I'm trying to tweak the html of a page with headings in so that there's a heading, then on the next line without any white space, the next bit of text appears immediately - like this.
Heading
Fascinating text.
rather than what I'm getting which is
Heading
Fascinating text with white space.
It could be that (a) this has been pre-set in the style sheets and I need to go there to amend or (b) a consequence of using the h tags for a heading.
Normally I'd be tempted just to use font size to sort this out as that makes the words look exactly the same but eliminates their heading-ness. However from a usability perspective this is a bit of a no-no as I really want to avoid setting text sizes and h tags are probably better.
It just looks a bit ugly.
If it's a consequence of how html works then there's not much I can do about it and if it's a consequence of the style sheets then I don't know enough about it to fix it and will have a word with the web designer people. But if anyone has any ideas on alternative (but appropriate for usability) tags...
Friday, 30 April 2010
Wednesday, 28 April 2010
Amnesia and computer passwords
This one's a bit rambly and possibly slightly daft :)
I'm still using a variant of the password that I first received in 1992/3 when the Institute of Psychiatry (where I studied neuroscience) distributed randomly-generated passwords to staff and students so they could log on and use the network. I thought it was probably a better password than one I could think up myself and periodically I swap a couple of letters around. More recently I started work at UCL and was blessed with two alphanumeric strings, for my main UCL account and one for the Computer Science network.
Personally I find these passwords very easy to remember - obviously I have to attend to them a bit as they don't exactly roll off the tongue - but no harder than a phone number that I want to make note of. I also know off by heart all sorts of bank and NI numbers and other administrivia codes. I don't generally carry these around in my head (well, obviously I do but...) though whenever prodded by a blank form or a blinking cursor - out they come.
My fingers, on a keyboard, will type out a password and it seems sometimes to be almost unconscious - which I suppose is the same for everyone. ?
This made me wonder what happens in the case of someone who has amnesia. Probably I should have paid better attention in those neuroscience classes.
Actually, what I'm interested in isn't so much the processes of forgetting memories (retrograde amnesia) or the inability to create new ones (anterograde amnesia), but the ways in which someone with (retrograde) amnesia might be 'managed', as in 'given opportunities to remember things'. What questions are asked of them and what situations are they put in to test different types of memory?
In films people who've had a bump on the head are usually asked for the current president / prime minister, or what year it is. I've no idea if hospitals around the UK are asking these questions or if there are much better questions to ask.
What I'm really wondering is... are people who've had a traumatic brain injury and exhibit memory loss (or those who are 'found wandering') placed in front of a computer with a screen showing all the social media and email things (twitter, facebook, gmail) that one can log in to?
It might be utter guff but I'm intrigued by the idea that I might forget my name and gibber uselessly when you ask for it, but plonk me in front of the Twitter login and... ping... there we are ;)
I'm still using a variant of the password that I first received in 1992/3 when the Institute of Psychiatry (where I studied neuroscience) distributed randomly-generated passwords to staff and students so they could log on and use the network. I thought it was probably a better password than one I could think up myself and periodically I swap a couple of letters around. More recently I started work at UCL and was blessed with two alphanumeric strings, for my main UCL account and one for the Computer Science network.
Personally I find these passwords very easy to remember - obviously I have to attend to them a bit as they don't exactly roll off the tongue - but no harder than a phone number that I want to make note of. I also know off by heart all sorts of bank and NI numbers and other administrivia codes. I don't generally carry these around in my head (well, obviously I do but...) though whenever prodded by a blank form or a blinking cursor - out they come.
My fingers, on a keyboard, will type out a password and it seems sometimes to be almost unconscious - which I suppose is the same for everyone. ?
This made me wonder what happens in the case of someone who has amnesia. Probably I should have paid better attention in those neuroscience classes.
Actually, what I'm interested in isn't so much the processes of forgetting memories (retrograde amnesia) or the inability to create new ones (anterograde amnesia), but the ways in which someone with (retrograde) amnesia might be 'managed', as in 'given opportunities to remember things'. What questions are asked of them and what situations are they put in to test different types of memory?
In films people who've had a bump on the head are usually asked for the current president / prime minister, or what year it is. I've no idea if hospitals around the UK are asking these questions or if there are much better questions to ask.
What I'm really wondering is... are people who've had a traumatic brain injury and exhibit memory loss (or those who are 'found wandering') placed in front of a computer with a screen showing all the social media and email things (twitter, facebook, gmail) that one can log in to?
It might be utter guff but I'm intrigued by the idea that I might forget my name and gibber uselessly when you ask for it, but plonk me in front of the Twitter login and... ping... there we are ;)
Monday, 26 April 2010
I'm still a bit rubbish at stats
I seem to suffer from a bit of a mental block with statistics, despite being a fan of Ben Goldacre, reading around the subject and attending classes on it. For some reason even though I can grasp it when I am in the middle of learning it, the knowledge seeps out at an alarming rate. I more or less have to start from scratch whenever I meet a new article.
Hopeless. But let's remember all the other things I'm good at :) Peculiarly I managed to get a first in statistics at university (though this was a modular exam at first year level and open book at that) but have really let the side down since then.
Abstracts don't help, writing things in a very paragraphy sort of way when what I really need is to see things written out line by line...
Effect of Valsartan on the Incidence of Diabetes and Cardiovascular Events
http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/abstract/362/16/1477
Results The cumulative incidence of diabetes was 33.1% in the valsartan group, as compared with 36.8% in the placebo group (hazard ratio in the valsartan group, 0.86; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.80 to 0.92; P (less than) 0.001).> placebo, did not significantly reduce the incidence of either the extended cardiovascular outcome (14.5% vs. 14.8%; hazard ratio, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.86 to 1.07; P=0.43) or the core cardiovascular outcome (8.1% vs. 8.1%; hazard ratio, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.86 to 1.14; P=0.85).
But what I need is something more like this:
Results
The cumulative incidence of diabetes was 33.1% in the valsartan group,
as compared with 36.8% in the placebo group
(hazard ratio in the valsartan group, 0.86;
95% confidence interval [CI], 0.80 to 0.92;
P<0.001). p="0.43)" p="0.85).
Conclusions Among patients with impaired glucose tolerance and cardiovascular disease or risk factors, the use of valsartan for 5 years, along with lifestyle modification, led to a relative reduction of 14% in the incidence of diabetes but did not reduce the rate of cardiovascular events. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00097786 [ClinicalTrials.gov].)
Actually that still doesn't help very much, I'm still a bit at sea. At this point I try applying mathematical functions to some of the available figures (basically dividing one number by another) to see if I get anywhere. I'm vaguely cheered to have spotted that 0.96 might be related to 14%...
If it's any help, I'm useless at reading maps too though I am very good at writing instructions - and delighted to hear that Mark Miodownik's lovely programme "How to write an instruction manual" has been uploaded to the @Speechification vault.
Is there an online journal club for remedial stats?
Hopeless. But let's remember all the other things I'm good at :) Peculiarly I managed to get a first in statistics at university (though this was a modular exam at first year level and open book at that) but have really let the side down since then.
Abstracts don't help, writing things in a very paragraphy sort of way when what I really need is to see things written out line by line...
Effect of Valsartan on the Incidence of Diabetes and Cardiovascular Events
http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/abstract/362/16/1477
Results The cumulative incidence of diabetes was 33.1% in the valsartan group, as compared with 36.8% in the placebo group (hazard ratio in the valsartan group, 0.86; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.80 to 0.92; P (less than) 0.001).> placebo, did not significantly reduce the incidence of either the extended cardiovascular outcome (14.5% vs. 14.8%; hazard ratio, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.86 to 1.07; P=0.43) or the core cardiovascular outcome (8.1% vs. 8.1%; hazard ratio, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.86 to 1.14; P=0.85).
But what I need is something more like this:
Results
The cumulative incidence of diabetes was 33.1% in the valsartan group,
as compared with 36.8% in the placebo group
(hazard ratio in the valsartan group, 0.86;
95% confidence interval [CI], 0.80 to 0.92;
P<0.001). p="0.43)" p="0.85).
Conclusions Among patients with impaired glucose tolerance and cardiovascular disease or risk factors, the use of valsartan for 5 years, along with lifestyle modification, led to a relative reduction of 14% in the incidence of diabetes but did not reduce the rate of cardiovascular events. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00097786 [ClinicalTrials.gov].)
Actually that still doesn't help very much, I'm still a bit at sea. At this point I try applying mathematical functions to some of the available figures (basically dividing one number by another) to see if I get anywhere. I'm vaguely cheered to have spotted that 0.96 might be related to 14%...
If it's any help, I'm useless at reading maps too though I am very good at writing instructions - and delighted to hear that Mark Miodownik's lovely programme "How to write an instruction manual" has been uploaded to the @Speechification vault.
Is there an online journal club for remedial stats?
Sunday, 25 April 2010
Healthy Journalism: challenges and solutions - seminar from Patient Information Forum, at Wellcome Trust
On Tuesday (20 April 2010) I went to the Healthy Journalism event from the Patient Information Forum (PiF), hosted at the Wellcome Trust. There were delicious cheese straws. On Wednesday I started writing this post on the little Notes app that comes bundled with iPhone, and then emailed it to myself. It's rather useful but my touch typing on iPhone isn't as accurate
as on a full sized keyboard so the fiddly bit is in rectifying the typos, apologies if some are missed.
-------------
Seminar - Healthy Journalism: challenges and solutions
20 April 2010, 6pm, Wellcome Trust, London.
* Understand the challenges facing healthcare journalists
* Gain deeper understanding of what constitutes evidence
* Identify ways to avoid misreporting
* Meet up to share and learn from each other’s experiences
Sessions include:
* Making healthcare reporting more accurate - Jacqui Thornton, Former Health Editor, The Sun
* How scientists can help journalists- Ginny Barbour, Chief Editor PLoS Medicine, Public Library of Science
* Evidence: understanding it and reporting it - Andrew Booth, Head of Information Services at the School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR), University of Sheffield
-------------
The Patient Information Forum, or PiF, is an organisation that isn't actually public facing. It works with organisations (thinking about it now, I suppose it's like one of those 'business to business' orgs) which produce their own consumer information in a health context. That can include pharmaceutical companies producing Patient Information Leaflets (PILs), the NHS which produces great quantities of patient info, and medical charities / patient groups which focus on particular conditions.
About PiF
http://www.pifonline.org.uk/about-pif/
Our task was to look for solutions to the perceived problem that health information, for example how risk of developing a condition or appropriateness of spending money on a drug, isn't always presented in the news media in the most appropriate way. But mostly it was to find a bit of 'common ground', hear others' perspectives and generally try a bit of engagement.
Having an interest in this sort of thing, and an obvious bias - I notice the bad stories more because they generate the calls and emails - I was pleased to get a place.
Firstly, some observations of my own. Often a story is perfectly clearly written but the headline lets it down. Or there's a throwaway brief para which contains an otherwise minor error but in context gives the wrong impression. I don't think that view is going to startle anyone.
What you *might* be less aware of is how wrongly people can apprehend, or remember, a story they've read in the newspapers - although if you think about it, not really that much of a surprise. Probably someone's done some research on this but I confess I am ignorant of it.
People have rung in wanting to know about something they read "last month in the papers", only for me to find that it was actually *months* ago, my record for the longest gap is three and a half years. Memories - not so reliable.
Even where the article is recent, and clear, I've found that some people just get the wrong end of the stick - they seem to misread the article or see something that isn't there. Clearly newspapers and journalists can't be blamed for everything.
Others have written very well on some of the minor and the more serious challenges facing science journalism, looking at 'internal' faults, 'systemic' faults (and the relationship between the two) and outside pressures.
The format was a series of presentations followed by being split into discussion groups - where I had an opportunity to mention these thoughts and hear from others.
Quite a lot of interesting info was generated in this discussion and I'm glad someone else was 'scribing' it for us. Then we returned to our seats, and it was in this interval that we discovered the cheese straws so the second half was slightly munchier than the first.
I'm not going to write about the individual presentations because (a) I think PiF are going to report on them anyway and (b) I've not written them up yet, but I might in future.
In summing up Mark Duman said he felt we'd all raised plenty of issues and problems, but not so much by way of solutions, but this is what he considered to be the key points for consideration and addressing.
1. Quality of press releases
This is where scientists and press offices can make sure that stories are not presented misleadingly at source, avoiding claiming more for the evidence than is warranted. For every example of dodgy reporting it seems there's an example of a dodgy press release.
2. Science training for journalists
This refers to money (possibly) being made available to train new journalists in how science works, following Fiona Fox's report (one of several reports arising from BIS's investigatiin of science and society). There's also the possibility of science training for current journalists but I think it was determined that this might be met with low enthusiasm - it's potentially a bit insulting but few who are on a busy news desk have the luxury of time to get involved with Continuing Professional Development.
3. Self-policing
The example was given of the PMCPA which monitors pharmaceutical companies' infractions of the ABPI code. This sets pharmaceutical company agsinst pharmaceutical company as they try to do each other over, for being a bit naughty in their advertising etc. Doctors can make complaints about pharma reps and advertising too. Ought papers to snitch on one another
when they spot mistakes? Do they do this? Seems a bit unworkable to me.
4. Develop a relationship - take them to lunch
This one is aimed at press folk in charities - make sure you're developing your working relationships with journalists; be available. Having never worked in a press office I've no idea what goes on so can't comment usefully here.
5. Assisting the public in critical appeaisal
This one is probably the most 'deficit model' of the lot, but I'd always thought the deficit model was more about the mistaken belief that if people know more about, or understand, science better then they will like and support it more. In the case of critical appraisal I can't help thinking that this would be a useful skill for more people and I wouldn't bleat too
much if this was implemented.
Suggestions included charities' websites having information on things to watch out for (I'm a fan of this and mentioned Cancer Research UK's ace science blog which does have a section on this) such as 'be wary when you see the word 'cure'. As a corollary there was also the suggestion that journalists might have a list of words to avoid, similar to the highly amusing list of words and phrases local government is not supposed to use when presenting info to the public, including wise avoidance of the phrase 'predictors of beaconicity'. I don't think forbidding words will help and I think 'cure' has a place in discussions on how a therapycould develop, but context is everything.
6. Encourage feedback
If you spot a good article, say so. If you see something less good, say so too. The first presentation, by a journalist, also raised this as being useful. If you're disappointed that an article gives too much weight to one side etc you may find that the journalist who wrote it is on your side and found themselves saying the same thing to their editor, who overruled them.
Your complaint might be a little ammunition against this in future.
7. Asking for links to primary sources - build a demand
There's already been some online discussion on the benefits of linking to primary sources, but it may not get very far if people don't keep up the support for this. It's good if people can check the story behind the story themselves, and if the story is very speculative and hasn't actually been published anywhere then this can be useful info (a 'primary source unavailable' sort of thing).
Living in Blackheath, and loathing the underground, I generally scarper sharpish once evening events finish so I didn't do much in the way of networking but it was nice to see old pals (@ayasawada) and meet new ones (Jen).
as on a full sized keyboard so the fiddly bit is in rectifying the typos, apologies if some are missed.
-------------
Seminar - Healthy Journalism: challenges and solutions
20 April 2010, 6pm, Wellcome Trust, London.
* Understand the challenges facing healthcare journalists
* Gain deeper understanding of what constitutes evidence
* Identify ways to avoid misreporting
* Meet up to share and learn from each other’s experiences
Sessions include:
* Making healthcare reporting more accurate - Jacqui Thornton, Former Health Editor, The Sun
* How scientists can help journalists- Ginny Barbour, Chief Editor PLoS Medicine, Public Library of Science
* Evidence: understanding it and reporting it - Andrew Booth, Head of Information Services at the School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR), University of Sheffield
-------------
The Patient Information Forum, or PiF, is an organisation that isn't actually public facing. It works with organisations (thinking about it now, I suppose it's like one of those 'business to business' orgs) which produce their own consumer information in a health context. That can include pharmaceutical companies producing Patient Information Leaflets (PILs), the NHS which produces great quantities of patient info, and medical charities / patient groups which focus on particular conditions.
About PiF
http://www.pifonline.org.uk/about-pif/
- Do you produce information for patients and the public about their health?
- Do you want to keep up to date with new developments in this area, develop your skills and feel supported in your work?
- Is your organisation passionate about the benefits of high quality health information for everyone?
- Then the Patient Information Forum (PiF) is your organisation.
Our task was to look for solutions to the perceived problem that health information, for example how risk of developing a condition or appropriateness of spending money on a drug, isn't always presented in the news media in the most appropriate way. But mostly it was to find a bit of 'common ground', hear others' perspectives and generally try a bit of engagement.
Having an interest in this sort of thing, and an obvious bias - I notice the bad stories more because they generate the calls and emails - I was pleased to get a place.
Firstly, some observations of my own. Often a story is perfectly clearly written but the headline lets it down. Or there's a throwaway brief para which contains an otherwise minor error but in context gives the wrong impression. I don't think that view is going to startle anyone.
What you *might* be less aware of is how wrongly people can apprehend, or remember, a story they've read in the newspapers - although if you think about it, not really that much of a surprise. Probably someone's done some research on this but I confess I am ignorant of it.
People have rung in wanting to know about something they read "last month in the papers", only for me to find that it was actually *months* ago, my record for the longest gap is three and a half years. Memories - not so reliable.
Even where the article is recent, and clear, I've found that some people just get the wrong end of the stick - they seem to misread the article or see something that isn't there. Clearly newspapers and journalists can't be blamed for everything.
Others have written very well on some of the minor and the more serious challenges facing science journalism, looking at 'internal' faults, 'systemic' faults (and the relationship between the two) and outside pressures.
The format was a series of presentations followed by being split into discussion groups - where I had an opportunity to mention these thoughts and hear from others.
Quite a lot of interesting info was generated in this discussion and I'm glad someone else was 'scribing' it for us. Then we returned to our seats, and it was in this interval that we discovered the cheese straws so the second half was slightly munchier than the first.
I'm not going to write about the individual presentations because (a) I think PiF are going to report on them anyway and (b) I've not written them up yet, but I might in future.
In summing up Mark Duman said he felt we'd all raised plenty of issues and problems, but not so much by way of solutions, but this is what he considered to be the key points for consideration and addressing.
1. Quality of press releases
This is where scientists and press offices can make sure that stories are not presented misleadingly at source, avoiding claiming more for the evidence than is warranted. For every example of dodgy reporting it seems there's an example of a dodgy press release.
2. Science training for journalists
This refers to money (possibly) being made available to train new journalists in how science works, following Fiona Fox's report (one of several reports arising from BIS's investigatiin of science and society). There's also the possibility of science training for current journalists but I think it was determined that this might be met with low enthusiasm - it's potentially a bit insulting but few who are on a busy news desk have the luxury of time to get involved with Continuing Professional Development.
3. Self-policing
The example was given of the PMCPA which monitors pharmaceutical companies' infractions of the ABPI code. This sets pharmaceutical company agsinst pharmaceutical company as they try to do each other over, for being a bit naughty in their advertising etc. Doctors can make complaints about pharma reps and advertising too. Ought papers to snitch on one another
when they spot mistakes? Do they do this? Seems a bit unworkable to me.
4. Develop a relationship - take them to lunch
This one is aimed at press folk in charities - make sure you're developing your working relationships with journalists; be available. Having never worked in a press office I've no idea what goes on so can't comment usefully here.
5. Assisting the public in critical appeaisal
This one is probably the most 'deficit model' of the lot, but I'd always thought the deficit model was more about the mistaken belief that if people know more about, or understand, science better then they will like and support it more. In the case of critical appraisal I can't help thinking that this would be a useful skill for more people and I wouldn't bleat too
much if this was implemented.
Suggestions included charities' websites having information on things to watch out for (I'm a fan of this and mentioned Cancer Research UK's ace science blog which does have a section on this) such as 'be wary when you see the word 'cure'. As a corollary there was also the suggestion that journalists might have a list of words to avoid, similar to the highly amusing list of words and phrases local government is not supposed to use when presenting info to the public, including wise avoidance of the phrase 'predictors of beaconicity'. I don't think forbidding words will help and I think 'cure' has a place in discussions on how a therapycould develop, but context is everything.
6. Encourage feedback
If you spot a good article, say so. If you see something less good, say so too. The first presentation, by a journalist, also raised this as being useful. If you're disappointed that an article gives too much weight to one side etc you may find that the journalist who wrote it is on your side and found themselves saying the same thing to their editor, who overruled them.
Your complaint might be a little ammunition against this in future.
7. Asking for links to primary sources - build a demand
There's already been some online discussion on the benefits of linking to primary sources, but it may not get very far if people don't keep up the support for this. It's good if people can check the story behind the story themselves, and if the story is very speculative and hasn't actually been published anywhere then this can be useful info (a 'primary source unavailable' sort of thing).
Living in Blackheath, and loathing the underground, I generally scarper sharpish once evening events finish so I didn't do much in the way of networking but it was nice to see old pals (@ayasawada) and meet new ones (Jen).
Saturday, 24 April 2010
Sidewiki in the service of skepticism
When I first heard of Google Sidewiki I was intrigued by the possibility of underhand comment sneakery, but also about how an organisation could find out if it had been Sidewikied (without actually having to download the Sidewiki toolbar themselves). I don't have an answer for that, but since I wrote my Posterous blog post "Thoughts on Google's Sidewiki" I've downloaded the toolbar and have been having some (mildy) mischievous fun ever since.
Rumour has it that Carter Ruck blocked some Sidewiki comments possibly relating to #Trafigura though I've no idea if this is true, or how they'd be able to do that but that post has some further information, and their website appears to be free of Sidewiki comments (although my Sidewiki button is 'active' meaning that they don't seem to have blocked the possibility of comments).
Mildly interestingly, Trafigura's homepage http://www.trafigura.com sometimes resolves to http://www.trafigura.com/#gLoozNOvbHDk which has zero Sidewiki comments and sometimes resolves to something with a different ending, that does have comments, eg http://www.trafigura.com/#e796zBz0BtTE - I'm not sure what to make of that.
I've not been commenting on the political stuff, just on sites of woo, and have kept my comments short and sweet in most cases (for some I've only added a link) so as to be super careful to prevent coming across as rude or worse.
But I have been commenting. And I've particularly enjoyed randomly coming across the secret sidewikis of other skeptic types, which prompted me to tweet that I thought of sidewiki as a little like geocaching a message, that may or may not be seen.
It's possible for people who've not downloaded the toolbar to see sidewikied comments if given an appropriate link, and apparently the comments show up in one's Google profile (I've not filled in enough information to warrant a profile but I'm not troubled by this and like the pretence of being 'under the radar').
Here's one I wrote earlier, about sugar pills and bad advice.
I've written a few more - mostly just posting a link to sense on a website where sense is currently absent - but I'm a little surprised that the skeptics haven't made more of the opportunity to add graffiti to another organisation's website than they have, although perhaps not everyone is as childish as me ;-) I'm imagining a 'Sidewiki map' created by a network of skeptics who map any instance of woo they come across, to a more skeptical page.
--- Edited for sense ;) ---
-------
Postscript: just before I copied and pasted this from notepad into Blogger I visited Twitter only to see that #Trafigura is back in the news again - I wonder if there will be any sidewiking going on too. When I started writing this blogpost I hadn't considered linking the Trafigura hashtag, but in light of latest news I have.
Rumour has it that Carter Ruck blocked some Sidewiki comments possibly relating to #Trafigura though I've no idea if this is true, or how they'd be able to do that but that post has some further information, and their website appears to be free of Sidewiki comments (although my Sidewiki button is 'active' meaning that they don't seem to have blocked the possibility of comments).
Mildly interestingly, Trafigura's homepage http://www.trafigura.com sometimes resolves to http://www.trafigura.com/#gLoozNOvbHDk which has zero Sidewiki comments and sometimes resolves to something with a different ending, that does have comments, eg http://www.trafigura.com/#e796zBz0BtTE - I'm not sure what to make of that.
I've not been commenting on the political stuff, just on sites of woo, and have kept my comments short and sweet in most cases (for some I've only added a link) so as to be super careful to prevent coming across as rude or worse.
But I have been commenting. And I've particularly enjoyed randomly coming across the secret sidewikis of other skeptic types, which prompted me to tweet that I thought of sidewiki as a little like geocaching a message, that may or may not be seen.
It's possible for people who've not downloaded the toolbar to see sidewikied comments if given an appropriate link, and apparently the comments show up in one's Google profile (I've not filled in enough information to warrant a profile but I'm not troubled by this and like the pretence of being 'under the radar').
Here's one I wrote earlier, about sugar pills and bad advice.
I've written a few more - mostly just posting a link to sense on a website where sense is currently absent - but I'm a little surprised that the skeptics haven't made more of the opportunity to add graffiti to another organisation's website than they have, although perhaps not everyone is as childish as me ;-) I'm imagining a 'Sidewiki map' created by a network of skeptics who map any instance of woo they come across, to a more skeptical page.
--- Edited for sense ;) ---
-------
Postscript: just before I copied and pasted this from notepad into Blogger I visited Twitter only to see that #Trafigura is back in the news again - I wonder if there will be any sidewiking going on too. When I started writing this blogpost I hadn't considered linking the Trafigura hashtag, but in light of latest news I have.
TweetNotes - tool for archiving hashtagged tweets at events and conferences etc
Shortened URL for this post http://is.gd/bGqqZ
EDIT: The developers of TweetNotes sadly pulled the plug on this rather nice tool.
I have just been invited to have a look at TweetNotes, a twitter hashtag difference engine from The Extraordinaries.
I'm using this one as an example: http://app.beextra.org/tweetnotes/event/id/ntc/session/2046 - this is a collection, which has already been set up, of hashtags and associated information from a conference that is still ongoing but winding down. I don't know how to set up one of these TweetNotes to record a hashtag either in advance or on the hoof while at an event - I think it's in beta at the moment.
That page sits within all tweets that came from the NTC conference, all the subpages are listed here http://app.beextra.org/tweetnotes/event/id/ntc/session/2046
It does look rather good as a service.
Each tweet appears with the tweeter's avatar (FriendFeed take note) and appears quite tweet-like (context is there: timestamped with the link going to the original tweet, and all hashtags appear as clickable links which take you back to the Twitter search).
You can also vote on every tweet which is new to me. As a consequence of that there's also a 'highest rated' tab which lets you see whose tweets went to the top of the class. In the example given no-one appears to have voted yet but early days.
The tab that really made me sit up was 'Media' - at the time of writing I'm investigating if this is doing what I think it is. I think it's harvesting all of the URLs that people post in their hashtagged tweets and aggregating them separately, into photos, videos, blog posts etc. If so - that's a bit awesome and would be immensely useful. It looks like all the URLs are in full, rather than their bit.ly miniaturisations - a plus for those who enjoy glimpsing the information contained in a full URL.
It may actually be something manually added, which is less exciting of course, but would still be useful, if fiddly.
There is a tab for the 'organizer's notes', for the organiser to add in extra information, obviously a good idea. Finallly 'people' lists all of the twitterers who've added a hashtagged tweet - it looks like it's done in a tag cloud style with those tweeting heavily given more prominence on the page compared with those who've posted fewer tweets.
I heard about the tool because I followed the link from one of @askmanny's tweets - http://www.theextraordinaries.org/2010/04/conferences-and-their-hashtags.html - and then I commented on the blog post in response to the discussion on saving tweets for later.
In the second point the author @benrigby notes that hashtags with decimal points in don't work - the plan had been to filter each session with a kind of decimalised hasthag eg #ntc10.sessionnameX - but this apparently wasn't very successful (although it looks like the hashtags show up as clickable links in TweetNotes which suggests it isn't a complete washout).
Generally people have got round this by using two hashtags, eg #ntc10 #session1 but TwapperKeeper has a useful feature exploiting the exclamation mark. Like some sort of Twittery mass spectrometer using #tag !a will filter a tweet to the A folder and #tag !b to the B folder. I've not used it much, but I've tested it and it seems to work fine.
I'm in favour of short hashtags where letters and numbers are kept reasonably separate, ie #33aa rather than #3a3a, because those tweeting on phone keyboards will thank you if they don't have to keep toggling among different screens (on an iPhone the letters are on one screen, numbers on another and the hashtag symbol on a third). So please put numbers at the end or beginning, not in the middle.
In fact, mildly useful tip for iPhone Tweetdeck users - type the hashtag once on a tweet, press Cancel, then choose Save - then whenever you click the new tweet button it's preloaded with your hashtag.
What else would I like?
I appreciate that I can harvest a PDF of tweets from whatthehashtag (wthashtag), although the time interval is a bit fiddly - I think you can get it in 24 hour batches.
The current set up on TweetNotes is very readable but quite 'heavy' on the page because each tweet has so much of its meta information with it - a 'printer friendly' or PDf version might be a plus, for archival purposes (in addition to the full version).
I think this has real potential as being a hub for tweeted information on a conference / event or a session at one. If I was tempted to add anything it might be a tab for real world registration information (how to get to the venue, where to go once there) - I expect that most events and conferences will have their own website attached anyway, but it might be a bonus for more ad hoc events. Possibly...
How easy is it be set up to record a hashtag? Does it require a registration step (I think it does), or will it auto-record a hashtag once it reaches critical mass as wthashtag does? I see that it's not intended as a replacement for other real-time hashtag monitoring (such as Tweetdeck) but I'd be interested to know how it handles an incoming stream in real time.
How long will the archive be kept? Is it 'run' automatically from an RSS of the twitter search (which eventually appears to degrade) or is it more like FriendFeed which freakishly seems to be able to hold on to tweets that are a couple of years old.
When does it go live?
------------ Related posts ------------
1. Following conference hashtag tweets in real time and saving them for later
http://brodiesnotes.blogspot.com/2010/01/following-conference-hashtag-tweets-in.html
2. Curated posts: liveblogging science conferences - my thoughts on tweeting medical research charity conferences
http://brodiesnotes.blogspot.com/2010/02/curated-posts-liveblogging-science.html
(a collection of posts from others, with my comments)
3. Health charity conferences: policy thoughts on liveblogging
http://brodiesnotes.blogspot.com/2010/01/health-charity-conferences-policy.html
(from the perspective of hosting a conference where new health research info may be presented, and how to handle its dissemination appropriately)
I have just been invited to have a look at TweetNotes, a twitter hashtag difference engine from The Extraordinaries.
I'm using this one as an example: http://app.beextra.org/tweetnotes/event/id/ntc/session/2046 - this is a collection, which has already been set up, of hashtags and associated information from a conference that is still ongoing but winding down. I don't know how to set up one of these TweetNotes to record a hashtag either in advance or on the hoof while at an event - I think it's in beta at the moment.
That page sits within all tweets that came from the NTC conference, all the subpages are listed here http://app.beextra.org/tweetnotes/event/id/ntc/session/2046
It does look rather good as a service.
Each tweet appears with the tweeter's avatar (FriendFeed take note) and appears quite tweet-like (context is there: timestamped with the link going to the original tweet, and all hashtags appear as clickable links which take you back to the Twitter search).
You can also vote on every tweet which is new to me. As a consequence of that there's also a 'highest rated' tab which lets you see whose tweets went to the top of the class. In the example given no-one appears to have voted yet but early days.
The tab that really made me sit up was 'Media' - at the time of writing I'm investigating if this is doing what I think it is. I think it's harvesting all of the URLs that people post in their hashtagged tweets and aggregating them separately, into photos, videos, blog posts etc. If so - that's a bit awesome and would be immensely useful. It looks like all the URLs are in full, rather than their bit.ly miniaturisations - a plus for those who enjoy glimpsing the information contained in a full URL.
It may actually be something manually added, which is less exciting of course, but would still be useful, if fiddly.
There is a tab for the 'organizer's notes', for the organiser to add in extra information, obviously a good idea. Finallly 'people' lists all of the twitterers who've added a hashtagged tweet - it looks like it's done in a tag cloud style with those tweeting heavily given more prominence on the page compared with those who've posted fewer tweets.
I heard about the tool because I followed the link from one of @askmanny's tweets - http://www.theextraordinaries.org/2010/04/conferences-and-their-hashtags.html - and then I commented on the blog post in response to the discussion on saving tweets for later.
In the second point the author @benrigby notes that hashtags with decimal points in don't work - the plan had been to filter each session with a kind of decimalised hasthag eg #ntc10.sessionnameX - but this apparently wasn't very successful (although it looks like the hashtags show up as clickable links in TweetNotes which suggests it isn't a complete washout).
Generally people have got round this by using two hashtags, eg #ntc10 #session1 but TwapperKeeper has a useful feature exploiting the exclamation mark. Like some sort of Twittery mass spectrometer using #tag !a will filter a tweet to the A folder and #tag !b to the B folder. I've not used it much, but I've tested it and it seems to work fine.
I'm in favour of short hashtags where letters and numbers are kept reasonably separate, ie #33aa rather than #3a3a, because those tweeting on phone keyboards will thank you if they don't have to keep toggling among different screens (on an iPhone the letters are on one screen, numbers on another and the hashtag symbol on a third). So please put numbers at the end or beginning, not in the middle.
In fact, mildly useful tip for iPhone Tweetdeck users - type the hashtag once on a tweet, press Cancel, then choose Save - then whenever you click the new tweet button it's preloaded with your hashtag.
What else would I like?
I appreciate that I can harvest a PDF of tweets from whatthehashtag (wthashtag), although the time interval is a bit fiddly - I think you can get it in 24 hour batches.
The current set up on TweetNotes is very readable but quite 'heavy' on the page because each tweet has so much of its meta information with it - a 'printer friendly' or PDf version might be a plus, for archival purposes (in addition to the full version).
I think this has real potential as being a hub for tweeted information on a conference / event or a session at one. If I was tempted to add anything it might be a tab for real world registration information (how to get to the venue, where to go once there) - I expect that most events and conferences will have their own website attached anyway, but it might be a bonus for more ad hoc events. Possibly...
How easy is it be set up to record a hashtag? Does it require a registration step (I think it does), or will it auto-record a hashtag once it reaches critical mass as wthashtag does? I see that it's not intended as a replacement for other real-time hashtag monitoring (such as Tweetdeck) but I'd be interested to know how it handles an incoming stream in real time.
How long will the archive be kept? Is it 'run' automatically from an RSS of the twitter search (which eventually appears to degrade) or is it more like FriendFeed which freakishly seems to be able to hold on to tweets that are a couple of years old.
When does it go live?
------------ Related posts ------------
1. Following conference hashtag tweets in real time and saving them for later
http://brodiesnotes.blogspot.com/2010/01/following-conference-hashtag-tweets-in.html
2. Curated posts: liveblogging science conferences - my thoughts on tweeting medical research charity conferences
http://brodiesnotes.blogspot.com/2010/02/curated-posts-liveblogging-science.html
(a collection of posts from others, with my comments)
3. Health charity conferences: policy thoughts on liveblogging
http://brodiesnotes.blogspot.com/2010/01/health-charity-conferences-policy.html
(from the perspective of hosting a conference where new health research info may be presented, and how to handle its dissemination appropriately)
Sunday, 18 April 2010
Temporary Science and Society Ning placeholder
News that Gillian P's lovely Ning network for Science and Society will be closing down (because Ning's wiped its free networks for now) made me worry that we might lose the important resource she's collected of science communication-ish organisations, so I've copied the html for the page and pasted it here - not sure how it will turn out (I've clipped the header tags etc). I've not deleted any of the spaces yet...
---------------------------
GOVERNMENT AND PARLIAMENT
The learned societies are listed below in alphabetical order:
Academy of Medical Sciences Academy of Social Sciences Agricultural Economics Society Anatomical Society of Great Britain and Ireland Association of Applied Biologists Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry
Association of Clinical Biochemistry
Association of Clinical Pathologists
Association of Independent Research and Technology Organisations Association of Marine Scientific Industries
Association of Medical Research Charities
Biochemical Society
Biosciences Federation
Botanical Society of the British Isles
Bristol Naturalists Society
British Academy
British Association for Psychopharmacology
British Computer Society
British Crop Protection Council
British Dental Association
British Ecological Society
British Entomological and Natural History Society
British Grassland Society
British Herpetological Society
British Interplanetary Society
British Medical Ultrasound Society
British Naturalists Association
British Nutrition Foundation
British Pharmacological Society
British Pteridological Society
British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy
British Society for Cell Biology
British Society for Geomorphology
British Society for Medical Mycology
British Society for Plant Pathology
British Society for Rheology
British Society for Rheumatology
British Society for the History of Mathematics
British Society for the History of Science
British Society of Audiology
British Society of Toxicological Pathologists
British Sociological Association
British Transplantation Society
British Veterinary Association
Challenger Society for Marine Science
Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists
Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management
Consortium of Research Libraries
Energy Institute
Ergonomics Society
Fauna & Flora International
Fisheries Society of the British Isles
Freshwater Biological Association
Galton Institute
Gemological Association
Geographical Association
Geological Society
Health Professions Council
Health Protection Agency
Institution of Agricultural Engineers
Institute of Conservation
Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology
Institute for the Management of Information Systems
Institute of Acoustics
Institute of Automotive Engineer Assessors
Institute of Biology
Institute of Biomedical Science
Institute of Cast Metals Engineers
Institute of Corrosion
Institute of Ecotechnics
Institution of Environmental Sciences
Institute of Fisheries Management
Institute of Food Science & Technology
Institute of Healthcare Management
Institute of Highway Incorporated Engineers
Institute of Horticulture
Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining
Institute of Musical Instrument Technology
Institute of Physics
Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine Institute of Psychoanalysis
Institute of Science Technology
Institute of Structural Engineers
Institute of Trichologists
Institute for Animal Health
Institution of Chemical Engineers
Institution of Civil Engineers
Institution of Electronics
Institution of Engineering and Technology
Institution of Engineering Designers
Institution of Environmental Sciences
Institution of Gas Engineers and Managers
Institution of Lighting Engineers
Institution of Mechanical Engineers
Institution of Structural Engineers
Intellectual Property Institute
International Bee Research Association
International Federation of Hydrographic Societies
International Glaciological Society
International Institute for Environment and Development
Linnean Society of London
List and Index Society
London Mathematical Society
London Metropolitan Polymer Centre
London Topographical Society
Marine Conservation Society
Market Research Society
Mineralogical Society
Modern Humanities Research Association
National Bursars' Association
National Osteoporosis Society
National Physical Laboratory
Natural England
Nautical Institute
Nutrition Society
Operational Research Society
Palaeontographical Society
Palaeontological Association
Pathological Society
Physiological Society
Quekett Microscopical Club
Remote Sensing and Photogrammetry Society
Research and Development Society
Royal Academy of Arts
Royal Academy of Engineering
Royal Aeronautical Society
Royal Agricultural Society
Royal Archaeological Institute
Royal Astronomical Society
Royal College of Anaesthetists
Royal College of General Practitioners
Royal College of Midwives Trust
Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
Royal College of Ophthalmologists
Royal College of Pathologists
Royal College of Physicians
Royal College of Psychiatrists
Royal College of Surgeons of England
Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons
Royal Entomological Society
Royal Forestry Society
Royal Geographical Society
Royal Historical Society
Royal Horticultural Society
Royal Institute of Navigation
Royal Institute of Philosophy
Royal Institute of Public Health
Royal Institution of Great Britain
Royal Meteorological Society
Royal Microscopical Society
Royal Society for the Promotion of Health
Royal Society of Medicine
Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts
Royal Statistical Society
Royal Welsh Agricultural Society
Science Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies Alliance
Science Council
Scientific Instrument Society
Scottish Association for Marine Science
Society for Applied Microbiology
Society for Computers and Law
Society for Endocrinology
Society for General Microbiology
Society for Psychical Research
Society for Underwater Technology
Society of Archivists
Society of Chemical Industry
Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists
Society of Cosmetic Scientists
Society of Environmental Engineers
Society of Food Hygiene and Technology
Society of Indexers
Society of Operations Engineers
Society of Radiographers
Solar Energy Society
Strategic Planning Society
Textile Institute
The British Psychological Society
The Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals
The Engineering and Technology Board
The Environment Council
The Marine Biological Association of the UK
The Royal Society
The Royal Society of Chemistry
The Royal Statistical Society
The Worshipful Society of Apothecaries of London
Tropical Biology Association
UK Centre for Economic and Environmental Development Universities Federation for Animal Welfare
Wildlife and Countryside Link
Blue Planet Aquarium
Bristol Zoo Gardens
The British Interactive Group (BIG) is a non-profit organisation for those involved in interactive science communication activities and hands-on education projects in the UK. The BIG directory contains a list of science museums and centres in the UK.
Centre for Life is a unique combination of biomedical research, clinical facilities, ethics, education and public engagement located on a single site in the centre of Newcastle. It houses a 4,500 sqm exhibition, a suite of teaching labs and research onsite includes genetics and stem cell research.
Chester Zoo
Ecsite-uk is a UK Network of Science Centres and Museums, representing 50+ science centres in the UK as well as aquariums, gardens and zoos.
The Grant Museum of Zoology.
@Bristol
Bristol Natural History Consortium is a unique alliance between At-Bristol, Avon Wildlife Trust, BBC Natural History Unit, Bristol City Council, Bristol Zoo Gardens, University of Bristol, University of the West of England, Wildscreen and WWF-UK. The Consortium reflects Bristol’s reputation as a leading centre for the understanding and appreciation of the natural world.
London Aquarium
Kew Gardens
Think Tank Birmingham
Centre of the Cell
London Zoo
National Maritime Museum
Museums Association
National Museums of Science and Industry (NMSI)
Natural History Museum
Sea Life centres can be found in cities across Europe.
Techniquest science centres can be found in a number of locations in Wales.
Whipsnade Zoo
Agricultural Development and Advisory Service is an independent science based rural and environmental policy consultancy.
The Centre for Evidence-Based Conservation was established in 2003 with the goal of supporting decision making in conservation and environmental management through the production and dissemination of systematic reviews on the effectiveness of management and policy interventions. Relevant conservation can also be found on a seperate website - conservationevidence.com
The Parliamentary and Scientific Committee is an Associate Parliamentary Group that produces the Science in Parliament Journal.
The Foundation for Science and Technology provides a neutral platform for debate of policy issues with a science angle. The Foundation organises discussions and produces a journal.
Newton's Apple is a neutral, non-partisan charity working at the interface between science and policy.
People Science & Policy is an independent public policy consultancy that specialises in science and society issues
Prospect is and independent union representing those working in science, technology and related professions.
Understanding Animal Research aims to achieve understanding and acceptance of the need for humane animal research in the UK, by maintaining and building informed public support and a favourable policy climate for animal research.
The RAND Cooporation is an international non-profit corporation that aims to improve policy and decision-making by providing a research and analysis sevice.
The Science Policy Support Group operated between 1986-2003. SPSG was set up by the ESRC, with the intial support of the other Research Councils, to organise programmes of research and information on issues of science and technology policy identified as of strategic importance.
The Science and Development Network is an organisation which aims to provide reliable science and technology information for the developing world.
The Royal Society is also very active in the policy area, and produces a large number of relevant statments and reports. To subscribe to the Royal Society E-Newsletter with updates on their latest policy activities you should email 'subscribe' to science.policy@royalsociety.org.
Think tanks occasionally touch on scientific issues where they are deemed relevant. The Guardian has produced a list of some of the key think tanks. Newton's Apple (listed above) was established as a think tank that would deal specifically with science issues.
The UK Resource Centre for Women in SET is an organisation which works with organisations, employers and policy makers to increase gender equality in science, engineering and technology (SET), and with individual women to help progress their SET careers.
---------------------------
Science and Society Directory
Research units:
The Institute for Science in Society - at Nottingham University
The Science Policy Research Unit - at Sussex University
Policy Research in Science, Engineering and Technology - at Manchester University
Science Communication Unit - at the University of the West of England.
The Evidence for Policy in Practice Coordinating Centre - runs an Evidence Library and an MSc in Evidence for Public Policy and Practice.
Courses:
Birkbeck University of London - offers a diploma in Science Communication
The University of Bath - does an MSc in Science, Culture and Communication
Cardiff University - runs a relatively new course in Science, Media and Communication
In addition, The University of Glamorgan runs an established course in Communicating Science and also Science Shops that undertake communication activities in local communities.
Dublin City University - also offers an MSc in Science Communication.
Imperial College London - runs a Science Communication Group and offers taught courses in Science Communication and Science Media Production.
The University of Manchester MSc in History of Science, Technology and Medicine includes two units focused on science communication.
University College London offers relevant courses in its Department for Science and Technology Studies
University of Chester has a Centre for Science Communication offering an MSc, postgraduate diplomas and a postgraduate certificate in Science Communiction.
University of the West of England - runs a MSc and also offers a five day masterclass in science commuication.
The American Association for the Advancement of Science produces, among other things, Science Magazine, and Science Update Radio.
The Association of British Science Writers helps those who write about science and technology, and aims to improve the standard of science journalism in the UK. They also list a number of science journalism competitions on the website.
The British Science Association s the well-known organisation responsible for events such as National Science and Engineering Week and the annual British Science Festival.
The British Neuroscience Association runs a science writing prize. The National Brain-Science Writing Prize. Winners have their articles published in the BNA Bulletin.
The BBC - Specialist Factual and Science and Nature are the two main departments of the BBC that produce the science-based programmes and web content with which we are all familiar.
BBC Focus, the Sky at Night and Wildlife Magazines are some of the many Origin Publishing magazines produced under the BBC banner.
The Daily Telegraph also runs a science writing prize - winners gain £1000, a work placement at the Telegraph and have their articles printed in the paper.
Nature Publishing Group produces a wide range of journals as well as a number of web-based resources.
New Scientist Magazine should need no introduction.
The Beacons for Public Engagement are a number of RCUK, HEFCE and Wellcome - funded collaborative groups, comprised of university departments, museums, and voluntary science communication initiatives, that actively communicate science in the UK regions.
Pulse Project is a science communication site, which offers all its videos for free and has guest bloggers in the field.
ScienceBase is a Science News site produced by science writer David Bradley
The Science Media Centre is an independent press centre working to improve the accuracy of science stories produced by the national media.
Sense About Science promotes good science and evidence for the public.
Higher Education Funding Council for England and Higher Education Funding Council for Wales distribute public money for teaching and research to universities and colleges in their respective regions.
The UK Research Councils (RCUK) office, is the collective centre for seven bodies: The Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), the Medical Research Council (MRC), the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and the relatively new Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC).
GOVERNMENT AND PARLIAMENT
There are a number of relevant Government departments, agencies and quangoes and Parliamentary bodies and organisations:
Commonwealth Agricultural Bureaux International (CABI) is a not-for-profit, intergovernmental organisation that applies scientific solutions to environmental and agricultural problems.
Council for Science and Technology is a Government advisory body for science policy issues.
The learned societies are listed below in alphabetical order:
Academy of Medical Sciences Academy of Social Sciences Agricultural Economics Society Anatomical Society of Great Britain and Ireland Association of Applied Biologists Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry
Association of Clinical Biochemistry
Association of Clinical Pathologists
Association of Independent Research and Technology Organisations Association of Marine Scientific Industries
Association of Medical Research Charities
Biochemical Society
Biosciences Federation
Botanical Society of the British Isles
Bristol Naturalists Society
British Academy
British Association for Psychopharmacology
British Computer Society
British Crop Protection Council
British Dental Association
British Ecological Society
British Entomological and Natural History Society
British Grassland Society
British Herpetological Society
British Interplanetary Society
British Medical Ultrasound Society
British Naturalists Association
British Nutrition Foundation
British Pharmacological Society
British Pteridological Society
British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy
British Society for Cell Biology
British Society for Geomorphology
British Society for Medical Mycology
British Society for Plant Pathology
British Society for Rheology
British Society for Rheumatology
British Society for the History of Mathematics
British Society for the History of Science
British Society of Audiology
British Society of Toxicological Pathologists
British Sociological Association
British Transplantation Society
British Veterinary Association
Challenger Society for Marine Science
Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists
Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management
Consortium of Research Libraries
Energy Institute
Ergonomics Society
Fauna & Flora International
Fisheries Society of the British Isles
Freshwater Biological Association
Galton Institute
Gemological Association
Geographical Association
Geological Society
Health Professions Council
Health Protection Agency
Institution of Agricultural Engineers
Institute of Conservation
Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology
Institute for the Management of Information Systems
Institute of Acoustics
Institute of Automotive Engineer Assessors
Institute of Biology
Institute of Biomedical Science
Institute of Cast Metals Engineers
Institute of Corrosion
Institute of Ecotechnics
Institution of Environmental Sciences
Institute of Fisheries Management
Institute of Food Science & Technology
Institute of Healthcare Management
Institute of Highway Incorporated Engineers
Institute of Horticulture
Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining
Institute of Musical Instrument Technology
Institute of Physics
Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine Institute of Psychoanalysis
Institute of Science Technology
Institute of Structural Engineers
Institute of Trichologists
Institute for Animal Health
Institution of Chemical Engineers
Institution of Civil Engineers
Institution of Electronics
Institution of Engineering and Technology
Institution of Engineering Designers
Institution of Environmental Sciences
Institution of Gas Engineers and Managers
Institution of Lighting Engineers
Institution of Mechanical Engineers
Institution of Structural Engineers
Intellectual Property Institute
International Bee Research Association
International Federation of Hydrographic Societies
International Glaciological Society
International Institute for Environment and Development
Linnean Society of London
List and Index Society
London Mathematical Society
London Metropolitan Polymer Centre
London Topographical Society
Marine Conservation Society
Market Research Society
Mineralogical Society
Modern Humanities Research Association
National Bursars' Association
National Osteoporosis Society
National Physical Laboratory
Natural England
Nautical Institute
Nutrition Society
Operational Research Society
Palaeontographical Society
Palaeontological Association
Pathological Society
Physiological Society
Quekett Microscopical Club
Remote Sensing and Photogrammetry Society
Research and Development Society
Royal Academy of Arts
Royal Academy of Engineering
Royal Aeronautical Society
Royal Agricultural Society
Royal Archaeological Institute
Royal Astronomical Society
Royal College of Anaesthetists
Royal College of General Practitioners
Royal College of Midwives Trust
Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
Royal College of Ophthalmologists
Royal College of Pathologists
Royal College of Physicians
Royal College of Psychiatrists
Royal College of Surgeons of England
Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons
Royal Entomological Society
Royal Forestry Society
Royal Geographical Society
Royal Historical Society
Royal Horticultural Society
Royal Institute of Navigation
Royal Institute of Philosophy
Royal Institute of Public Health
Royal Institution of Great Britain
Royal Meteorological Society
Royal Microscopical Society
Royal Society for the Promotion of Health
Royal Society of Medicine
Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts
Royal Statistical Society
Royal Welsh Agricultural Society
Science Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies Alliance
Science Council
Scientific Instrument Society
Scottish Association for Marine Science
Society for Applied Microbiology
Society for Computers and Law
Society for Endocrinology
Society for General Microbiology
Society for Psychical Research
Society for Underwater Technology
Society of Archivists
Society of Chemical Industry
Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists
Society of Cosmetic Scientists
Society of Environmental Engineers
Society of Food Hygiene and Technology
Society of Indexers
Society of Operations Engineers
Society of Radiographers
Solar Energy Society
Strategic Planning Society
Textile Institute
The British Psychological Society
The Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals
The Engineering and Technology Board
The Environment Council
The Marine Biological Association of the UK
The Royal Society
The Royal Society of Chemistry
The Royal Statistical Society
The Worshipful Society of Apothecaries of London
Tropical Biology Association
UK Centre for Economic and Environmental Development Universities Federation for Animal Welfare
Wildlife and Countryside Link
Blue Planet Aquarium
Bristol Zoo Gardens
The British Interactive Group (BIG) is a non-profit organisation for those involved in interactive science communication activities and hands-on education projects in the UK. The BIG directory contains a list of science museums and centres in the UK.
Centre for Life is a unique combination of biomedical research, clinical facilities, ethics, education and public engagement located on a single site in the centre of Newcastle. It houses a 4,500 sqm exhibition, a suite of teaching labs and research onsite includes genetics and stem cell research.
Chester Zoo
Ecsite-uk is a UK Network of Science Centres and Museums, representing 50+ science centres in the UK as well as aquariums, gardens and zoos.
The Dana Centre is a purpose-built venue in London It is a place for adults to take part in exciting, informative and innovative debates about contemporary science, technology and culture.
The Grant Museum of Zoology.
@Bristol
Bristol Natural History Consortium is a unique alliance between At-Bristol, Avon Wildlife Trust, BBC Natural History Unit, Bristol City Council, Bristol Zoo Gardens, University of Bristol, University of the West of England, Wildscreen and WWF-UK. The Consortium reflects Bristol’s reputation as a leading centre for the understanding and appreciation of the natural world.
London Aquarium
Kew Gardens
Think Tank Birmingham
Centre of the Cell
London Zoo
National Maritime Museum
Museums Association
National Museums of Science and Industry (NMSI)
Natural History Museum
Sea Life centres can be found in cities across Europe.
Techniquest science centres can be found in a number of locations in Wales.
Whipsnade Zoo
Agricultural Development and Advisory Service is an independent science based rural and environmental policy consultancy.
The Centre for Evidence-Based Conservation was established in 2003 with the goal of supporting decision making in conservation and environmental management through the production and dissemination of systematic reviews on the effectiveness of management and policy interventions. Relevant conservation can also be found on a seperate website - conservationevidence.com
The Parliamentary and Scientific Committee is an Associate Parliamentary Group that produces the Science in Parliament Journal.
The Foundation for Science and Technology provides a neutral platform for debate of policy issues with a science angle. The Foundation organises discussions and produces a journal.
Newton's Apple is a neutral, non-partisan charity working at the interface between science and policy.
People Science & Policy is an independent public policy consultancy that specialises in science and society issues
Prospect is and independent union representing those working in science, technology and related professions.
Understanding Animal Research aims to achieve understanding and acceptance of the need for humane animal research in the UK, by maintaining and building informed public support and a favourable policy climate for animal research.
The RAND Cooporation is an international non-profit corporation that aims to improve policy and decision-making by providing a research and analysis sevice.
The Science Policy Support Group operated between 1986-2003. SPSG was set up by the ESRC, with the intial support of the other Research Councils, to organise programmes of research and information on issues of science and technology policy identified as of strategic importance.
The Science and Development Network is an organisation which aims to provide reliable science and technology information for the developing world.
The Royal Society is also very active in the policy area, and produces a large number of relevant statments and reports. To subscribe to the Royal Society E-Newsletter with updates on their latest policy activities you should email 'subscribe' to science.policy@royalsociety.org.
Think tanks occasionally touch on scientific issues where they are deemed relevant. The Guardian has produced a list of some of the key think tanks. Newton's Apple (listed above) was established as a think tank that would deal specifically with science issues.
The UK Resource Centre for Women in SET is an organisation which works with organisations, employers and policy makers to increase gender equality in science, engineering and technology (SET), and with individual women to help progress their SET careers.
Sunday, 11 April 2010
Open air cinema screens in London
Shortened link for this post is http://is.gd/cDTFo
2012 information will be placed on this new Google site when I have it.
Sundance Festival took place at O2 in April
Pop Up Screens has announced its 2012 schedule (1 May 2012)
June 2011 - see also Time Out's listings http://www.timeout.com/london/feature/1120/open-air-movies-in-london-2011 - they have some venues that I haven't got here, but I want to capture all of those and the individual films / dates.
April 2010 (blog updated in June 2011)
It's about this time of year that I start to get anticipatory excitement for the prospect of open air cinema in London, which actually happens in late summer but I get enthusiastic about it now.
I've seen memorable performances of Ferris Bueller's Day Off in Greenwich Park, The Night of the Hunter (or watch embedded video below) at Somerset House and The Wicker Man and Rebecca at Scoop: More London. Some screens show not films but live feeds from theatre and opera.
A while back I created a Facebook group in the hope of shepherding the information into one place "Open Air Cinema london" and I'm always on the lookout for more venues. Press 'play' and enjoy the eerie soundtrack while you browse our film selections :-)
1. 2011 (current screenings)
2. What to pack
3. Locations which host (or have hosted) outdoor screens
4. 2010 (historical)
5. 2009 and previous (historical)
6. Indoor Cinemas (including mainstream / multiplexes)
7. Independent cinemas
8. Edits and acknowledgements
0. London 2012Obviously we're not there yet but best to think ahead, eh :)
News of special London 2012 film screenings coming nearer the time...
1. 2011 :: 2011 :: 2011
I've seen memorable performances of Ferris Bueller's Day Off in Greenwich Park, The Night of the Hunter (or watch embedded video below) at Somerset House and The Wicker Man and Rebecca at Scoop: More London. Some screens show not films but live feeds from theatre and opera.
A while back I created a Facebook group in the hope of shepherding the information into one place "Open Air Cinema london" and I'm always on the lookout for more venues. Press 'play' and enjoy the eerie soundtrack while you browse our film selections :-)
1. 2011 (current screenings)
2. What to pack
3. Locations which host (or have hosted) outdoor screens
4. 2010 (historical)
5. 2009 and previous (historical)
6. Indoor Cinemas (including mainstream / multiplexes)
7. Independent cinemas
8. Edits and acknowledgements
0. London 2012Obviously we're not there yet but best to think ahead, eh :)
News of special London 2012 film screenings coming nearer the time...
1. 2011 :: 2011 :: 2011
(to be filled with lots of lovely screening information when I hear about it)
2. What to pack
3. Locations which host (or have hosted) outdoor screens
4. 2010 :: 2010 :: 2010
5. 2009 :: 2009 :: 2009 and before
I only started collecting info in 2010 so this is a bit retrospective.
6. Indoor (including mainstream / multiplexes)
Section added on 12 September 2010
The outdoor season at Scoop More London is just about to start but the nights are drawing in and soon a cinema indoors might seem like a good idea.
7. Independent cinemas
8. Edits and acknowledgements
EDIT: 21 August 2010 Saturday
Minor edit, addition of 'Cineroleum' following a tip off from @steinsky
EDIT: 12 September 2010 Sunday
Minor edit, addition of Chelmsford's showing of Dirty Dancing & War of the Worlds after a tweet from @moogyboobles, also addition of an indoor section for cinemas at the end.
@marthasadie has suggested The Screen on the Green for screen hire if you want to 'make your own' (which I do, as it happens - who'd love to see Jurassic Park on Blackheath?!). EDIT: Jurassic Park is being shown in 2011 by Nomad cinemas, see above.
If you know of an open air, or other quirky cinema screens - mostly in London - let me know, ta @JoBrodie or jo.brodie @@ gmail.com
Useful resources
By location
To be added to the list, and their films listed (taken from Time Out)
- Drive-In Movie Experience - North Weald Airfield
- Floating Cinema
- Midsummer Night Screen - Dalston Roof Park
- Rooftop Film Club
- Queen of Hoxton
- Picnic Film
- Blackheath - not open air but in a tent at Zippo's Circus
- Dulwich Park - Screen on the Green
Possibly not happening in the same format as in previous years because Screen on the Green has become The Nomad, in partnership with the Lexi Cinema. They are showing Casablanca though - see below in the 'by company' section. - Eltham Park - Well Hall Pleasaunce / Tudor Barn - see comments :-)
- Folly for a Flyover - built from wooden bricks, under A12 flyover in Hackney (Hackney Wick). Series of films and shorts, more information here on their events page and see below. This is from the same people (Assemble CIC) who brought us Cineroleum.
- Great British Summer 2011 at Victoria, Bankside and Holborn (see below). They're on Twitter too https://twitter.com/GreatBritSummer
- Hackney see Folly for a Flyover
- Hammersmith (Ravenscourt Park) with PopUp Screens - 7pm
- Friday 27 May 2011 - Anchorman
- Saturday 28 May 2011 - The Big Lebowski
- Sunday 29 May 2011 - Ghostbusters
- Hyde Park and Trafalgar Square - large screens will be showing the Royal Wedding on 29 April 2011 at 11am (I'd have picked 3pm myself).
- Holborn, New Street Square, Chancery Lane - see Great British Summer 2011
- Scoop, More London (between Tower Bridge and London Bridge)
Enjoy open air free film screenings every Wednesday – Friday from 14 – 30 September. The Scoop at More London, the riverside amphitheatre, will screen an eclectic mix of classic, cult and contemporary films rarely shown elsewhere. Screenings will start at 7.30pm. - Alice in Wonderland, Wednesday 14 September
- The Kings Speech, Thursday 15 September
- Dirty Dancing, Friday 16 September
- The Illusionist, Wednesday 21 September
- The Social Network "– can't guarantee availability. List as "Surprise film"" (they don't sound too confident!), Thursday 22 September
- The African Queen, Friday 23 September
- The Manchurian Candidate, Wednesday 28 September
- Grease, Thursday 29 September
- True Grit, Friday 30 September
- Somerset House - see below
- Southbank, Bankside Mix - see Great British Summer 2011
- Syon Park: Cinema under the stars (18-21 August 2011) More details to follow.
- Trafalgar Square and Hyde Park - Royal Wedding on 29 April 2011 at 11am.
- Walthamstow (& UK locations): 12 April 2011 - 7.07am and 12 noon BBC Screens are showing ‘First Orbit’ is a feature length film by Chris Riley that weaves historic audio recordings of the first Cosmonaut, Yuri Gagarin, with new footage of his orbital route. The film will be shown at 07.07 BST, the exact time of Gagarin’s launch in 1961, and again at 12:30 on the Big Screens in Birmingham, Bradford, Bristol, Cardiff, Derby, Dover, Edinburgh, Leeds, Leicester, Manchester, Middlesbrough, Norwich, Plymouth, Portsmouth, Swansea, Swindon and Walthamstow.
- Victoria, Cardinal Place, Victoria Street- see Great British Summer 2011. Hosting screenings of Wimbledon (the actual tennis, not the film) and films (movies) throughout July including Notting Hill and Grease.
- By the way if you're reading this on a website that says anything other than brodiesnotes in the URL then there's a very high chance that the content has been stolen from this blog and I'd certainly appreciate hearing about it. The most likely candidate is an American site with various different websites under the banner Open Air Cinema - I've had to ask them four times to remove copy/pasted versions of this text. I will be delighted and amused if this text makes it into any future content pinchings :)
By company
- Friday 24th June ONCE UPON A TIME, IN A FOLLY FAR FAR AWAY...feat. SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS (1937
- Saturday 25th June THE ADVENTURES OF PRINCE ACHMED with LIVE SOUNDTRACK BY SAWCHESTRA
- Sunday 26th June THE ADVENTURES OF BARON MUNCHAUSEN
- Friday 1st July MIDDLE OF THE ROAD feat. LIVE PERFORMANCE FROM PEGGY SUE
- Saturday 2nd July THE BEAST FROM 20,000 FATHOMS
- Sunday 3rd July REQUIEM FOR DETROIT
- Friday 8th July TRON + LIVE SCORE
- Saturday 9th July TRIP TO THE MOON AND OTHER SHORTS + Live Score
- Sunday 10th July SECRET SCREENING
- Friday 15th July FLASH GORDON
- Saturday 16th July MINNIE THE MOOCHER + GERTIE AND HER GAIETY
- Sunday 17th July TOY STORY + BICYCLE THIEVES
- Friday 22nd July AKIRA
- Saturday 23rd July 2001 : A SPACE ODYSSEY
- Sunday 24th July WIZARD OF OZ
- Friday 29th July HACKNEY WICKED PRESENTS VIDEO AND SHORT FILMS
- Saturday 30th July THE WILD ONE
- Sunday 31st July A FEW DOLLARS
Great British Summer 2011 happening over three venues
- end of June - early July - tennis will be screened, then
- Monday, July 4, 2011 - 7PM: Notting Hill
- Tuesday, July 5, 2011 - 7PM: The Social Network
- Wednesday, July 6, 2011 - 7PM: Grease
- Thursday, July 7, 2011 - 7PM: Winning comedy film as voted for by you!
The choices are: Step Brothers, Meet the Fockers, Anchorman, Dumb and Dumber, Arthur
Bankside Mix, Southbank, Southwark
- end of June, early July - tennis
- Monday, July 4, 2011 - 7PM: Grease
- Tuesday, July 5, 2011 - 7PM: Notting Hill
- Wednesday, July 6, 2011 - 7PM: The Social Network
- Thursday, July 7, 2011 - 7PM: Comedy Night: Winning comedy film as voted for by you! (choices as before)
New Street Square, Chancery Lane, Holborn
- end of June, early July - tennis
- Monday, July 4, 2011 - 7PM: The Social Network
- Tuesday, July 5, 2011 - 7PM: Grease
- Wednesday, July 6, 2011 - 7PM: Notting Hill
- Thursday, July 7, 2011 - 7PM: Comedy Night: Winning comedy film as voted for by you! (choices as before)
- The Wizard of Oz - Zippos Circus - Stevenage - 13 March 2011
- The Lost Boys - Zippos Circus - Oxford - 27 March 2011
- Strictly Ballroom (Finsbury Park) - 3 April 2011 - tent
- Lost Boys (Blackheath, Zippo's Circus) - 26 April 2011 - tent
- Fight Club - Bethnal Green - 20 May 2011 - tent
- The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert - Mile End - Zippo's Circus - 22 May 2011
- Casablanca - Dulwich Park - 28 May 2011 - open air
- Mamma Mia! - Lympne Castle - Kent - 3 August 2011 - open air
- Little Miss Sunshine - Battersea Park - London - 3 August 2011, 8.45pm
- Mamma Mia! - Hall Place - Bexley - 4 August 2011 - open air
- The Third Man - Battersea Park - London - 10 August 2011, 8.45pm
- Jurassic Park - Hall Place - Bexley - 11 August 2011 - open air - h/t @popupscreens
- Labyrinth - Battersea Park - London - 17 August 2011, 8.30pm
- Some Like it Hot - Opera Holland Park - 19 August 2011 - open air I think
- The Empire Strikes Back - Opera Holland Park - 20 August 2011 - open air I think
- Cinema Paradiso - Opera Holland Park - 21 August 2011 - open air I think
- North by Northwest - Gatton Park - Reigate - 22 August 2011
- Sense and Sensibility - Gatton Park - Reigate - 23 August 2011
- Some Like it Hot - Leeds Castle - Kent, 26 Aug
- Raiders of the Lost Ark - Lympne Castle - Kent - 31 August 2011 - open air
- Dangerous Liaisons - Fulham Palace - London - 9 September 2011
- The Omen - Fulham Palace - London - 16 September 201
- Some Like it Hot - Fulham Palace - London - 23 September 2011
- Sound of Music - Danson House - Bexleyheath - 18 September 2011 - open air
- Pride and Prejudice - Danson House - Bexleyheath - 25 September 2011 - open air
Pop Up Screens - @popupscreens - showing at Ravenscourt Park, Hammersmith
So irked am I by being kept on hold (in the hope that I can buy tickets for more than one event and combine booking fees and arrange to collect rather than pay to have them posted...) that I've decided to promote a rival card. The event is being sponsored by AmericanExpress but in a fit of retaliatory mean-ness I'm giving the free advert to Visa cards.
- Anchorman - Friday 27 May 2011
- The Big Lebowski - Saturday 28 May 2011
- Ghostbusters - Sunday 29 May 2011
So irked am I by being kept on hold (in the hope that I can buy tickets for more than one event and combine booking fees and arrange to collect rather than pay to have them posted...) that I've decided to promote a rival card. The event is being sponsored by AmericanExpress but in a fit of retaliatory mean-ness I'm giving the free advert to Visa cards.
27 July 2011, Wednesday
Pedro Almodovar's the Skin I Live In Uk Premiere (Cert TBC)
21.15 pm
Pedro Almodovar's the Skin I Live In Uk Premiere (Cert TBC)
21.15 pm
28 July 2011, Thursday
Behind the Screen - John Barry's Golden Touch
19:00pm
Behind the Screen - John Barry's Golden Touch
19:00pm
28 July 2011, Thursday
The Spy Who Loved Me (PG)
21:15 pm
The Spy Who Loved Me (PG)
21:15 pm
29 July 2011, Friday
Behind the Screen - BAFTA Shorts
19:00 pm
Behind the Screen - BAFTA Shorts
19:00 pm
29 July 2011, Friday
The Big Blue (15)
21:15 pm
The Big Blue (15)
21:15 pm
30 July 2011, Saturday
Behind the Screen - Joe Cornish in Conversation
19:00 pm
Behind the Screen - Joe Cornish in Conversation
19:00 pm
30 July 2011, Saturday
Die Hard (18)/ Attack the Block (15)
21:15 pm
Die Hard (18)/ Attack the Block (15)
21:15 pm
31 July 2011, Sunday
Behind the Screen - Wild about Wilder
19:00 pm
Behind the Screen - Wild about Wilder
19:00 pm
31 July 2011, Sunday
The Apartment (PG)
21:15 pm
The Apartment (PG)
21:15 pm
1 August 2011, Monday
Behind the Screen - Kick Ass Women on Screen
19:00 pm
Behind the Screen - Kick Ass Women on Screen
19:00 pm
1 August 2011, Monday
Thelma and Louise (15)
21:15 pm
Thelma and Louise (15)
21:15 pm
2 August 2011, Tuesday
Behind the Screen - Polanski and the Writers
19:00 pm
Behind the Screen - Polanski and the Writers
19:00 pm
2 August 2011, Tuesday
Chinatown (15)
21:15 pm
Chinatown (15)
21:15 pm
3 August 2011, Wednesday
Behind the Screen - Dressed by Design
19:00 pm
Behind the Screen - Dressed by Design
19:00 pm
3 August 2011, Wednesday
In the Mood for Love (PG)
21:15 pm
In the Mood for Love (PG)
21:15 pm
4 August 2011, Thursday
Behind the Screen - Playing Games with Cinema
19:00 pm
Behind the Screen - Playing Games with Cinema
19:00 pm
4 August 2011, Thursday
Scott Pilgrim vs. The World (12A)
21:15 pm
Scott Pilgrim vs. The World (12A)
21:15 pm
5 August 2011, Friday
Behind the Screen - The Influence of The Actors Studio
19:00 pm
Behind the Screen - The Influence of The Actors Studio
19:00 pm
5 August 2011, Friday
Serpico (18)/ Shaft (15)
21:15 pm
Serpico (18)/ Shaft (15)
21:15 pm
6 August 2011, Saturday
Behind the Screen - Creature Features
19:00 pm
Behind the Screen - Creature Features
19:00 pm
6 August 2011, Saturday
Gremlins (15)/ Troll Hunter (TBC)/ Tremors (15)
21:15 pm
Gremlins (15)/ Troll Hunter (TBC)/ Tremors (15)
21:15 pm
7 August 2011, Sunday
The Princess Bride (PG)
21:15
The Princess Bride (PG)
21:15
- Something warm to wear (even if it's boiling hot in the day it can be cool sitting outside at 10pm)
- Something to sit on (plastic bag as a minimum, blanket or cushion better)
- Something to avoid rain (umbrellas are generally a bit of a no-no, recommend rain hat or one of those 'pac a mac' things)
- Something to eat and drink and something to eat it off / drink it out of (most films are in public spaces so you can bring your own picnic, check though as Syon Park mightn't)
- A plastic bag to take away rubbish / sitting on grass.
- Loo roll (public toilets being as they are...)
3. Locations which host (or have hosted) outdoor screens
- Alexandra Palace - RAC Drive-in Movies (bit daft, encourages ppl to drive to venue!)
- BBC London's Big Screens (Walthamstow and Woolwich)
- BP Summer Screen (Twitter) - these have been found at various sites, such as Canary Wharf, beaming live theatre and opera from the Royal Opera House.
- Brixton - Grand Union Bar, Thursday screenings in beer garden
- Canary Wharf: BP Summer Screen (Twitter) - usually opera
- Greenwich Park: Stella Screen - seems to have been a 2006 one off
- Cineroleum - 100 Clerkenwell Road
- Chelmsford Borough
- Dulwich Park, SE21, Screen on the Green
- Floating Cinema, Thames / canals (Olympic area 2011)
- Dulwich Picture House
- Hammersmith, Ravenscourt Park - see 2011 listings for Pop Up Screens.
- Harrow, Film on the Hill - looks like it was a 2009 one-off
- Horniman Museum, SE23, Screen on the Green
- Lady in Red Productions: Cinema under the stars (Syon Park, Brentford)
- The Old Truman Brewery
- Portobello Pop Up - digital microplex (?) cinema. More deets from Londonist (2010).
- Queens Park, NW6, Screen on the Green in association with The Lexi Cinema
- Regent's Street: Sky Classic Film Nights
- Roundwood Park, NW10, Screen on the Green in association with The Lexi Cinema
- Royal Opera House - in association with BP Big Screens (see aboveoperatic shriekings are screened in various locations around London including Canary Wharf and Trafalgar Square.
- Scoop (amphitheatre): More London
- Serpentine Gallery: Moon and stars park night (2008)
- Shoreditch Festival
- Somerset House
- Starlite Urban Drive in at The Truman Brewery
- Syon Park
- Trafalgar Square: BFI festival, BP Summer Screen (Twitter)
- Walthamstow Town Square (in Waltham Forest) and General Gordon Square (in Woolwich): London Big Screens, BBC - these seem to show only opera and ballet rather than films.
- Wapping Project - Moonshine Cinema (2010)
- Watch this Space - something to do with BFI and National Theatre, details murky (see below)
- Victoria: Britannia, pub garden at Victoria Park (2009)
4. 2010 :: 2010 :: 2010
- Scoop: More London: http://www.morelondon.co.uk/events_details.asp?ID=73
- Up in the Air (Wednesday 15 September)
- The Kite runner (Thursday 16 September)
- The Bourne Ultimatum (Friday 17 September)
- The Hurt Locker (Wednesday 22 September)
- North by Northwest (Thursday 23 September)
- Pretty Woman (Friday 24 September)
- Invictus (Wednesday 29 September)
- Up (Thursday 30 September)
- Dirty Dancing (Friday 1 October)
- Shoreditch Festival: http://www.shoreditchfestival.org.uk/
- 17 July Saturday: Big Screen - 1pm Shoreditch shorts JNR 3pm Shoreditch Shorts 5pm 'Playing House' with Buster Keaton
- Somerset House: http://www.somersethouse.org.uk/film/default.asp
- Knight and Day (29 July Thur)
- Kill Bill vol 1 / Enter the Dragon (30 July Fri)
- Team America: World Police / A Town Called Panic (31 July Sat)
- Manhattan (1 August Sun)
- Goldfinger (2 August Mon)
- Black Narcissus (3 August Tue)
- Kubrick's Paths of Glory (4 August Wed)
- Cabaret (5 August Thursday)
- Mulholland Drive (6 August Fri)
- Let the Right One In / The Lost boys (7 August Sat)
- Master and Commander (8 August Sun) There are also some 'behind the screen' discussion events.
- Syon Park: http://www.lady-in-red.co.uk/syonpark.aspx
- Dirty Dancing (18 August Wednesday)
- Wolfman (19 August Thursday)
- Top Gun (20 August Friday)
- Up (21 August Saturday)
- Pretty Woman (22 August Sunday)
- Watch this Space: http://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/wts
- Look for 'download brochure' in the left hand menu. "The BFI looks after the world’s largest and most significant collection of film and TV. As the Archive celebrates its 75th anniversary this summer, we are delighted to present films from the collection, projected onto the Flytower each Friday in July. For details of the extensive programme of films from the Archive at BFI Southbank in July and August visit http://bfi.org.uk/"
- BP Summer Screen - http://www.bp.com/sectiongenericarticle.do?categoryId=9026066&contentId=7048077
- Carmen, The Royal Opera (Tuesday 8 June) - Trafalgar Square, London; Duthie Park, Aberdeen; Millennium Square, Bristol; Market Place, Derby; Market Square, Dover; Clayton Square, Liverpool; Exchange Square, Manchester; Centre Square, Middlesbrough; Chapelfield Plain, Norwich; The Piazza, Plymouth; BP ICBT, Sunbury; Castle Square, Swansea; Wharf Green, Swindon; Walthamstow Town Square, Waltham Forest
- Chroma, Tryst, Symphony in C, The Royal Ballet (Thursday 10 June) - Trafalgar Square, London; Exchange Square, Manchester; General Gordon Place, Woolwich; Stratford Park, Newham.
- Simon Boccanegro, The Royal Opera (Tuesday 13 July, 7.30pm) - Trafalgar Square, London; Canary Wharf, London; Millennium Square, Bristol; Christchurch Park, Ipswich; Centenary Square, Bradford; Humberstone Gate, Leicester; Exchange Square, Manchester; The Piazza, Plymouth; Guildhall Square, Portsmouth
- Dulwich Picture House - Hairspray in the garden (30 August 2010, 6.30pm) - programme includes free hairstyling and an opportunity to learn the dances (!)
- Starlite Urban Drive in at The Truman Brewery
- Dirty Dancing (was Twilight) - Friday 2 July, doors 7pm, screening @ sunset, 9.20pm
- Grease - Saturday 3 July, doors 7pm, screening @ sunset, 9.20pm
- Cineroleum - 100 Clerkenwell Road - films
- Friday 20th August: Rebel Without a Cause (SOLD OUT)
- Saturday 21st August: Barbarella (SOLD OUT)
- Sunday 22nd August: D.O.A. (SOLD OUT)
- Thursday 26th August: Buster Keaton Shorts
- Friday 27th August: Duel
- Saturday 28th August: Alphaville
- Sunday 29th August: The Long Goodbye
- Thursday 2nd September: The Band Wagon (Tickets on sale 26th August)
- Friday 3rd September: Night of The Living Dead (Tickets on sale 26th August)
- Saturday 4th September: B Movie Night (Tickets on sale 26th August)
- Sunday 5th September: M (Tickets on sale 26th August)
- Thursday 9th September: Delicatessen (Tickets on sale 2nd September)
- Friday 10th September: Badlands (Tickets on sale 2nd September)
- Saturday 11th September: Metropolis (Tickets on sale 2nd September)
- Sunday 12th September: The Third Man (Tickets on sale 2nd September)
- Chelmsford Borough is showing Dirty Dancing (17 September 2010) and War of the Worlds (18 September 2o10)
5. 2009 :: 2009 :: 2009 and before
I only started collecting info in 2010 so this is a bit retrospective.
- Amelie - screened on Rugby Street, WC1 27 August 2009. Bit gutted I missed this - pics.
- A blog post with a range of open air screening highlights - last updated in 2010, from the people behind now-defunct Pyjama Pictures
- Blow Up - screened in Maryon Park, Charlton 25 July 2009, 10pm - Greenwich Film Festival 2009
- Railway Children - screened in Well Hall Pleasaunce 24 July 2009, 9.30pm - Greenwich Film Festival 2009
- Kill Bill - screened at Stella Screen, in Greenwich Park 2006
- Ferris Bueller's Day Off - screened at Stella Screen, in Greenwich Park 2006
- Spirited Away - FilmFour & Somerset House, 18 August 2005
Section added on 12 September 2010
The outdoor season at Scoop More London is just about to start but the nights are drawing in and soon a cinema indoors might seem like a good idea.
LondonNet has good listing for A-Z cinema screens in London A-Z of films showing in London.
7. Independent cinemas
- Birkbeck Cinema has its own film society - I saw The Conversation there. The society's March 2011 listings are here.
- The Horse Hospital occasionally has film showings, and other oddities Secret Cinema...
8. Edits and acknowledgements
EDIT: 21 August 2010 Saturday
Minor edit, addition of 'Cineroleum' following a tip off from @steinsky
EDIT: 12 September 2010 Sunday
Minor edit, addition of Chelmsford's showing of Dirty Dancing & War of the Worlds after a tweet from @moogyboobles, also addition of an indoor section for cinemas at the end.
@marthasadie has suggested The Screen on the Green for screen hire if you want to 'make your own' (which I do, as it happens - who'd love to see Jurassic Park on Blackheath?!). EDIT: Jurassic Park is being shown in 2011 by Nomad cinemas, see above.
If you know of an open air, or other quirky cinema screens - mostly in London - let me know, ta @JoBrodie or jo.brodie @@ gmail.com
Useful resources
- Moonlight Movies from Visit London Blog
- Useful information from ViewLondon on outdoor film events, from which some of the links posted here were pinched.
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