COVID-19: no time for complacency, stay well, keep UOA open…oh darn!

Say yes to the test

HeadSup

There is a forum tomorrow for all ENV teaching and professional staff from 3-4pm to raise concerns and ask questions about our current Covid-19 response.

Kia ora koutou

Well, here we go again: another bout of glorious sunshine and a resurgence of COVID-19. At least the weekend was marvelous, I hope you all got to enjoy it. Monte Cecilia Park is on the edge of my ‘neighbourhood’; it is exceptional with outstanding views. I took the dogs there on the bike, which made me super happy and got smiles from kids along the way. Please give yourself permission to deliver less this year and take time to find something joyful to do every day.

On the teaching front, live zoom has made things a bit easier but there are still significant challenges in remote delivery.  We are now operating week by week: please resist the temptation to over plan – as we saw last week, things may change with half a day’s notice. Please remember that remote learning is challenging and you may need to cut back on expectations. Keep it simple, stay nimble.

I am developing a ‘GTA covid-response team‘ of post-graduates who have completed tutor training and who would like to increase their hours or can be deployed where there is a need. If you are interested in joining this team, please contact Samantha Huang (samantha.huang@auckland.ac.nz) by Wednesday this week. This will get you on the list so that we can contact you if we need your help. If you are coordinating a course and would benefit from extra tutor hours during remote teaching please get in touch with David Hayward.

On the research front, some contracted work and PG projects may be getting parlous. Primary supervisors, if you have yet to do so, please check in on your students and ensure you have a good plan in place to manage the Covid-19 disruption. In some cases it may be time for Plan B. Students: if you are stressed and concerned about the impact of this shut-down on your progress please discuss with your supervisor in the first instance. We are looking at ways to support PG Research students through this time – more on this soon. PIs: please let me know if your projects are getting critical.

On another matter, there’s been slippage in the field work planning process that compromises our ability to ensure appropriate risk management. It is a requirement of the University that all field work is signed off before being undertaken. Unfortunately, forms have been coming in late allowing insufficient time for consideration and amendment if required. Please demonstrate respect for our technical staff and our Health and Safety processes by ensuring forms are submitted on time. Forms submitted late may be returned without approval.

Lastly, all the best for the week everyone. I hear zoom drinks may by on again this Friday…

JR

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Whakawhanaungatanga – communities

ENV 2021-2023 Strategic Plan Update

It’s time to think about staffing priorities for the future – think 3-5 years out. This may sound strange given we have been told the shape, size and composition of the university will change, with a reduction in FTE as a result of COVID-19. However, it is critical that we take a pro-active and strategic view of our staffing needs into the future – where should we appoint, where will we need to appoint, and why? Please get responses back to JR asap. A draft plan will be distributed for comment later this week.

Unstable Foundations

Anna Lehner is an interdisciplinary artist working at the intersections of art and structural geology. Anna was awarded a US Graduate Fulbright Fellowship to New Zealand. From February-November 2020, Anna will be spending time with researchers, scientists and artists to gain a better understanding of the seismic activity of our planet. Anna will be giving an artist talk about the ways that technology, data and science can be woven together to create conceptual artwork. For details, please click here

Website: www.annalehner.com

Date: 26 August 2020

Time: 17.00-18.00

Building/Room: 303-G01

ENV Laboratory Inductions – Reminder

Now is a good time for you or your students to complete induction courses.  All of our induction courses are run through Canvas.  To request access to the induction course, please send an email to, b.sowman@auckland.ac.nz, with your UPI.

Inductions for General Facilities, Chemistry and Geochemical Laboratories, Earth Science Processing (ESP), Electron microprobe (EPMA), X-Ray Laboratories (XRF, Prep, and Itrax)  and the Transitional Facility can be found  in the Schools induction course; https://canvas.auckland.ac.nz/courses/16362 

Meeting, Seminars and Events

Please Note

Due to the timing of Covid-19 restrictions the complementary Hochstetter Lecture Monday 17^th August at 1 pm “The Southern Alps of New Zealand: an integrated picture of an evolving plate boundary” by Phaedra Upton and the main Hochstetter Lecture at 7 pm on Tuesday 18^th “How tectonic and surface processes interact to shape the landscape” at the Auckland Museum are now cancelled. The Auckland Branch of the Geoscience Society of New Zealand hopes to reschedule these or bring them to your remotely later in the year.

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Ako – Teaching and Learning

Inaugural Lecture 

By Professor Renate Meyer, Department of Statistics, Hosted by the Faculty of Science

 

Date & Time: Thursday 15th October, 6:30pm

Venue:  Physics Lecture Theatre 1 (303-G20), Science Centre, 23 Symonds Street

Refreshments will be served in the basement foyer of building 303 (303-B00L2) from 5:45pm, prior to the lecture.

Please register at: https://renatemeyer.eventbrite.co.nz

A Survey

The School’s  Ako Innovation Committee would like staff to complete a short survey to assess the software / apps that school staff have access to for teaching, or wish to have access to for teaching, beyond the standard University software.   Could you please complete our very short survey.  The survey is a google form and can be found here:  https://forms.gle/FTqma2WvpUY49GvA9

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Rangahau – Research

Postgraduate Research Showcase: 22 September – Update

In-person or virtual – the Postgraduate Research Showcase PRS 2020 is taking place on Tue 22 September. Awards for best oral, poster and photo/video presentations.

​Want to be part of this fantastic event?

Submit the title of your presentation and your format to env-PSC@auckland.ac.nz. Also, you can submit a lab/field photo or a 2-minute video that highlights your research and the great people that make it happen. These events are significant because of you and your research! So, do your part to spread the science and present or attend the PRS 2020.

For further information please contact,

Luitgard Schwendenmann (Chair Postgraduate Research Committee), Carlos Carvajal (Co-chair PhD student committee)

Discussion Paper

To read the complete article co-authored by Tom Baker on Early Career Researchers in Aotearoa: Safeguarding and strengthening opportunity after COVID-19, please click here

Angus Dowell’s 3 minute thesis competition

A Master of Environmental Management student working with human geographers in the School’s Cities, Politics and Economy Research Group, has come 2nd in the University wide Masters Finals for the 3 Minute Thesis competition. Angus, supervised by Nick Lewis and Ryan Jones, is studying the construction of regenerative economies in New Zealand. Regenerative economies are assemblages of green investment, social enterprise, socio-scientific knowledge, environmentally responsible production, and socio-cultural ethics that are committed to performing economy differently from a new moral economy standpoint. Angus seeks to understand how they are being constructed in Aotearoa New Zealand, what it will take to make these initiatives successful, and what their construction can tell us about things like environmental, social and economic justice. At the point where climate change meets uncertain Covid futures, it is pivotal to rethink economic futures. Angus’ work gives us some tools for doing this.

You can find out more about what happened at the finals here:

https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/2020/08/07/three-minute-thesis-finals.html

Research and Funding Opportunities

2020 FRDF Main Round

In the main round applications can be made to the Staff Research Fund and the Post-doctoral and Large Research Project Fund. New staff Fund applications can be made throughout the year but not as part of the main round.

Please find all the required information and documents at this link:

https://www.sciencestaff.auckland.ac.nz/en/about/research/faculty-research-development-fund.html

Deadline:  5pm on Monday 24 August

Social Science Research Council – Just Tech Covid-19 Rapid Response Grants

The Social Science Research Council (SSRC), as part of its Just Tech program, seeks proposals from across the social sciences and related fields that address the risks, opportunities, and challenges posed by public health surveillance stemming from the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Just Tech Rapid-Response Grants will thus support innovative research projects that deploy remote research methods to shed light on both the short and potential long term implications of public health interventions for a range of rights, liberties, and public goods. Subjects may include, but are not limited to:

• Contact tracing and public health surveillance.
• Voting access and rights amid “lockdowns” and widespread social distancing.
• Disparities in the collection, representation, and use of health data.
• The digital divide in remote work and learning, education, and public health.
• Precarity of labour and work in the tech industry or gig economy.
• Remote organising, campaigning, and social movements.
• The impact of predictive algorithms on the provision of social welfare and policing.

Awards will range from USD $5,000 to $10,000.  The typical research project duration is 6 months.

The first internal UoA deadline is August 24, 2020 (The funder has currently planned a rolling deadline)

For more info please see the funding guidelines and resources page

Catalyst Fund – Seeding

Seeding facilitates new small and medium pre-research strategic partnerships with international collaborators that cannot be supported through other means.

General Programme: 

• Funding is for research exchanges, research activities, and expenses related to hosting workshops for new strategic research partnerships with international collaborators.
• A maximum of NZ $80,000 (excl. GST) in total is available per proposal for projects lasting up to two years.

NZ – Japan Joint Research Projects:

• Funding for research exchanges, research activities, and expenses related to hosting meetings in collaboration with Japanese researchers. Up to 3 joint research projects may be funded in the current round.
• Up to $30,000 per annum for up to two years.

Deadline:  5pm, Tuesday 6 October 2020.

For further information, see the Catalyst Seeding website, or contact your RPC.

Catalyst Fund – Leaders

Leaders supports incoming and outgoing targeted international fellowships for exceptional individuals that cannot be supported through other means.

Julius von Haast Fellowship:

• Supports an internationally recognised researcher from Germany to undertake research in New Zealand for a minimum of 4 weeks per year for up to 3 years.
• Up to one (1) Fellow will be awarded in the 2020 funding round
• Up to $50,000 per annum for up to three years comprising of $20,000 stipend, $20,000 research and travel allowance, $10,000 host institution administration allowance

JSPS HOPE Meeting:

• Supports excellent PhD students and/or young researchers to attend the HOPE meetings with Nobel Laureates in Japan for 5 days, providing Flights, accommodation, and meeting registration.
• Up to one (1) award in the 2020 funding round, comprising: Return economy flight to Japan, Insurance, Accommodation and meals, Meeting registration

Deadline: 5pm Tuesday, 6 October 2020.

For further information, see the Catalyst – Leaders website or contact your RPC

2021 Te Pūnaha Hihiko: Vision Mātauranga Capability Fund

Fund Purpose:

• Strengthen capability, capacity, skills and networks between Māori and the science and innovation system, and 
• Increase understanding of how research can contribute to the aspirations of Māori organisations and deliver benefit for Aotearoa.

Key Features:

• Proposal must be co-developed with a Māori organisation 
• Proposal must include co-funding at a minimum of 10% of requested amount
• Research must support the themes and outcomes of MBIE’s Vision Mātauranga policy
• Fund includes 2 schemes: ‘connect’ and placement’ – Connect Scheme: Build new connections between Māori organisations and the science and innovation system; Placement scheme: Enhance the development of an individual(s) through placement in a Partner organisation

Grant Value: 

The work programme term for both Connect and Placement schemes is up to two years.

• $150,000 (ex GST) – max funding per proposal for projects up to 1 year in length
• $250,000 (ex GST) – max funding per proposal between 1-2 years in length

Internal Deadline:  12 noon Monday 2 November 2020

For further information, including details on eligibility, please visit the MBIE website or contact your RPC

WUN Research Development Fund

Each year, the Worldwide Universities Network (WUN) awards small grants of matched seed funding to establish new collaborative projects among members via its Research Development Fund (RDF). Researchers may submit proposals for Auckland-led projects or join partner-led projects initiated by researchers at other WUN institutions.

Research groups typically receive GBP 20-40,000 in total from WUN and university contributions. Funding is awarded on a competitive basis taking into account the selection criteria listed in the guidelines.

This year’s research theme focuses on ‘Sustainable Recovery’ from the COVID-19 pandemic with proposals encouraged addressing one or more of the following UN SDGs; 3 Good Health & Wellbeing, 4 Quality Education, 7 Affordable and Clean Energy, 10 reduced Inequalities, 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities, 13 Climate Action.

As usual, there will be a two-stage selection process (internal and external). The internal process will select two proposals to develop into full bids from Auckland. Further information can be found on the networks-related funding page; or by contacting  Deborah McAllister (International Networks Manager)

Closing date for proposals: 12noon, Tuesday 2 September 2020

Pacific Development and Conservation Trust

Purpose: Promote sustainable development in the Pacific and New Zealand, while conserving the natural environment and cultural heritage of its people.

Grant Value:  The Trust has about $250,000 to give as grants each year. There is no minimum or maximum grant amount. Grants generally range from $2,000 to $50,000 NZD.

Internal Deadline: 5pm, Monday 14 September 2020

For further guidelines, please visit the Trust website

Meeting, Seminars and Events

MBIE 2021 Endeavour Seminar Series

This series is designed to connect you to critical strategic & practical information, informed by MBIE requirement and insights, which if critically applied to your proposal will strengthen your capability to engage successfully in this increasingly competitive science and innovation funding pool.

Session 1 – Responsiveness to Māori (25 August, 1 – 2:30 pm)

Session 2 – Government Themes (1 September, 1 – 2:30 pm)

Session 3 – Industry Insights (8 September, 1 – 2:30 pm)

Session 4 – Contracts (15 September, 1 – 2: 30 pm)

Session 5 – Research Impact (22 September, 1 – 2:30 pm)

Register for the MBIE Endeavour Online Seminar Series HERE.

School of Environment Research Forum: River Futures in Aotearoa

Please put aside late afternoon/early evening of Thursday September 24^th for a combined Bartrum/Cumberland/Hay Research Event. Mike Joy and Anne Salmond have already indicated their willingness to participate … three other panelists have already been approached.

More details will follow soon … for now, please make a note in your diaries as we’d like as many people as possible to attend. For more details please contact Gary Brierley

New Publications

Document Title	Authors	Year	Source
Erionite in Auckland bedrock and malignant mesothelioma: an emerging public and occupational health hazard?	Brook, M.S., Black, P.M., Salmond, J., (…), Berry, T.-A., Steinhorn, G.	2020	The New Zealand medical journal, 133(1518), pp. 73-78.
Local Grid Refinement in New Zealand’s Earth System Model: Tasman Sea Ocean Circulation Improvements and Super-Gyre Circulation Implications	Behrens, E., Williams, J., Morgenstern, O., (…), Rickard, G., Williams, M.J.M.	2020	Journal of Advances in Modeling Earth Systems, 12(7), art. no. e2019MS001996.
‘Serious’ Disaster Video Games: An Innovative Approach to Teaching and Learning about Disasters and Disaster Risk Reduction	Gampell, A., Gaillard, J.C., Parsons, M., Le Dé, L.	2020	Journal of Geography, pp. 1-12.

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Copy deadline for next edition of P-cubed: Friday 28th August to Bizza