National Workshop on Usage of Puppetry for Science and Technology Communication
(Pune, dates under finalisation)

National Council for Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC) has been promoting use of different media (electronic, non electronic and traditional) for science and technology communication. Puppetry as a folk art provides enough scope for science popularisation. The highlight of the workshop is inclusion of training in puppetry for S&T communication including training of science communication activists in simple puppet making, development of scripts on scientific themes, developing communications skills and art of performing puppet shows on scientific subjects, etc.

The national workshop is being organised to review the progress and use of this medium in communicating and popularising science; exchange experiences of different regions, identify areas for research and development and draw up an action plan for next five years.

Scientists, researchers, science activists and communicators are being invited to present their work at the workshop. Participants may send an abstract of their paper (200 words) to reach National Council for Science and Technology Communication, Deptt. of Science and Technology, Technology Bhawan, New Mehrauli Road, New Delhi - 110 016 with a copy to the convenor. Full papers may be submitted before the workshop. Proceedings of the workshop will also be brought out.

Travel support, board and accommodation will be arranged for participants whose abstracts are accepted.

Shri Hemant Kanitkar
Chairman
The People’s Universal Popular Puppetry Education Theatre, 2/25, Gopinathnagar
Near Gandhibhawan, Pune - 411 029
Tele/ fax : 020-5380112

7th International Conference on Public Communication of Science and Technology
(Cape Town, South Africa, Dec. 5-7, 2002)

The conference is the main networking event of the International Network on Public Communication of Science and Technology, a global community of people committed to developing research and practice in this fast-developing field. This conference will provide an excellent opportunity for intensive interaction between science communicators and science communication researchers from around the globe. The conference will emphasise sharing of experiences, ideas, and best practices between developed and developing countries. A special pre-conference safari tour will offer an opportunity to view the total soalr eclipse.

Detailed themes for the conference will be announced in October 2002. In general, the organising committee seeks papers and panels in areas such as public communication of science for culturally diverse communities; regional development, education and public communication of science and technology; science and the media; museums, interactive learning, and outreach; relationships between public communication and commercialisation of science; reaching difficult audiences (ranging from those with low literacy, such as rural audiences in developing countries, to those with information overload, such as politicians); evaluating science communication programmes; and networks for public communication of science and technology. Other appropriate topics may be taken as well. Proposals will be accepted for individual papers, posters, panel and roundtable discussions, workshops, and other session formats.

Abstracts are invited, preferably in electronic format, via the PCST Network website at www.pcstnetwork.org or by e-mail to pcst7@pcstnetwork.org directly. Alternatively abstracts may be faxed or mailed to : Marina Joubert, PCST-7 Conference Chair, C/o FEST, PO Box 1758, Pretoria 0001, South Africa, fax +27-12-320-7803. The deadline for submission of abstracts is 15 March 2002. Additional information about proposal formats will be announced in October 2002. The provisional program, as well as details about registration, accommodation, and additional tour options, will be available and sent to registrants by June 2002.