Australian Science Media Centre

The Australian Science Media Centre (AusSMC) is an independent, not-for-profit service for the news media, giving journalists direct access to evidence-based science and expertise.

The Centre's aim is to better inform public debate on the major issues of the day by improving links between local and international media and the Australian scientific community. The Centre operates a database of scientists who are willing to engage with the media. It is located at The Science Exchange in Adelaide, which it shares with the Royal Institution of Australia (RiAus). The AusSMC collects rapid round-ups of expert opinion and comments from scientists in reaction to breaking news and also runs national media briefings for journalists in cities around Australia. Media briefings are also streamed live over the internet to journalists. Journalists are able to register with the AusSMC to receive media alerts and rapid roundups by email. The Centre also collaborates with media officers and scientists.

The AusSMC operates with five full-time and three part-time staff and is headed by CEO Dr Susannah Eliott. Peter Yates AM is its inaugural Chairman.

South Australian Premier Mike Rann established the centre following a recommendation from Adelaide Thinker in Residence, Baroness Susan Greenfield. Rann later reflected on the importance of establishing the centre during his Investigator Lecture at Flinders University in October 2011. At the time, the centre was approaching six full years of operation.

Other SMCs

Science Media Centres exist in other countries; Canada, UK, New Zealand, and Japan. These centres are independent of each other, but cooperate regularly.

External links

• The Australian Science Media Centre (AusSMC)