Science in Society

History of Science, Science in Society, Science Art & Illustration, Science in Fiction, Science Issues & Philosophy, Skepticism, Science Book & Film Reviews, Pseudoscience Criticism, “Myth Busting,” Humour Science Careers, Career Development, Journalism, Academia, Publishing, Ethics, Funding, Archeology, Social Anthropology

How to go about mining in Nova Scotia?

Elisabeth Kosters Environmental and Earth Sciences, Science in Society
In my previous blog post, I criticized the Mining Association of Nova Scotia (MANS) for displaying a lack of environmental, social and cultural awareness. I received many positive reactions, but not from MANS of course. Its executive director Sean Kirby responded with an all too familiar sounding broken-record statement. That weak response, displaying a lack of deeper insight, is exactly why I have a problem with MANS. But of course I shouldn’t expect anything else…

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Stories about some of my (favourite) photographs

Staffan Lindgren Biology and Life Sciences, Environmental and Earth Sciences, Science in Society
Photography used to be a rather hit and miss affair for several reasons. When I first started trying my hand at photography, skill requirements were light years more demanding than with today’s digital cameras. An average iPhone today takes better general photographs than many of the SLR’s I used as a teenager. Back then, the number of times I received developed photographs that were all under- or over-exposed, or out of focus is something I…

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Mining Association of Nova Scotia (MANS): Bullying, Propaganda, and a complete disregard for threatened natural habitats.

Elisabeth Kosters Environmental and Earth Sciences, Science in Society
Last week I attended the virtual “Nova Scotia Precious and Critical Mineral Show” of the Mining Association of Nova Scotia (MANS). It was a technical symposium of two half days, each of which was introduced by a government official. The Monday morning was kicked off by brand new Minister of Natural Resources Tory Rushton and the Tuesday morning by Director of the NS Geological Survey Diane Webber (the only woman of the event). There were…

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Canadian Science Policy Conference 2021: early bird fees and preliminary programme

Maryse de la Giroday Science in Society, Technology and Engineering
The 2021 Canadian Science Policy Conference (CSPC 2021) is the 13th in the annual series and runs virtually from November 22 – 26 (including pre-conference events, CSPC runs from Nov. 8 -26). Early bird registration rates are available until midnight (presumably ET) October 8, 2021, Standard $150Academic $120Non-Profit / Retired / Diplomat $99Student / Postdoctoral Fellow / Trainee $40+ 13% HST I have never seen diplomats singled out for cheaper rates before. Are they paid…

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‘Drift: Art and Dark Matter’ at Vancouver’s (Canada) Belkin Art Gallery from 10 September – 05 December 2021

Maryse de la Giroday Science in Society, Technology and Engineering
The drift in “Drift: Art and Dark Matter” (at the Belkin Art Gallery) comes from a mining term for an almost horizontal passageway or tunnel in a mine. (This makes sense when you realize SNOLAB is one of the partners for this show. For anyone unfamiliar with SNOLAB, there is more coming shortly.) The show itself appears to be a suite of multimedia installations from four artists, which were first shown at the Agnes Etherington…

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Chocolate at Canada’s synchrotron (Canadian Light Source; CLS)

Maryse de la Giroday Science in Society, Technology and Engineering
An August 31, 2021 Canadian Light Source (CLS) news release by Erin Matthews describes research which could change how chocolate is made, Scientists used synchrotron technology to show a key ingredient can create the ideal chocolate structure and could revolutionize the chocolate industry.Structure is key when it comes creating the best quality of chocolate. An ideal internal structure will be smooth and continuous, not crumbly, and result in glossy, delicious, melt-in-your-mouth decadence. However, this sweet…

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Proximal Fields from September 8 – 12, 2021 and a peek into the international art/sci/tech scene

Maryse de la Giroday Science in Society, Technology and Engineering
Toronto’s (Canada) Art/Sci Salon (also known as, Art Science Salon) sent me an August 26, 2021 announcement (received via email) of an online show with a limited viewing period (BTW, nice play on words with the title echoing the name of the institution mentioned in the first sentence), PROXIMAL FIELDSThe Fields Institute was closed to the public for a long time. Yet, ithas not been empty. Peculiar sounds and intriguing silences, the flowsof the few…

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Science policy updates (INGSA in Canada and SCWIST)

Maryse de la Giroday Science in Society, Technology and Engineering
I had just posted my Aug. 30, 2021 piece (4th International Conference on Science Advice to Governments (INGSA2021) August 30 – September 2, 2021) when the organization issued a news release, which was partially embargoed. By the time this is published (after 8 am ET on Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021), the embargo will have lifted and i can announce that Rémi Quirion, Chief Scientist of Québec (Canada), has been selected to replace Sir Peter Gluckman…

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4th International Conference on Science Advice to Governments (INGSA2021) August 30 – September 2, 2021

Maryse de la Giroday Science in Society, Technology and Engineering
What I find most exciting about this conference is the range of countries being represented. At first glance, I’ve found Argentina, Thailand, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Costa Rica and more in a science meeting being held in Canada. Thank you to the organizers and to the organization International Network for Government Science Advice (INGSA) As I’ve noted many times here in discussing the science advice we (Canadians) get through the Council of Canadian Academies (CCA), there’s…

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4th International Conference on Science Advice to Governments (INGSA2021) August 30 – September 2, 2021

Maryse de la Giroday Science in Society, Technology and Engineering
What I find most exciting about this conference is the range of countries being represented. At first glance, I’ve found Argentina, Thailand, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Costa Rica and more in a science meeting being held in Canada. Thank you to the organizers and to the organization International Network for Government Science Advice (INGSA) As I’ve noted many times here in discussing the science advice we (Canadians) get through the Council of Canadian Academies (CCA), there’s…

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