Press Briefings WCSJ2009

Press Briefings WCSJ2009

Correct as of: 29 June 2009

Planned Operating Hours for Media Working Room:

Tuesday 30 June 09.00 – 18.30

Wed 1 July/Thu 2 July 08.00-18.00

Facilities: PC workstations, WiFi (throughout venue), desk space, power points, printer. Quiet (but not soundproofed) interview rooms on request. There will be no down-the-line broadcast facilities on site at the Conference.

All Press Briefings will be held in the Media Working Room unless indicated below

Tue 30 June:

12.30-13.30 Darwin Now Press Briefing

Results of Global Survey on Attitudes in Evolution to be announced

Presenting the global results will be Fern Elsdon-Baker, Head of Darwin Now, the British Council’s contribution to the global celebrations around the anniversary of Darwin’s birth and the publication of Origin of the Species. Joining Fern on the panel to discuss the results will be recognised figures and experts in the fields of science and education.

Media enquiries:

Tony Stephenson, Adam Michael, Benjamyn Tan

Tel: 020 7866 7864

Email: DarwinNow@collegehill.com.

15.30-17.30 Fred Kavli, Founder and Chairman of the Kavli Foundation http://www.kavlifoundation.org/

Fred Kavli is available for pre arranged interviews

Contact Sallie Robins to book interviews Tel: 07733 330344

Wed 1 July:

09.30-10.00 Nature Press Briefing – focus on key papers being published in Nature

Media enquiries:

Ruth Francis

Tel: 020 7843 4562

11.00-11.30 Sir David King announces The Times/Smith School World Forum on Enterprise and the Environment

NB: This Press Briefing is NOT in the Media Room but in the Great Hall as it will follow immediately after the Plenary session in the Great Hall in which Sir David is speaking.

Al Gore and former UK Government Chief Scientist Sir David King will be amongst speakers at the first The Times/Smith School World Forum on Enterprise and the Environment in Oxford from July 5-7 2009. The event, at Keble College, University of Oxford, will address the question: ‘Is there a model for low carbon growth?’ with discussions focusing on how we ensure economic growth while simultaneously de-fossilising our economies. More than 200 politicians, business leaders and academics are expected to attend the World Forum with the President of Rwanda Paul Kagame, Indian Science Minister Shri Kapil Sibal, former BP Chief Executive and former London Mayor Ken Livingstone also addressing the conference. International plans of action for governments, the private sector and academia should emerge from the event, feeding into climate change talks in Copenhagen in December. The World Forum will be an annual conference with support from The Times for the first two years.

Media Contact:

Cath Harris

Email: cath.harris@smithschool.ox.ac.uk

Tel: 01865 614925 / 07917 338266

14.30-15.30 European Commission - DG Research Press Briefing

Leading European scientists will unveil the latest results from EU-wide Research projects in the field of HIV-AIDS, Influenza, Tuberculosis, Breast Cancer and Heart Disease, as well as strategies to protect Europe from the next viral outbreak

For full details of speakers and biographies see http://www.wcsj2009.org/press_briefings-fringe_events.php

Media contact:

Martin Konecny, EUROPEAN COMMISSION

Tel: +32 498 982 492

Martin.Konecny@ec.europa.eu

16.00-16.30 Johnson & Johnson Press Briefing

The Dr. Paul Janssen Award for Biomedical Research 2009 winner announcement

Established by Johnson & Johnson, The Dr. Paul Janssen Award salutes the most passionate and creative scientists in basic or clinical research whose scientific achievements have made a measurable impact on human health. It’s named for Dr. Paul Janssen, one of the 20th century's most gifted and passionate researchers, who contributed to the discovery and development of more than 80 life-saving medicines. Previous winners have gone on to win the Nobel Prize, so don’t miss your chance to be among the first to learn the 2009 recipient and hear about the outstanding science behind his work. Visit www.pauljanssenaward.com for more information.

Media contact:

Brenna C. Terry

Porter Novelli

Tel: 212.601.8236

Thu 2 July:

9.00-9.30 Science Press Briefing

A press conference with the authors of a key Science paper. All information released during the press conference will remain under embargo until 2:00 pm US ET (7:00 pm BST) Thursday 2 July 2009. The paper will be published in the journal Science online, at the Science Express website, on 2 July.

Media Contact:

Natasha Pinol, AAAS

Tel: 202-326-7088

Email: npinol@aaas.org

9.30-10.00 Research4Life Press Briefing

Increasing Research Output in Developing Countries

Research4Life presents data showing the impact of access to research on the research output of developing countries

Speakers:

Dr Andrew Plume, Senior Publishing Information Manager, Elsevier

Maurice Long, International Association of Scientific, Technical, & Medical Publishers

Shira Tabachnikoff, Corporate Relations Director, Elsevier

Media contact:

Emma Potter

Tel: 0203 043 4191/07500 082361

Emma.potter@kaizo.net

13.30-14.30 European Centre for Disease Control Press Briefing

Meet the European CDC – a source of data, comment and analysis for science journalists

Since becoming operational in 2005 the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has worked on diseases ranging from “bird flu” to XDR-Tuberculosis and from Chikungunya Fever to Clostridium difficile. The Centre is currently deeply involved in supporting the EU’s response to the new H1N1 influenza virus. Ben Duncan is ECDC’s Corporate Communications Officer and a member of WHO’s IHR Risk Communication Working Group. Ben will present ECDC’s work, explain the services it offers journalists and answer questions.

Media contact:

Ben Duncan, Corporate Communications Officer, ECDC

Tel: +46.761251566 (mobile)

14.30-15.30 European Commission- DG Research Press Briefing

Nanotechnology: Addressing the risks, fulfilling the promise

Key European scientists and industry representatives will brief participants on exciting new nanotechnology applications from European research in the field of healthcare, environmental technologies and sustainable industrial production. They will also illustrate European strategies on risk assessment and safety issues of nanotechnology

See http://www.wcsj2009.org/press_briefings-fringe_events.php for speakers and biographies

Media contact:

Martin Konecny, EUROPEAN COMMISSION

Tel: +32 498 982 492

Martin.Konecny@ec.europa.eu

Sallie Robins

Co-Director WCSJ2009

07733 330344