the-BA : What is involved

perspectives judge Anjana Ahuja with finalist Amrita Shravat

The application process for perspectives has now closed.

Applicants are required to give a brief outline of their background and research area, and are asked to consider the following questions:

1) What impact does your research have on society (direct and/or indirect)?

2) To what extent has your research (or research area) been shaped by society?

Selection

Up to 36 scientists are selected from the initial applications to exhibit a poster. Finalists are chosen based on their answers to the two questions above and how well they communicate their research.

Applicants were informed of the outcome of the first stage of selection by Friday 30 May 2008.

Workshops

Three workshops are held on 24 June and 2 & 11 July. Finalists must attend one of these workshops before designing their posters.

The workshops will address:

Background to science in society issues and the need for science to be open and transparent
Advice on poster design
Communications training - tips on talking about your poster with different audiences attending the BA Festival of Science

These workshops build on the communications training offered by the research councils and other schemes that are in place. However, it is not a requirement that applicants have previous communications training.

Costs will be covered for travel to the workshops. Food will be provided at the workshop, as well as accommodation if necessary.

Poster content and design
Posters concentrate on the science and society aspect of the finalists' research. They are not merely an explanation of the research area for a lay audience.

The poster must fit on a free-standing bulletin board supplied by the BA. The exact size of the display board will be confirmed at the workshops.

Posters are exhibited at the BA Festival of Science from 7-11 September at the University of Liverpool. Finalists will be reimbursed for travel costs, and bed & breakfast accommodation will be provided, as well as lunch during the lunchtime poster exhibition sessions.

As a trial run in 2008, there will be an opportunity for a limited number of finalists to display their posters at the Met Quarter shopping centre on the weekend of 6/7 September. This will be discussed in full at the summer training workshops.

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