SCIENCE IN SOCIETY | Rationalist Society of Australia

Insights into different audiences’ rejection of science can inform policy communication, webinar told

Si Gladman — Sat, 26 Aug 2023 06:59:47 +0000

Understanding differences in social and personal motivations, and drivers of hesitancy and risk perception, can help policy makers tailor effective messaging for population sub-groups on issues such as climate change and vaccine uptake, the latest RSA Webinar has heard. At Wednesday’s webinar, guest speaker Dr Lucy Richardson shared findings from her research about science denialism […]

The post Insights into different audiences’ rejection of science can inform policy communication, webinar told first appeared on Rationalist Society of Australia.

RSA puts Parliamentary Science Office on radar of new pro-science senator

Si Gladman — Wed, 10 Aug 2022 08:00:55 +0000

The Rationalist Society of Australia has put the idea of a Parliamentary Science Office firmly on the radar of new ACT senator David Pocock, who advocated for the importance of science in his first weeks of parliament. In a letter to the independent senator, RSA president Dr Meredith Doig praised him for strongly standing up […]

The post RSA puts Parliamentary Science Office on radar of new pro-science senator first appeared on Rationalist Society of Australia.

RSA backs push for new Parliamentary Science Office

Si Gladman — Sat, 11 Jun 2022 06:03:14 +0000

The Rationalist Society of Australia has urged the new Labor government to consider establishing a Parliamentary Science Office that could provide scientific advice for all members of the parliament. In a letter to Ed Husic, the newly appointed Minister for Industry and Science, RSA president Meredith Doig said it would be of great public benefit […]

The post RSA backs push for new Parliamentary Science Office first appeared on Rationalist Society of Australia.

Decriminalise cannabis for personal use, RSA urges McGowan government

Si Gladman — Sat, 28 May 2022 03:39:45 +0000

The Rationalist Society of Australia is urging the Western Australia government to follow through on its 2019 policy pledge to decriminalise the possession of small amounts cannabis for personal use. Earlier this month, the McGowan government’s members in the Legislative Council voted down a motion put forward by the Legalise Cannabis WA Party’s Brian Walker. […]

The post Decriminalise cannabis for personal use, RSA urges McGowan government first appeared on Rationalist Society of Australia.

Election 2022: The reforms our democracy needs

Si Gladman — Fri, 29 Apr 2022 03:55:47 +0000

For this federal election, our primary hope is to see that successful political candidates will pursue the reforms that are sorely needed to restore the Australian public’s trust in this country’s democratic institutions. Today, we at the Rationalist Society of Australia announce the addition to our platform of two key policies that we believe will […]

The post Election 2022: The reforms our democracy needs first appeared on Rationalist Society of Australia.

Minor party hopeful of cannabis law reform in Western Australia

Si Gladman — Wed, 05 Jan 2022 09:43:30 +0000

A minor party in the West Australian parliament hopes that an inquiry into cannabis will help open the way to wider acceptance of medicinal cannabis and the use of other cannabis and hemp products. In an interview with the Rationalist Society of Australia, Sophia Moermond MLC, from the Legalise Cannabis WA Party, said law reform […]

The post Minor party hopeful of cannabis law reform in Western Australia first appeared on Rationalist Society of Australia.

RSA Webinar: Businesses, investors, governments and individuals have roles to play in tackling climate change

Si Gladman — Fri, 27 Aug 2021 04:58:21 +0000

Australians should take inspiration from examples in the business world and in some local and state governments to adopt more sustainable approaches in their own lives to help prevent worst-case climate scenarios, the latest RSA Webinar was told. In his RSA Webinar presentation on Wednesday, Brendan Liveris (pictured), a sustainability manager with expertise in industry, […]

The post RSA Webinar: Businesses, investors, governments and individuals have roles to play in tackling climate change first appeared on Rationalist Society of Australia.

New South Wales government and opposition ignored evidence on disease testing bill, says RSA

Si Gladman — Tue, 15 Jun 2021 06:40:00 +0000

The RSA has criticised the New South Wales government and the Labor opposition for ignoring expert advice and the best available evidence in supporting legislation that will subject people to mandatory HIV and hepatitis testing. Last month, the state parliament passed the Mandatory Disease Testing Bill 2020 despite experts saying the measures in the bill […]

The post New South Wales government and opposition ignored evidence on disease testing bill, says RSA first appeared on Rationalist Society of Australia.