With the end of the financial year and a busy conference season upon them, science researchers and organisations have not slowed down for the winter. In fact for some winter-type conditions don't slow them down at all!  I've spent the last week with Antarctic researchers in Christchurch and am looking forward to a week in Auckland with the New Zealand marine science community. Conferences like these not only offer an opportunity to share research with peers but provide a valuable opportunity for these science communities to reunite and collectively address the larger science issues. It is interesting to note that these events also garner interest from researchers further afield than New Zealand and provide a platform for international collaboration and relationship building.

Great work New Zealand Antarctic Research Institute (NZARI) for delivering a terrific Antarctic Science conference last week!
http://nzari.aq/supporting-research/

Science Communication...
Both events are enjoying a Savvy Express offering from the Science Media Centre.  This is an opportunity for researchers to learn how to communicate their research with the public and is a smaller version of a larger programme offered by the Science Media Centre. It has been fantastic to see the interest and greater awareness in science communication stemming from these sessions.  Great work Science Media Centre!
http://www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/savvy/

It has been a pleasure to be involved in these events as I enjoy playing a role in facilitating science and of course to see so many familiar faces. Now I must get back to preparing for the New Zealand Marine Sciences Society & Oceania Chondrichthyan Society "BIG" 2015 Conference (6-9 July, Auckland).  Before I go here is a broadcast from SciBlogs to share on Antarctic icesheets which seems appropriate given last week's event...
http://pointingatscience.blogspot.co.nz/2015/06/all-things-antarctic.html

Credit: Image used in conference programme (c) Trey Ratcliff and thank you to Suzi Brown for her graphic design on this event.

Do you know what CLEM, AFM, EBSD or TEM stand for?

These are acronyms for different microscopy techniques!  They are also just some of the workshops that will be offered in Dunedin this February to both students and professionals by New Zealand's professional society for users of microscopes (Microscopy New Zealand) and the Otago Centres for Electron and Confocal Microscopy, University of Otago.  

Researchers, students and teachers will be able to take advantage of these rare offerings to gain new skills and further their research.  Drawing from the experience of both local and international leading microscopists, these workshops take place following the New Zealand Microscopy 2015 Conference (Feb 2-4) in Dunedin. 
Registration is still open for both the workshops and conference.  There are no late registration fees and workshop-only attendance is available.

For more information visit: microscopy2015.otago.ac.nz/

Workshops include:
Correlative Light Electron Microscopy - Two day workshop in which participants will learn how to prepare and image a sample using both TEM and confocal microscopy.

Stereology - Three day workshop in which participants will learn to use contemporary stereological techniques.

Image Analysis - One day workshop in which participants will learn about using computer software to analyse digital images taken using LM, SEM and TEM.

Single Particle Reconstruction - Two day workshop during which participants will learn how to collect a dataset and reconstruct a model of a protein.

Atomic Resolution Imaging of Materials (TEM) - One day workshop in which participants will learn how to use high resolution TEM for materials science.

Electron Backscatter Diffraction - One day workshop in which participants will learn how to collect and analyse an EBSD dataset.

Atomic Force Microscopy - One day workshop in which participants will learn how to image samples using atomic force microscopy.

For full details see: microscopy2015.otago.ac.nz/workshops.html or contact event manager Kerry South +64 21 024 77 554 or Microscopy2015@anatomy.otago.ac.nz

South Events is proud to support New Zealand's science and technology sectors and recently managed the 2014 New Zealand Marine Sciences Society Conference.  With a background in science research, event manager Kerry South understands the aims of a scientific programme and works hard to craft and deliver the exact programme required.  More importantly she enjoys working within the scientific and technology communities which allows her to continue to stay abreast of developments in its fields. What's next?  A microscopy conference 2-6 February 2015 in Dunedin with Microscopy New Zealand and the University of Otago!


NZMSS 2014 Conference, 11-14 August, Nelson
In a merging of crown-research organisations, industry, academia, non-profits and government this year's annual New Zealand Marine Sciences Society Conference kicked off at the top of the south island. There were over 250 delegates in attendance and great representation from student researchers from all around New Zealand due to the event's inclusive nature.  A very full programme delivered three concurrent sessions running over three days with nine plenary speakers including Minister Nick Smith, Rob Murdoch (NIWA), and Mary Livingston (MPI) who opened the conference.  As this group only meets once a year, delegates enjoyed reconnecting during evening social events including the conference dinner where dining, dancing and laughing were enjoyed with good humor all while wearing marine themed hats in tribute to Nelson's Wearable Arts history.   
NZMSS 2014 Conference media release

South Events is sporting a new look!
Same great service and willingness to help!
Look for Kerry South this year at MEETINGS2014 and Eventing the Future 2014 or contact her directly:
Phone +64 21 024 77554
Email kerry@southevents.co.nz
www.southevents.co.nz

Event registration and abstract submission are open!  Plenary speakers will be announced this week.  Don't forget to get your abstracts in by May 30th at www.nzmss.org/events  Questions? Email Event Manager Kerry South at conference@nzmss.org  #nzmss2014

South Events can now be found on Facebook and Twitter.  Postings will include information on upcoming events being managed by South Events as well as other relevant and interesting information.  Thank you for your support.