Following the success of the Geology for Global Development blog competition 2012, we’d like to invite you to join our ‘GfGD Blog Competition 2013’. This is a great opportunity to write about a topic that you love, and to put science communication into practice. Clear communication, particularly of complex scientific problems, is a skill that is highly valued by many employers. Good science communication is also essential for people working within NGOs and in developing countries to access beneficial scientific ideas and progress. This year, we will also be running an image competition, where you can share some of your favourite photos.
Writing Competition
We are asking people to submit a blog post of no more than 600 words, and a maximum of 3 graphics, on one of the following topics:
1. Discuss the impact of a recent disaster event in a developing country, thinking about social and cultural issues, any factors enhancing the vulnerability of the local population, and the response of the local government, NGOs and the international community to the disaster. What changes could be/have been made that will reduce risk in future disasters?
2. Make an argument for why the teaching of development education should be included in geoscience courses; what benefits are there for the student, the university and society?
The article will require some research and background reading. It can be written in the style of your choice, be creative but make sure it is readable, accurate and informative. It can be entertaining or serious, challenging or provocative – the judges welcome a range of different writing styles.
Geoscience Image competition
We are asking people to submit a photo on one of the following four themes:
1. Geoscience and education/science communication
2. Geoscience influencing international development
3. Geoscience field research
4. Geotourism
Please submit a caption giving some brief background, of no longer than 100 words, along with any image competition entries.
Judging
After the submission deadline, a shortlist of the best articles and photos will be compiled. The overall winners and runners up will be decided by our panel of experienced guest judges, and winners will be contacted in September 2013. The judging panel for 2013 will include:
Khalil Cassimally Blog Manager and Contributer for SciLogs.com, Nature Education, and Scientific American
Jon Tennant EGU Blogger and PhD student at Imperial College
Joel Gill GfGD National Director
Jane Robb GfGD Communications Officer
Rosalie Tostevin GfGD Deputy Communication Officer
Prizes
There will be two overall winners of the writing competition, one for each topic. Winners of the writing awards will be offered free entry to the GfGD conference in October 2013 where they will be given the opportunity to present their written topic as a mini-presentation, as well as having their article published on the blog. Winners will also be presented with a 1:25,000,000 Map of Global Groundwater Resources and a Globetrotter Travel Map of either Africa, Asia, South America. Two runners up in the writing competition, one in each category, will also see their articles published on the blog.
The overall winner of the photo competition will see their photo turned into a ‘GfGD postcard’ to be distributed at the GfGD National Conference, as well as being awarded free entry to the GfGD conference, a 1:25,000,000 Map of Global Groundwater Resources, and a Globetrotter Travel Map (either Africa, Asia, South America). Runners up in the photo competition, one in each category, will see their photos published on the GfGD blog.
Applications should be sent by midday on 15th August 2013 to Rosalie Tostevin (blog@gfgd.org), with the author’s name, e-mail address, contact number and university (or date of graduation). We welcome entries from students and recent graduates from all backgrounds and nationalities.
All entries must be submitted along with the statement “I, (insert full name), have read and understood the terms and conditions of the Geology for Global Development Blog Competition 2013, and agree to abide by them.”
For full details of the competition and full terms and conditions, please read the attached document (also available through our website).
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