GUIDELINES
Award:
First Prize - $500
All five finalists will receive certificates at the RSV Awards Presentation on the evening of Thursday, 10 November 2016.
Eligibility:
Entry is open to all undergraduate students enrolled in the final year of a Bachelors degree at a Victorian university. However, the award is envisaged as being of most interest to students enrolled in science or humanities degrees that offer subjects on communication, media studies, journalism or professional writing.
Suggested topics:
You are invited to focus on an issue relating to science and/or technology that you consider to be of interest to wider society, according to one of the following broad categories: i) recent scientific research findings; ii) the process of scientific research iii) government policy and the funding of scientific research; iv) science in education – contemporary needs and challenges.
What the judges look for:
Clear articulation and genuine grappling with the complexities of science communication, namely how to make complex matters relating to science and technology engaging to the lay public.
Standard English usage (grammar, punctuation, word choice).
Critical engagement with and focus on the topic.
Originality and imagination in making the issue topical/newsworthy.
Evidence of rigorous background research and good mix of source types.
Eloquence of writing style and structure.
Thoroughly thought-out, tightly focused writing that substantiates arguments whilst also accommodating scientific uncertainty where appropriate.
Challenges ― logistical and otherwise experienced in getting the story.
The substance of the story.
The treatment ― such as novelty, originality, drama, human interest, humour, and/or pathos.
Comprehensiveness, accuracy and quality of information.
Adherence to guidelines and careful proof reading.
Article format:
In 2,000 words, you should aim to raise questions, single out issues and identify dilemmas facing science and its public communication today.
Articles should accord with the journalistic style of science journalism in the contemporary, mainstream news media.
The article should both engage and enlighten the lay reader, offering accurately framed insights into a science-related issue.
The article must be the original, unpublished work from one student. Only one article per student per year may be submitted.
All articles must have a title.
All articles must be written in English.
Articles should be titled, typed in a commonly used 12-point font (such as Times New Roman), double-spaced with 54-cm margins and numbered pages.
Submissions will be judged anonymously. Hence, no name or identifying references (i.e. your name, university, or lecturer) should appear on the title page or in the document. Our administrator will put a code on your submission.
SUBMISSION:
Entries must be submitted via a Victorian university email address.
Entries must be accompanied by the RSV Student Award for Science Communication/Journalism Entry form, with the full title of the article and the entrant’s signature to the plagiarism statement.
Entry forms must be counter signed by an academic staff member from the entrant’s university, verifying the entrant’s eligibility, and that staff member’s university email address must also be entered on the form.
All essays must be received by the deadline on 31 July 2016 at 5pm AEST in order to be judged.
Each entrant and the staff membe
