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Recent years have witnessed a dramatic global growth in the development of large-scale public science events. Although usually grouped together under the umbrella term 'Science Festivals', the events differ greatly in size and scope. This paper presents the findings from a 2008/09 international survey of Science Festivals in order to compare and contrast worldwide trends. An online survey was completed by 56 self-identified Science Festivals, supplemented by a content analysis of 94 Festival websites identified internationally. This work identifies for the first time a common international definition for events which identify themselves as 'Science Festivals'. The findings show that Science Festivals are currently particularly common within Europe; however, their popularity is growing within other regions. There is a large diversity in the scale of Science Festivals, encompassing some small, localised events reaching a few hundred people, up to nationwide events reaching many millions. Precise audience figures are not acquired by many Festivals; however, there is evidence that over 5.6 million people are reached by Science Festivals annually, with events focused mainly on hands-on activities combined with some talks, lectures, discussions, and debates. The funding and operational modes also vary significantly, with the vast majority of Science Festivals obtaining their funding from multiple sources, including government support, sponsorship, and funding grants. A considerable number of Science Festivals conduct at least an informal evaluation, with some Festivals making their evaluations publicly available. This work demonstrates that Science Festivals are an increasingly important area of science communication worthy of further research.

As any recent Ph.D. recipient can attest, the writing of a doctoral dissertation is at times a process fraught with uncertainty and anxiety over the "meaning" of one's work and its implications for the growth of knowledge in the discipline. The dissertation usually marks the first opportunity for a graduate student to exercise a great deal of independence and autonomy on a research project of one's own choosing; and the successful defense of the completed dissertation represents the final phase in a socialization process designed to initiate the newcomer into the sacred "holies" of academic folkways and mores.From its inception in 1861, when Yale became the first American university to grant the Ph.D. degree, the doctoral degree was viewed as a "research degree" and the writing of a dissertation was justified in terms of making an "original contribution" to the scholar's own discipline. A casual glance through several recent graduate school catalogues indicates that the official rhetoric concerning the dissertation continues to stress the notion of an "original contribution."

Intro -- Contents -- Preface -- Chapter 1 -- Social Change through Creativity: -- Music in Mainland China's Schools and Community -- Abstract -- Introduction -- The Role of the Chinese Government in the Growth of Creativity -- The Development of Creativity in Chinese School Education -- Creativity in School Music Education in the Global Age -- A Review of Arts Education and Music Education -- The Study of School Music Education in Beijing -- Background of Beijing -- Creativity and Innovation in School Education -- A Content Analysis of Selected Music Textbooks -- Discussion and Conclusion -- Acknowledgment -- References -- Chapter 2 -- Preparing Competent Policy Practitioners: How to Be an Effective Advocate for Your Clients -- Abstract -- Introduction -- What Is Policy Practice? -- Competent Policy Practice (CPP) Framework -- Strategy 1. Personal Relationships -- Case Study -- Strategy 2. Client/Constituent Empowerment -- Case Study -- Strategy 3. Documentation and Correspondence -- Case Example -- Strategy 4. Social Media -- Case Study -- Strategy 5. Collaboration -- Case Study -- Conclusion -- References -- Chapter 3 -- A Panorama on Sports Policies in Brazil -- Abstract -- Introduction -- History of the Relationship between State and Sports -- Sports Organization - Executive Power and Private Initiative -- Sports Organization - Legislative Power and Judicial Power -- Public Resources for Sports -- Conclusion -- References -- Chapter 4 -- A Study of Young Students' Musical Preferences in Contemporary Hong Kong -- Abstract -- Introduction -- An Overview of Contemporary Hong Kong Society -- Purpose of the Study -- Method -- Findings -- Parental Educational Attainment -- Students' Purpose of Music Listening -- Medium of Students' Music Listening -- Musical Styles that Student Listened to

Dr. Dator is Associate Professor of Political Science at Virginia Polytechnic Institute's College of Arts and Sciences. The following paper presents his preliminary thinking on some new departures in the conceptualization and teaching of politics. Readers' comments would be welcomed by the author.