AusSMC policy on selection of experts

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Experts:
AusSMC policy on selection of experts

Introduction
Scientific Expertise
Suitability
Declaring Interests
Availability
Review

The AusSMC’s role is to make the results of evidence-based research available to everyone via the media. Being evidence-based is paramount. The AusSMC’s activities inform and sometimes trigger debate, but are not intended to endorse particular policies or boost the profile of specific individuals or organisations.
The AusSMC has a clear policy on who it approaches for scientific and related expertise

Scientific Expertise

Peer Review
The peer-review process of leading scientific and health journals ensures that the quality of the investigation is such that it is worthy of consideration by the wider community.
The peer-review process used by leading scientific and health journals provides a standard accepted by the scientific community by which the reliability of both investigations and researchers are judged.

The AusSMC will use peer-reviewed publication in the relevant area of science and health as the basis for defining the expertise of scientists.

Expertise outside of peer-review
Some scientific research may be newsworthy while it is being performed (for example, a longitudinal study over several years, research into a topical issue, the discovery of a rare species etc) and before it has been reported in scientific journals, making the application of peer-review impossible at that stage of the research.
Similarly, in some disciplines, particularly those within the social sciences, arts and humanities (eg science communication), publication in peer-reviewed journals is less applicable.
In such cases, the AusSMC will consider:

the reputation of the expert’s institute or academic department;
the professional qualifications and previous track record of the expert;
the expert’s current role as an active practitioner in his or her field; and
the expert’s professional reputation within his or her field (judged by, for example, the number of significant awards and grants won).

The credentials of experts may be further assessed by consultation with other experts in the relevant field or, where appropriate, with the AusSMC’s Science Advisory Panel.

Suitability

When the expertise of an individual is questioned, the AusSMC will refer final decisions on the credibility and suitability of that expert to the appropriate member of the Science Advisory Panel.

Declaring interests

In general, the AusSMC will not utilise experts working for specific lobby groups (such groups normally have strong mechanisms to promote their message to the media). Known affiliations or interests of scientists will be clearly stated where possible.

Availability

The availability of experts within the media’s time frame may be a major determinant of which experts are put forward by the AusSMC.

Review

This policy will be reviewed and updated from time to time.

If you have questions or feedback on our choice of experts please feel free to email us.

	Latest releases \| Archive

	CONTRACEPTIVE PILL NOT ASSOCIATED WITH INCREASED RISK OF DEATH RAPID ROUNDUP: Experts react to new research showing women who have used the oral contraceptive pill are less likely to die from any cause, including all cancers and heart disease, compared with women who have never used ‘the pill’. Fri 12 Mar 10 CHILEAN EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMI RAPID ROUNDUP: An 8.8 magnitude earthquake hit off the coast of Chile, causing major damage and a tsunami. Experts from Australia, New Zealand and the UK respond. Sun 28 Feb 10 CLIMATE CONFUSION - SCIENTISTS ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS RESOURCE PAGE: After conversations and emails from a number of journalists, we have put their most pressing questions about climate change to a panel of climate scientists. Thu 25 Feb 10 TROPICAL CYCLONES AND CLIMATE FEEDBACK (NATURE) RAPID ROUNDUP: Experts comment on a new paper from Nature about the relationship between tropical cyclones and climate - a topic which has been a subject of much debate. Thu 25 Feb 10 BAN ON MEAT FROM BSE AFFECTED COUNTRIES SET TO END RAPID ROUNDUP: From next week countries where mad cow disease has been discovered will be able to export beef to Australia provided they comply with new regulations. Experts respond. Wed 24 Feb 10 NEW RADIOACTIVE WASTE BILL TO BE INTRODUCED RAPID ROUNDUP: Minister for Resources and Energy, Martin Ferguson has announced the National Radioactive Waste Management Bill 2010. Experts respond. Tue 23 Feb 10 PAN FRYING WITH GAS MAY BE WORSE THAN ELECTRICITY FOR RAISING CANCER RISK RAPID ROUNDUP: New research suggests frying meat on a gas cooktop may be more harmful to health than using an electric cooktop, because of the type of fumes it produces. Experts respond. Thus 18 Feb 10 PROTECTING SPACE HERITAGE SCIENCE BLOG: Dr Alice Gorman (Flinders University) discusses space archaeology and how to protect historic sites such as the moon landing site. Tues 9 Feb 10 LAUNCH OF NATIONAL SCIENCE COMMUNICATION STRATEGY RAPID ROUNDUP: Senator the Hon Kim Carr today launched Australia’s new National Science Communication Strategy, Inspiring Australia. Mon 8 Feb 10 WATER, CLIMATE CHANGE AND TREES SCIENCE BLOG: Professor Derek Eamus discusses the role of trees and tree planting in carbon sequestration and some surrounding issues. Mon 8 Feb 10 WA DROUGHT UNIQUE FOR 750 YEARS (NATURE GEOSCIENCE) RAPID ROUNDUP: New Australian research suggests the past few decades of serious drought in the southwestern corner of Australia may be highly unusual compared with the past 750 years. Mon 8 Feb 10 LANCET RETRACTS WAKEFIELD PAPER ON MMR/AUTISM UK & NZ SMC ROUNDUP: The Lancet has formally retracted the paper in which Andrew Wakefield claimed that the MMR vaccine can be linked to autism - see comments from UK and New Zealand based experts. Wed 3 Feb 10 COALITION'S CLIMATE CHANGE POLICY RAPID ROUNDUP: The Coalition has announced their climate change policy under the leadership of Tony Abbott. Experts respond. Tue 2 Feb 10 STAIN REPELLENT CHEMICAL LINKED TO THYROID DISEASE RAPID ROUNDUP: Experts comment on new research out of the UK linking thyroid disease with exposure to perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). Fri 22 Jan 10 EXPERTS RESPOND TO GLACIER MELT DOUBTS RAPID ROUNDUP: NZ and Aus SMC round-up of reaction to news The UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is reexamining a report it issued that suggests Himalayan glaciers could vanish by 2035. Thu 21 Jan 10 ALCOHOL DURING PREGNANCY AFFECTS GENE EXPRESSION RAPID ROUNDUP: Experts react to new Australian research showing alcohol consumed during pregancy can effect fetal gene expression Fri 15 Jan 10 EARTHQUAKE IN HAITI RAPID ROUNDUP: A magnitude 7.0 earthquake that hit Haiti is feared to have resulted in the deaths of at least 170,000. Experts respond. Thu 14 Jan 10 TV TIME MAY CUT LIFE SHORT ONLINE BRIEFING: Australian researchers have tracked the TV viewing habits of 8,800 adults and found that every hour spent in front of the TV each day increased the risk of death. Tue 12 Jan 10

This page was last modified on December 19, 2008
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December 19, 2008