $reachabilityDebouncingWindow The reachability event delay in
     *                                          milliseconds
     * @return $this Fluent Builder
     */
    public function setReachabilityDebouncingWindow(int $reachabilityDebouncingWindow): self {
        $this->options['reachabilityDebouncingWindow'] = $reachabilityDebouncingWindow;
        return $this;
    }

    /**
     * Whether the Service instance should call `webhook_url` when the REST API is used to update Sync objects. The default is `false`.
     *
     * @param bool $webhooksFromRestEnabled Whether the Service instance should
     *                                      call webhook_url when the REST API is
     *                                      used to update Sync objects
     * @return $this Fluent Builder
     */
    public function setWebhooksFromRestEnabled(bool $webhooksFromRestEnabled): self {
        $this->options['webhooksFromRestEnabled'] = $webhooksFromRestEnabled;
        return $this;
    }

    /**
     * Provide a friendly representation
     *
     * @return string Machine friendly representation
     */
    public function __toString(): string {
        $options = \http_build_query(Values::of($this->options), '', ' ');
        return '[Twilio.Sync.V1.UpdateServiceOptions ' . $options . ']';
    }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Tag Archives: Daily Planet
Part 2 (b) of 3: Science Culture: Where Canada Stands; an expert assessment (reconstructed)
Carrying on from part 2 (a) of this commentary on the Science Culture: Where Canada Stands assessment by the Council of Canadian Academies (CAC).
One of the most intriguing aspects of this assessment was the reliance on an unpublished inventory of Canadian science outreach initiatives (informal science education) that was commissioned by the Korean Foundation for the Advancement of Science and Creativity,
The system of organizations, programs, and initiatives that supports science culture in any country is dynamic. As a result, any inventory provides only a snapshot at a single point in time, and risks quickly becoming out of date. No sustained effort has been made to track public science outreach and engagement efforts in Canada at the national or regional level. Some of the Panel's analysis relies on data from an unpublished inventory of public science communication initiatives in Canada undertaken in 2011 by Bernard Schiele, Anik Landry, and Alexandre Schiele for the Korean Foundation for the Advancement of Science and Creativity (Schiele et al., 2011). This inventory identified over 700 programs and organizations across all provinces and regions in Canada, including over 400 initiatives related to museums, science centres, zoos, or aquariums; 64 associations or NGOs involved in public science outreach; 49 educational initiatives; 60 government policies and programs; and 27 media programs. (An update of this inventory completed by the Panel brings the total closer to 800 programs.) The inventory is used throughout the chapter [chapter five] to characterize different components of the Canadian system supporting public science outreach, communication, and engagement. (p. 130 PDF; p. 98 print)
I'm fascinated by the Korean interest and wonder if this due to perceived excellence or to budgetary considerations. The cynic in me suspects the Korean foundation was interested in the US scene but decided that information from the Canadian scene would be cheaper to acquire and the data could be extrapolated to give a perspective on the US scene.
In addition to the usual suspects (newspapers, television, radio, science centres, etc.), the Expert Panel did recognize the importance of online science sources (they would have looked foolish if they hadn't),
Canadians are increasingly using the internet to seek out information relating to science. This activity can take the form of generalized searches about science-related issues or more targeted forms of information acquisition. For example, Canadians report using the internet to seek out information on health and medical issues an average of 47 times a year, or nearly every week. Other forms of online exposure to scientific content also appear to be common. For example, 46% of Canadians report having read a blog post or listserv related to science and technology at least once in the last three months, and 62% having watched an online video related to science and technology.
An increasing reliance on the internet as the main source of information about science and technology is consistent with the evolution of the media environment, as well as with survey data from other countries. Based on the Panel's survey, 17% of Canadians, for example, report reading a printed newspaper daily, while 40% report reading about the news or current events online every day. (p. 13/2 PDF; p. 100/1 print)
In common with the rest of the world, Canadians are producing and enjoying science festivals,
In Canada there are two established, large-scale science festivals. Science Rendezvous [founded in 2008 as per its Wikipedia entry] takes place in about 20 cities across the country and combines a variety of programming to comprise a day-long free event (Science Rendezvous, 2013).
The annual Eureka! Festival in Montréal (see Figure 5.6 [founded in 2007 as per its program list]) has over 100 activities over three days; it attracted over 68,000 attendees in 2012 (Eureka! Festival, 2013). More science festivals have recently been created. The University of Toronto launched the Toronto Science Festival in fall 2013 (UofT, 2013), and Beakerhead, a new festival described as a "collision of art and culture, technology, and engineering," was launched in 2013 in Calgary (Beakerhead, 2013). Two Canadian cities have also recently won bids to host STEMfest (Saskatoon in 2015 and Halifax in 2018), an international festival of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (Global STEM States, 2014). (pp. 145/6 PDF; pp. 113/4 PDF)
The assessment notes have a grand total of five radio and television programmes devoted to science: The Nature of Things, Daily Planet, Quirks and Quarks, Découverte, and Les années lumière (p. 150 PDF; p. 118 print) and a dearth of science journalism,
Dedicated science coverage is notably absent from the majority of newspapers and other print journalism in Canada. As shown in Table 5.3, none of the top 11 newspapers by weekly readership in Canada has a dedicated science section, including nationals such as The Globe and Mail and National Post. Nine of these newspapers have dedicated technology sections, which sometimes contain sub-sections with broader coverage of science or environment stories; however, story coverage tends to be dominated by technology or business (or gaming) stories. Few Canadian newspapers have dedicated science journalists on staff, and The Globe and Mail is unique among Canadian papers in having a science reporter, a medicine and health reporter, and a technology reporter. (p. 152 PDF; p. 120 print)
Not stated explicitly in the assessment is this: those science and technology stories you see in the newspaper are syndicated stories, i.e., written by reporters for the Associated Press, Reuters, and other international press organizations or simply reprinted (with credit) from another newspaper.
The report does cover science blogging with this,
Science blogs are another potential source of information about developments in science and technology. A database compiled by the Canadian Science Writers' Association, as of March of 2013, lists 143 Canadian science blogs, covering all areas of science and other aspects of science such as science policy and science culture (CSWA, 2013). Some blogs are individually authored and administered, while others are affiliated with larger networks or other organizations (e.g., Agence Science-Presse, PLOS Blogs). Canadian science blogger Maryse de la Giroday has also published an annual round-up of Canadian science blogs on her blog (www.frogheart.ca) for the past three years, and a new aggregator of Canadian science blogs was launched in 2013 (www.scienceborealis.ca). [emphases mine]
Data from the Panel's survey suggest that blogs are becoming a more prominent source of information about science and technology for the general public. As noted at the beginning of the chapter, 46% of Canadians report having read a blog post about science or technology at least once in the past three months. Blogs are also influencing the way that scientific research is carried out and disseminated. A technical critique in a blog post by Canadian microbiologist Rosie Redfield in 2010, for example, catalyzed a widely publicized debate on the validity of a study published in Science, exploring the ability of bacteria to incorporate arsenic into their DNA. The incident demonstrated the potential impact of blogs on mainstream scientific research. CBC highlighted the episode as the Canadian science story of the year (Strauss, 2011), and Nature magazine identified Redfield as one of its 10 newsmakers of the year in 2011 as a result of her efforts to replicate the initial study and publicly document her progress and results (Hayden, 2011).
The impact of online information sources, however, is not limited to blogs, with 42% of Canadians reporting having heard about a science and technology news story though social media sources like Twitter and Facebook in the last three months. And, as noted earlier, the internet is often used to search for information about specific science and technology topics, both for general issues such as climate change, and more personalized information on medical and health issues.(pp. 153/4 PDF; pp. 121/2 print)
Yes, I got a shout out as did Rosie Redfield. We were the only two science bloggers namechecked. (Years ago, the Guardian newspaper was developing a science blog network and the editor claimed he couldn't find many female science bloggers after fierce criticism of its first list of bloggers. This was immediately repudiated not only by individuals but someone compiled a list of hundreds of female science bloggers.) Still, the perception persists and I'm thrilled that the panel struck out in a different direction. I was also pleased to see Science Borealis (a Canadian science blog aggregator) mentioned. Having been involved with its founding, I'm also delighted its first anniversary was celebrated in Nov. 2014.
I doubt many people know we have a science press organization in Canada, Agence Science-Presse, but perhaps this mention in the assessment will help raise awareness in Canada's English language media,
Founded in 1978 with the motto Parce que tout le monde s'intéresse à la science ("because everyone is interested in science"), Agence Science-Presse is a not-for-profit organization in Quebec that supports media coverage of science by distributing articles on scientific research or other topical science and technology issues to media outlets in Canada and abroad. The organization also supports science promotion activities aimed at youth. For example, it currently edits and maintains an aggregation of blogs designed for young science enthusiasts and science journalists (Blogue ta science). (p. 154 PDF; p. 122)
The final chapter (the 6th) of the assessment makes five key recommendations for 'Cultivating a strong science culture':
Support lifelong science learning
Make science inclusive
Adapt to new technologies
Enhance science communication and engagement
Provide national or regional leadership
Presumably the agriculture reference in the chapter title is tongue-in-cheek. Assuming that's not one of my fantasies, it's good to see a little humour.
On to the first recommendation, lifelong learning,
… Science centres and museums, science programs on radio and television, science magazines and journalism, and online resources can all help fulfil this function by providing accessible resources for adult science learning, and by anticipating emerging information needs based on topical issues.
Most informal science learning organizations already provide these opportunities to varying degrees; however, this conception of the relative roles of informal and formal science learning providers differs from the traditional understanding, which often emphasizes how informal environments can foster engagement in science (particularly among youth), thereby triggering additional interest and the later acquisition of knowledge (Miller, 2010b). [emphasis mine] Such a focus may be appropriate for youth programming, but neglects the role that these institutions can play in ongoing education for adults, who often seek out information on science based on specific, well-defined interests or needs (e.g., a medical diagnosis, a newspaper article on the threat of a viral pandemic, a new technology brought into the workplace) (Miller, 2012). [emphases mine] Informal science learning providers can take advantage of such opportunities by anticipating these needs, providing useful and accessible information, and then simultaneously building and deepening knowledge of the underlying science through additional content.
I'm glad to see the interest in adult informal science education although the emphasis on health/medical and workplace technology issues suggests the panel underestimates, despite the data from its own survey, Canadians' curiosity about and interest in science and technology. The panel also underestimates the tenacity with which many gatekeepers hold to the belief that no one is interested in science. It took me two years before a local organizer would talk to me about including one science-themed meeting in his programme (the final paragraph in my April 14, 2014 post describes some of the process and my April 18, 2014 post describes the somewhat disappointing outcome). In the end, it was great to see a science-themed 'city conversation' but I don't believe the organizer found it to be a success, which means it's likely to be a long time before there's another one.
The next recommendation, 'Making science inclusive', is something that I think needs better practice. If one is going to be the change one wants to see that means getting people onto your expert panels that reflect your inclusiveness and explaining to your audience how your expert panel is inclusive.
The 'Adapting to new technologies' recommendation is where I expected to see some mention of the social impact of such emerging technologies as robotics, nanotechnology, synthetic biology, etc. That wasn't the case,
Science culture in Canada and other countries is now evolving in a rapidly changing technological environment. Individuals are increasingly turning to online sources for information about science and technology, and science communicators and the media are also adapting to the new channels of communication and outreach provided over the internet. As people engage more with new forms of technology in their home and work lives, organizations may be able to identify new ways to take advantage of available technologies to support learning and foster science interest and engagement. At the same time, as noted in Chapter 2, this transition is also challenging traditional models of operation for many organizations such as science centres, museums, and science media providers, forcing them to develop new strategies.
Examples of the use of new technologies to support learning are now commonplace. Nesta, an innovation-oriented organization based in the United Kingdom, conducted a study investigating the extent to which new technologies are transforming learning among students (Luckin et al., 2012) (p. 185 PDF; p. 153 print)
Admittedly, the panel was not charged with looking too far into the future but it does seem odd that in a science culture report there isn't much mention (other than a cursory comment in an early chapter) of these emerging technologies and the major changes they are bringing with them. If nothing else, the panel might have wanted to make mention of artificial intelligence how the increasing role of automated systems may be affecting science culture in Canada. For example, in my July 16, 2014 post I made described a deal Associated Press (AP) signed with a company that automates the process of writing sports and business stories. You may well have read a business story (AP contracted for business stories) written by an artificial intelligence system or, if you prefer the term, an algorithm.
The recommendation for 'Enhancing science communication and engagement' is where I believe the Expert Panel should be offered a bouquet,
… Given the significance of government science in many areas of research, government science communication constitutes an important vector for increasing public awareness and understanding about science. In Canada current policies governing how scientists working in federal departments and agencies are allowed to interact with the media and the public have come under heavy criticism in recent years …
Concerns about the federal government's current policies on government scientists' communication with the media have been widely reported in Canadian and international
press in recent years (e.g., Ghosh, 2012; CBC, 2013c; Gatehouse, 2013; Hume, 2013; Mancini, 2013; Munro, 2013). These concerns were also recently voiced by the editorial board of Nature (2012), which unfavourably compared Canada's current approach with the more open policies now in place in the United States. Scientists at many U.S. federal agencies are free to speak to the media without prior departmental approval, and to
express their personal views as long as they clearly state that they are not speaking on behalf of the government. In response to such concerns, and to a formal complaint filed by the Environmental Law Clinic at the University of Victoria and Democracy Watch, on April 2, 2013 Canada's Information Commissioner launched an investigation into whether current policies and policy instruments in seven federal departments and agencies are "restricting or prohibiting government scientists from speaking with or sharing research with the media and the Canadian public" (OICC, 2013).
Since these concerns have come to light, many current and former government scientists have discussed how these policies have affected their interactions with the media. Marley Waiser, a former scientist with Environment Canada, has spoken about how that department's policies prevented her from discussing her research on chemical pollutants in Wascana Creek near Regina (CBC, 2013c). Dr. Kristi Miller, a geneticist with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, was reportedly prevented from speaking publicly about a study she published in Science, which investigated whether a viral infection might be the cause of declines in Sockeye salmon stocks in the Fraser River (Munro, 2011).
According to data from Statistics Canada (2012), nearly 20,000 science and technology professionals work for the federal government. The ability of these researchers to communicate with the media and the Canadian public has a clear bearing on Canada's science culture. Properly supported, government scientists can serve as a useful conduit for informing the public about their scientific work, and engaging the public in discussions about the social relevance of their research; however, the concerns reported above raise questions about the extent to which current federal policies in Canada are limiting these opportunities for public communication and engagement. (pp. 190/1 PDF; p. 158/9 print)
Kudos for including the information and for this passage as well,
Many organizations including science centres and museums, research centres, and even governments may be perceived as having a science promotion agenda that portrays only the benefits of science. As a result, these organizations are not always seen as promoters of debate through questioning, which is a crucial part of the scientific process. Acknowledging complexity and controversy is another means to improve the quality of public engagement in science in a range of different contexts. (p. 195 PDF; p. 163 print)
One last happy note, which is about integrating the arts and design into the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics communities),
Linking Science to the Arts and Design U.S. advocates for "STEM to STEAM" call for an incorporation of the arts in discussions of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in an effort to "achieve a synergistic balance" (Piro, 2010). They cite positive outcomes such as cognitive development, reasoning skills, and concentration abilities. Piro (2010) argues that "if creativity, collaboration, communication, and critical thinking — all touted as hallmark skills for 21st-century success — are to be cultivated, we need to ensure that STEM subjects are drawn closer to the arts." Such approaches offer new techniques to engage both student and adult audiences in science learning and engagement opportunities.
What I find fascinating about this STEM to STEAM movement is that many of these folks don't seem to realize is that until fairly recently the arts and sciences recently have always been closely allied. James Clerk Maxwell was also a poet, not uncommon amongst 19th century scientists.
In Canada one example of this approach is found in the work of Michael R. Hayden, who has conducted extensive genetic research on Huntington disease. In the lead-up to the 2000 Human Genome Project World Conference, Hayden commissioned Vancouver's Electric Company Theatre to fuse "the spheres of science and art in a play that explored the implications of the revolutionary technology of the Human Genome Project" (ECT, n.d.). This play, The Score, was later adapted into a film. Hayden believes that his play "transforms the scientific ideas explored in the world of the laboratory into universal themes of human identity, freedom and creativity, and opens up a door for a discussion between the scientific community and the public in general" (Genome Canada, 2006). (p. 196 PDF; p. 164 print)
I'm not sure why the last recommendation presents an either/or choice, 'Providing national or regional leadership', while the following content suggests a much more fluid state,
… it should be recognized that establishing a national or regional vision for science culture is not solely the prerogative of government. Such a vision requires broad support and participation from the community of affected stakeholders to be effective, and can also emerge from that community in the absence of a strong governmental role.
The final chapter (the seventh) restates the points the panel has made throughout its report. Unexpectedly, part 2 got bigger, 'nuff said.
This entry was posted in science policy and tagged Agence Science-Presse, Beakerhead, CAC, Canada, Council of Canadaian Academies, Daily Planet, David Kent, Découverte, Eureka! Festival, Foldit, FrogHeart blog, Globe and Mail, Korea, Korean Foundation for the Advancement of Science and Creativity, Kristi Miller, Les années lumière, Marley Waiser, Maryse de la Giroday, Michael R. Hayden, OECD, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, PISA, Programme for International Student Assessment, Quirks and Quarks, Rick Mercer, Rosie Redfield, Science Borealis, science culture, Science Culture: Where Canada Stands, Science Rendezvous, STEAM, STEM, STEMfest, The Nature of Things, Toronto Science Festival on January 2, 2015 by Maryse de la Giroday.
Part 2 (a) of 3: Science Culture: Where Canada Stands; an expert assessment (reconstructed)
Losing over 2000 words, i.e., part 2 of this commentary on the Science Culture: Where Canada Stands assessment by the Council of Canadian Academies (CAC) on New Year's Eve 2014 was a bit of blow. So, here's my attempt at reconstructing my much mourned part 2.
There was acknowledgement of Canada as a Arctic country and an acknowledgement of this country's an extraordinary geographical relationship to the world's marine environment,
Canada's status as an Arctic nation also has a bearing on science and science culture. Canada's large and ecologically diverse Arctic landscape spans a substantial part of the circumpolar Arctic, and comprises almost 40% of the country's landmass (Statistics Canada, 2009). This has influenced the development of Canadian culture more broadly, and also created opportunities in the advancement of Arctic science. Canada's northern inhabitants, the majority of whom are Indigenous peoples, represent a source of knowledge that contributes to scientific research in the North (CCA, 2008).
These characteristics have contributed to the exploration of many scientific questions including those related to environmental science, resource development, and the health and well-being of northern populations. Canada also has the longest coastline of any country, and these extensive coastlines and marine areas give rise to unique research opportunities in ocean science (CCA, 2013a). (p. 55 PDF; p. 23 print)
Canada's aging population is acknowledged in a backhand way,
Like most developed countries, Canada's population is also aging. In 2011 the median age in Canada was 39.9 years, up from 26.2 years in 1971 (Statistics Canada, n.d.). This ongoing demographic transition will have an impact on science culture in Canada in years to come. An aging population will be increasingly interested in health and medical issues. The ability to make use of this kind of information will depend in large part on the combination of access to the internet, skill in navigating it, and a conceptual toolbox that includes an understanding of genes, probability, and related constructs (Miller, 2010b). (p. 56 PDF; p. 24 print)
Yes, the only science topics of interest for an old person are health and medicine. Couldn't they have included one sentence suggesting an aging population's other interests and other possible impacts on science culture?
On the plus side, the report offers a list of selected Canadian science culture milestones,
• 1882 – Royal Society of Canada is established.
• 1916 – National Research Council is established.
• 1923 – Association canadienne-française pour l'avancement des sciences (ACFAS) is established.
• 1930 – Canadian Geographic is first published by the Royal Canadian Geographical Society.
• 1951 – Massey–Lévesque Commission calls for the creation of a national science and technology museum.
• 1959 – Canada sees its first science fairs in Winnipeg, Edmonton, Hamilton, Toronto, Montréal, and Vancouver; volunteer coordination eventually grows into Youth Science Canada.
• 1960 – CBC's Nature of Things debuts on television; Fernand Séguin hosts "Aux frontières de la science."
• 1962 – ACFAS creates Le Jeune scientifique, which becomes Québec Science in 1970.
• 1966 – Science Council of Canada is created to advise Parliament on science and technology issues.
• 1967 – Canada Museum of Science and Technology is created.
• 1969 – Ontario Science Centre opens its doors (the Exploratorium in San Francisco opens the same year).
• 1971 – Canadian Science Writers' Association is formed.
• 1975 – Symons Royal Commission on Canadian Studies speaks to how understanding the role of science in society is important to understanding Canadian culture and identity.
• 1975 – Quirks and Quarks debuts on CBC Radio.
• 1976 – OWL children's magazine begins publication.
• 1977 – Association des communicateurs scientifiques du Québec is established.
• 1978 – L'Agence Science-Presse is created.
• 1981 – Association des communicateurs scientifiques creates the Fernand-Séguin scholarship to identify promising young science journalists.
• 1982 – Les Débrouillards is launched in Quebec. (p. 58 PDF; p. 26 print)
The list spills onto the next page and into the 2000's.
It's a relief to see the Expert Panel give a measured response to the claims made about science culture and its various impacts, especially on the economy (in my book, some of the claims have bordered on hysteria),
The Panel found little definitive empirical evidence of causal relationships between the dimensions of science culture and higher-level social objectives like stronger economic performance or more effective public policies. As is the case with much social science research, isolating the impacts of a single variable on complex social phenomena is methodologically challenging, and few studies have attempted to establish such relationships in any detail. As noted in 1985 by the Bodmer report (a still-influential report on public understanding of science in the United Kingdom), although there is good reason prima facie to believe that improving public understanding of science has national economic benefits, empirical proof for such a link is often elusive (RS & Bodmer, 1985). This remains the case today. Nevertheless, many pieces of evidence suggest why a modern, industrialized society should cultivate a strong science culture. Literature from the domains of cognitive science, sociology, cultural studies, economics, innovation, political science, and public policy provides relevant insights. (p. 63 PDF; p. 31 print)
Intriguingly, while the panel has made extensive use of social science methods for this assessment there are some assumptions made about skill sets required for the future,
Technological innovation depends on the presence of science and technology skills in the workforce. While at one point it may have been possible for relatively low-skilled individuals to substantively contribute to technological development, in the 21st century this is no longer the case. [emphasis mine] Advanced science and technology skills are now a prerequisite for most types of technological innovation. (p. 72 PDF; p. 40 print)
Really, it's no longer possible for relatively low-skilled individuals to contribute to technological development? Maybe the expert panel missed this bit in my March 27, 2013 post,
Getting back to Bittel's Slate article, he mentions Foldit (here's my first piece in an Aug. 6, 2010 posting [scroll down about 1/2 way]), a protein-folding game which has generated some very exciting science. He also notes some of that science was generated by older, 'uneducated' women. Bittel linked to Jeff Howe's Feb. 27, 2012 article about Foldit and other crowdsourced science projects for Slate where I found this very intriguing bit,
"You'd think a Ph.D. in biochemistry would be very good at designing protein molecules," says Zoran Popović, the University of Washington game designer behind Foldit. Not so. "Biochemists are good at other things. But Foldit requires a narrow, deeper expertise."
Or as it turns out, more than one. Some gamers have a preternatural ability to recognize patterns, an innate form of spatial reasoning most of us lack. Others—often "grandmothers without a high school education," says Popovic—exercise a particular social skill. "They're good at getting people unstuck. They get them to approach the problem differently." What big pharmaceutical company would have anticipated the need to hire uneducated grandmothers? (I know a few, if Eli Lilly HR is thinking of rejiggering its recruitment strategy.) [emphases mine]
It's not the idea that technical and scientific skills are needed that concerns me; it's the report's hard line about 'low skills' (which is a term that is not defined). In addition to the notion that future jobs require only individuals with 'high level' skills; there's the notion (not mentioned in this report but gaining general acceptance in the media) that we shouldn't ever have to perform repetitive and boring activities. It's a notion which completely ignores a certain aspect of the learning process. Very young children repeat over and over and over and over … . Apprenticeships in many skills-based crafts were designed with years of boring, repetitive work as part of the training. It seems counter-intuitive but boring, repetitive activities can lead to very high level skills such as the ability to 'unstick' a problem for an expert with a PhD in biochemistry.
Back to the assessment, the panel commissioned a survey, conducted in 2013, to gather data about science culture in Canada,
The Panel's survey of Canadian science culture, designed to be comparable to surveys undertaken in other countries as well as to the 1989 Canadian survey, assessed public attitudes towards science and technology, levels and modes of public engagement in science, and public science knowledge or understanding. (The evidence reported in this chapter on the fourth dimension, science and technology skills, is drawn from other sources such as Statistics Canada and the OECD).
Conducted in April 2013, the survey relied on a combination of landline and mobile phone respondents (60%) and internet respondents (40%), randomly recruited from the general population. In analyzing the results, responses to the survey were weighted based on Statistics Canada data according to region, age, education, and gender to ensure that the sample was representative of the Canadian public. 7 A total of 2,004 survey responses were received, with regional breakdowns presented in Table 4.1. At a national level, survey results are accurate within a range of plus or minus 2.2% 19 times out of 20 (i.e., at the 95% confidence interval), and margins of error for regional results range from 3.8% to 7.1%). Three open-ended questions were also included in the survey, which were coded using protocols previously applied to these questions in other international surveys. 8 All open-ended questions were coded independently by at least three bilingual coders, and any discrepancies in coding were settled through a review by a fourth coder. (p. 79 PDF; p. 47 print)
The infographic's data in part 1 of this commentary, What Do Canadians Think About Science and Technology (S&T)? is based on the survey and other statistical information included in the report especially Chapter four focused on measurements (pp. 77 – 127 PDF; pp. 45 – 95 print). While the survey presents a somewhat rosier picture of the Canadian science culture than the one I experience on a daily basis, the data seems to have been gathered in a thoughtful fashion. Regardless of the assessment's findings and my opinions, how Canadians view science became a matter of passionate debate in the Canadian science blogging community (at least parts of it) in late 2014 as per a Dec. 3, 2014 posting by the Science Borealis team on their eponymous blog (Note: Links have been removed),
The CBC's Rick Mercer is a staunch science advocate, and his November 19th rant was no exception. He addressed the state of basic science in Canada, saying that Canadians are "passionate and curious about science."
In response, scientist David Kent wrote a post on the Black Hole Blog in which he disagreed with Mercer, saying, "I do not believe Mr. Mercer's idea that Canadians as a whole are interested although I, like him, would wish it to be the case."
Kent's post has generated some fierce discussion, both in the comments on his original post and in the comments on a Facebook post by Evidence for Democracy.
Here at Science Borealis, we rely on a keen and enthusiastic public to engage with the broad range of science-based work our bloggers share, so we decided to address some of the arguments Kent presented in his post.
Anecdotal evidence versus data
Kent says "Mr. Mercer's claims about Canadians' passions are anecdotal at best, and lack any evidence – indeed it is possible that Canadians don't give a hoot about science for science's sake."
Unfortunately, Kent's own argument is based on anecdotal evidence ("To me it appears that… the average Canadian adult does not particularly care about how or why something works.").
If you're looking for data, they're available in a recent Council of Canadian Academies report that specifically studied science culture in Canada. Results show that Canadians are very interested in science.
You can find David Kent's Nov. 26, 2014 post about Canadians, Rick Mercer and science here. Do take a look at the blog's comments which feature a number of people deeply involved in promoting and producing Canadian science culture.
I promised disturbing statistics in the head for this posting and here they are in the second paragraph,
Canadian students perform well in PISA [Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development's (OECD) Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA)] , with relatively high scores on all three of the major components of the assessment (reading, science, and mathematics) compared with students in other countries (Table 4.4). In 2012 only seven countries or regions had mean scores on the science assessment higher than Canada on a statistically significant basis: Shanghai–China, Hong Kong–China, Singapore, Japan, Finland, Estonia, and Korea (Brochu et al., 2013). A similar pattern holds for mathematics scores, where nine countries had mean scores higher than Canada on a statistically significant basis: Shanghai–China, Singapore, Hong Kong–China, Chinese Taipei, Korea, Macao–China, Japan, Lichtenstein, and Switzerland (Brochu et al., 2013). Regions scoring higher than Canada are concentrated in East Asia, and tend to be densely populated, urban areas. Among G8 countries, Canada ranks second on mean science and mathematics scores, behind Japan.
However, the 2012 PISA results also show statistically significant declines in Canada's scores on both the mathematics and science components. Canada's science score declined by nine points from its peak in 2006 (with a fall in ranking from 3rd to 10th), and the math score declined by 14 points since first assessed in 2003 (a fall from 7th to 13th) (Brochu et al., 2013). Changes in Canada's standing relative to other countries reflect both the addition of new countries or regions over time (i.e., the addition of regions such as Hong Kong–China and Chinese Taipei in 2006, and of Shanghai–China in 2009) and statistically significant declines in mean scores.
My Oct. 9, 2013 post discusses the scores in more detail and as the Expert Panel notes, the drop is disconcerting and disturbing. Hopefully, it doesn't indicate a trend.
Part 2 (b) follows immediately.
This entry was posted in science policy and tagged Agence Science-Presse, Beakerhead, CAC, Canada, Council of Canadian Academies, Daily Planet, David Kent, Découverte, Eureka! Festival, Foldit, FrogHeart blog, Globe and Mail, Korea, Korean Foundation for the Advancement of Science and Creativity, Kristi Miller, Les années lumière, Marley Waiser, Maryse de la Giroday, Michael R. Hayden, OECD, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, PISA, Programme for International Student Assessment, Quirks and Quarks, Rick Mercer, Rosie Redfield, Science Borealis, science culture, Science Culture: Where Canada Stands, Science Rendezvous, STEAM, STEM, STEMfest, The Nature of Things, Toronto Science Festival on January 2, 2015 by Maryse de la Giroday.
2011 Canadian Science Policy Conference
It's the third year for the Canadian Science Policy Conference. The first two were held in Toronto and Montréal, respectively. For a refreshing change of pace, they're holding this year's conference in Ottawa. (For anyone not familiar with Canadian geography, these locations are all relatively close to each other and this type of scheduling is the source of much grumbling from those of us in the 'other' provinces and the territories.)
You'll be happy to know that the theme for the 2011 conference is: Building Bridges for the Future of Science Policy in Canada. Being held from Nov. 16 – 18, 2011, the conference features a keynote address from three speakers, Rémi Quirion, OC, Ph.D., CQ, FRSC, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Fonds de recherche du Québec; Ian Chubb, Chief Scientist for Australia; and R. Peter MacKinnon, President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Saskatchewan. Unfortunately, there is no information about what they might discuss although one imagines they will focus on the theme for the conference. (Note: One cannot always depend on one's speakers to keep to the theme. I know this from bittersweet [it's funny afterwards] experience.)
I'm a little more interested in the talk which ushers in the first full day of the conference. Scheduled for 8:40 am on Thursday, November 17, 2011 the talk is titled, Building Stronger Communities Through Innovation. Here's a preview from the 2011 CSPC agenda page,
How do we build innovative communities? This is a central challenge for Canada in the 21st century since innovative communities form the foundation of a prosperous country. As more than a decade of research on industry clusters has shown, a robust innovation system can have a profoundly positive impact on local communities when it translates into high quality jobs, industrial growth, new enterprises, improved public infrastructure and services and a cleaner, healthier environment.
But building innovation into our communities takes the involvement of individuals and institutions across the spectrum of society. Universities, colleges, research hospitals, private companies, governments and non-profit agencies, along with the talented, creative people that work in these organizations, must be free to work together and share their knowledge and ideas.
Yet fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange between different organizations, with different interests and capacities can be challenging. Successful collaboration requires time, resources, communication, shared goals, commitment and risk-taking.
A panel of leading Canadian thinkers in inter-sectoral and inter-organizational collaboration will discuss how university and college researchers can work with local businesses to translate new knowledge into new creative products and beneficial services. They will look at the role of research hospitals in contributing to both the health and wealth of local communities. And they will discuss best practices in overcoming the institutional and cultural barriers to collaboration.
The speakers for this session are:
Gilles G. Patry, Ph.D, President and CEO,Canada Foundation for Innovation; Chad Gaffield,, Ph.D, President, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council; Dr. Kevin Smith, President and CEO, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, St Joseph's Lifecare Centre Brantford; Fred Morley, Executive VP & Chief Economist, Greater Halifax Partnership; Fassi Kafyeke Director, Strategic Technology,Bombardier Aerospace; Hon. Mike Harcourt, Lawyer, Community Activist, and former BC Premier
Given that the report of the Review of Federal Support to R&D has just been released (my posting will be out later today), it would be nice if they mention the report and its likely impact on the science community. It's probably too late but it would be fabulous if someone from the expert panel could be persuaded to give a talk.
I'm mentioning these two panels simply because I know a speaker on each. David Kent ( CIHR Postdoctoral, University of Cambridge) is moderating the Education and Training of Scientists panel. David is 1/2 of the blogging team for The Black Hole; Science in Canada Issues Affecting Science Trainees blog (Beth Swan is the other 1/2). You can find out more about the conference and David's latest panel doings in his Oct. 18, 2011 posting. The other panelist is Tim Meyer (Head of Strategic Planning & Communications, TRIUMF) who's on the Reaching out with Big Science panel. Are they going to talk about blogging and social media or are they going to focus primarily on mainstream media. Given that two of the other speakers are Penny Park (Science Media Centre of Canada) and Jay Ingram (until recently a host for the Daily Planet programme on the Discovery Channel and author), I'm guessing the focus will be mainstream media.
Note Oct. 20, 2011: A few minor grammatical changes made in a bid to make this piece readable. We'll see how that works.
ETA Oct. 24, 2011: I can't believe missed this panel (Science Culture, Organized and Prioritized: Three National and International Initiatives) which features another person I've had the pleasure of encountering, Denise Amyot, President and Chief Executive Office of the Canada Science and Technology Museums Corporation (CSTMC). In order to make up for my oversight I'm including a description here,
Culture is big: annually, some 290 million citizens actively participate in the exhibitions, programs, events and outreach initiatives organized by 2,400 science centres worldwide. Other types of institutions, radio, internet, and film build further on that reach. This session will examine three recent initiatives that seek to organize, define, and take strategic advantage of the work of hundreds of diverse science engagement and knowledge creation organisations nationally and internationally. Increasingly, strategic focus among this diverse set of content and communication partners is bringing new attention to science engagement for the benefit of national and global society.
This session will examine Inspiring Australia, an initiative of the Australian government to create regional networks of diverse engagement organizations and connect them effectively with the science knowledge creators in order to better execute science engagement in that country. We will also examine an initiative to benchmark "science culture" in order to better measure future progress . And finally we will examine a global initiative by science centres to use science engagement in a truly global context.
Well, the first initiative is clearly from Australia (perhaps this explains Ian Chubb's role as one of the conference's opening keynote speakers and as one of three speakers on this panel) and the third initiative is coming from the science centres (one of the panelists is from the Ontario Science Centre) so perhaps the second initiative is coming from the CSTMC?
This entry was posted in science communication, science policy and tagged 2011 Canadian Science Policy Conference, 2011 CSPC, Australia, Bombardier Aerospace, Building Bridges for the Future of Science Policy in Canada, Building Stronger Communities Through Innovation, Canada, Canada Foundation for Innovation, Chad Gaffield, Daily Planet, David Kent, Education and Training of Scientists, Fassi Kafyeke, Fonds de recherche du Québec, Fred Morley, Gilles G. Patry, Greater Halifax Partnership, Ian Chubb, Jay Ingram, Kevin Smith, Mike Harcourt, Penny Park, R. Peter MacKinnon, Reaching out with Big Science, Rémi Quirion, Review of Federal Support to R&D, Science Media Centre of Canada, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, St Joseph's Lifecare Centre Brantford, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, The Black Hole, Tim Meyer, TRIUMF, University of Saskatchewan on October 19, 2011 by Maryse de la Giroday.
Science communication in Canada (part 2)
Today I'm going to discuss science journalism. There's not a lot of science journalism as the Science Day report notes,
In communicating science issues, the media fall far short. Science-focused stories rarely make the news in Canada, and when they do, often fail to adequately explain either the science or its significance. It seems that Canadian news editors and producers assume that the public considers science uninteresting or complicated. The European media, in contrast, appreciating that science can hold readers' and viewers' attention, routinely cover science news. Scientists, for their part, too often do not engage the world beyond their labs and institutes. When they do venture out, they sometimes fail to succinctly convey the gist or broader relevance of their research to the public, industry and government.
Contrary to the media's assumptions, a surprisingly large number of Canadians share a keen interest in science. When conveyed properly, science news can capture the public's imagination. And scientists are perfectly capable of conveying science to a wide audience.
I also found out recently that science journalism is not science communication; that field was described to me (by a member of the School of Journalism at the University of British Columbia) as public relations and marketing. Interesting, non? I view science communication more broadly but I can understand why it's viewed that way. First, communication departments are often charged with public relations, media relations, and/or marketing communication initiatives. (Note: I don't know if it's still true but 15 years ago people in communication departments viewed their roles as distinct from public relations and/or marketing communication. Personally, I always found the lines to be blurry.) Second, there is a longstanding snobbery about public relations, communication, etc. in the journalism community.
Getting back to science journalism, I think pretty anyone will agree that there's not much coverage of the science scene in Canada. You're not going find many science stories in your local papers or on the radio and tv unless you make a special effort. In terms of general science magazines that are not being issued by a government agency, only two spring to mind. SEED and Yes Mag for Children and unfortunately I've never seen either magazine on the news stands. As for broadcast programmes, there's SPARK and Quirks and Quarks on CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) Radio and Daily Planet on the Discovery Channel (a Canadian offshoot station of a US television channel). SPACE: the imagination station (another offshoot of a US television channel [Syfy] which focuses on science fiction and fantasy) does cover the odd science story but they insert the news bits between programming and I've never been able to discern a schedule. Please let me know if I've missed anything.
I'd like to note is that the term science story also includes medical stories, health stories, and environment stories which members of the news media believe are of much interest to the general public (and even they don't get great coverage). The consequence is that other sciences tend to get short shrift in the competition for news coverage when there are so few outlets.
I will have more next week on this. In the meantime, the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies (PEN) has a new event coming up on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2009 at 12:30 pm EST in Washington, DC. The event is titled, Nanotechnology, Synthetic Biology, and Biofuels: What does the public think? If you're in Washington, DC and want to attend, you can RSVP here or there will be both a live webcast and a posted webcast after the event, no RSVP required.
Finally, Rob Annan (Don't leave Canada behind) is digging deeper into the issue of entrepreneurship in Canada and how we can nurture it here. He also provides some resources that you may want to check out or you may want to let him know of your network.
This entry was posted in innovation, nanotechnology, science communication, synthetic biology and tagged biofuels, Canada, Canadian, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Canadian science broadcast programmes, Canadian science magazines, CBC, Daily Planet, Discovery Channel, entrepreneurship, nanotechnology, National Science Day report, PEN, Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies, Quirks and Quarks, report on Science Day, Rob Annan, science communication, science journalism, science radio, science tv, SEED magazine, Space: the imagination station, SPARK, SyFy, synthetic biology, Yes Mag for children on September 18, 2009 by Maryse de la Giroday.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Q: How to read remote image to a base64 data url actually there are many answers for this question. But my problem is,
i want to generate pdf dynamically with 5 external(URL) images. Im using PDFmake node module.
it supports only two ways local and base64 format. But i don't want to store images locally.
so my requirement is one function which takes url as parameter and returns base64.
so that i can store in global variable and create pdfs
thanks in advance
function urlToBase(URL){
return base64;
}

var img = urlToBase('https://unsplash.com/photos/MVx3Y17umaE');
var dd = {
            content: [
              {
                text: 'fjfajhal'
              },
              {
                image: img,
              }
            ]
          };

          var writeStream = fs.createWriteStream('myPdf.pdf');
        var pdfDoc = printer.createPdfKitDocument(dd);
        pdfDoc.pipe(writeStream);
        pdfDoc.end();

im using PDFmake module from npm

A: The contents of the remote image can first be fetched with an HTTP request, for example using the ubiquitous request npm module. The image string contents can then be transformed to a buffer and finally converted to a base64 string. To complete the transformation, add the proper data-url prefix, for example, data:image/png,base64, to the beginning of the base64 string.
Here is a rough example for a PNG image:
const request = require('request-promise-native');

let jpgDataUrlPrefix = 'data:image/png;base64,';
let imageUrl         = 'https://www.google.com/images/branding/googlelogo/1x/googlelogo_color_272x92dp.png';

request({
    url: imageUrl,
    method: 'GET',
    encoding: null // This is actually important, or the image string will be encoded to the default encoding
})
    .then(result => {
        let imageBuffer  = Buffer.from(result);
        let imageBase64  = imageBuffer.toString('base64');
        let imageDataUrl = jpgDataUrlPrefix+imageBase64;

        console.log(imageDataUrl);
    });

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


The RCMP have made the province's largest seizure of illicit cash as part of a large investigation into organized crime.
Project Broken began in May 2017 as an investigation into the illicit activities of a number of individuals from the Torbay area.
By March of this year, police were carrying out multiple search warrants in the investigation. Today, the RCMP showed for the media exactly what they found.
The RCMP says the total value of all goods seized, including cash, is about $1.4-million.
Police have arrested 27-year-old Jonathan Brandon Mahon of St. John's, 29-year-old Nicklaus James Travis of Torbay, and 30-year-old Thomas Scott Brown of Torbay.
The investigation also led police outside the province, and included the help of other police organizations. As a result charges have also been laid against 29-year-old Charlotte Louise Toomey of Ontario, and 28-year-old Michael Douglas Smith, currently incarcerated at Drummondville Penitentiary.
The investigation is ongoing, and further arrests are possible.


For the past several years, patrons of Ginger Bay Café in downtown Hollywood have been punctuating their weekends with a combination of good food and good music. Each week, the restaurant presents 'Sunday Jazz at the Bay,' featuring some of South Florida's most talented artists, including Ruby Baker, Leesa Richards, Jon Saxx, Lauren Carter and performing on Oct. 4, Eric and the Jazzers.
Noel Jones owns the popular spot frequented by African and Caribbean-Americans. He said that while pegged as 'Jazz at the Bay,' the music is actually a mixture that includes jazz, R & B, neo-soul and reggae. "A lot of the bands play the neo-soul music instrumentally," he added.
There are three chefs in the Ginger Bay kitchen; Chef Kamar, Chef Denzel and Chef Craig Rose comes in on the weekends; cooking up the restaurant's specialty, jerk chicken and their biggest seller, jerk wings. "People seem to love our jerk wings," Jones said.
While the evening offers a laid back vibe with what Jones called "relaxing music," it culminates in an opportunity for patrons to dance off some of the calories they've consumed when the D.J. spins "old school music for grown folks" during 'Retro Sunday,' which lasts well into the night.
"We usually go to at least 2 a.m.; on holidays when there's no work, we go until 4 a.m.," Jones added.
For more information, log on to gingerbaycafe.org and follow the restaurant on Facebook and Instagram.


text:
Q: How to remove an item from 2 array's with the same order? So I am trying to remove 2 items from 2 different array's. One with value and one without value but has the same order as the first array.(also I am using discord.js).
Here's the code- https://sourceb.in/gUtLbIMoBr
I can't upload it here as it contains more then 50 lines.
Please help.

A: You can remove an item from an array like this. And you can it do it multiple times.
When asking a question show your example code and go into more detail.

let arr = ["a","b","c"]
let arr2 = ["A","B","C"]

console.log(arr)
console.log(arr2)

const removeIdx = 1

arr.splice(removeIdx, 1)
arr2.splice(removeIdx, 1)

console.log(arr)
console.log(arr2)


W Factor Youth Talent Competition is a competition to show case Wyndham's young people. The competition is open for all young people aged between 12-25 who live, work or study within Wyndham.
Youth services are now taking enrolments online (only).
Places are limited so get in early.
Appropriate clothing to be worn.
No political, religious, racism or sexually explicit material allowed.
All acts must adhere strictly to their performance time.
Maximum time limit is 5 minutes for each performance.
All performing applicants must live, work or study in Wyndham and be aged between 12-25 years.
The judging panel's decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
Consent to photographs and filming of the event by Wyndham City staff to be used in newspaper articles and Wyndham City Youth Services promotional materials.
All performances with backing tracks are required to provide these with their (ipod/phone etc) to the sound technician at least 60 minutes prior to performance (with the CD, USB Stick, Phone or iPod).It must be Fully charged (if required) with information of lock code, track name/numberandPerformanceName). If this is not supplied performers may miss their place. These will be securely placed under stage manager/sound tech supervsion.
Youth services cannot store additional props/instruments etc, before or after the event. These must be brought with you & taken with you on the night. They must also be small enough to fit through a normal door.
The Winner will be announced on the day of the competition and also via the Youth Services Website by Friday 21 June 2019.
Applications closed Saturday 25 May 2019.
No late enrolments. Limited places so be quick.
The competition will be held at the Youth Resource Centre (86 Derrimut Rd, Hoppers Crossing) 5-9pm on Saturday 8 June 2019.
Performance Times to be announced via this website on Friday 7 June 2019 (performers will be notified by Wednesday 5 June ).


In July 2008, ASSA ABLOY acquired Beijing Tianming's fire-rated door business. For ASSA ABLOY, Tianming is an excellent compliment in China, and with the increased enforcement of fire and safety regulations, continued good growth is expected.
What specific requirements are there in the new Chinese standard for buildings, and what does this mean for ASSA ABLOY?
Is there a difference between public buildings and buildings for private people, and in that case, what is that difference?
What is the company's biggest contribution to the ASSA ABLOY Group?
"Tianming has a long history in the business and brings an established and proven door technology to the table. We developed China's first fire-rated steel door already in 1983. In 1985, we were the first in China to develop a steel fire rolling shutter door and the year after that, we participated in and took charge of the constitution of fire door and rolling shutter door's national standard."
What is the overall strategy/goal for ASSA ABLOY Door Group the coming year?
"The Tianming factory layout is spacious enough to make place for future expansion.
Annual capacity: 200,000 square meters or roughly 20,000 doors.
Location: Headquarters and plant located at Tongzhou District, 50 KM east of Beijing.
Products manufactured: Major production ranges are fire-rated steel and wooden doors, stainless steel frame fire doors, fire and smoke proof steel roller shutters for commercial, residential and industrial customers.


The Salvation of the New River Valley, located in Christiansburg, VA is in need of a refrigerator for its soup kitchen. Local grocery stores donate out of date items for the soup kitchen, but without a refrigerator, these go unused. If you have an extra or used refrigerator, they could well use it! Many needy people are otherwise going without.


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2019 KIMBERLEY ECONOMIC FORUM
2015 Kimberley Economic Forum Speakers
KEY NOTE SPEAKERS:
The Honourable Premier Colin Barnett MEc MLA
Since becoming Western Australia's 29th Premier on September 6, 2008, Colin Barnett has built a reputation as a strong advocate for Western Australia, for decisive leadership and promoting the economic and social development of the State.
As State Development Minister, Mr Barnett is committed to attracting investment and assisting the development of major projects based around Western Australia's natural advantages in mining, petroleum and agriculture.
Mr Barnett has been the Liberal Member for Cottesloe since 1990 and was Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party and a senior minister in the Court Government (1993-2001) holding the portfolios of Resources Development, Energy, Education and Tourism. From 2001 to 2005, he was Leader of the State Opposition. Mr Barnett has been Deputy Leader or Leader of the Liberal Party in every State election since 1993.
He holds an Honours and Masters Degree in Economics from the University of Western Australia.
Click HERE to learn more about Mr Barnett.
Michael Pascoe - Economist/Journalist
Michael Pascoe is one of Australia's most experienced and thoughtful finance and economics commentators with four decades in newspaper, broadcast and on-line journalism covering the full gamut of economic and business issues as well as occasionally straying into more whimsical matters of the human condition.
Michael Pascoe is a contributing editor for the Fairfax Media Business Day web sites, a regular commentator on Channel 7's Sunrise and news programs, a columinist for Yahoo7 and Mining Monthly.
Click HERE to learn more about Michael Pascoe.
Russell Barnett: Partner - Australian Venture Consultants, Consultant to Broome Future Ltd
Russell has approximately 20 years of experience in complex strategic and operational analysis across a range of industries in the Australia and the Asia Pacific region.
Russell is a principal adviser to Broome Future Limited, a not-for-profit, privately funded organization established to advocate for the sustainable economic, social, cultural and environmental development of Broome and the Kimberley.
Click HERE to learn more about Russell Barnett.
James Brown: General Manager of Cygnet Bay Pearls and The Kimberley Marine Research Station
James Brown is the third generation of his family to manage the family pearl farm at Cygnet Bay.
He has a Marine Biology Degree and over the last 15 years he has honed his expertise in every facet of the cultured pearling industry and today enjoys the challenge of diversifying and adapting the old family business to meet the industries challenges.
Click HERE to learn more about James Brown.
William (Chub) Witham: Manager - North West & Kimberley
The Chamber of Minerals and Energy - WA
William (Chub) Witham is a qualified exploration geologist with over twenty five years' international experience in mineral and oil and gas exploration, management, government relations and corporate finance, building an in-depth understanding of the ways in which industry, government and financial markets operate across the multi-faceted collage of today's world.
For the past two years Chub has led CME's planning and development work in the North West and Kimberley and involved with Land Access, Environmental, Water, Infrastructure and human resource issues.
Tony Proctor: Business Proprietor and Corporate Advisor; BCC&I Immediate Past President
Tony was President of the Broome Chamber from 2008 - 2014. He is a fellow of both the Institute of Chartered Accountants and CPA Australia and is a licensed company auditor. He is also a graduate in Law from Monash University.
Tony has had a number of businesses in Broome. Currently he undertakes some property development and a business North 26 Building Supplies importing building materials and other products from China and Indonesia.
Click HERE to learn more about Tony Proctor.
Paul Ferrante: Manager Northern and Goldfields Regions, LandCorp
Paul has 27 years experience in the property sector and is currently responsible for the delivery of land development projects across the Kimberley, Gascoyne, Goldfields Esperance and part of the Pilbara with LandCorp.
Click HERE to learn more about Paul Ferrante.
Gail Gower: Gail Gower Consulting
Gail has spent 26 years in the tourism industry and has an extremely strong network of local contacts encompassing tourism, marketing, sales, hospitality and general businesses across the Kimberley and the Northern Territory.
Having lived in Broome for 19 years and also Kununurra and Darwin prior to this, has given her a strong affinity and understanding of the issues affecting regional Australia.
Click HERE to learn more about Gail Gower.
Nicola Walters: Managing Director of Leading Edge Computers Broome
Nicola and her team focus on providing IT solutions to local businesses using the latest technology. Last year, Leading Edge was awarded 'Store of the Year' in recognition of her dedication and skills in IT and technology.
Prior to starting her own company, Nicola worked at Kimberley Tafe as an IT lecturer and at the University of Notre Dame as an IT Support Officer.
Click HERE to learn more about Nicola Waters.
Councillor Elsia Archer, Shire President: Shire of Derby/West Kimberley
In 2001 Elsia was elected President of the Shire of Derby/West Kimberley and still holds that position today.
Elsia has previously served 3 years as President of the W.A. Local Government Association's Kimberley Country Zone and is currently a member and in some cases Chair on local committees including Local Emergency Management Committee, Roadwise and the Derby Representative of the Kimberley Small Business Support.
Click HERE to learn more about Elsia Archer.
Andre Veder: RFF Director
RFF is an Australian-wide consultancy company which provides services in planning, project management, community development, consultation, strategy, media management, business case analysis and graphic design.
Andre is an expert in strategy development, engagement and stakeholder consultation.
Click HERE to learn more about Andre Veder.
Ian Gay: Chairman Australia's North West Tourism
Ian worked for Qantas Airways for 45 years. During his career he held many senior roles in the airline including Sales, Marketing, Commercial Planning, Passenger Systems, Pricing and Revenue Management and Alliances.
In 2000, Ian was appointed Regional General Manager Western Australia and Northern Territory and moved to Perth with his family. Ian is currently the Vice Chairman for the Perth Convention Bureau and became Chairman of Australia's North West Tourism in February 2015.
Click HERE to learn more about Ian Gay.
Councillor Graeme Campbell: Shire of Broome President/Chair of Regional Development Australia Kimberley
Graeme has been with the Shire of Broome for 12.5 years and has been Shire President for 10.5 years.
Graeme is heavily involved in many groups and boards around town including; Chair of Regional Development Australia Kimberley, Chair of Economic Development Advisory Committee Shire of Broome, WA representative Minister Warren Truss's RDA Reference group, Chair of Regional Road Group Kimberley, Board Member Broome Tourism Leaders Group and Broome Visitor Centre.
Paul Gatopulosz: Operations Manager Regional WA, Brierty
Paul has been the Operations Manager – Regional WA at Brierty since 2013. This role has him responsible for overseeing the delivery of civil construction projects across regional Western Australia up to $20 million in value and includes managing Brierty's joint venture arrangements with multiple Aboriginal businesses such as; Ngarluma Yindjibarndi Foundation Limited, Karlayura Construction and Muntulgura Guruma JV.
Paul is a qualified civil engineer with 16 years' experience in the construction industry with a broad depth of experience in both the public and private sectors that includes; infrastructure for transport, rail, housing, health, water and mining.
Click HERE to learn more about Paul Gatopulosz.
Glen Chidlow: Chief Executive Officer Australia's North West Tourism
Glen Chidlow has been a resident of the North West for over 25 years, having lived and worked in Kununurra, Port Hedland and Broome.
Glen has a background in finance, aviation and hospitality, having worked for organisations such as the National Australia Bank, Ansett Australia, the Cable Beach Club Resort and the Bali Hai Resort.
Glen is currently Chief Executive Officer of Australia's North West Tourism - the organisation which is responsible for the tourism marketing of the Kimberley and Pilbara regions. Glen holds a Master of Business from Notre Dame Australia and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Luke Howe: Licensee, Telstra Broome
Luke is the Licensee of the Telstra Store and Business Centre in Broome, along with his team of 12, Luke oversees the delivery of Telstra products and services to local customers in the Kimberley.
In Jan 2105 Luke became a Director of the Telstra North West Board where he is responsible for improving the infrastructure and communications access to the Kimberley region.
Over the last 16 years Luke has held several Management roles in the Telecommunications industry and has worked closely with leading brands.
Professor Ray Wills: Future Smart Strategies
Professor Ray Wills has had a wide–ranging career and is an authoritative and respected commentator and adviser on sustainability and technology across all sectors including the built environment, cleantech, energy infrastructure, industrials, manufacturing, resources, transport, and water.
Prof Wills' current research interests include adoption rates of technology, disruptive technology including automation and robotics, and the impact of social media on markets.
Click HERE to learn more about Professor Ray Wills.
Aaron Bell – Sales & Marketing Executive at H&M Tracey Construction
Aaron Bell over sees all Marketing aspects with new and vibrant advertising including web site development.
He has lived in the Kimberley for most of his life and has a fabulous perspective & sense of professionalism unmatched in the Building Industry.
With a lifelong Sales history Aaron has extensive knowledge and experience in the building industry.
Click HERE to learn more about Aaron Bell.
Jeff Haworth – Executive Director, Petroleum Department of Mines and Petroleum
Jeff has worked in both the mineral and petroleum industries for over 35 years both in Australia and Internationally.
He joined the Department of Mines and Petroleum in 1991 as the Petroleum Data Manager. In 2013 he became the Executive Director, Petroleum and oversees the regulatory management of Western Australia's upstream petroleum industry.
Click HERE to learn more about Jeff Haworth.
Wayne Barker: Kimberley Aboriginal Law and Culture Centre
Wayne has been an activist since the 1970s - Aboriginal Tent Embassy days. Trained ethnographic film maker at the AIATSIS in Canberra in the early 1980's and radio broadcaster with the ABC.
He worked in government, private enterprise, and community organisations in media, community development, traditional cultural activity and Aboriginal health. He's a recording artist and singer songwriter as well as a national and international performance artist.
Click HERE to learn more about Wayne Barker.
Sean Mulhall: Commercial Manager & General Counsel for the Kimberley Ports Authority
Sean has been with the Kimberley Ports Authority for the better part of 8 years and has had a significant role in developing strategic plans for the Kimberley Ports Authority, which is currently responsible for the Port of Broome and Port of Browse.
He holds a Legal Practicing Certificate, a Bachelor of Laws degree, a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Certificate in Aquaculture. He has also had the privilege of being a tour guide in Kakadu National Park and an English teacher in Korea.
Click HERE to learn more about Sean Mulhall.
Dr Mat Cook: Research Group Leader, Northern Aquaculture, CSIRO Agriculture
Mat has dedicated the last 13 years to CSIRO, he leads a group of 18 talented staff who deliver innovative solutions for the sustainable development of Aquaculture.
He holds a BSc (Hons) in Aquatic Toxicology and a PhD in Aquatic Animal Health and has an interest in the sustainable development of Aquaculture with an emphasis on increasing animal welfare through novel disease detection and abatement technologies.
Click HERE to learn more about Dr Mat Cook.
Jill Williams: President of the East Kimberley Chamber of Commerce & Industry.
Jill is not only the President of the East Kimberley Chamber but she's the company founder and Managing Director of Direct Drilling Australia Wide Pty Ltd based in Kununurra.
Previous roles and experience include self-employed small business owner in agribusiness, hospitality, wholesaling, and quality systems sectors.
Jill is passionate about empowering and positioning the people of the East Kimberley for education, opportunity, lifestyle and prosperity.
Nathan Dines: Youth Engagement Consultant and High School Teacher
Nathan has spent the last 10 years working with young people in local and overseas communities as a teacher, youth worker, counsellor and engagement and event coordinator.
Nathan is passionate about inspiring young people to reach their full potential and supporting them to develop the skills they need to flourish in life.
He views the next generation of young people as our best chance to making a positive difference in our rapidly changing world.
Lockie Cooke - Founder of Indigenous Communities Education and Awareness Foundation (ICEA).
Lockie Established ICEA after an eye opening experience in a remote Kimberley community in 2006. Lockie's commitment has developed a NFP with a clear Purpose of, Reconciliation inspired by young people.
Lockie is a past board member at the School for Social Entrepreneurs Australia and currently on Board member of Broome Futures limited.
Click HERE to learn more about Lockie Cooke.
Daniel High: Economic Development Manager - Shire of Broome
Daniel High has over 15 years experience in urban regeneration, large scale capital projects, placemaking and labour market and employment services contracting across WA.
Daniel has a Bachelor Degree in Commerce from Curtin Business School, is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and has an advanced Diploma in Management Leadership.
Click HERE to learn more about Daniel High.
Duncan Guy: Senior Manager - Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA
Duncan Guy is an experienced and influential presenter with more than 15 years' experience in professional services across most sectors.
Duncan leads the Membership team at the Chamber of Commerce Industry Western Australia. His role involves the executive management of the Membership team, ensuring growth and retention of CCI's valued Members.
Duncan provides support to the Regional Chambers of Commerce (RCCI) and presents regularly at events throughout Western Australia. Duncan is also the Executive Officer of the Real Estate Employers Federation of Western Australia.
Allan Tranter: Creating Communities Director
Allan is the Founding Director of Creating Communities Australia, the company he formed in 1992. His vast expertise in social planning and his flair for the marketing of ideas have Contributed to bottom-line improvements for some of Australia's leading businesses.
As former Director at the Western Australian Department of Sport and Recreation, Allan has assisted local and State governments in strategically aligning community projects.
Click HERE to learn more about Allan Tranter.
Jodie Bell: Goolarri Media
Jodie is a descendant of the Butchella and Jagera people of South East Queensland, but has spent most of her life living in Western Australia.
Jodie has been with Goolarri Media Enterprises, a community-owned Indigenous media company, since early 2008, following 12 years as CEO of Marra Worra Worra, the largest Aboriginal Resource Centre in the Kimberley region.
Click HERE to learn more about Jodie Bell.
Tim Bray: Director Regional Planning & Project Delivery - Kimberley Development Commission (KDC)
Tim joined the KDC in 2009 after a 20 year career in the Finance and Banking Industry across the Government and corporate sectors, product, process and project management.
Tim is a co-author of the Regional Investment Blueprint, the Kimberley's first ever long term plan for aspirational, inclusive and sustainable economic development.
Michael Albert: Acting Chief Executive - Garnduwa Amboorny Wirnan
Michael has been with Garnduwa for 13 years based in the Kullarri Region.
Prior to this Michael worked at the Broome Senior High School as a Youth Worker and the Shire of Broome as a Councillor.
Michael is heavily involved in sport and various community organisations. Click HERE to learn more about Michael Albert.
Dean Newton: General Manager - Nyamba Buru Yawuru Ltd
Dean joined Yawuru in 2013 where he manages the Property, Governance, Corporate Services and Finance Divisions. Along with strong corporate accountability Dean is responsible for activating the many investment opportunities within NBY's portfolio.
Click HERE to learn more about Dean Newton.
Melissa Price MP: Federal Member for Durack
Melissa was born and bred in regional WA and understands the strength and diversity that comes from living in a remote, rural or regional town.
At the Federal Election on 7 September 2013, Melissa was elected as the Member for Durack and upon entering Parliament, she joined the Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture and Industry, Indigenous Affairs, and Infrastructure and Communications, and the Joint Select Committee on Northern Australia, to represent the electorate of Durack on a range of important issues.
Patrick Dodson - Chair of Nyamba Buru Yawuru Ltd
He was lead negotiator in the Yawuru native title agreement that was signed by Yawuru, the Western Australian Government and the Shire of Broome in 2010 following the recognition of Yawuru native title in Australian law.
Some of his former roles have been Chairman of the Kimberley Development Commission, Executive Director of both the Central and Kimberley Land Councils, Royal Commissioner into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody and Chair of the Aboriginal Reconciliation Council. He also co-chaired the Expert Panel for Constitutional Recognition of Indigenous Australians which reported to then Prime Minister Julia Gillard in 2012.
Click HERE to learn more about Patrick Dodson.
Hannah Mann: Co-Owner of Kimberley Pharmacy Services
Hannah has a primary focus to close the gap in health outcomes between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians in the Kimberley region.
Hannah provides a range of services including medication supply, developing and delivering educational resources for clients and clinicians in remote communities, providing clinical support to Medical Officers, reviewing chronic disease medication clients in rural and remote settings, patient counselling and supporting remote area staff in medication management.
She is actively engaged with numerous care providers within the region to ensure appropriate services are provided with a health outcomes focus.
Warren Greatorex: Chief Executive Officer for Wilinggin Aboriginal Corporation
Warren is a Nyikina and Jabirr Jabirr man who was born in Derby Western Australia and has lived in the Kimberley for most of his life. Warren has worked in management and senior management roles for about 15 years and continues today as the Chief Executive Officer for Wilinggin Aboriginal Corporation that has one of the largest Native Title Determined areas in Australia.
Warren has always had a passion for Community Development and prosperity. Warren is currently the Head Coach for the Derby Tiger's Football Club and over the years has played a mentoring role to many young aspiring young leaders having coached at local and regional levels.
Click HERE to learn more about Warren Greatorex.
Tonii Skeen: Nyamba Buru Yawuru - Youth Development Project Officer
In 2012 Tonii was recognised as the Kullarri region's youth of the year..
In 2014 Tonii was keynote guest speaker for Young Indigenous Change Makers conference convened by the Foundation for Young Australians. Earlier this year Tonii was appointed to the national reference group for Headspace representing the Kimberley region and was selected under the Australian Stars Rising Above theme, which celebrates up and coming individuals who go above and beyond to make positive changes in their community.
Kathleen Cox: Owner of Goombaragin Eco Retreat
Kathleen, one of the original founding member of Ardi Indigenous Tourism Operators which was established in 2005 and represents the many tourism operations on the Dampier Peninsula. She believes that through ARDI many of the successful family based businesses will have a voice at the grassroots' level on how Indigenous and Cultural Tourism will play an important role in the future of tourism in the Kimberley.
Click HERE to learn more about Kathleen Cox.
Stedman Ellis: Chief Operating Officer – Western Region of the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA)
APPEA is the peak national body representing Australia's oil and gas exploration and production industry. Its member companies produce over 98 per cent of Australia's oil and gas production and are responsible for around $145 billion of projects currently under construction.
Stedman manages APPEA's WA, South Australia and NT advocacy and policy development.
Click HERE to learn more about Stedman Ellis.


Welcome to AIPAS, EICAS Automazione!
AIPAS is pleased to welcome a new member: EICAS Automazione S.p.A., a small-size high-tech Italian engineering company located in Turin, Italy.
The core of EICAS Automazione S.p.A. background concerns dynamic system modeling, simulation and control, signal theory and applied mathematics.
The main activity areas include space, automotive and industrial automation. They deal with automatic digital control design, numerical data, signals and images elaboration with development of special digital sensors, development of software tools for automatic control design and rapid control prototyping, development of sophisticated techniques for safety, FDIR and dependability, vehicle control, spacecraft attitude determination and control, handling of flexible materials, discrete manufacturing automation.