How to attend Science Online London 2011

[Drum roll time…] Excitement is in the air, as this year’s most highly charged science communication event is about to strike London. Grounded at the British Library on the 2nd and 3rd of September, ideas will ignite as the electrifying fourth annual Science Online London sparks into action 🙂

What is Science Online London?

Science Online London (SoLo) is an event dedicated to exploring the ways in which the Web has transformed scientific research and communication. Although we can’t guarantee it won’t rain, one thing we can guarantee is a programme full of energising science-inspired activities.

Organised by nature.com and Digital Science, the conference will present a range of lively workshops, stimulating lectures and engaging debates, as well as talks with internationally acclaimed scientists and journalists including Michael Nielsen, Rosie Redfield and Jonathan Eisen. You can find out more about the programme and what to expect here.

How can I get a ticket?

Registration for Science Online London 2011 has officially opened. The first batch of tickets are now available on our Eventbrite page. To give those who are travelling to attend or who are on limited budgets the chance to obtain a discounted ticket, we’ll be releasing the first 50 tickets for £50. Once these spaces have sold out, the remaining tickets will be £75 each. Tickets include breakfast, tea/coffee breaks and lunch for both days of the conference.

How do I get there?

The British Library is at 96 Euston Road next to King’s Cross and St Pancras International stations, which are served by National Rail, First Capital Connect and London Underground.

You can also use the Hammersmith and City, Piccadilly, Northern, Circle, District, Metropolitan and Victoria Underground Lines. Many bus services stop on Midland Road and Euston Road.

View Science Online London 2011 in a larger map

Where can I stay?

This year we’ve arranged a conference hotel to give everyone who needs somewhere to stay the option of doing so at a reduced rate. The Premier Inn on Dukes Road, (marked on the map above) are offering a British Library discounted rate at £130.00 for Bed and Breakfast:

PREMIER INN,

1 Dukes Road

London

WC1H 9PJ

T: +44 207 554 3400 E: 7029

If attendees wish to book a room here, speak to their Groups & Sales Coordinator Ola Buko and quote the rate code ZS162.

Please note that this rate is subject to availability and guests can call and reserve the rooms up to the 31st of August.

I am not based in London, can I get a grant to help with travel costs?

If you are abroad and wish to come to Science Online you can apply for a travel grant to help with your costs. It is worth keeping your eye out for The National Association of Science Writers’ Careers Grant. The dates for the next round of grants will likely be in late August and will appear on their home page.

Sadly we don’t offer any stipends ourselves so it might be worth contacting your University or workplace to see if they offer grants. However if you can’t attend, do not be disheartened as River Valley TV – a UK based typesetting and videography company, will be livestreaming and recording the conference.

Why should I go to Science Online London?

Science Online London hosts keynotes talks, discussion panels, community-driven sessions, workshops and fringe events all providing plenty of opportunities to learn new skills, share ideas and network with with a diverse group of attendees.

We have already heard from Jim Caryl who explains why these events are so useful as you get to meet and network with people from all walks of life:

What we can at least say, is that events like Science Online London, and the unconferences that precede them, are a melting pot of minds, and the ultimate forms of social networking.

To give you even more of a flavour of the events to be enjoyed, check out the coverage of last year’s conference on Flickr, keep posted on the latest news on the Science Online blog and follow the conference on Twitter @soloconf (official hashtag #solo11).

So, make sure you get your diaries out and your online calendars at the ready to mark in London’s science online conference of the year.