Royal Society of Biology
Abandon all hope, ye who enter here
Michael Walsh, policy intern at the Society of Biology, gives a student’s perspective on the largest piece of text that a researcher will write The British Library curates the Electronic Thesis Online Service (EThOS), which is an open access database for UK theses. They are currently running a survey to see how you use theses; … Continue reading
Forgotten faces of science
By Natasha Neill, executive officer at the Society of Biology Our new project “Biology: Changing the World” has had a busy start and the past few weeks have seen great engagement from the public and our member organisations. The project really seems to have hit upon a popular theme and I’ve been amazed at the … Continue reading
The endless quest for knowledge!
Mark Leach, the Society of Biology’s membership marketing manager, writes on interesting facts. As part of our planning for this year’s Biology Week, one of our (not infrequent) office conversations recently focussed on interesting science facts and quiz questions. Did you know, for example, that giant lime green stick insects (Diapherodes gigantea), such as Alfreda … Continue reading
Science Communication Award 2014 – why apply?
Liz Granger is a previous winner of the Science Communication Award and has just finished a PhD in cell biology. Here she tells us about her experiences after winning the award and why others should apply. During my PhD I got involved with lots of different public engagement projects and school outreach activities. Back in 2012 … Continue reading
GIFS: informal but informative
Jenni Lacey, membership marketing officer at the Society of Biology, explores the use of infographics and GIFS in science communication Over the past few years there has been an explosion of infographics, GIFS and short videos online communicating a science message. My news feeds, friends’ pages and twitter stream are constantly full of bite-sized and … Continue reading
All the world’s a stage
Following the launch of the Society of Biology’s new regional grant scheme, David Urry looks at some slightly more novel ideas for events. Whether you are looking to inform, engage, educate, entertain, or stimulate debate, running a successful biology event is often the best way to reach your audience, and really good events manage all … Continue reading
Biofuels: a darker shade of green
Following on from The Biologist’s write up of the Society of Biology’s recent Policy Lates event on algal biofuels, Michael Walsh looks at how biofuels are moving beyond their first generation. We all know that we face increasing challenges in order to meet our energy needs. With the climate changing, global population increasing, and fossil … Continue reading
Is it time for a sugar tax?
In advance of Voice of the Future 2014, Rebecca Nesbit considers a question she would like to ask MPs The health effects of too much added sugar have been in the news recently, raising questions about whether we should introduce a sugar tax. Recently, Mexico started to tax sugar-sweetened beverages. Recent research suggests that people … Continue reading
The ants came marching one by one….
By Natasha Neill, executive officer at the Society of Biology Counting animals is normally associated with colourful cartoons or primary school songs, but trying to monitor how many animals there are can often be a difficult yet critical task. Species number and distribution around the world give the best indication of how vulnerable the species … Continue reading
Creative Commons Licences: Copyright or Copywrong?
By Michael Walsh, BBSRC Policy Fellow at the Society of Biology, discusses the new Creative Commons licences and the Society’s advice to members. Copyright exists as a form of protection around something which you have created. Most people might immediately think of its relevance in the arts with examples such as literature or film, but … Continue reading