KO WAI MĀTOU?

The Centre for Science in Society – Te Pūtahi Pūtaiao ki te Pāpori, started small, in 2013, with just two academic staff. We are now proud to have eleven amazing academics in our Centre as well as a Centre Manager and (currently interim) Director. Our disciplinary expertise varies widely, including Science and Technology Studies (STS), […]

t3 science in society courses

While many of our students are preparing final assessments for their T2 courses, we in CSIS are busy getting our summer courses up online. We have a busy teaching schedule lined up for trimester three, with the following courses all launching soon. SCIS101 Science in everyday life Our 100-level Science in Society paper is currently […]

Communicating Science: A Global Perspective

Jean Fleming (Centre for Science Communication, The University of Otago), Nancy Longnecker (Centre for Science Communication, The University of Otago), Rhian Salmon (Centre for Science in Society, Victoria University of Wellington and Te Pūnaha Matatini) and Daniel Hikuroa (University of Auckland, Te Pūnaha Matatini and Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga) have a chapter in the […]

Cafe scientifique september

We started spring with a Cafe Scientifique. Genetic modification and gene editing for invasive wasp control Phil Lester is a Professor of Ecology and Entomology at Victoria University of Wellington where his research is in population dynamics and ecology of social insects. Invasive ants and social wasps in the Pacific region is a particular focus. […]

Fifteen Million Years in Antarctica

Rebecca Priestley, the director of the Centre for Science in Society, has written a book on her experiences in Antarctica. Fifteen Million Years in Antarctica goes on sale on 12 September 2019 at a good book shop near you. There will be events associated with the celebration of the release of the book. Watch this […]

Blog-cast Podcasts

Two of our Centre for Science in Society team were on podcasts recently. Nayan Sheoran Appleton is featured on the Human Show. Rebecca Priestley on Radio New Zealand with Kim Hill interviewing Rebecca, Anne Noble, Huhana Smith, and Siouxsie Wiles. Click here to listen to Nayan’s podcast. From the Human Show podcast: “Nayantara engages us […]

New project: Illustrated book by James Beattie

One of our Centre for Science in Society staff, James Beattie, with Richard Bullen and Maria Galikowski, has edited a book just published by Routledge in 2019, China in Australasia: Cultural Diplomacy and Chinese Arts since the Cold War. I knew James had published a book, but I didn’t know much about it until coming […]

Spotlight on the table of elements

We become familiar with the periodic table of elements in school. The shape and layout is instantly recognisable. How often though do we stop to think about what the table represents? Or its history? Dmitry Mendeleev organised the chemical elements into this structure 150 years ago. Now, Courtney Addison from the Centre for Science in […]

Pauline on tour

Dr Pauline Harris is our astronomy expert here at the Centre for Science in Society. Pauline’s research focuses on mātauranga Māori associated with Māori astronomy and Maramataka. Over the next couple of months Pauline will be giving talks around the country from Auckland to the Bluff on the Māori moon calendar called the Maramataka. We will […]

Cafe Scientifique – revived for 2019

Cafe Scientifique is a chance to hear about a scientist’s latest work and ask them questions for the price of a coffee or a glass of wine, taking science out of the academic setting. Our first Wellington Cafe Scientifique speaker for 2019 was Upulie Divisekera. We gathered at the Arborist in Wellington to hear Upulie […]