National campaign to "Get Science Right" regional town hall in Edmonton on October 24

OTTAWA, Oct. 23, 2013 /CNW/ - Members of the media in Edmonton are invited to join with the Edmonton Journal's Graham Thomson and local researchers in a discussion on the public impact of the serious crisis in science and research in Canada.

WHO:	Moderator:
		Graham Thomson, Edmonton Journal
	Panellists:
		David Schindler, Killam Memorial Professor of Ecology at the University of Alberta, Edmonton and founder and former director of  the Experimental Lakes Area Project
		Hanne Ostergaard, Professor of Medical Microbiology & Immunology, University of Alberta
		Nils Petersen, Professor of Chemistry, University of Alberta and former Director General of the National Institute for Nanotechnology
		Stephen Slemon, Professor of English and Film Studies (University of Alberta) and President of ACCUTE - Association of Canadian College and University Teachers of English
WHAT:	Regional town hall meeting to discuss the public impact of the crisis in Canada's science and research policy
WHERE:	Art Gallery of Alberta, 2 Sir Winston Churchill Square
WHEN:	Thursday, October 24, 7pm-9pm

The Canadian Association of University Teachers is hosting cross-country meetings to discuss the public consequences of Canada's current science policy.  The town halls are part of CAUT's campaign to create public awareness and urge the government to "Get Science Right."

In response to questions from the moderator, panellists will talk about what current science and research policy means for them, their students and the public. Members of the audience will be encouraged to join the discussion with comments and with questions for the panellists.

Many of the issues in the news lately are likely to be addressed, including diverting funds away from basic research, cuts to politically inconvenient research, muzzling scientists, archivists and librarians, directing public science for private profit, and promoting undue corporate influence in university research.

The Canadian Association of University Teachers is the national voice of 68,000 academic and general staff at universities and colleges across the country. For more information on CAUT's "Get Science Right" Campaign, visit getscienceright.ca.

SOURCE: Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT)

Angela Regnier, CAUT Communications Officer, 613-726-5186 (o); 613-601-6304 (cell); [email protected] (email)