Continuing with the introductions to the sessions on the Program, here is what will happen on Sunday, January 17 at 9:00-10:05am:
A. Earth Science, Web 2.0+, and Geospatial Applications - Jacqueline Floyd and Chris Rowan
Description: We will discuss online and mobile applications for earth science research, including solid earth, ocean, and atmosphere subtopics. Current topics planned for discussion are Google Earth for geospatial applications, iPhone and other mobile applications, collaboration tools such as Google Wave, and cloud computing platforms such as Amazon's EC2 for computationally intensive applications such as seismic tomography or climate modeling. Also, we'll discuss web analytics: defining and measuring what makes a science website or online application successful. Discuss here.
B. Martin Luther King, Jr., Memorial Session: Engaging underrepresented groups in online science media - David Kroll and Damond Nollan
Description: The conference timing may keep some attendees away in their hometowns participating in local MLK activities. Therefore, we are introducing a session to promote the principles of Dr King in the context of online science communication: promoting social justice and eliminating racism in areas ranging from healthcare to scientific career paths. We plan to take a different angle from the blogging about gender/race session: how do we cultivate emerging science writers from underrepresented groups to promote science, for example, in areas of health disparities (i.e., diabetes, substance abuse, prostate cancer) and in providing opportunities to increase the number of underrepresented minorities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics careers. Locally in Durham, North Carolina, efforts are underway through the non-profit Kramden Institute to start by making newly-refurbished computers available to honors students in underserved school districts as a model for what can be done nationally. We'll also be represented by local IT and social media folks who are setting up the infrastructure to make internet access more affordable and accessible. Any advice, comments or ideas are welcome from attendees, especially if you engage with underrepresented groups in your respective line of online or offline work. Discuss here.
C. Open Access and Science Career Hurdles in the Developing world - Tatjana Jovanovic-Grove and Jelka Crnobrnja Isailovic
Description: Changes in a country in neverending transition are affecting deeply both PhD students and qualified researchers. To enter or to stay in Serbian scientific community depends only on participation in journals positioned on SCI list. Moreover, ranking system is not stable, it could be changed quickly upon decision of small group of scientists already established as tenured. More than thinking about challenging topics in science that are worthy to work on, scientists in Serbia should calculate what and where to publish with the minimum of costs in order to reach as high score as possible, and ensure payment for the following months. Changing ranking system amongst scientists, as well Bologna accords implementation in practice: what are thoughts amongst students and researchers at two institutions in Serbia: IBISS and Faculty of Natural Sciences University of Nis. What are the guidelines to help overcoming obstacles in this process? Are promotion and approval of the Open Access journals the best helping hands in overcoming obstacles and bringing Serbian science where it belongs? The results of discussed session ScienceOnline in 2009 and points of view of researchers in natural sciences. Importance of the short time in publishing in open science with urgency of protecting endangered species and habitats. Discuss here.
D. Broader Impact Done Right - Karen James, Kevin Zelnio, Miriam Goldstein, Rick MacPherson, Jeff Ives and Beth Beck
Description: Often, scientists fulfill their "broader impacts" requirements in mediocre ways that appear to reach a broad audience, but in effect have very little impact. Recent expeditions have used a multifaceted approach to cast as wide a net as possible using established online resources like blogs and microblogs, audio and video podcasts, traditional and new media. These resources are easy to share and spread the mission of the expeditions and the excitement of discovery and the science being done in real time. We will take examples and experiences from the recent SEAPLEX and Darwin and the Adventure expeditions as well as the sustained efforts of NASA and NEAQ. We will explore such questions as "What are the elements of successful short- and long-term online science outreach projects and programs?" and "Does the focus on specific (and often peripheral) debates dominating so much of the science blogosphere attract or disenchant potential readers of/participants in online science?" Discuss here.
E. Science online talks between generations- Beatrice Lugger and Christian Rapp
Description: In huge meetings around the world several organizations try to initiate a dialogue between top scientists and young researchers -the Lindau Meetings of Nobel Laureates are one of them providing numerous opportunities for an exchange of ideas and thoughts between young researchers and Nobel Laureates. The idea is to support this dialogue with a special platform in the web, where current science topics can be discussed and the talks and thoughts can be followed by a broader public. We'd like to discuss how one can initiate a continued communication process even between two meetings. Which internet/social web tools might be useful to bridge the communication habits of a younger generation with that of an older generation? Discuss here.
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