Issue 8

Thanks for picking up issue 8! The EUSci team has been working hard and there is plenty in store for you here. To start, we have sent our focus team into space and snagged an interview with Edinburgh’s favourite astronaut, Piers Sellers. In addition to coverage of the now infamous government budget cuts and a sampling of ways to get involved in public engagement, we regale you with tales of field work in Africa, Bolivia, and even the kitchen of an unsuspecting EUSci mother.One change this issue: EUSci has gone green. We feel scientists should set a good example and so in an eff ort to keep our science a step ahead of our carbon footprint, we have switched to more sustainable printing. The inner pages are now 100% recycled paper, while the cover comes from a certified sustainable source. This fall, we were happy to see many fresh faces joining EUSci. Along with our usual writing and editing, a highlight of this term was an evening discussing science and media with local science writer Colin Macilwain.Beyond Edinburgh, we have been pleased to hear rumours that the science media bug has been spreading across Scotland. A couple of new university science magazines and podcasts may appear in the coming months. We wish them the best of luck and can’t wait to read and listen to what they create.As the spring term gets underway, we hope more budding writers, editors, layout designers and artists will join us. Don’t hesitate to get in touch if you would like to help or even just send comments. We’re looking for feature submissions as always, with our next deadline January 24 and our annual Sci-Fi contest coming up (more information on the facing page).Remember to fi nd us online at www.eusci.org, where we will soon be launching our redesigned website (created by our resident production whiz, Jon Manning).