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Issue 22 – Monday 25th November 2019

November 25, 2019 • fshe556

HeadSup

Kia ora koutou

I’m delighted to announce that Sila has been appointed to the permanent GI Science Lecturer position, effective 03 January 2020. Sila has made a fantastic contribution since taking up her fixed-term role and her acceptance of the permanent position consolidates our GI Science capability. Currently we are advertising for an Environmental Geography / Environmental Management position and the Professor in Environmental Management, and in the next couple of weeks we will be posting the advert for our Kai Whakaaho Mātai Taiao PTF position.

Over the past year we have initiated an upgrade to our media content and the results are starting to come through. Check out this fantastic video showcasing Geography (special thanks to Charlotte, Jon and the GEOG331 team): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utyyEW6fkNE&list=PL4EJd87SGj55mylaMCcegALVmvhZnev56

We are in the lead up to the closing of our books for the year. If you have $$ to spend that will disappear on 1 January 2020, and you plan on purchasing consumables or other OPEX, your deadline for raising POs is today. Likewise, please get those expense claims in asap.

Over the next few months many of us (staff and PG research students) will be heading into the field. Please be sure to complete your H&S paperwork with genuine engagement and on time (you may need to make modifications). Compliance with the H&S process is to ensure we manage risks well and can demonstrate due care for all field trip participants. Compliance with the ENV H&S policy for field activities is non-negotiable.

A new Research and Study Leave policy comes into effect 1 January 2020. This policy offers considerable flexibility but will require greater oversight to ensure programmes can be delivered without compromise.

Lastly, we have two major events still ahead that should be good fun: the annual end-of-year staff do from 2.30pm onwards on the 12th December, and the PhD end-of-year celebration, date to come. It will be great to see as many of you at these events as possible.

Ngā mihi
JR


Whakawhanaungatanga – communities

Professional short course in the Philippines

Gary Brierley has just returned from running a River Styles professional short course as part of a NERC funded collaborative project between various universities in the Philippines and the University of Glasgow, UK.

Working with Kirstie Fryirs, Macquarie University, Gary was invited to present a one week short course in the Bislak Catchment, Laoag.

The course was attended by around 30 participants, representing over 10 research and river management agencies in the Philippines.

A social science project run by researchers from the University of Glasgow examined pedagogic aspects relating to the conduct of such short courses.

Gary turned up in a traditional Philippines shirt made from banana fiber for the first day.


Should anyone be interested in these collaborations and prospective future developments, please contact Gary directly. Gary will return to the Philippines in late 2021 to consider uptake of principles from the short course into river management practice and policy in the Philippines.

Kaikoura trip research story

Charlotte Milne is currently studying a Master of Science in Geography and uses drone technology to investigate how the 2016 Kaikoura Earthquake has changed the local rivers. We followed Charlotte down to Kaikoura to find out about her research. Charlotte’s story is now up on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utyyEW6fkNE&list=PL4EJd87SGj55mylaMCcegALVmvhZnev56
Learn more about studying Geography here: www.science.auckland.ac.nz/geography

Joint Graduate School in Coastal and Marine Science Spring School

7-8 November
NIWA Wellington

The JGS Spring School is a chance to learn about a wide range of ocean research, interact with other marine science students across many disciplines, and to learn about NIWA and other marine careers.

Students experienced:

o speakers from a range of marine science disciplines
o tours of the NIWA labs and facilities
o participated in 2-minutes thesis session
o panel discussion on marine careers

The School was a great success and next year’s school will be in Auckland!

Volcanoes of Auckland: A Field Guide

Research Associate Bruce Hayward’s latest book “Volcanoes of Auckland: A Field Guide”
has just been published by AUP. You may find a copy in a bookseller for $50 retail or you can order on-line: Best deal may be Fishpond.co.nz at $39 (incl delivery).

Earth Sciences Bickie Briefing

Earth Sciences Bickie briefing is every Thursday morning at 10.30am in the Level 6 break out space. All post grads and staff welcome.

Meetings, seminars and events

Preparing for disaster: the role of ambulance during catastrophe

Speaker: Todd Miller
St John New Zealand
Date: 26th November 2019
Time: 11:30- 1pm
Venue: 302-551 (Ontology Lab)
Light refreshment will be provided after the seminar.

Health, safety and wellbeing

TRAINING WORKSHOP: RECOGNISING AND RESPONDING TO POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS IN DISTRESS

A recent survey in the Faculty of Science showed that more 50% of our postgraduate students had experienced psychological distress in the past 30 days with approximately 1 in 5 students reporting serious distress. It can be challenging for staff to know how best to deal with distressed students during supervision, teaching or other interactions.

This workshop is intended for both academic and professional staff who regularly come into contact with postgraduate students. It will provide basic information on how to recognise a student in distress and offer appropriate first line responses to this.

The training workshop will be facilitated by Kimberley Farmer (Counselling Lead, University Health & Counselling Service), Kerry Gibson (Clinical Psychologist, Associate Professor, Wellbeing Strategy Leader – Postgraduate, Faculty of Science), Erin Leitao (Senior Lecturer, School of Chemical Sciences).

Date: Friday, 29th November, 2019; Time: 11.00 am – 1.00 pm; Venue: 302.140

Places for this workshop are limited so please confirm your attendance by accepting the calendar invite.

RSVP:Kerry Gibson: kl.gibson@auckland.ac.nz

Laboratory and Workshops Safety Inductions 2019

If you wish to join an induction session please email the Technician in Charge.

Wed 11 December 2019 General Safety Inductions Natalia (n.abrego@auckland.ac.nz) 2:00 – 2:20 pm 303-B11
Wed 11 December 2019 Chemistry +TF Lab Induction Natalia (n.abrego@auckland.ac.nz) 2:20 p.m -3:30 p.m 303-B11
Thurs 12 December 2019 X-ray Labs Induction Ilyas (ilyas.qasim@auckland.ac.nz) 11:30 am – 12:00 pm 301-411

 


Rangahau – Research

Meetings, seminars and events

The Resurgence of the Public Library: An Examination of the Planning, Construction and Use of Tūranga

Speaker: Salene Schloffel-Armstrong (PhD Proposal)
Date: Monday, 25th of November
Time: 1pm
Venue: 302-551 (Ontology Lab)

 

Delineation of landslide hazard and development of mitigation tools in a vulnerable city:

Speaker: Matt Cook (PhD Proposal)

Date: Monday, 02/12/2019
Time: 10:00am
Venue: 302-551 (Ontology Lab)

ELASTIC WAVE BEHAVIOUR IN GEOTHERMAL METAMORPHIC HOST ROCK

Speaker: Pablo Aguilera Bustos (PhD Proposal)

Date: Monday, 05/12/2019
Time: 10:00am
Venue: 302-551 (Ontology Lab)

Research and Funding Opportunities

Strategic Science Investment Fund:  Advanced Energy Technology Platform

The Advanced Energy Technology Platform aims to advance the development of a dynamic and world-class energy technology research capability for New Zealand.  The Platform will focus on research in the engineering, physical and biological sciences, and will prioritise transformative, creative and potentially disruptive research to help define future global energy opportunities and accelerate technology towards commercialisation.

Value:  Up to $50 million in funding over seven years is available through the Advanced Energy Technology Platform.  MBIE are looking to fund up to four research programmes for seven years.

Deadlines:  Registration: Monday 9 December 2019; Proposal: 2 March 2019

Funding website/more information can be found here.

EQC University Research Programme 2020 – 2023

New Zealand tertiary institutions with expertise in natural hazard science and resilience are invited to submit funding proposals to EQC for University Research Programmes for the period 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2023.

Value:  $375,000 per 3 year programme ($125,000 per annum)

Deadline: Wednesday 29 January 2020

Funding website/essential information can be found here.  Please contact your RPC if you intend on applying to this fund.

2020 Marsden Funding Round  

We anticipate the funding call for the 2020 Marsden Round will be released in the next week or so – please watch this space

The Faculty and School have various support initiatives in place to help develop both Fast Start and Standard proposals (including writing and editorial support, mock panels, peer review and Vision Mātauranga).  If you intend on applying, please let your RPC know so you don’t miss out on any important information.

Deadline (estimated):  11 February 2020

Scholarships from Research Projects

If you have any PhD students on research project-funded scholarships due to start in January 2020, please let your RPC know asap.  These will need to be set up before mid-December in order for their stipend payments to begin in January.


Copy deadline for next edition of P-cubed: Friday 12:00 6th December, to Farnaz: f.sheikh@auckland.ac.nz

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Issue 21 – Monday 11th November 2019

November 11, 2019 • fshe556

HeadSup

Kia ora koutou

It’s congratulations all around in this edition of p-cubed. Great to see ‘givers’ acknowledged – well done Paul and Jane for your contributions to NZ Geography. We also had fantastic news in the latest Marsden round – congratulations to Ingo Pecher on getting “Geological Champagne” across the line, also Lorna, Mila and Giovanni who are AIs on successful externally-led Marsden proposals. These funds are hard to get and it’s wonderful when the good news comes through. You have to be in to win – see the post  in Rangahau below about accessing help for crafting a competitive Marsden proposal.

We have a busy week ahead with some major ENV events. Our annual Research Awards ceremony is on Tuesday (11-1pm, incl. lunch) in 302-140, Masters students will be giving their thesis presentations on Thursday, and the AKO Innovation Teaching & Learning Awards are on Friday (11-1pm) in the Ontology Lab. It would be great to see a good turn-out of staff and students to these events.

Three key activities are in front of staff – examiners’ meetings (please attend if you are a course-coordinator, course director or teacher on any of the assessed courses), digital course outlines will be due soon and need to be prepared now, and QS rankings information should be sent to Samantha by the first week of December (see p-cubed Issue 20). Assessment 2020 is on the horizon and will impact your digital course outlines for Semester 1 – please check the post in the Ako section below.

PG students and staff please note: a new email address has been created for Postgraduate Administration (env-pgadmin@auckland.ac.nz). All emails and postgraduate forms you would previously have sent to the Administrative Service Coordinator (Mick Johannisson-Wallman) – or mistakenly to me – should now be sent to env-pgadmin@auckland.ac.nz

Lastly, it is my privilege to announce two retirements after many years of stirling service: Ward Friesen and Lyndsay Blue have advised that they will be retiring effective from 1 May 2020. In the New Year, we will arrange a suitable event to acknowledge Ward’s and Lyndsay’s contributions to the Departments of Geography; Geography and Environmental Science; Geography, Geology and Environmental Science; and the School of Environment. Their history is our history so it will be an occasion not to be missed!

Ngā mihi
JR


Whakawhanaungatanga – communities

CONGRATULATIONS!

NZ Geographical Society Awards: Auckland Branch NZGS

Congratulations to Professor Paul Williams who received the highest award the Society offers. One of two Distinguished New Zealand Geographer Awards (and Medal): Professor Paul W. Williams


Paul Williams with Lynda Johnston

Distinguished Service Award: Jane Michelle Foster (National Secretary of the NZ Board of Geography Teachers)

Jane Foster with Lynda Johnston

New Email Address for ACS

Dear All Postgraduate Students and Staff,
A New email address has been created for Postgraduate Administration (env-pgadmin@auckland.ac.nz).
An emails and postgraduate forms you would previously send to the Administrative Service Coordinator (Mick Johannisson-Wallman) should now be sent to env-pgadmin@auckland.ac.nz

ENV Catering Policy

Yes, we have one! All food served at formal ENV functions will be vegetarian unless otherwise requested. If meat-based dishes are requested, they are not to exceed 30% of the overall mix of offerings. No endangered species should be served.

Thanks very much to the PG student who took the time to write JR a note about this.

Equity news!

It’s been a busy couple of weeks and thanks to those who have come along to the equity events. We are hosting three equity meetings over a month to help set the agenda for the Committee in 2020. Alongside the inaugural Kāinga Wāhine lunch, we also hosted a Combatting White Supremacy hui. Both events were VERY well attended! Building on this momentum, the final equity meeting is on Thursday 14th November 1-2pm in 302.551 where we will set out a plan for the Committee for 2020. Do join us for lunch!

The ENV Equity committee would like to thank those who attended our inaugural Kāinga Wāhine lunch. It was a great opportunity to connect and foster/strengthen relationships amongst women within the School. We were also able to gather ideas about how to enhance the experiences of women (as a targeted University equity group) within the school. We look to forward to building on these ideas and continuing these lunches next year.

In response to a letter written to the School of Environment Equity Committee signed by 28 post-graduate students, a Combatting White Supremacy hui was held. The kōrero was robust and harrowing at times. We thank the attendees for their feedback and ideas as to how to move forward. We will use your feedback to inform our efforts to promote and create a safe, inclusive, and equitable space within the School of Environment. We see this hui as the start of a conversation rather than the final word. Let’s continue this productive kōrero.

 

The U21 PwC Innovation Challenge

A three-minute video could win you an expenses-paid trip to PwC Middle East or world-class career development in the U21 PwC Innovation Challenge! Open to doctoral candidates and masters students.
https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/postgraduate-students/school-of-graduate-studies/doctoral-opportunities/u21-pwc-competition.html

Kia ora!

Help us name the new doctoral candidature management system and you could win NZ$150 PB Tech vouchers!

Open to all University of Auckland staff and doctoral candidates.

Multiple entries allowed. Submit by 29 November.

https://www.staff.auckland.ac.nz/en/teaching-and-students/postgraduate-students/doctoral-candidature-management-project.html

Earth Sciences Bickie Briefing

Earth Sciences Bickie briefing is  every Thursday morning at 10.30am in the Level 6 break out space. All post grads and staff welcome.

Notice

From William Reid

I’ve got six batteries previously used for seismometers that need to get to GNS in Taupo. If anyone is driving that way and is happy to take them along then please get in touch with me on WAReid21@gmail.com.

Meetings, seminars and events

Doctoral workshops with Hugh Kearns

Build solid strategies for planning your PhD or develop key skills for networking and academic conference success at two FREE doctoral workshops this November.

https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/postgraduate-students/postgraduate-events/doctoral-workshops-with-hugh-kearns.html


Preparing for disaster: the role of ambulance during catastrophe

Speaker: Todd Miller

St John New Zealand
Date: 26th November 2019
Time: 11:30- 1pm
Venue: 302-551 (Ontology Lab)
Light refreshment will be provided after the seminar.

 

ENV Masters Presentations:

Please come to our Masters students’ presentations on Thu., 14 Nov., 9:30 am – 2:30 pm, 303-130 and 303-140
Draft programme

Marine Geosciences meeting:

Our monthly meeting this time is on Wed., 13 Nov., 1-2 pm, 303-G14 (TBC)
Marta Ribo: Sediment transport and Morphodynamics: From the Mediterranean Sea to the SE Australian coast and now the Marlborough Sounds in New Zealand

ENV IT Committee meeting

Exact time TBD. If you have any issues that should be addressed, please contact Ingo (i.pecher@auckland.ac.nz) by Sun. 17 Nov.

Health, safety and wellbeing

Laboratory and Workshops Safety Inductions 2019

If you wish to join an induction session please email the Technician in Charge.

November Wed 13 November 2019 General Safety Inductions Neville(n.hudson@auckland.ac.nz) 2:00 – 2:20 pm 303-G15
Thurs 14 November 2019 X-ray Labs Induction Ilyas (ilyas.qasim@auckland.ac.nz) 11:30 am – 12:00 pm 301-411
December Wed 11 December 2019 General Safety Inductions Natalia (n.abrego@auckland.ac.nz) 2:00 – 2:20 pm 303-G15
Wed 11 December 2019 Chemistry +TF Lab Induction Natalia (n.abrego@auckland.ac.nz) 2:20 p.m -3:30 p.m 303-G15
Thurs 12 December 2019 X-ray Labs Induction Ilyas (ilyas.qasim@auckland.ac.nz) 11:30 am – 12:00 pm 301-411

 


Rangahau – Research

Meetings, seminars and events

Python for Geothermal Scientists and Engineers

Speaker: Dr David Dempsey

Date: Thursday, 28 November 2019
Time: 8:30am- 3:30pm
Venue: Auckland Bioengineering Institute, B439, 4th floor computer lab at 70 Symonds St

Abstract: please click here

$50 UoA Postgrad Student Registration: https://uoaevents.eventsair.com/nzgw19/pythonij
Other registrations: https://www.geothermalworkshop.co.nz

Living on the edge – Mangroves in the Auckland Region

Speaker: Luitgard Schwendenmann
Date: Tuesday 19 November
Time: 4.00pm to 5.30pm
Venue: Building 302, Room 551 (Ontology Lab)

Abstract: please click here

Newsletter of the Auckland Branch of the New Zealand Geographical Society.

Research and Funding Opportunities

MARSDEN 2020

The Royal Society Te Apārangi have announced the dates for the Marsden Roadshow.  This year they are also holding a separate Q&A session aimed at researchers submitting fast start applications  – please register at the links below:

Marsden Roadshow Wednesday 20 November 10am Grafton Campus Register here
  3pm City Campus Register here
Fast Start Q&A Thursday 21 November 10am City Campus Register here

If you intend to apply, please let your RPC (Kelly, Ivana or Amy) know so that we can keep you informed about the support being offered by both the Faculty and School.

EQC UNIVERSITY RESEARCH PROGRAMME 2020

New Zealand tertiary institutions with expertise in natural hazard science and resilience are invited to submit funding proposals to EQC for University Research Programmes for the period 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2023.

Research Programs are for three years duration, with annual funding set at $125,000 (total $375,000 per program).

Deadline for submissions to EQC is Friday 7 February 2020 (Internal deadline to be advised).

See the EQC website for more information and guidelines, and please advise your RPC (Kelly or Ivana) if you intend on applying.

NORTHERN HEMISPHERE SUMMER RESEARCH SCHOLARSHIPS

The International Office are calling for projects for the 2020 program, and are looking for supervisors and projects to advertise to partner institutions (supervision period June, July, August).

They are particularly interested in supporting existing research collaborations with the target partners: University of Bristol, University of Southampton, Zhejiang University, Pennsylvania State University and University College Dublin.

If you are interested in applying, please contact Monica Fong at the International Office directly (deadline November 15)

AGRITECH SHOWCASE


Spaces are limited so RSVP here today!

If you have any questions regarding the event please email c.mcmurray@auckland.ac.nz


Ako – Teaching and Learning

KNOW YOUR CATCHMENT: The use of the River Styles Framework as a tool to support the development of coherent and strategic approaches to land and water management for India’s rivers

Prof Jain, Prof Brierley, Dr Sonam, Prof Fryirs

Many challenges must be addressed in the development and application of integrative approaches to land and water management. This is particularly important in India, the home of Mother Ganga.

To demonstrate the potential use of a geomorphic approach to the analysis of rivers, and use of this information in land and water management applications, Professor Gary Brierley (University of Auckland, New Zealand) and Professor Kirstie Fryirs (Macquarie University, Australia) have visited the Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar (IITGN) as part of one of the first SPARC projects in India (Scheme for Promotion for Academic and Research Collaboration). This SPARC project is led by Professor Vikrant Jain (IITGN). In this first visit of the 2-year SPARC project, Professors Brierley and Fryirs will run the week-long River Styles short course at IITGN. Rivers scientists from different parts of India are attending the short course. Fieldwork and subsequent research will focus on the Sabarmati River, on the doorstep of IITGN.

Please click here to read more.

Assessment 2020

The University’s new Assessment (Coursework, Tests and Examinations) Policy and Procedures come into effect in Summer School 2020 and apply to all undergraduate and taught postgraduate courses. Please set aside a few minutes to look at this page.

Course Coordinators in particular please note some important features:

1.     Assessments should be mapped to the Learning Outcomes. This is required in the Digital Course Outlines (see below) but is more than just a technical feature. Please note the Nine principles of assessment.

2.    There must be an early, formative assessment. The policy does not say how early but 2-3 weeks into the course would be reasonable. The purpose is to enable students to gauge their learning. Coordinators may also use this as an early warning of how the class is doing and to identify individuals who are struggling.

3.    Feedback and marks should be timely – and especially if students are to learn from this before their next assessment. Marking of course takes time and may be perceived as a burden for instructors. However, you are designing the course so please plan for the marking, and design the course so that you can provide feedback promptly.

4.    Group work is permitted but for large assignments or where it constitutes more than 30% of the final grade at least 40% of the mark must assess the individual student’s contribution.

Digital Course Outlines

These have been forewarned in the previous two editions of P-Cubed. Please note that we anticipate requests for Semester 1 courses to arrive very soon.

Reference pages:

·         Digital Course Outline Project

·         BSc Graduate Profile – relevant for undergraduate courses and may be useful for Postgraduate courses, too.

AKO TEACHING EXCELLENCE AWARDS

School of Environment Teaching and Learning Showcase and Inaugural Ako Awards

Friday 15 November, 11-1PM, 302-551

The event will include short presentations from staff on innovative teaching and learning. The showcase will also include the Inaugural Ako Awards which acknowledges teaching excellence within the School. The event will include lunch!

 


Copy deadline for next edition of P-cubed: Friday 12:00 22nd November, to Farnaz: f.sheikh@auckland.ac.nz

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