This article was published in Scientific American’s former blog network and reflects the views of the author, not necessarily those of Scientific American
Many universities have dedicated student-run science publications. Such publications are ideal places for young science writers to work with an editorial team, build up confidence and grow their portfolios. But they are also teasers of what is to come from the emerging generation of science writers.
Periodically, we’ll cover some of those student-run science publications here on The SA Incubator. Today, we look at EUSci from the University of Edinburgh, UK. Their latest issue has recently been released (read it below). EUSci’s president, Rishi Ramaesh, tells us more about the publication’s mission, how it all started and gives us a preview of the new issue.
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EUSci is an award-winning, student-run, science society based at the University of Edinburgh.
Eusci was built on the principles of promoting science to a wider audience and provide thought-provoking scientific discussion in various disciplines—a worthy raison d’etre, given Edinburgh University’s long and distinguished history in scientific enlightenment.
We currently publish a bi-annual magazine, run regular seminars and produce regular pod-casts to entertain, inform and stimulate the scientific minds in Edinburgh and beyond.
Founded in the 2008, by two Edinburgh PhD students, Lara Moss and Luke Boulter, EUscihas grown from strength to strength, boasting a readership of many thousands across the University and the city.
Anyone from the University is welcome to contribute to the magazine, from Nobel Laureate to impoverished undergraduate student, on any topic of their choosing. We encourage our writers to choose topical subjects and best articles are chosen by ballot by our members to be put forward for publication. The magazine is edited and produced by our hardworking and dedicated magazine team. Over the years, we have had articles on an eclectic range of disciplines—biomedical sciences, quantum physics, aerospace, engineering and chemistry to name but a few—you name it, we probably have written about it!
Our latest edition, issue 11, kindly sponsored by the British Heart Foundation, TeachFirst UK and the Institute of Academic Development, has recently been released and as ever is jammed with exciting stories from the avant-garde of science.
Jaan-Eerik Past reveils the truth (warts and all) behind the fabled “faster-than-light-neutrinos” and Muhammad Sami explores the ever popular world of time travel. Our focus article for this issue explores how science and art often unwittingly co-exist and needless to say is packed full of intriguing anecdotes and insight.
Olga Degtyareva tells all us embattled students how to survive the apocalyptic world of the “research lab” while Emily Pritchard unveils the secret to making the perfect sponge cake! Who says that EUSci doesn’t provide a valuable service!
The remarkable world of psychology also gets the EUSci treatment in this issue: Hannah Little asks why we remember so little from our earliest blissful childhood days and Emma Butcher gives us the low-down on panic attacks.
We send our intrepid writer Lindsey Robinson to explore the paranormal world of ghosts and ghouls and Dr Hypothesis is back to answers yet more perplexing scientific questions like can dogs predict the weather? You’d be surprised by the answer… We also feature Dave Cardwell’s winning entry for Eusci’s annual scifi competition – you’ll just have to read it to discover the cunning twist…
As ever, issue 11 is crammed with our regulars including an interview with Dr Guy Harvey, a prominent marine biologist and conservationist, a dummies guide to the fraught world of Twitter, a patriotic look at science in Britain as well as reviews of Jon Ronson’s “The Psychopath Test” and much, much more! Please visit our website to read this issue as well as all our past issues.
Our magazine is not the only thing EUSci does - our weekly podcasts cover an equally diverse range of subjects and keeps us up-to-date with the latest discoveries and innovations not only in Edinburgh by across the globe. Our seminars are famous for their intriguing topics, aimed squarely at the scientifically curious. Often delivered by PhD students, it provides a forum to discuss and present research in a relaxed environment.
EUSci is also a great training ground for aspiring journalists and those pursuing a career in scientific media and communication. We provide extensive training to our membership on writing, editing and communication, often delivered by professionals working in the field. In fact, many of our alumni have gone on to forge promising careers in the media, working for international publications like Nature and New Scientist.
Our sterling work has not gone unnoticed—only last year, we were awarded the prestigious Scottish Herald Award as the nations’ best student publication.
EUSci is run entirely by volunteers and rely wholly on advertising and sponsorship, without which we could not continue. We are currently looking for new sponsors and advertising to enable us carry on. If you are interested, please contact us on euscimag@gmail.com. We’d be glad to hear from you!
Please visithttp://www.eusci.org.uk/ to see past issues of the magazine.
Rishi Ramaesh
EUSci President