On this page:
- Eligibility
- Selection Criteria
- Entry Process
- Confidentiality of application material
- Judging Panel
- Judging Process
- Checklist for entering for The Prime Minister’s Science Media Communication Prize
- Starting the Entry Process
Eligibility
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The Prize will be awarded to a practising scientist who can demonstrate an interest, passion and aptitude for science communication, using recent examples.
$50,000 of the prize money will be used to enable the recipient to carry out a program of activity that will enable them to further develop their understanding and skills in science media communication.
The details of this programme will be developed in conjunction with the Prime Minister’s Science Prizes Secretariat.
Applicants must be a New Zealand citizen or New Zealand permanent resident.
Re-application by candidates from previous years is encouraged, as long as the eligibility criteria continue to be met. However, past winners of the Prize will not be eligible to enter a second time.
Selection Criteria
Selection for the Prime Minister’s Science Media Communication Prize will be based on evidence of the applicant’s 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:
- Be a practising scientist
- Have an interest and passion for science communication
- Provide evidence of their ability to effectively communicate science to public audiences using recent examples
- Provide evidence of how they will benefit from the opportunity offered by the Prize
- Demonstrate how they could contribute to science media communication in the future
Entry Process
All entries must be completed and received by 5pm, Friday 29th July 2011.
The process will involve interested individuals filling out an online entry form.
They will also need one Supporter who must be knowledgeable about the applicant’s communication activities and is able to comment on their effectiveness.
The Supporter 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 supporter after the entry section has been completed.
They will also need to provide 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.
It is recognised that occasionally 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 in the online forms completed by the Applicant and Supporter.
The Judging Panel reserves 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 are a practising scientist
- You have nominated a Supporter who has a solid understanding of your interest in communication and is 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 can provide evidence of how you will benefit from the opportunity offered by the Prize
- You can demonstrate how you could 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 16th May 2011.