The Prime Minister’s Science Media Communication Prize
Guidelines
You can read the guidelines below, or you can download them as a PDF:
- Download Guidelines (PDF, 42 kB)
Eligibility
The Prize will be awarded to an individual with a background in science who has demonstrated an interest, passion and aptitude for science communication, using recent examples.
The Prize of $150,000 will be used to enable the recipient to carry out a programme of activity that will enable them to develop a high level of understanding and skills in science media communication.
It is envisaged that this programme of activities would be full-time over six months to a year. It would include working with a variety of different media and science communication organisations and attending relevant courses. Some of these may involve time away from the recipient’s home area.
The details of this programme will be developed with guidance from a mentoring group which has experience in science communication.
The $150,000 will cover all costs including a stipend for the time the recipient is away from their normal employment, accommodation and travel costs, and tax liabilities.
Applicants must be a New Zealand citizen or New Zealand permanent resident.
In subsequent years of this Prize, a person who has already received it will not be eligible a second time. However, re-nomination would be encouraged from unsuccessful applicants as long as the applicant continues to satisfy the eligibility criteria.
Selection Criteria
Selection for The Prime Minister’s Science Media Communication Prize 2009 will be based on evidence of the applicants’ commitment and aptitude for science communication. This will include submitting evidence of recent science communication activities they have been involved in.
Applicants will also need to demonstrate their commitment to effective science communication in the media, and how receiving this Prize will support them in achieving this.
In summary, applicants will need to demonstrate:
- A strong background in science practice
- An interest and passion for science communication
- Evidence of their ability to effectively communicate science to public audiences using recent examples
- Evidence of how they will benefit from the opportunity offered by the Prize
- How they could contribute to science media communication in the future
Entry Process
All entries must be completed and received by 18 December 2009.
The process will involve interested individuals filling out an online entry form.
They will also need two Supporters who must be knowledgeable about the applicant and able to comment on them.
The Supporters will be expected to fill out an on-line form which asks them to address the selection criteria. A link will be emailed to the supporters after the entry section has been completed. They will also need to prepare a short CV to demonstrate that they are able to comment on the entry.
Please note that information provided in the nomination may be subject to the Official Information Act.
Confidentiality of application material
The Secretariat gives no undertaking to keep confidential any information that is provided in the nomination form unless this is identified as information that should be treated as such. It may, for example, be used to prepare promotional material for the Prize in future years.
Judging Panel
The Prime Minister’s decision to present the Prize will have regard to the advice of the Judging Panel. The Judging Panel will comprise a leader in the New Zealand media, a scientist with extensive media experience and a communications professional working in the science sector.
It is recognised that on occasion members of the Judging Panel will know applicants or have other conflicts of interest. They will be expected to declare all such knowledge and conflicts of interests. In the case of knowing an applicant the Chair of the Judging Panel will rule if this is significant enough for the judge to be stood down from the Panel for that applicant. (In the case of the Chair having a conflict of interest the decision will be made by another member of the Panel who has been identified in this role at the beginning of the process). If there is a conflict of interest the judge will stand down for that application.
The Judging Panel will not enter into any correspondence concerning its deliberations. All inquiries should be directed to the Secretariat. Note that information on matters such as ranking, or names of unsuccessful Nominees, will not be disclosed.
The Secretariat for the Prime Minister’s Science Prizes is The Royal Society of New Zealand.
Secretariat
The Prime Minister’s Science Prizes
PO Box 90-040
Auckland 1142
Phone: (09) 360 1240
Fax: (09) 360 1242
Email: pmscienceprizes@tcc.co.nz
Judging Process
The Panel will make its decision based on the information on the on-line forms completed by the Applicant and Supporters.
If the Panel finds it particularly difficult to choose among the top ranked Applicants, they reserve the right to hold interviews to help inform their decision.
Checklist for entering for The Prime Minister’s Science Media Communication Prize
- You are a New Zealand citizen or New Zealand permanent resident
- You have nominated two Supporters who have a solid understanding of your interest in communication and are able to give expert opinion
- You are able to provide evidence of your commitment and aptitude for science communication. This will include submitting evidence of recent science communication activities you have been involved in
- You are able to demonstrate your commitment to effective science communication in the media
- You can demonstrate a strong background in science practice
- You can provide evidence of how you will benefit from the opportunity offered by the Prize
- You can provide evidence of how you will contribute to science media communication in the future
Starting the Entry Process
The Applicant can apply through the online entry form. The entry form will become available on Monday, 2nd November 2009.