Tuesday 25 June
Social and economic challenges in developing countries – ABC, Brazilian Academy of Science (Academia Brasileira de Ciências)
12:30–13:00
Despite the exponential scientific and technological progress observed globally in recent decades, the overall improvement of quality of life, and advances in education, the benefits of progress are distributed very unevenly in the contemporary world. There are several problems to be solved, for instance, consumption levels and wealth are much higher in industrialised economies than in the less developed countries, the cities in developing countries show imbalances and sustainability problems that have been greatly mitigated in industrialised countries, and access to health is unacceptably unequal in many societies, regions and countries. The next World Science Forum will take place in Rio de Janeiro in November 2013.
Genomics related Nature press briefing
13:00–13:40
Researchers present their latest findings.
Wednesday 26 June
Algol
12:00–12:30
Finnish researchers discuss ancient Egyptian observations of the variable star Algol, which they have discovered.
SciDev.Net – Caitlin Flint
13:00–13:30
Caitlin Flint, user engagement manager of SciDev.Net – the Science and Development Network – discusses the network’s website www.scidev.net, a source of reliable and authoritative news, views and analysis on information about science and technology for global development.
Our Exciting Work – Peter Saueressig
13:30–14:00
Peter Saueressig introduces HITS (Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies) which offers experienced journalists an opportunity to deepen their skills in investigative science journalism for 3–6 months. The programme application deadline is in September.
Thursday 27 June
Making Sense of Uncertainty – Dr. Tabitha Innocent
12:30–12:50
From global warming to global epidemics, uncertainty is part of scientific research. In public discussion, however, uncertainty about the frontiers of research is seen as worrying and is presented as a deficiency of research. Dr. Tabitha Innocent discusses communication of scientific uncertainty and some recent examples and introduces a guide called Making Sense of Uncertainty.
