science writing prize

The European Dana Alliance, The British Neuroscience Association and @Bristol are inviting entries for the 2006 National Brain Science Writing Prize. The judges are looking for engaging newspaper-style science articles of around 650 words on the subject of brain science. Closing date 31 October 2006.

history, politics and bubble bath

Observations from the British Society for the History of Science. In the summer issue of the society's newsletter (No.80), John van Wyhe, Director of Darwin Online says that history of science researchers focus almost exclusively "on the social and political lives and interests of past scientists", as opposed to "their contribution to the creation of of natural knowledge". In the following issue, out this week, University College London author James Burns replies. "This is not a case - in the hackneyed metaphor - of throwing the baby out with the bathwater," he says. "Rather, it is a case of becoming so interested in analysing the bath water as to forget to take the baby out, dry it, powder it and dress it in its own clothes."