For how to apply go HERE
The Josh Award 2014
The Josh Award is an award established to recognise and support up-and-coming talent in science communication. The award recognises a defining moment in the career of a science communicator; a person who is a practicing scientist or someone who has chosen science communication as their profession. This defining moment could be a game changing project, piece of work, way of working or a key moment of change, creativity, innovation or passion. A defining moment in a career that has transformed science communication practice, inspired others or changed the landscape of science communication.The award provides the opportunity to become the science communicator in residence at the Manchester Science Festival 2014, developing and delivering a new project or event while show-casing best practise in the field of science communication.The winner will receive support to nurture their development in the field and their involvement in the Manchester Science Festival from both the Festival team and the British Interactive Group (BIG), the skills sharing network for individuals involved in the communication of science, technology, engineering and maths.
Aim of the award
To recognise up-and-coming talent in science communication through an award scheme, nurture development in the field and support the involvement in the Manchester Science Festival.
Objectives
• To recognise one outstanding contributor to science communication each year by means of a defining moment in their career.
• To assist them in the development of an innovative project or event for Manchester Science Festival as Science Communicator in Residence.
• To support their development through networking and skills training.
Who is the award for?
Science communication practitioners who can be full-time, part-time, or practising science communication through various aspects of their jobs, e.g. as a researcher at a University. We welcome applications from individuals and groups. The Award is open to anyone involved in science communication in the UK (and is a UK resident).
About Josh
The Award is inspired by and named in memory of Josh Phillips who was the first Science Communication Officer at the Museum of Science and Industry. Josh was a much loved, much respected and highly talented science communicator whose outstanding career is commemorated with this award. Josh was also Chair of the British Interactive Group.
About Manchester Science Festival
Manchester Science Festival is a celebration of science. People are invited to play, create and experiment with science through beautiful installations, immersive science experiences, intriguing evening events, inspiring talks and debates, hands-on workshops and more. Manchester Science Festival is proudly produced by the Museum of Science and Industry.
About BIG
BIG (British Interactive Group) is the skills-sharing network for people involved in the communication of science, technology, engineering and maths.
The Prize
The winner will receive the following:
• Role as Manchester Science Festival Science Communicator in Residence for one year. This means you receive the support of the Manchester Science Festival team, members of BIG and previous Josh Award winners to develop and deliver an innovative and new project or event at Manchester Science Festival 2014.
• Up to £1000 to develop your project or event with Manchester Science Festival and up to £500 personal expenses budget (this budget will be agreed and held by the Manchester Science Festival).
• Attendance at the annual BIG Event (conference fee provided by BIG) to network with and present to a diverse range of science communicators from across the sector.
• A personal prize cheque of £500 provided by the Josh Award Fund.
• The Josh Award trophy, held for one year.
Nominees must be available to develop and deliver a project/event for Manchester Science Festival (in agreement with the team) and act as Science Communicator in Residence at the Manchester Science Festival, which will take place from Thursday 23rd October to Sunday 2nd November 2014. They must also be available to accept the Josh Award at the Manchester Science Festival and meet with the Josh Award Chairman at either Manchester Science Festival or BIG.
Process
• Nominations open April 2014.
• Nominations must be made using the nomination form below and e-mailed to msf@mosi.org.uk by 5pm on Friday 30th May 2014.
• Nominations will be considered by a selection panel, whose decision is final, and the 2014 winner will be notified by 13th June 2014.
Timings
April 2014: Launch (online and communications) and nominations open
May 2014: Nominations close
June 2014: Winner notified and announced
June – July 2014: Development of ideas
July 2014: BIG Event and confirm project and plan programme.
August – October 2014: Planning and finalising project
October/November 2014: Project or event to take place during Manchester Science Festival
November/December 2014: Evaluation/de-brief plus shared learning to be disseminated via BIG.
Selection Panel
Timothy Phillips, Chairman (Josh’s Father)
Natalie Ireland, Head of Learning and Public Programmes, Museum of Science and Industry
Marieke Navin, Manchester Science Festival Director
James Piercy, Chair of British Interactive Group
Karen Bultitude, previous Award winner and Science Communication researcher, UCL
