How to use the AusSMC

For media

How to use the Australian Science Media Centre

The primary focus of the AusSMC is to provide journalists with scientific experts and accurate, evidence-based information within the required timeframe.

Due to limited resources, priority is given to Australian journalists working in news and current affairs.

Register

If you are a journalist and would like to receive AusSMC’s rapid roundups, alerts and details of AusSMC events please fill in our journalist registration form.

Finding an expert

When covering a science story for news or current affairs, journalists can call (08) 8207 7415 or email us and we will use our database and contacts to put you in touch with the right person. This is a free service available to any Australian journalist.

Our database is populated with experts who are highly credible within their field, have excellent communication skills and who have agreed to respond to reporters at short notice. Most of the experts are Australian though we also have access to some key overseas experts on international issues.

Rapid Roundup of scientific opinion

One of the most useful services we provide is a Roundup of scientists’ reactions to breaking news – a series of quotes from experts around the country. This can be invaluable as a:

Source of quotes
Gauge of what the scientific community thinks about a new development
List of potential interviewees for print or broadcast

Media briefings

We also look at big picture, controversial issues and one of the advantages of the Centre’s independence is our ability to bring scientists from different scientific institutions onto the same platform to talk to journalists. These media briefings:

Help journalists get background information on stories they will be covering in the coming months
Enable scientists to be more pro-active about issues likely to arouse public concern

Since 2007 we have been offering Online Media Briefings - for more information about how to access these events, click here.

Hours of Operation

The AusSMC is operated by a small team and we aim to open between 8am and 6pm CST. If you need to talk to us urgently outside these hours please call 0424 676 136.

	Latest releases \| Archive

	ACID OCEANS RAPID ROUNDUP: An Australian study finds that 450ppm carbon dioxide is a tipping point for marine organisms. Experts respond. Tues 11 Nov 08 WATER ISSUES NATIONAL MEDIA BRIEFING: Experts discuss the water issues facing Australia over the coming summer months. Fri 7 Nov 08, 10am AEDT CLIMATE CHANGE AND INFRASTRUCTURE RAPID ROUNDUP: Australia’s water and energy infrastructure are most at risk from the consequences of climate change according to a new report by ATSE. Several Australian experts respond to the report. Wed 5 Nov 08 CAFFEINE AND PREGNANCY RAPID ROUNDUP: Experts comment on news that consuming caffeine during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of fetal growth restriction. Tues 4 Nov 08 SAFETY OF RECYCLED WATER RAPID ROUNDUP: Experts comment on the safety of recycled water in the water supply. Thur 30 Oct 08 GENETIC VARIATION LINKED TO TRANSSEXUALISM ONLINE BRIEFING: Study author discusses research indicating a genetic link to transsexualism. Mon 27 Oct 08 GENETIC VARIATION LINKED TO TRANSSEXUALISM RAPID ROUNDUP: Experts respond to Australian study. Mon 27 Oct 08 CLIMATE: URGENT CHALLENGE SCIENCE BLOG: A group of Australian scientists urge attention to climate change despite global financial crisis. Tue 21 Oct 08 2008 PM's PRIZES FOR SCIENCE RAPID ROUNDUP: Colleagues respond as the the 2008 Prime Minister's Prizes for Science winners are announced in Canberra. Thu 16 Oct 08 NEW CONCERNS OVER STEM CELL TOURISM ONLINE BACKGROUND BRIEFING: Scientists discuss new concerns over 'stem cell tourism.' Fri 17 Oct 08 at 10.30am AEDT NEW CONCERNS OVER STEM CELL TOURISM RAPID ROUNDUP: Australian scientists express concern over the promises of some overseas stem cell doctors. Thu 16 Oct 08 AUSTRALIAN FLU EXPERT, GRAEME LAVER, DIES RAPID ROUNDUP: Professor Graeme Laver has died in London after a brief fight with cancer. Colleague Adrian Gibbs responds. Tue 7 Oct 08 IUCN RED LIST OF THREATENED SPECIES - EXPERTS RESPOND RAPID ROUNDUP: Experts comment on the release of the 2008 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Tue 7 Oct 08 IUCN RED LIST OF THREATENED SPECIES - JANE GOODALL RESPONDS BRIEFING: Jane Goodall and Adelaide Zoo Director Chris West comment on the release of the 2008 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Tue 7 Oct 08 at 11.15am AEDT GARNAUT FINAL REPORT - EXPERTS REACT RAPID ROUNDUP: Experts respond to the Garnaut Climate Change Review final report. Tue 30 Sept 08 CARBON DIOXIDE EMISSIONS STILL BOOMING - NEW DATA RAPID ROUNDUP: Experts respond to new figures that reveal global CO2 emissions are continuing to increase. Thu 25 Sept 08 GOOD BACTERIA MAY PROTECT AGAINST DIABETES RAPID ROUNDUP: Australian experts comment on new research published in Nature this week that indicates ‘good’ bacteria in the intestine may lower the risk or severity of type 1 diabetes in mouse models. Mon 22 Sept 08 ECO-LABELS: A THREAT OR AN OPPORTUNITY? ONLINE BRIEFING: Will the trend of counting 'food miles' pose a threat to Australia's exports? Join us online when three experts discuss the issue. Mon 22 Sept 08 at 11am AEST GIVING CHILDREN PARACETAMOL INCREASES ASTHMA RISK - LANCET ONLINE BRIEFING: A NZ co-author of new research published in The Lancet discusses findings that paracetamol given to young children can increase their risk of developing asthma. Fri 19 Sept 08 at 12pm AEST GIVING CHILDREN PARACETAMOL INCREASES ASTHMA RISK - LANCET RAPID ROUNDUP: Experts comment on new research published in The Lancet that found paracetamol given to young children can increase their risk of developing asthma. Fri 19 Sept 08 CHEMICALS IN PLASTICS LINKED TO CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE AND DIABETES RAPID ROUNDUP : Experts comment on new research out of the US linking bisphenol A to heart disease and diabetes in humans Wed 17 Sept 08 NEW DISEASE THREATS TO AUSTRALIA BACKGROUND BRIEFING: Experts discussed some of the under-reported disease and biosecurity threats facing Australia. Mon 15 Sept 08, Sydney LHC - WORLD'S BIGGEST EXPERIMENT TO RECREATE BIG BANG RAPID ROUNDUP and MEDIA RESOURCES: Experts comment on the Large Hadron Collider being switched on at CERN in Switzerland. Tue 9 Sept 08 REVIEW OF AUSTRALIA'S INNOVATION SYSTEM RAPID ROUNDUP: Experts comment on the Australian Government's Review of the National Innovation System report. Tue 9 Sept 08 GARNAUT SUPPLEMENTARY DRAFT REPORT RAPID ROUNDUP: Experts respond to the Garnaut Climate Change Review's latest draft report on targets and trajectories. Fri 5 Sept 08 MENTAL HEALTH OF TRUCK DRIVERS ONLINE BRIEFING and ROUND UP: New research examines the incidence of drug and alcohol abuse, mental health problems, marital difficulties and long working hours amongst heavy goods vehicle drivers in NSW. Tues 2 Sept 08

This page was last modified on October 22, 2008
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