Issue 54 – Tuesday 27th April 2021
Contents
HeadSup
Kia ora koutou
This is my last headsup for a while so I’m going to make the most of it 🙂 I’ve been writing the narrative for the ENV External Review and it has been a fascinating exeperience. The last time the School was reviewed was in 2011 and much has happened since then. I’ll be passing the narrative on to Robin soon and it will be available for consultation in a couple of weeks. I hope you (students and staff) will take time to read it and provide feedback before we submit it higher up the food chain.
One aspect that really comes through is the amount of change that staff have experienced. If you feel like you’ve been in the washing machine for the last decade that’s a good reflection of reality. And change doesn’t stop especially under a new 10 year strategic plan. At the start of the year I demonstrated to all staff a new workload model, one that demonstrates that our taught teaching workload is far too high. Addressing this through changes to how we teach and what we teach must be our priority so that we can get balance back into our jobs. And we will need balance because shifts in priorities have arrived. If you have yet to read taumata-teitei-vision-2030-and-strategic-plan-2025 please take a look; it represents a marked shift from the McCutcheon years.
Moving forward, I would like to ask all staff to work constructively with David, Murray, Robin and the programme Heads to resolve the taught workload issue. It will be important to get engaged and hold the higher purpose in mind. It will be challenging because we need to maintain strong majors and preserve enrolments. There will be risks: we need to take some so that we restore balance and create bandwidth for the future.
The Student Services Function review is underway (see below). This review will have a profound effect on the School. There is a request for feedback from staff on the new service delivery model. Please take a look and take the opportunity to make a submission.
All the very best for the next 8 months
JR
Whakawhanaugatanga – Communities
Seminar & Events
Environment Seminar Series
Join us on Thursday, 5th of May from 3 pm to learn about research your colleagues do. All staff members and students from the School of Environment are warmly invited to attend this brilliant seminar. As you may be already aware we are running the seminars every three months and so far they have been incredibly fascinating.
In the upcoming ENV Seminar, we will have three amazing presenters: George Perry, Evert Duran Quintero and Tom Baker and their talks will be followed by drinks at OGH.
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AusIMM careers roadshow
The Australasian Institute for Mining and Metallurgy is holding a careers event for students at the above time and location. Refreshments are provided afterwards. A range of graduates are required across the minerals industry in order for us to extract “green” minerals for new technology, meet emissions targets, and to meet the UN’s sustainable development goals (SDGs). Graduates are required in roles from environmental monitoring and mining operations to exploration, engineering geology and data modelling. Come to the careers talk and hear about varied graduate opportunities in this important sector. Any queries, please contact Martin Brook m.brook@auckland.ac.nz
Date : Friday 30th April 2021
Time : 12-1 p.m.
Location : B302 – G20
Career Information Events
Information Evening
particularly relevant to students of the School of Environment as specialists from contaminated land and geotechnical disciplines will be attending.
Date : Tuesday 27th April 2021
Location : Room 423 – 340, Conference Centre
Time : 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
STEM Expo
Date : Wednesday 28th April
Location : Levels 3 & 4, Engineering Atrium
Time :10:30 am – 2:30 pm
Trip to Mayor Island
Women in Earth and Environmental Sciences in Australasia (Womeesa) Webinar:
“The invisible woman, 20 years in geoscience. My journey so far” Lorna Strachan
Date : Wednesday 5 May,
Time : 2pm AEST (Melbourne time, which is 4pm in Auckland)
Register here for zoom details .
Soil safe Kids
Student Services Review: feedback from staff requested
In December 2020, the University approved the key initiatives identified in the Student Services Function Plan supporting a student-centric vision for integrated student services, end-to-end recruitment, teaching administration and student support and engagement. Before that, the University engaged with many staff and students, including the Faculty of Science, through various mechanisms such as staff reference groups and working parties to understand the current state and desired future state.
Below is some background that led to the new service delivery model proposed. Effective 26th April, there will be a two week period of consultation about the proposed service Delivery Model. For most people, change can be unsettling, especially if asked to do something differently or receive a service differently, in particular if you are not aware or do not understand the purpose. You have an opportunity to consider what the University is proposing and submit your feedback for inclusion in a Faculty submission for academic staff.
Your views on the student experience and needs are valuable. We, as academic staff, frequently ask for the opportunity to have input in changes made by the University. Here is your chance to do so if you have views about the strengths or weaknesses of students’ experience. Please do provide feedback and potentially influence the service delivery model.
Background
Student services and student support and engagement function reviews were undertaken after the completion of Whakamana Tangata, our Student Services Roadmap– which provides a compelling platform for the transformation of services for students. Now more than ever before, the University faces growing pressure to transform student services and improve performance across the function to support financial recovery and improve student engagement and achievement. Factors driving the focus on systematic and transformational change include:
The University’s current service delivery model (structures and processes) was identified as not effective enough to support our ambitions for Mana Motuhake – student-centric, mana enhancing service delivery, keeping pace with the rate of change and the challenges of engaging with highly diverse student populations.
Click on this link for more detailed information regarding what work has been undertaken. The service delivery model document outlining the proposed changes will be made available today for you. You will receive an email from the Dean with a link to the feedback survey once active. I encourage you to reflect on what is proposed, discuss it with your colleagues and challenge yourself to consider how this proposal might benefit our students and provide feedback on any concerns you may have for students, yourself, your department or the Faculty.
Job Opportunities
Micro-characterization Technologist
https://jobs.smartrecruiters.com/TheUniversityOfAuckland/743999743390653-technologist-microcharacterisation?trid=3c6ad30c-ea72-46ec-aea0-e8fc2fceed7f
We are seeking an experienced and organized Technologist to operate and maintain the School of Environment X-ray analytical Research Laboratories in our Micro-characterization Facility.
In this role, you will be supporting postgraduate students and academic staff, but also the wider University on a wide range of exciting research projects.
If you have any questions about the role or the position then send an email to b.sowman@auckland or have a chat to Blair (302.415).
Ako – Teaching & Learning
Time Table Data Collection – 2022
The 2022 Timetable Data Collection has begun and it is the perfect time to ensure your courses are set up correctly for next year. Please email Liana Ball for a copy of the 2021 Timetable Report, Enrolment Predictions and 2022 Key Academic Dates if you do not have a copy.
Please review the information in all documents carefully, discuss any changes that you would like with the Programme Advisors and then pass this information to Liana Ball and David Hayward. You can do this by either updating the spreadsheet and returning it or sending an email listing your changes. Please provide as much detail as you can and feel free to come and see Liana if you would like to talk through your change requests.
The absolute deadline for data collection is Friday 21st May 2021 by 4pm – any change requests after this deadline are not guaranteed.
New Digital Outcrops and Virtual Field Experiences in New Zealand
As part of the new EarthSci 320 and 315 courses, and with collaboration and support from Ako, Brendan Hall, Jon Tunicliffe, GNS Science and Stanford University, we have built a series of 3D models and accompanying virtual field experiences for 7 locations in New Zealand. These are publicly available and we encourage everyone to use these and to work towards a database to support teaching and research at the school.
• Here is an introductory video for accessing and using these https://mediastore.auckland.ac.nz/uploaded/project/2020_STUDYPLAN/04-2021/022c606f4dc946ea82d70bcb6abe1cb2.preview
• Analysing the 3D digital outcrops requires the programme LIME, which can be found here https://virtualoutcrop.com/lime/download
• LIME can access >200 digital outcrop models (including the UoA models), which can viewed from https://v3geo.com/
• The school has a floating license for LIME. Email James (j.muirhead@auckland.ac.nz) for instructions to activate it.
• Current versions of virtual experiences (still in development) are on the Stanford University virtual field trip site https://fieldeducation.stanford.edu/virtual-field-trips-new-zealand
If you have any questions or need any assistance, please feel free to contact James (j.muirhead@auckland.ac.nz).
How tectonic and surface processes interact to shape our landscape
The landscape serves as a link between the solid Earth and the atmosphere. At many spatial and temporal scales, landscape morphology and topography provide a constraint on
the tectonics of the Earth and processes active within it. To unravel these, we need to understand the complex relationships between surface processes, their drivers and the
rocks upon which they act. I will explore recent developments in modelling tectonics and surface processes within a single deformational framework. I will focus on collisional
settings such as New Zealand´s Southern Alps, SE Alaska and the Himalaya where rapid uplift combines with vigorous climate regimes to create dynamic landscapes.
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Rangahau – Research
UniServices Commercialization’s Workshops
UniServices are holding a series of interactive workshops to help you transform your research idea into a new and exciting venture and accelerate early research stage ideas towards commercialization.
The workshop will provide researchers with an opportunity to identify potential commercial value in their research and insight into how UniServices and the University of Auckland Inventors’ Fund can support this development. At the workshop we use the Lean Canvas methodology to develop an actionable and focused business plan. This can be used to inform a development roadmap, and customer validation and intellectual property strategies going forward. We also use the session to help you improve how you communicate your idea and its potential.
The next general workshop will be Friday, 28 May 2021. Register here.
School of Environment Expectations for Research and Teaching Activities on Māori Land – Field activity planning
You must have land-owner permission prior to access and research / teaching activities (e.g., sampling).
• If the land is administered by a lease-holder, you must get permission from the lease-holder AND the land-owner.
• Where the rohe (territory or boundary of iwi) is administered by a Trust, the Trustees must be engaged.
• https://www.maorilandonline.govt.nz/gis/owner/interestSearch.html
In developing research projects on Māori land, the land-owners should be engaged at the outset to ensure the relationship is positive and to enable co-design/co-development if appropriate.
Faculty of Science Student Sustainability Research Awards
It is time to apply for the Faculty of Science Student Sustainability Research Awards. Awards of up to $2,000 each are available to students within the Faculty of Science to support the student’s living costs. $2,000 will be awarded for full year project that is located within a formal qualification, for example an honours dissertation or a masters project. For shorter projects up to $500 will be awarded.
The awards are open to applications from postgraduate students who are undertaking a research project and are enrolled (or have recently completed) in the Faculty of Science (or whose primary discipline is administered through the FoS). Supervisors with a project can identify a suitable student and encourage them to apply. Applications for small projects that are not a formal part of the student’s degree or diploma programme will be considered. Preference will be given to non-doctoral students and those without an existing stipend.
Applications will be closed on 15 May.
For more details please check this link.
New Publications
Freeman, C., Ergler, C., Kearns, R., & Smith, M. (2021). Covid-19 in New Zealand and the Pacific: implications for children and families. Children’s Geographies, 1-10. doi.org/10.1080/14733285.2021.1907312
Jayathilake, D. R., & Costello, M. J. (2021). Version 2 of the world map of laminarian kelp benefits from more Arctic data and makes it the largest marine biome. Biological Conservation, 109099.
Brückner, M. Z., Schwarz, C., Coco, G., Baar, A., Boechat Albernaz, M., & Kleinhans, M. G. (2021). Benthic species as mud patrol‐modelled effects of bioturbators and biofilms on large‐scale estuarine mud and morphology. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms. DOI : doi.org/10.1002/esp.5080
Le Heron, E., Allen, W., Le Heron, R., Logie, M., Glavovic, B., Greenaway, A., … & Blackett, P. (2021). What does success look like? An indicative rubric to assess and guide the performance of marine participatory processes. Ecology and Society, 26(1). DOI : https://doi.org/10.5751/ES-12211-260129
Manes S., Costello MJ, Beckett H, Debnath A, Devenish-Nelson E, Grey K-A, Jenkins R, Khan TM, Kiessling W, Krause C, Maharaj SS, Midgley GF, Price J, Talukdar G, Vale MM. 2021. Endemism increases species’ climate change risk in areas of global biodiversity importance. Biological Conservation online.
Chaudhary C, Richardson AJ, Schoeman DS, Costello MJ. 2021. Global warming is causing a pronounced dip in marine species richness at the equator. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, online
Environment IT Committee Updates
Software for teaching in 2021
This is only for software needed for teaching (labs. and FlexIT).
Last September, IT asked us to send software requests for 2021. If you need anything beyond what you have requested back then, please contact me ASAP (say, Wed., 20 Jan., COB). I will compile a list via the IT Committee, hoping IT can accommodate late requests.
Please provide as much information as possible from the list below:
| Requester Name |
| Requester Username |
| Faculty |
| Software Vendor |
| Software Name |
| Software Version |
| Course Name |
| Lab Location(s) |
| Teaching Week Required |
| Comments\Customisations\Modules etc |
| Tester Installation |
| Source Files Location |
| *FlexIT? |
| License Owned |
*Please be ready for another lockdown…
Even if it is the same software as last year, IT need to know – software will not be carried over from last year. IT needs more time than in previous years to make sure software works off FlexIT.
Thank you, Ingo
More Information
Need to store and share research data? Request Research storage or UoA Dropbox for research
Queries about virtual machines? Virtual machine consult or Nectar Research Cloud?
ResearchHub: connects people, resources, and services -research-hub.auckland.ac.nz
Remote working issues: Please refer to the remote working page. If you do not find the answers to your questions, please log a call on the IT Portal for any IT-related issues or contact the Staff Service Centre for other queries.
Two-factor Authentication : Authy
https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/about-us/about-the-university/identity-and-access-management/two-factor-authentication/download-authy-for-desktops.html
YubiKeys work but of course require a USB port.
VPN: Instructions on how to install
VPN, Linux: FortiClient is running fine on Linux. Check the VPN link listed above.
VPN, Mac desktops: (information from April, may be outdated). Students may need IT to make their machines mobile and install FortiClient directly from the website. They will also need to set-up two-factor authentication by downloading an app like “Authy” on their phones and then setting up their University of Auckland account. I suggest people do this part before IT gets to them to make the process faster. To do that, they can use the instructions on this page:
To get a mobile account set up, log a service request or go to one of the service kiosks. It is unclear how this is being done remotely but I am sure this can be done. Please let me Ingo (i.pecher@auckland.ac.nz) know if you have managed to install FortiClient on their macs remotely.
FlexIT and Remote Access
FlexIT is straight-forward for remote access to computing power and programs. Alternatively, check if your project/group or so has a virtual machine. Remote desktop access to specific machines can be set up by IT but may note be reliable. Check the Staff Service Center https://uoaprod.service-now.com/sp.
Remote access is possible to some workstations in the geocomputational lab for research, and on a needs basis. This may be a viable solution for specialized data analysis. Please look into alternatives: It is unclear however, if/how on-site desktops can be maintained, if needed..
FlexIT access and requests: Use the FlexIT form in the IT Portal to request access as a staff member, to ask for an application be added, or to report any issues or faults.
FlexIT, Linux: Please check FlexIT link: https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/my-tools/flex-it.html. It does not have any information on Linux but should be useful for “translation”.
Depending on your browser (in particular, Firefox), you also need to do the following, from https://communities.vmware.com/thread/595554.
“…tested with the Horizon 4.8.x and 4.10.x clients and Firefox v64.0. Both are 64bit versions, running on Ubuntu 18.04.1
Download the client from the VMWare Horizon Client for 64-bit Linux
In Firefox, open about:config and click through the warning.
Add a new boolean entry called network.protocol-handler.expose.vmware-view and set the value to false
Create a file called `test.html` somewhere on your computer and put the following in it: test
Open the file in Firefox and click on the link, which should prompt you for a path to open the link.
Select /usr/bin/vmware-view and it should work for future uses! “
(1) was provided by UoA but I think it works with generic software from VMWare as well.
Check with Ingo (i.pecher@auckland.ac.nz) if you run into problems.
Software licenses: Software vendors have relaxed their licensing to allow students to install software at home, rather than relying on Flex IT. There is a running list here https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/my-tools/flex-it/install-software.html
Please email content to Martin for next edition of P-cubed by Friday