Sfam.org.uk Website Review

SfAM | Overcoming challenges

As term nears an end, I’m surrounded by young people stressed with ignment deadlines. This is a reminder of the challenges that ignments pose. For me, the biggest challenge to my studies was writing.   In primary 2, my teacher told my parents I was too stupid to succeed. I was moved out of mainstream education for a remedial cl until we came to Northern Ireland. Why? I’m dyslexic. This label ensured people knew I was different. But did that stop me?   No. Hopefully, those who read my blogs will agree. Not only can I add words onto a page, but I can also create a story. This must mean that at the very least, I have partly overcome this challenge.   Often, we are the last to see our own progress. Although I enjoy writing blogs, I still want to flee from the room anytime someone speaks to me about one.   How can I get over this hurdle? Last month, I decided to go face to face with my communication fears.   Facing your fears   The first challenge was to contact my favourite factual (and witty) author, Dr Helen Pilcher. Her book Bring Back the King: The New Science of De-extinction inspired me to learn genetic techniques. She was a key influence in my Dinosaurs vs. Microbes blog. Afterall, we share a common desire – to have a bone crushing dinosaur as a pet.   After weeks pondering an email to Helen, with some encouragement of my friend Jennie French, I managed to click ‘send’. I explained how she was one of my heroes and that her work inspired me to write.   The email (bravely) included a link to my Dinosaurs vs. Microbes blog. My inspiration might read some of my work! I took the opportunity to ask her some questions. A few days later, she replied! How would she respond to my questions?    She loved my blog! But best of all, she planned to print out my email for her notice board, as it made her smile! My blog has become a part of my hero’s day-to-day life!   It was hard to believe the experience was possible, especially after my experiences at school.   Helen kindly answered all my questions. Perhaps the most pertinent was, “Do you have any advice for a young writer just starting their journey?”   Tips and wisdom   I’ve selected just two of her nuggets of wisdom because I feel they relate to students everywhere, regardless of topic and career plan. Her advice was this:   “Be curious. Don’t be afraid to contact people and ask them if you can chat about their work. Most scientists are only too pleased to find someone that is interested.”   She also told me to “Develop a thick skin and don’t be precious about your writing. When you write for other people, your text will get edited. Although it may sting at the time, in my experience, the piece will become better for it and you will learn something and improve.”   I selected these quotes because chatting and asking questions has served me well, it meant I knew who could help me when I was struggling with a task. I also wish I had developed a “thick skin” when I was getting feedback on my ignments.   As soon as anyone criticised my writing, I was ready to scrap the whole piece and tried to change my style. But that just made my writing worse. I agree with my former supervisor Prof James Dooley when he said, “your writing style is unique” and thanks to him and a number of other people, I now have the confidence to contact one of my heroes with something I had written. I have learnt to own my ‘unique’ writing style.   Last month I pushed my written communication skills and with great rewards. Writing has always been a big challenge for me and I hope in sharing my experiences, many of you will either appreciate your own skills or find it comforting that you’re not alone   If I can overcome challenges, perhaps you can. With that I wish you all a Merry Christmas and ask that in the New Year, you try to have some faith in yourself. Just remember it may take some time, you just need to be patient. Afterall, it has taken me 21 years to enjoy writing.     Further reading   Helen Pilcher’s personal website    Pilcher H. (2016) Bring back the King, the new science of de-extinction. Bloomsbury Sigma, London.    

Overcoming challenges

SfAM | Sir David Attenborough Fellowship Award Podcast

On 23 November 2018 Sir David Attenborough was awarded Fellowship of the Society for Applied Microbiology. Jennie French, SfAMs Vice Chair of the Early Career Scientist committee was able to get close up and personal with the legend himself.   {{widget: on:%7B%22 on%5Ftext%22%3A%22More%20podcasts%22%2C%22style%22%3A%22mod%2Dsolid%2Dbtn%22%2C%22is%5Fnewsletter%5Ftemplate%22%3A%22%22%2C%22link%22%3A%2299438B0B%2DFC09%2D45E0%2D8B353BC5E3446877%22%7D:widget}}  

Sir David Attenborough Fellowship Award Podcast

SfAM | Join the UK Food Standards Agency's expert committees

{{image:%7B%22 et%22%3A%22999AC4BC-23F1-48FF-B3EB8ECB68B6BB18%22%2C%22alt_text%22%3A%22Food%20Standards%20Agency%20Logo%22%2C%22alignment%22%3A%22auto%22%2C%22dimensions%22%3A%22380x285%22%2C%22quality%22%3A%22highestPerformance%22%2C%22spacing_top%22%3A%225%22%2C%22spacing_right%22%3A%225%22%2C%22spacing_bottom%22%3A%225%22%2C%22spacing_left%22%3A%225%22%2C%22copyright%22%3A%22%22%2C%22caption%22%3A%22%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22%22%2C%22link_ et%22%3A%22%22%2C%22link_page%22%3A%22%22%2C%22link_target%22%3A%22_self%22%7D:image}} The Food Standards Agency Chair, Heather Han , and the Chief Scientific Adviser, Professor Guy Poppy, are inviting applications to join three of FSA’s independent Scientific Advisory Committees including three new joint expert groups. About the role The FSA is looking for committed, highly capable and motivated people to provide independent, expert advice, helping to ensure food produced or sold in the UK is safe and effectively regulated. You will provide independent expert essment and advice on microbiological, chemical and other risks in food and feed, and in new food and feed products, additives, processes and packaging. Your work will contribute directly to ensuring the safety of food, benefitting UK consumers and the effective, evidence-based regulation of food. The FSA is looking for approximately 40 new members to join their existing committees and new joint expert groups. New members will increase the depth and range of expertise in three existing committees:  The Committee on Toxicity (COT) The Advisory Committee on the Microbiological Safety of Food (ACMSF) The Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes (ACNFP) A number of these roles will focus on essment of risk in relation to applications for new regulated products, working in three new joint expert groups.  Food Contact Materials – a joint group of COT and ACMSF. Additives, Enzymes and Other Regulated Products – a joint group of COT and ACMSF. Feed and Feed Additives – a joint group of COT, ACMSF and the Advisory Committee on Feedingstuffs (ACAF). How to apply If you are interested in being considered for committee membership, the application form and information pack from the FSA recruitment page. The closing date for receipt of completed applications is: Friday 4th January 2019 Interviews for shortlisted applicants will take place in February 2019. {{widget: on:%7B%22 on%5Ftext%22%3A%22FSA%20recruitment%20page%22%2C%22style%22%3A%22mod%2Dsolid%2Dbtn%22%2C%22is%5Fnewsletter%5Ftemplate%22%3A%22%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22530E4C3F%2DE407%2D4B15%2DB8EFA205033AD852%22%7D:widget}}  

Join the UK Food Standards Agency's expert committees

SfAM | Former naturopath and coral scientist share John Maddox prize

A scientist who's do enting the grim decimation of the world’s coral reefs and a naturopath turned whistle-blower on the alternative therapy industry have been jointly awarded the 2018 John Maddox Prize for their courage in promoting science and evidence The pair scooped the prestigious prize in the face of hostility, grievances from colleagues and legal threats. Terry Hughes, director of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies and a global expert on the Great Barrier Reef, is recognised for his relentless, bold efforts in communicating research evidence on coral reef bleaching to the public and for tackling the misrepresentation of coral reef science. Toxic backlash For speaking out, he’s experienced hostility from politicians, public figures and the Australian tourist industry. Faced with efforts to discredit his research, personal attacks and smears in the media, Terry stepped up his efforts to shout louder to an even wider possible audience. He used considerable skills, tenacity and creativity to amplify his voice and the work of researchers. Professor Terry Hughes said: “It is a privilege to receive this prize and to express my gratitude – not just for me, but more importantly for future generations, who have the most to lose if we fail to act on anthropogenic climate change.” Bringing down baloney Terry shares the award with Britt Hermes, an American former naturopath who is researching a PhD in evolutionary biology at Kiel University, Germany. Hermes has been recognised for her advocacy of evidence-based medicine through her blog, Naturopathic Diaries, in which she exposes bogus claims made by alternative medicine practitioners, which she says could place patients in danger. Britt Hermes said:  “I was a naturopath, until I looked at the evidence and decided to speak up about the dangerous therapies used in naturopathy, especially those to treat cancer. Walking away cost me my friends. I am har ed and being sued for defamation. I am honoured to be recognised by the scientific community for changing my mind.” Fit for a fight Judges were particularly impressed by her willingness to question her own views, the discomfort involved in communicating about the practices of former colleagues, and her continued commitment in the face of lawsuits and personal har ment. She is currently being sued for defamation by an American naturopath in a case due to be heard in a German court this year. Tracey Brown, the director of Sense about Science, said the winners had gone to extraordinary lengths to bring scientific research into public discussions despite public spaces not always being supportive of these efforts. “It is profoundly against the public interest to have research driven from the public domain by fears of personal attack, legal action or institutional hostility,” she said. “This prize gives strength to the elbow of those who push forward in difficult cir stances, but we need to see more action to stop it getting that far.” The John Maddox Prize, now in its seventh year, is a joint venture of the charity Sense about Science and the scientific journal Nature. It’s awarded to one or two people a year and in 2018, there were 136 nominations from 36 countries.  

Former naturopath and coral scientist share John Maddox prize