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

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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, 29^th 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

 

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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.

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