Issue 28-Tuesday 17th March 2020
Contents
HeadSup
Kia ora koutou
This is an extraordinary year. Today we commemorate the people who lost their lives to hatred in the Christchurch terrorist attack last year. We will share food crafted by our hands and stand together in remembrance and determination to eschew white supremacist ideology and other forms of bigotry and hatred. This University values diversity and is committed to creating a safe and inclusive environment for all. This will be the last communal food sharing activity in ENV until further notice.
COVID-19 presents a real threat to our ability to maintain a safe environment and care for people if they get sick. We must flatten the curve and keep it flat or our health system will not be able to cope with those needing care – and people will need care. COVID-19 is coming at us at the same time as our usual flu season – a time when our hospitals are at full stretch. We must contain and stop the spread of COVID-19. We are in for a long period of disruption and it will have serious implications at an individual and collective level. You will be aware that the Vice-Chancellor has cancelled international travel for all UOA activities and has requested all UOA staff and PG research students to return home. We can anticipate further restrictions on activities as COVID-19 unfolds.
As a School we must act collectively to limit the impact of COVID-19 on our people and our communities. Social distancing is important and will become more so in the coming days and weeks, a point flagged by John Hosking, Dean of Science, in his email to staff this morning. We do not know how the management of social distancing will role out. Decisions at UOA Senior Leadership may come fast and we must be ready to limit the impact on our UG and PG students.
May I please ask all staff and students to:
- Stay home if you are sick or suspect you are sick and contact Healthline if appropriate.
- Increase social distancing:
- All meetings that can be held by zoom/skype should be held by zoom/skype (CBDBZ: could be done by zoom). This includes small group meetings, committee meetings, supervision meetings.
- Maintain physical space (1-2 m), and do not handshake, hug, hongi. Practice your East Coast waves.
- Stop holding ENV communal food/drinks events until further notice
- Move to webinar /zoom options where possible.
- Create connection to maintain our communities (if you are an ENV PG student here’s a link to a new ENV PG community facebook page)
- All supervisors and PGR students: make your plans now for management of your research over the next 3-6 months.
- Prepare for remote teaching of ALL S1 courses (and think ahead to S2).
- Students are the core business of the University. We must prioritise maintenance of delivery of high quality courses.
- Work together in teaching teams to ensure you have a quality plan ready to go if we are instructed to teach remotely. This could happen fast – prepare now.
- Cancelling courses is not an option – if you cannot figure out how to make it work get in touch with me.
We are all in this together: be sure to let me know early if I have missed something, if you recognize an issue that needs to be resolved or if you need help. And, importantly, please be kind to each other.
Ngā mihi
JR
Whakawhanaungatanga – communities
Dear All,
The Rangahau Committee will host a Forum on “Research in the Pacific” on Tuesday 31 March from 12:00 – 13:00pm in Fale Pasifika, followed by lunch (13:00 – 14:00). All staff are welcome to join. Research active staff are expected to attend. Please RSVP here for catering purpose by Monday 23 March. Please advise Samantha (Samantha.huang@auckland.ac.nz) if you are an apology. We have a great list of speakers:
- Ward Friesen, School of Environment, “Human Geography research centred on the Pacific”
- Murray Ford, School of Environment, “Physical Geography and Earth Science research centred on the Pacific”
- Melani Anae, Director Research, Centre for Pacific Studies, Faculty of Arts. Melani will discuss her research interests and the role of research in the Centre for Pacific Studies
- Jeff Nikoia, Director Strategic Growth, UniServices. Jeff will outline some of the activities UniServices is involved with in the Pacific
- Brenda Star, Trustee, Pacific Development and Conservation Trust. Brenda will outline the work of the Trust to support development and conservation in the Pacific
We look forward to seeing you at the Forum,
The Rangahau Committee
PhD enrolment extensions
Would supervisors please bear in mind that PhD students don’t need an enrolment extension until they have completed four years of FTE enrolment. We are getting a few unnecessary formal requests coming through (DOC-6 forms). In some cases it may be that there is confusion with scholarship extensions, but these are a separate matter (dealt with by the Scholarships Office).
Thanks, Anthony
(PhD Advisor)
Calling for volunteers for a fun day doing volcano and earthquake experiments with children!
Event: MOTAT Science STEM Fair
Where: MOTAT, Museum of Transport and Technology, Great North Road
Date: Sunday 5 April 2020 (as of 13 March it’s still on…)
Time: We need help between 9 am and 5 pm, for the whole time or an hour or two or anything in between
Who: Join the DEVORA (Determining Volcanic Risk in Auckland) and QuakeCORE outreach groups. No experience needed, just enthusiasm and joy: You’re helping children be excited about science!
https://www.motat.org.nz/experience/events/science-stem-fair/
Please contact Kate katelk@auckland.ac.nz or Michaela mdob102@aucklanduni.ac.nz
The Auckland branch of NZGS promotes the activities of geographers and the development of the discipline in the Auckland region. It has proven an effective platform for hosting and sponsoring public seminars and workshops, and talks by prominent local and international geographers; running competitions for schools; providing opportunities for young geographers to attend conferences; and for bringing geographers together to discuss issues of public and disciplinary concern.
What’s on?
2020 GEONIGHT (International Night of Geography)
Wednesday 1st April 2020
Geography Auckland is joining the World International Night of Geography
Science Centre
University of Auckland
Building 302 Room 140
4.00pm – Start
___________________________
Celebrate Geography,
Get excited
Karen Fisher (k.fisher@auckland.ac.nz)
June.logie@me.com (secretary)
Click here to read more.
Meetings, seminars and events
School of Environment Careers Expo 2020
7th April 12.00-2.00 pm, Room 302-140
If you missed the morning tea yesterday, it is still not too late to donate. Please contact Mel Wall (m.wall@auckland.ac.nz). Thanks
All proceeds to Our People, Our City Fund which supports the families and Muslim communities impacted by the white supremacist terrorist attack on March 15, 2019 (https://christchurchfoundation.org.nz/giving/our-people-our-city-fund/donate)
Earth Sciences Bickie briefing
Earth Sciences Bickie briefing is every Thursday morning at 10.30am in the Level 6 break out space. It’s a chance to share announcements, get updates on academic and research events and deadlines, and share highlights from the past week. All postgrads and staff welcome.
Volcanology, Geochemistry, & Petrology Research Group
The volcanology, geochemistry, & petrology research group (VGP) meets during the semester. Our next meeting will be on 17 March 2020 at 9 am in 303-G16. Nathan Collins will be giving a talk about his work entitled “Geochemical insights into shallow magmatic processes and transitioning eruption styles, Ambae, Vanuatu”! As always, everyone is welcome to attend our meetings. After this meeting, for the foreseeable future, we will be moving to holding VGP meetings as Zoom meetings. This includes next week’s meeting in which David Farsky will be practicing his proposal talk titled “Source, loss, and content of the deep magmatic volatiles (CO2, He) of the Taupo Volcanic Zone, New Zealand.” After setting up the Zoom meetings, I will send out details on how to join to everyone invited to the calendar invite. If you would like to be added to this list, please email me (s.tsang@auckland.ac.nz). Thank you for being flexible on this front. Additionally, if you have any updates (including new students or projects) you would like to see on the website or would like to contribute a blog post, please email David (dfar197@aucklanduni.ac.nz). For more information, please see our website: vgp.blogs.auckland.ac.nz See you soon!
Ako – Teaching and Learning
Three members of the Waterways team at Auckland Council will make a special presentation on stream management issues in the Auckland region in the GEOG 331 class on Friday 20th March, from 10am-12noon. Any staff/student is welcome to attend this special session. It is in the Clock Tower, G10.
The following week, Ed Baynes, a Post Doc in Engineering, will make a one hour presentation from 10-11 in the same room, outlining his field and experimental work on sediment pulses in river systems. Same room – again, anyone welcome to attend (Friday 27th March, 10-11 am, Clock Tower, G10).
And finally, there will be a rivers symposium at UoA on Tuesday April 28th, from 1-5pm. B303, room G16. See the flyer below.
Get it Write – Academic Article Writing Workshop
Hosted by FMHS (open to all Faculties) and geared towards postgraduate students and early career academics:
Rangahau – Research
Meetings, seminars and events
Master Research Seminars
25 and/or 26 May 2020.
Mini-seminars by masters thesis students who are completing mid-year. All are invited. Supervisors should be there to support their students. Detailed programme still to be arranged.
Phil Shane
(Masters advisor)
Title: Flux, Origin and Pathway of Greenhouse Gas Emission from the Taupo Volcanic Zone
Presented by Tsung-Han Jimmy Yang
Date: Monday, 16 March
Time: 12 noon
Venue: 302-551
Title: Automating seismic data analysis and interpretation- CANCELLED due to COVID-19 concerns
(Please remove this seminar from your calendar)
Presented by Sergey Fomel, University of Texas, Austin, Texas, USA
Date: Monday, 30 March
Time: 12 PM
Venue: 303 – G16
Title: Dispersion and Morphodynamics in Estuarine and Nearshore Waters
Presented by Gaoyang Li (PhD Proposal)
Date: Wednesday, 18 March
Time: 2pm
Venue: 302-551
Research and Funding Opportunities
Sustainable Seas Ko ngā moana whakauka National Science Challenge
Innovation Fund
The purpose of the $2M Innovation Fund is to fund two-year research projects that will contribute directly to building a ‘blue economy’ in Aotearoa. The expected value of projects is from $50K to $250K max. There is a two stage application process with Expression of Interests to be completed via the EoI online submission form – by 12 noon, Monday 18 May 2020. The Request for proposals (RFP) document contains further details including the application and assessment process, timeline, project values, scope, and criteria. Please let Kelly or Kathryn know if you are going to apply so we can assist with the indicative budget and faculty approvals prior to EOI submission.
Research funding
The Faculty is calling for applications for two internal funds by Monday 30 March:
- The Nearmiss Fund provides funding ($10K max.) for up to 6 PIs who successfully progressed to the second stage of a major funding round, but missed out at the final stage.
- The PhD publications Fund is a strategic initiative being trialled through FRDF funding. This funding ($4K max.) is to support 5-8 students as research assistants to write up thesis results for publications (One application per PI).
Details and application form will be online here soon (or email Kelly or Kathryn and we will send you the guidelines and application form).
Please email your completed applications to Wendy Rhodes (w.rhodes@auckland.ac.nz) by 30 March.
Rutherford Discovery Fellowships
The Rutherford Discovery Fellowships (RDF) supports the development of future research leaders, and assist with the retention of New Zealand’s talented early to mid-career researchers.
Eligibility: Applicants must be a NZ citizen or hold a NZ resident visa and continuously resided in NZ for at least three (3) months prior to application; and have had their PhD conferred between 1 January 2012 and 31 December 2017.
Value: Ten (10) Fellowships, up to $160,000 p.a. each for five (5) years in length will be awarded in 2020.
The Fellowships consist of:
− $70,000 per year contribution towards researcher’s salary
− $60,000 per year contribution towards research related expenses
− $30,000 per year host contribution to support Fellow’s research programme.
Deadline: 9 am, Monday 6 April 2020
Further details: See the Rutherford Discovery Fellowships website
If you are interested in applying, please have a chat to JR. More information can be obtained from your RPC (Kathryn Howard or Kelly Kilpin).
Fulbright New Zealand – Fulbright Specialist Awards
Fulbright Specialist Awards are for New Zealand institutions to host US academics, artists or professionals for lectures, seminars, workshops, conferences or symposiums. Up to five awards are granted each year, towards two to six-week programmes of activities.
Eligibility: The period of award is 2-6 weeks (the exchange must start at least 6 weeks after the Fulbright closing date and within 12 months of application
Value: The awards are valued at up to US $11,700 and cover the Specialist’s flights between the US and NZ, and a daily honorarium. Up to six awards will be made. The host needs to provide accommodation, meals and transport within NZ. No money is awarded to the host institution
Internal Deadline: Monday 23 March 2020
Further details: See the funders website
Teaching & Learning Research Initiative – Expression of Interest
In 2020 there are two pathways to funding:
1. Open pathway: open to proposals from all contexts and settings that meet the criteria
2. Whatua tū aka: for projects that meet the criteria for a kaupapa Māori project
Eligibility: To be eligible for the fund, proposals need to come from partnerships involving teachers and researchers. In the context of the TLRI, teachers are defined as education and training practitioners. The category of education and training practitioners may include, but is not limited to: teachers in kindergartens, early childhood centres, kōhanga reo and Pasifika language nests; teachers in kura, primary, intermediate, and secondary schools; and lecturers, tutors, and trainers working in post-school settings such as universities, wānanga, polytechnics, private training establishments (PTEs), industry training organisations (ITOs) and workplace settings
Value: Funding provided for Projects for 1, 2, or 3 years duration with a maximum of $150,000 per year appropriate for scale and scope of proposed project.
There is a maximum of $450,000 across the life of the project
Internal Deadline: Thursday 23 April 2020
Further details: See the funders website
New publications
- Schuurman, N., Martin, M. E., Crooks, V. A., & Randall, E. (2020). Where to enhance rural palliative care? Developing a spatial model to identify suitable communities most in need of service enhancement. BMC Health Services Research, 20(1), 168. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-020-5024-y
- Martin, M. E., & Schuurman, N. (2020). Social Media Big Data Acquisition and Analysis for Qualitative GIScience: Challenges and Opportunities. Annals of the American Association of Geographers, 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1080/24694452.2019.1696664
Classifieds
Job opening – Stallard Scientific Editing
Stallard Scientific Editing is seeking part-time (freelance) and full-time scientific editors, working from home, in the following specialist fields: seismology, tectonics, structural geology, regional geology, economic geology, igneous and metamorphic geology, atmospheric science, meteorology, and climatology.
The work involves editing scientific manuscripts (written by non-native speakers) for consistency, correct grammar, correct use of English, and readability, without altering the scientific content or changing the author’s meaning.
It has been clarified that recent graduates or even PhD candidates submitted but awaiting defence are welcome to apply. To apply, please contact Aaron Stallard at office@stallardediting.com.
Read more here.
Graduate Programme 21: awesome opportunity
Parks services unit, Auckland Council. See this link.
Copy deadline for next edition of P-cubed: Friday 27th March, 1pm to Farnaz: f.sheikh@auckland.ac.nz
It seems very rare that there are Environmental Schools and are centered on “Human Geography Research centered in the Pacific, usually schools are only concerned with academics.
Tel-U