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Issue 60 – Monday 19th July 2021

July 19, 2021 • mtal504

HeadsUp

I’m reminded of my islandnes here on Waiheke as I write these words while a storm rages outside and ferries are cancelled. It was 1624 that John Donne wrote the lines “No man is an island entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main”. And it was about 1974 I had to memorise that poem in English class at high school. The implications of those lines have resonated down the years into times of more inclusive expression. We’re all part of something larger. We’re certainly on islands – larger as well as smaller – but can’t afford to be islands.

This connectedness to something larger has been more evident to me than ever as I have occupied JR’s office and been Acting Head of School. One cannot afford to maintain an insular vantage point. But it’s not just on the dizzy heights of the 6th Floor. We all need to be citizens of the School, Faculty and University.

This imperative was reinforced in the last week when the Associate Dean Academic, through JR as Acting Deputy Dean, requested use of the Multi-use Lab (MUL) for the remainder of 2021. No one likes giving up space. Threats to the occupation and use of space underly everything from door keys to border walls in this world. But manaakitanga is an important countervailing imperative for our times. In the case of the request to use the MUL it’s been a time of seeking the temporary use of other groups’ labs for those individuals and groups already booked in. A time of patience, negotiation, deliberation and, I’m optimistic, resolution.

One way to see it is that it’s an honour to host the FoS Curriculum Taskforce group. The first time I passed by that corridor in 302 since they moved in, the door was wide open, so I stopped in for a yarn. Please do the same. Make them welcome. Of course, our own Murray Ford is part of the group so he can broker introductions. I’m an optimist, so I’d like to think we’ll be enriched by their time in our midst.

It’s like the ‘Russian doll’ set a relative in Poland sent when my kids were very young; where one painted wooden doll opens to reveal another, and then another, and so on. We may primarily see ourselves as coastal experts, urban geographers, volcanologists or some other speciality, but we are more than that. We cannot be islands. We are members disciplinary/subject area groupings, who are also members of the School, all the while belonging to the Faculty of Science and, all those affiliations are nested within the University at large.

We’re all, in John Donne’s words, “a piece of the continent, a part of the main”. These are not times to be isolated islands, even if we live on them.

Turning to specific matters

In a last stage of completing our School Review document, we are asked to revise our CVs according to the circulated templates, ensuring some brief narrative indicating impact etc. Please respond and return updated CVs to Anna simcock@auckland.ac.nz by Friday 23^rd.
In examining the School’s budget and accounts it appears the professional development fund available to academic staff ($4500 over three years) is not receiving much attention. Please remember this is available for reasonable and relevant opportunities to enhance your skills (e.g., I am drawing on modest amount to enrol in a te reo course)
In a similar vein, it seems fewer than usual claims have been made on the allowance available for Honours and Masters students. If you are supervising students, be sure you facilitate them getting reimbursed for appropriate research expenses within the allocated budget.
Our new appointee Dr Georgia Piggot will be with us this week, having completed her two weeks of MIQ. Welcome!
With the new semester upon us, may all your teaching engagements be enjoyable…and, just think, by the time the semester ends we’ll be in summer daylight saving again 😊

Kind Regards,

Robin Kearns

Whakawhanugatanga – Communities

Office relocation draw

A couple of offices will soon be available in building 302. The School Steering Committee has agreed to organise a draw to attribute these two offices to whoever is interested in relocating from building 301. Therefore, please reach out to Michael Groom and JC Gaillard before the 23rd of July to express your interest. We should proceed with the draw at the subsequent Whakawhanaungatanga Platform meeting on the 29th of July. Thank you very much!

Pasifika Internship Opportunities @ Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research

Our land, our future – this is the essence of why Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research exists. At Manaaki Whenua we undertake research that focuses on preserving New Zealand’s rich biodiversity, improving biosecurity, and protecting the health of the land, fresh water and soil resources we need for a prosperous future. We recognize the importance of partnerships, the special role of Māori, and the need to ensure that all New Zealanders have the knowledge, understanding, and tools to truly live-in harmony with our precious environment. We are recognised nationally and internationally for the quality of our research and work with a wide range of organizations within New Zealand and globally.

Manaaki Whenua has two Pasifika internships available this summer, over the ten-week period starting early December – through to the end of February with 2 weeks off for Christmas. One of these positions has been earmarked for our herbarium located in Lincoln. Our herbarium has species from all around the world but specialises in indigenous and exotic plants of the New Zealand region and the South Pacific. Our second opportunity will most likely be in Auckland.

The internships are full time (37.5 hours per week) and the pay rate is $22.75 per hour, so a net pay potential of just over $6,000 for the summer.

Ideally, we are seeking Pasifika students who are studying Science, we are open to which year of study etc. In the event we have more than two relevant expressions of interest we would look to offer an addition internship/s where possible. EOI to be emailed to: Temo Talie taliet@landcareresearch.co.nz

Environment Equity Committee

We would like to make sure that students (and staff) are aware of the ENV Equity committee. To assist us with this are you able to show this slide in your first lecture and put up on your Canvas page so any students (or staff) who might like to connect around equity issues know where to go. If you have any questions about how to speak to this slide, really happy to have a chat, Sonia (Chair – ENV EC)

Seminars & Events

Protection and inclusion? A feminist legal geographic approach to disaster law and regulation

Why Disaster Law and what is it? Disaster law consists of a portfolio of legal rules for dealing with catastrophic risks. The term usually includes the numerous hard and soft-law instruments devoted to addressing the legal and institutional issues relevant in disaster. The complex coexisting definitions/meanings of ‘risk’, ‘vulnerability’ and ‘disasters’ within the disaster field induces debates on the ‘specificity’ of disaster law and on its miscibility with other branches of international or domestic law. This thesis will stand at the heart of this debate. Building on the large body of radical and feminist literature on the social construction of disasters and using a feminist legal geographic approach, it will explore the pertinence of the specific, technocratic, and hazard-focused way many legal practitioners and researchers keep addressing disaster law.

Zoom link: https://auckland.zoom.us/j/96616318877?pwd=eVNXd0JZNzRzV1lod1BMR0tyekh6QT09

The Faculty Of Science Pacific Research Symposium

The Faculty of Science is home to a growing number of Pacific researchers and Pacific-related research. This includes research with Pacific communities, environments, technologies, plants, animals, oceans, lands, skies, and more. Furthermore, this research is being produced amidst wider conversations about what Pacific research is, highlighting the dynamic nature of this interdisciplinary field. We aim to contribute to this wider conversation with a symposium highlighting the research of our Pacific postgraduate students and staff, and that of our non-Pacific peers conducting research relevant to the Pacific. This symposium will be a first for the Faculty of Science, and a unique opportunity to highlight the research capabilities of our Pacific colleagues and the dynamic research happening within the Pacific region.

We invite all Pacific postgraduate students and staff, and non-Pacific colleagues doing Pacific- relevant research within the Faculty of Science to submit an abstract (200 words max) to speak at the upcoming pacific research symposium.

Prizes for best student talks!!

Abstracts and registration for the event can be sent in via the QR code or the following link: https://forms.gle/6R6S5nFd5d6FVz6H9
Deadline for abstract submissions is 6 August 2021 5pm. We encourage graduate researchers to speak at this upcoming event.

School of Environment Ball

The annual School of Environment Ball is happening again on Saturday 7th August 7.30pm onwards at Phoenix Cabaret. Online ticket sales (https://forms.gle/esnCQrBaMEt4X6se6) have just started and the event is open to all undergraduates (r18+), postgraduates, staff and partners from SoE.

Prices:
School of Environment Students Ticket = $45pp
School of Environment Staff = $55 pp
Non SoE Ticket for friends and/or partners @ $55pp. (Limited availability)

Please see the event page on Facebook for further information or contact us via Email

Geologize Practical Geocommunication online training course for staff and students

Following some leading UK and Australian universities, we have recently purchased a site-license allowing all UoA staff and students FREE access to Geologize’s critically acclaimed and widely accredited course, ‘Practical Geocommunication’. You also have FREE access to Geoscience Outreach in Schools mini-course (by Out There Learning Ltd) as part of the package. All together this is worth $720 NZD per person, so please take advantage of this.

The training helps geoscientists become more effective and powerful public ambassadors for our field, something the geosciences urgently need. It will also look great on your CV, so there is nothing to lose and everything to gain from this opportunity. And as Warren Buffet, the famous American investor said “The one easy way to become worth at least 50 percent more than you are now, is to hone your communication skills”.

How to enroll on the course
Uoa’s unique access code is: auck-pggz-2122

1) Head over to https://training.geologize.org/courses/auckland
2) Click on ‘UNIVERSITY ACCESS’
3) Register (Free. This MUST be your university address)
4) Click on the link ‘Have a coupon?’
5) Enter the code above. This will apply the discount.
6) Start learning!

The number of times this coupon can be used is limited to the those at UoA, so please do not share this code to those outside our institution. If you attempt to enrol with a non-UoA e-mail you will be unenrolled.

Learners follow the course at their own pace and you will have lessons, quizzes, assignments and the opportunity to interact directly Dr Haydon Mort, the course teacher through the forums. A certificate is provided at the end of the course, with the seals of the many international organizations who endorse this course.

CitiSci – citizen science workshop day

The School of Environment is collaborating with the Auckland Council and the Auckland Museum Institute (Auckland branch of the RSNZ) to produce the event CitiSci on 11th September: This is forum where citizen scientists interested in conservation can learn about emerging new tools, resources, and innovative techniques and where developers can interact with users.

CitiSci ran last year as part of the 2020 Auckland Council Pestival weekend.

Workshops are short 1.5 hour sessions. Free registration will be via the AC website (link will be circulated in the next P-cubed).

If you would like to present or suggest a session or have any questions, please email Rosemary Barraclough: rk.barraclough@auckland.ac.nz

2021 sessions penciled-in thus far are:

AI in conservation:
Using artificial intelligence to accelerate wildlife conservation, e.g. Spyfish Aotearoa. Session presented by Victor Anton, PhD from Wildlife.AI.
Armchair/remote conservation:
Participating in conservation via Zooniverse and other platforms presented by Monica Peters, PhD.
CatchIT V2 Version two of this online conservation resource will be released just prior to CitiSci: CatchIT tracks and protects rat trap, bird nesting and other restoration data, as well as providing graphics outputs e.g. heat maps and graphs. Presented by Prof Rachel Fewster, Dept of Statistics, UoA.
eDNA: (session to be confirmed) Environmental DNA monitoring, presented by Theirry Lints, FMHS, UoA.
AC Innovation: The Auckland Council’s ‘Conservation Information and Tools group’ led by Viv Cole will present re their most recent innovative field and digital tool development work.
iNaturalist: This free platform is the largest citizen bio-science platform in the country, with New Zealanders having made >1.12 million observations of 19 000 plant, animal, and fungal species over the past 14 years. Led by Colin Meurk, Landcare, and team.

Rangahau – Research

MBIE – Unlocking Curious Minds

NOTE TIGHT DEADLINE FOR REGISTRATION – Contact your RPC for details on how to register in the MBIE IMS portal

The Fund aims to encourage quality projects that reach and inspire a broad base of New Zealanders through initiatives that bring science and technology to audiences that have less opportunity to learn about and to engage with science and technology

The fund will support projects that:

take place in 1 or more New Zealand regions
reach audiences in more than 1 location across a region(s)
provide 1 or more new science and technology engagement activities.

Grant Value: The available funding per project is between $50,000 (minimum) and $150,000 (maximum).

Duration: Projects will run for up to 11 months between 1 Feb 2022 and 31 Dec 2022.

Internal Deadline:

Registration (compulsory): 12 noon, Monday 26 July 2021.
Full Proposal:12 noon, Friday 20 August 2021.

Further information, including guidelines and other essential documents can be found on the MBIE website.

OECD – Co-operative Research Programme (Sustainable Agricultural and Food Systems) Fellowships and Conference Sponsorship

Fellowship: Applications are invited from research scientists working in agriculture, forestry or fisheries and who would like to conduct research projects abroad, in another member country of the Co-operative Research Programme. The aim of the Research Fellowships is to strengthen the international exchange of ideas and increase international mobility and co-operation among scientists working in these areas.

Value: Fellowships may be from 6 to 26 weeks, with travel costs, weekly subsistence allowance and airport terminal charges allowed.

Guidelines and further information available on the funders website.

Conference Sponsorship: Applications are invited from research scientists working in agriculture, forestry or fisheries for funding towards a conference (or workshop, symposium, etc) to take place in a member country of the Co-operative Research Programme. The aim of the Conference Sponsorship scheme is to inform policy makers, industry and academia of current and future research, scientific developments and opportunities in these areas.

Value: Travel Lump sum for Keynote Speakers, or a contribution made towards the costs of hosting a digital event. A contribution of EUR 3,050 (circa NZD 5,128) towards the publication costs of the proceedings of the Conference. This contribution is paid directly to the publishers of the proceedings

Guidelines and further information available on the funders website

Internal Deadline: 5pm Thursday 2 September 2021

Publications

Tim Baice, Sonia M. Fonua, Ben Levy, Jean M. Allen & Tepora Wright (2021) How do you (demonstrate) care in an institution that does not define ‘care’?, Pastoral Care in Education, DOI: 10.1080/02643944.2021.1951339

Neuwelt, P.M. and Kearns, R. A. 2021 Playing the Game: Interactively exploring journeys into primary care. Wellbeing, Space & Society. Published online 8 July, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wss.2021.100045

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

h ttps://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

https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/postgraduate-students/postgraduate-support-and-services/vpn-service.html

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:

https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/about-us/about-the-university/identity-and-access-management/two-factor-authentication/download-authy-for-desktops.html

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 P-cubed-content for next edition of P-cubed by Friday

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Issue 59 – Monday 5th July 2021

July 5, 2021 • mtal504

HeadsUp

Most of us are slow learners when it comes to mātauranga Māori. Research or ethics applications these days appear to demand otherwise. But I’m convinced that slowing down is the only way. We need to be slow learners. There is no quick fix.

Where I live on Waiheke Island, there are large billboards near each of the ferry terminals that proclaim ‘SLOW DOWN, YOU’RE HERE”. Sadly fewer people than ever seem to honour that exhortation. But from time to time there’s a reminder that slowing down is not just about driving and cars.

Recently on the motu we’ve had a return visit from tohunga taiao (environmental healer) from Okarito in south Westland. Ramari Stewart was awarded the NZ Order of Merit in 2020 for her services to Māori culture, wildlife conservation and research. She is a whale expert, with extensive expertise in the traditional knowledge systems of mātauranga Māori. Among other things she trains others in safe and effective tikanga-based methods conducting research with cetaceans. I say with because, as you listen to her, it’s clear that she has a deep relationship with whales and dolphins, dead or alive. Working on them, rather than with them, would be anathema to her world view.

Ramari’s attention has turned to birds of late, prompted in part by the outcry over the seven hectare floating marina ‘development’ underway at Pūtiki Bay on Waiheke. In recent talks at Piritahi Marae and the Community Art Gallery she spoke of her mātauranga-informed investigations of birdlife at the Bay. Two characteristics shone through in her perspective: first, the need to slow down and be still in their presence. For her, clock time needs to be suspended as we observe the ‘natural ‘world. Second, the need to acknowledge diversity. Rather than all being homogenous and enumerated ‘adults’ or ‘juveniles’ of a species such as torea (variable oystercatchers), she spoke of each family having its own ‘culture’ as its adapted to local coastal conditions.

In reflecting on the gift of time with whaea Ramari, what struck me is that mātauranga Māori itself can so easily be colonised (in the sense of presumed to be known) and commodified (confined to a box on a form). It also struck me that knowing the world in this way requires something of a suspension of the clock time (‘deadlines’ and schedules etc) our work lives are driven by (what the Greeks called chronos) and an openness to the unstructured ‘now’ (what they call kairos). In times of knowing kairos, other rhythms such as tides, sun, moon take precedence over minutes and hours. In the case of the avian world, observable rhythms such as birds feeding, roosting, teaching their young become apparent.

Ideally, perhaps, our time away from the chronos-based attention to the screens, lectures and clock-time of meetings at work can allow for an occasional immersion in the kairos of slowing down. Perhaps that’s the gift of weekends and times in the field: a greater awareness of the world and people around us. Perhaps too, mātauranga is less about embracing a set of constructs and more about a deep attentiveness to relationality, time and place. We need guides, and when people like whaea Ramari appear, their presence is a gift worth slowing down for.

He waka eke noa! We’re all in this together.

On more immediate matters:

This week we have examiner’s meetings and the finalisation of grades. Big thanks to all who have adapted to Inspera and worked through the on-screen scripts. I hope you can all give your eyes a rest soon!
The School Review process proceeds: Recall that input to the narrative JR’s been working on has now closed, and it’s a time to be gathering your thoughts for an independent or group submission.
Earlier in the year, we were invited to participate in a university-wide wellbeing survey that focused on recent Covid-year experience. Please expect notice of a zoom-based presentation on School-specific results soon.
July sees Karen Fisher assume the role of Head of Geography from Jenny Salmond, and Nick Lewis assume Luitgard’s Postgraduate Chair position.
In a further appointment, Murray Ford has been invited to join a 5-strong Faculty Curriculum Taskforce chaired by Duncan McGillvray. David Hayward will offer a link between this process and our school as our ‘Curriculum Champion’ in addition his Head of Academic Operations portfolio.
I am aware of at least three colleagues dealing with difficult situations with ailing parents. My, and I’m everyone’s, thoughts are with you as you balance family and work imperatives and deal with “the should I stay or should I go?” question;
I’m not sure if I congratulated the parents of new arrivals earlier: Emma Ryan’s welcomed Kate, Joe’s welcomed Freddie and Blair’s welcomed Brielle. Wonderful!
And, lastly, happy Matariki! May the turning of the year bring new horizons.

Whakawhanugatanga – Communities

Tino pai! Congratulations to the winners of our 3MT Science heat and well done to everybody who took part!

Masters category
1st place: Sebastian Dunn (Biological Science/Computer Science)
Runner up: Rachel Lawson (Environment)

Doctoral category
1st place: Luke Boyle (Statistics)
Runner up: Amy Renelle (Statistics)

Course builder

Postgraduate Information on Coursebuilder!

https://www.coursebuilder.cad.auckland.ac.nz/flexicourses/4112/publish/1/index.html

PhD information on this page has been updated 30/6/21 and a new section on Wellbeing and Student Hardship Support added https://www.coursebuilder.cad.auckland.ac.nz/flexicourses/4112/publish/1/9_9.html but if you spot anything else out of date please contact j.eccles@auckland.ac.nz or env-pgadmin@auckland.ac.nz

Alumni Volunteering

It is now possible for colleagues across the University to report alumni that they have involved as volunteers to support programs or activities, such as career fairs, mentoring programs, marketing collateral, talking to students, and more.
a. One-off/individual volunteering – all staff can fill in the online form on an ongoing basis as individual alumni volunteer for one-off jobs
b. Multiple volunteers – for programs with several volunteers, you can use the Excel volunteering data template attached and then complete and upload a list of volunteers via the online form.

Events & Seminar

Erionite Webinar Series – A Review of Commercial Erionite Testing – 13 Jul 2021

We are delighted to invite you to a lecture in the Erionite Webinar Series hosted by the research team from the MBIE Endeavour Funded “Assessing and mitigating the risk of erionite in New Zealand” research programme. In this series, we invite distinguished international speakers from a range of different fields to share their expertise and latest research on erionite, and aim to promote opportunities for further discussion about erionite within New Zealand communities.

For this webinar, which will be held on zoom on Tuesday 13th July at 1300 NZST, we are pleased to present Will Riffe who will speak about “A Review of Commercial Erionite Testing, with supposed Parnell Volcaniclastic Conglomerate as Subject”. Will Riffe is from the International Asbestos Testing Laboratories in the USA, and is an expert in analytical methods for detecting erionite and understanding the challenges of identifying it in rock material.

Please register for this webinar by clicking on the link below or pasting it into your browser. More details are also included in the attached poster. We look forward to seeing you!

If you would like further information about this webinar or others in the series, or would like to be added to our erionite mailing list, please contact Cody Lim (clim508@aucklanduni.ac.nz).

The Faculty Of Science Pacific Research Symposium

Prizes for best student talks!!

School of Environment Ball

Prices:
School of Environment Students Ticket = $45pp
School of Environment Staff = $55 pp
Non SoE Ticket for friends and/or partners @ $55pp. (Limited availability)

Please see the event page on Facebook for further information or contact us via Email

Geologize Practical Geocommunication online training course for staff and students

HOW TO ENROL ON THE COURSE
UoA’s unique access code is: auck-pggz-2122

Ako Innovation Committee

Teaching and learning innovation fund

Rangahau – Research

Funding Calls:

Emma Waterhouse Award for Women in Natural Science

Opening date: 24th June
Closing Date: 5th August
Applicable study: UG or PG study in the natural sciences including Biological Science, Environmental Science, Marine Science, Geography and related areas
Value: $5,000
Link: https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/study/scholarships-and-awards/find-a-scholarship/emma-waterhouse-award-1107-sci.html

Laura Bassi Scholarship

The Laura Bassi Scholarship, which awards a total of $8,000 thrice per annum, was established by Editing Press in 2018 with the aim of providing editorial assistance to postgraduates and junior academics whose research focuses on neglected topics of study, broadly construed. The scholarships are open to every discipline and the next round of funding will be awarded in Summer 2021:

Summer 2021
Application deadline: 31 July 2021
Results: 20 August 2021

All currently enrolled master’s and doctoral candidates are eligible to apply, as are academics in the first five years of full-time employment. Applicants are required to submit a completed application form along with their CV through the application portal by the relevant deadline. Further details, previous winners, and the application portal can be found at: https://editing.press/bassi

Waipapa Taumata Rau Transdisciplinary Ideation Fund

The University of Auckland is pleased to announce the Waipapa Taumata Rau Transdisciplinary Ideation Fund, a new internal research award designed to cultivate cross-faculty and transdisciplinary collaborations and generate new projects that respond to the four priority areas identified within Taumata Teitei: sustainability, health and well-being, justice, and ethical innovation and technology.

This award will provide up to $60,000 towards research costs for projects designed to take place in 2022. Two University-wide workshops provide an opportunity for you to connect with researchers from other Faculties and develop potential projects in thematic areas:

Sustainability – 9 July 8:30am-1pm. Location: OGGB4 / 260-073. Register here.

Health and Wellbeing – 16 July 8:30am-1pm. Location: 505-011. Register here.

Further information on the Transdisciplinary Ideation Fund, including guidelines and application/budget forms, can be found here: TIF Guidelines and Forms

Proposals must be submitted using the Application Template and emailed to internalawards@auckland.ac.nz by 30 September 2021.

John Templeton Foundation – Core Areas: Small and Large Grants

The John Templeton Foundation is interested in ideas for projects related to their Core Funding Areas.

SCIENCE AND THE BIG QUESTIONS – Supports innovative efforts to address the deepest questions facing humankind. Why are we here? How can we flourish? What are the fundamental structures of reality? What can we know about the nature and purposes of the divine? This area is divided into several subfields:

Mathematical and Physical Sciences
Life Sciences
Human Sciences
Philosophy and Theology
Science in Dialogue

CHARACTER VIRTUE DEVELOPMENT – Supports research focused on the universal truths of character development and on the roots of good character in human nature, whether understood from a scientific, philosophical or religious point of view

INDIVIDUAL FREEDOM & FREE MARKETS – Supports research and education intended to liberate the initiative of individuals and nations and to establish the necessary conditions for the success of profit-making enterprise.

EXCEPTIONAL COGNITIVE TALENT AND GENIUS – Supports research that assists to identify and nurture young people who demonstrate exceptional talent in mathematics and science.

GENETICS – Supports research in genetics that might serve to empower individuals, leading to spiritually beneficial social and cultural changes.

Grant Value:

Projects are for a duration up to 33 months for a non-US based organisation.
The award for a Small Grant is up to USD234,800 (circa NZD335,000)
Large Grants have a minimum award of USD234,801 (circa NZD335,002).
Overheads can be up to a maximum of 15% of the award value

Internal Deadline: 5pm Wednesday 11 August 2021

Further information can be found on the funders website

Publications

Hughes AC, Orr MC, Ma K, Costello MJ, Waller J, Provoost P, Yang Q, Zhu C, Qiao H. 2021. Sampling biases shape our view of the natural world. Ecography 44, 1–11. doi: 10.1111/ecog.05926

Costello M.J. 2021. Advice to my younger self: Happiness is a life directed by reason. PeerJ Blog https://peerj.com/blog/post/115284884281/advice-to-my-younger-self-5-tips-for-early-career-researchers-mark-costello/

Costello M.J. 2021. The 5th World Conference on Marine Biodiversity: on schedule and online. PeerJ Life & Environment https://peerj.com/blog/post/115284883552/wcmb-on-schedule-and-online/

Fa’aea, A. M., Fonua, S. M., (2021). Se’i lua’i lou le ulu taumamao: privileging Pacific notions of success in higher education, Higher Education Research & Development, DOI: 10.1080/07294360.2021.1937954

Fa’aea, A. M., Fonua, S. M., Chu-Fuluifaga, C., Ikiua-Pasi, J. (2021). Navigating the digital va-vā: Centring Moana/Pacific values in online tertiary settings during COVID-19. Journal of Global Indigeneity, 5(1) February 10, 2021. Link

Tim Baice, Betty Lealaiauloto, Selena Meiklejohn-Whiu, Sonia M. Fonua, Jean M. Allen, Jacoba Matapo, Fetaui Iosefo & David Fa’avae (2021) Responding to the call: talanoa, va-vā, early career network and enabling academic pathways at a university in New Zealand, Higher Education Research & Development, 40:1, 75-89, DOI: 10.1080/07294360.2020.1852187

Costello M.J. 2021. A Better Way to Manage Species Names in IUCN – What’s in a name? A great deal, it turns out. Conservation Frontlines

Health & Safety Committee

For more information about what was discussed at the last H&S meeting please click here.

IT Committee

Please make sure to check that the software you need in S2 is working in the labs. or on FlexIT. There is not much time left for fixing any issues.