Issue 70 – Monday 6th December, 2021
Contents
HeadsUp
Feminist geographer Heidi Nast memorably said “we are always, already in the field”. Amid the twin limitations of the Delta lockdown and the preoccupations being Head of School, I recently turned my attention again to writing about where I live. In this case, I worked with an island-based researcher, Pam Oliver, and PG student Neil Lindsey to examine the question of how the island community managed to remain so Covid-free. Our paper concludes that the obvious ‘island-ness’ is only part of the story. The rest of the explanation we attribute to the strength of community cohesiveness and resolve to look after each other. Survey respondents cited examples like the ‘Pandemic of Kindness’ Facebook page and the Chair of the Local Board saying she would defend the wharf with a pitchfork . We interpreted the community’s wish for a localised response to Covid as reflecting political ‘subsidiarity’: the view that a centralised authority should control only those tasks that cannot be performed more effectively through local governance.
It may seem a stretch, but I see a degree of this subsidiarity at work in our collective response to the School Review. Yes, the Review was initiated and convened from elsewhere in the university. But now that we have its report, it is up to us to reflect, interpret and act on it. That it because the university recognises that we are the place and people best able to perform those tasks through our own processes of local governance.
To that end we currently are in a phase that will stretch over the summer, connecting two of our three annual all-staff gatherings: November’s Wrap-Up and February’s Kaupapa. I have asked five established groups (the three platforms and some of the committees) to host open discussions of one or more of the Action Points raised by the Review. The schedule is below and, despite us all being both over-zoomed and meeting-ed out, I encourage you to join as many of the discussions as you can. The purpose is not to arrive at solutions but rather to reflect on possibilities and implications. As one wise member of the Steering Group suggested, we need to ask ‘What problem is being addressed?’ and ‘What opportunities, if any, are open up by addressing it?’.
So, no matter how hoha we feel, to use a Te Reo word (ie blasé, ‘over it’) please join the conversations (this week and again in late January or early February) so that by our Wednesday 23rd February Kaupapa session, we will have points and potential responses to consider that have been filtered through the views of many within the School.
Another development also reflects subsidiarity. Blair and his team have refined a process for ENV people to apply for access to our buildings and facilities for as long as we remain stopped at the Red Traffic Light. Please read the process outlined and use the application form. This process is yet another example of the Technical Services team serving us well locally by responding to needs in light of a larger regulatory settings.
So, unlike Waiheke, there are no threats of officials with pitchforks at our doorways (!) but hopefully a pandemic of kindness will continue to prevail. It’s a time for continued compliance with regulations that are designed to protect us all. And, with respect to the Review deliberations, there’ll be no pitchfork from me goading you into participation. But, please, no claims come February that you didn’t have a chance to have your voice heard.
Robin Kearns
–
- School Review discussions next week
As a way of moving the collective conversation forward as we look to the next academic year, I have asked Platforms /Committees to
- Meet at least twice between now and the School’s Kaupapa session Wednesday 23rd Feb
- Schedule the first such conversation before we break for 2021.
- By mid-Feb, and in anticipation of the Kaupapa session,, develop a 1-2 page document and PPT slides for a 10 min max presentation that will:
# Summarise the Action Areas and the Review Committee’s observations and concerns
# Reviewing any context, as appropriate
# Outline any possible responses & implications
# Include 2-3 questions to help deliberation at the Kaupapa session
Please bear in mind that
- We need to respond to the Review, so a do-nothing stance isn’t viable.
- Be aware of what ‘problem’ is being addressed and what opportunity is being presented.
- Take a whole-of-School view, trying to suspend (at least for now) subject-area partisan concerns.
Meetings
- Action Areas 8 and 9: Determining transdisciplinary research directions; and Enhancing external engagement.
Hosted by Nick Lewis & PG Research Committee
Monday 6th Dec 2-3pm
https://auckland.zoom.us/j/93127976250
- Action Areas 8 and 9: Determining transdisciplinary research directions; and Enhancing external engagement.
Hosted by Sila and Rangahau
Tuesday 7th December 2-3pm
https://auckland.zoom.us/j/8698433089
- Action Area 4: Strengthening the integration of the Tuākana programme
Hosted by Emma Sharp, School Review (Equity Committee and Tuākana)
Thursday, 9 Dec 1-2:30 –
https://auckland.zoom.us/j/8913664680
- Action Area 3: Development of a delivery modes strategy & Action Area 7: Increasing visibility of employability across all programmes
Hosted by Mel Wall & AKO Innovation Committee
Friday 10th Dec 10-11.30
https://auckland.zoom.us/j/94791316892
- Action Area 1 and 2: Implications of Climate Change Curriculum Position and Curriculum Rationalisation
Hosted by Lorna Strachan & AKO Committee
Friday, 10 Dec 1:00-2:30pm
https://auckland.zoom.us/j/91524318068?pwd=OWhBb0FWZDBOeGcxSUlkK3U0bjU0Zz09
2. Access to buildings under the Red Traffic Light
Blair asks that you read and follow this newly-designed process:
- Staff fill out the form requesting access (students still cannot do this themselves) https://auckland.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4NSjdFaJF4bkXAy
- Robin, Blair and Jenny undertake a quick assessment to make sure the work is priority.
- Blair provides details of approved work to faculty.
- The faculty generates a letter letting the user know if they have been approved (can take 24 hours).
- They can then make a booking in the calendar which lets us work within capacity limits for each space
- People on site will be assigned a primary work zone (where they use toilets and tearooms)
- They can move between other labs provided they aren’t at capacity and this has been agreed.
- We can decline or cancel requests if no staff are present on a particular day
- Field activity doesn’t require faculty approval.
Whakawhanaungatanga – Communities
Congratulations Ema Nersezova!
Congratulations to Ema Nersezova who has been awarded a S. J. Hastie scholarship from the Geoscience Society of New Zealand. This is for an MSc Earth Science thesis on: Water and organic contents of digitate sinter in contrasting hotspring environments: The Taupo Volcanic zone as a Martian analogue, to be supervised by Mike Rowe.
Expression of Interest: The Women in Earth and Environmental Sciences
The Women in Earth and Environmental Sciences in Australasia (Womeesa) network now has more than 700 members. Are you one? If not, it is an excellent network for anyone from student to professor level. The latest monthly newsletter will give you an idea of their current activities, and support for women working in Earth and Environmental Sciences in academia, industry, and government.
https://www.womeesa.net/newsletter/october-8jek2
Our very own Lorna Strachan was recently elected as a member of the Womeesa committee, and so if you would like to find out more, please drop her a line at l.strachan@auckland.ac.nz
Work-Integrated Learning NZ
Prompted by Martin Brook the University of Auckland very soon (Bridget Kool has actioned this) will be members of Work-Integrated Learning NZ:
As you will see in the Members section, many of our peers (AUT, Massey, Waikato, VuW, UC, and some polytec’s) have already been involved as Institutional and Corporate Partners, but until now, not UoA. WILNZ have a really interesting annual conference too, which gets good participation from the different tertiary institutions. The next conference is at AUT in April 2022, and the 2021 WILNZ online proceedings make for interesting reading.
It’s a good networking opportunity, to learn from others and see what best practice, pitfalls etc are out there.
Student Support
If students are struggling support is available:
Te Papa Manaaki | Campus Care https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/student-support/te-papa-manaaki-campus-care.html
Financial Support https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/study/fees-and-money-matters/financial-support.html
Covid will have likely have impacted progress for many so there are Postgraduate Extensions and Fee Waivers programmes. Note International students will need to consider visas!
Honours and Masters (as you know who will have been impacted please don’t wait for the last few days before the submission deadline to apply!)
Doctoral
If any doctoral students are ‘twiddling their thumbs’ because they can’t get into labs or do fieldwork it may be a good time for them to generally upskill:
Note to supervisors: Domestic PhD Admissions of those eligible for the guaranteed University of Auckland Doctoral Scholarships are up so it has become even more competitive for international applicants. Please manage expectations around this as you communicate with international enquiries.
Upcoming Events
Registration for Disastrous Doctorates 2022
Official registration form to attend Disastrous Doctorates 2022 (DD2022)! DD2022 is a forum for disaster-related doctoral students, which welcomes participants from various disciplines, including engineering, earth science, emergency management, geography, law, psychology, business etc. This forum aims to bring together students across the disaster-research field and build a network and community of early career researchers.
This year’s theme is New Zealand’s Resilience to Climate Change. However, any researcher involved in disaster research is encouraged to attend and present a 3MT about their research.
The DD2022 symposium will be held on 1-3 February 2022 and hosted by The University of Auckland in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.
Official Registration Form – Disastrous Doctorates (wordpress.com)
RSNZ Marsden
The University and UniServices are running a series of Marsden support events as below. All of these will be remote via Zoom. Please contact your RPC if you’d like to attend and to receive the zoom link.
- Vision Mātauranga overview/introduction:
- Tuesday Dec 07, 1:15 – 2:15pm
- An introduction to Vision Mātauranga policy targeted at researchers new to Vision Mātauranga and/or Marsden Funding.
- Insights Q&A panel:
- Thursday Dec 09, 2-3pm
- Panellists:
- Tyron Love
- Fred Vanholsbeeck
- Catherine Tsai
- Tim Kuhner
- Vision Mātauranga follow-up and Marsden-specific advice:
- Tuesday Dec 14, 10-11am
AKO
Applications: Ako Innovation Committee Teaching & Learning Innovation Fund 2022
| Call for applications to the Ako Innovation Committee Teaching and Learning Innovation Fund 2022
Grants are to encourage innovative teaching and learning practices that have the potential for widespread adoption within the School Due: 08/02/2022, noon Please see the guidelines here and the application form here Please contact Mel Wall if you have any questions |
 |
New programme: Master of Environmental Management
We will soon be offering a new 180 point taught masters degree in Environmental Management. This has just been given the go-ahead from the Committee on University Academic Programmes (CUAP) and will be available from Semester 1, 2022. It builds upon the long-established PGDipSci and MSc options, and the existing foundations of critical social science will be augmented with new courses with a more applied focus. The fairly tight programme and the core course (701) will ensure that all students get a coherent and well-rounded experience, but with space to include courses from related subjects, as well.
With our recently-appointed new colleagues we will be able to roll out a full programme in 2022:
Semester 1
- ENVMGT 741: Social Change for Sustainability (Georgia Pigott)
- ENVMGT 744: Resource Management (Karen Fisher)
- ENVMGT 749: Environmental Sociotechnologies (Emma Sharp)
- ENVMGT 751: River Management (Gary Brierley)
Semester 2
- ENVMGT 701: Environmental Management in Practice (Brad Coombes + other staff)
- ENVMGT 742: Social Dimensions of Global Environmental Change (Meg Parson)
- ENVMGT 746: Collaborative Environmental Management (Brad Coombes)
- ENVMGT: 748: Coastal Management (Emma Ryan)
Brad Coombes is the Environmental Management programme adviser.
Rangahau – Research
Applications: The 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 Winter 2021:
Winter 2021
Application deadline: 15 December 2021
Results: 3 January 2022
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
Research Impact Guide
The University of Auckland’s Research Impact Guide is available on the Research Hub, the University’s internal one-stop shop for research resources.
The Research Impact guide contains tools, resources and signposts on where to get support to develop the impact of your research. We currently have a summer intern working to revamp these pages, looking to provide up-to-date best practice content, accurate signposting to a broad range of support services, and content on specialist topics including policy engagement and public engagement. We have initial ideas on how to improve these pages, but would love to understand from our research community what type of additional information you might benefit from.
ACTION: visit the Research Impact Guide and let us know your opinion! We welcome your feedback via this anonymous google form as we continue to add content. Thank you in advance!
Discovery Profiles
Improving discoverability of our research and expertise – introducing Discovery Profiles
In March 2022, our current Research Outputs system will be renamed Te Waka Huia Rangahau | Research Outputs, upgraded to provide an improved user interface, and extended to include staff and doctoral candidate profiles, as well as advertising research projects and supervision opportunities to potential research students.
These changes will improve discoverability of our research and expertise, and streamline our research eco system, by incorporating three existing systems (Research Outputs, University Directory and FindaThesis) into one.
The external facing elements of University Directory and FindaThesis will be retired and replaced by Discovery Profiles, a module of the Te Waka Huia Rangahau | Research Outputs system.
For more information on these improvements and how you can prepare for this change please see the Discovery Profiles News page.
Marsden – bid writing support
Please contact Kathryn or Franca if you’re going to apply for a Marsden grant this year and would like to request bid writing support. Three levels of support is available (general proof reading; editorial review; or full bid development) Please submit your request by mid December at the latest. Note funding is limited, and not all requests will be able to be supported.
Research Projects impacted by Covid-19
Please advise your RPC if any of your research projects have been impacted by Covid-19 so we can discuss options to resolve impacts. Note, key information on research continuity through COVID-19 is being updated regularly via COVID-19: Researcher continuity support and information.
Antarctica field work
Any one preparing funding bids that involve fieldwork in Antarctica is encouraged to contact Esme Robinson (e.robinson@antarcticanz.govt.nz) Science Programme Advisor, at Antarctica New Zealand early in the development of their research plan so that they can support the preparation of a logistically feasible application.
Research Assistant position available
The Sustainability Practices for a Future-focussed Faculty Initiative is concerned with finding gaps and opportunities for the Faculty of Science (FoS) to achieve a higher degree of sustainability. The research team is examining potential pathways for transitioning to new ways of doing things regarding our carbon emissions, lab-based teaching and research, and our sustainability mindset. The team is seeking input from the Faculty of Science’s staff and postgraduate students, which will help inform the University’s sustainability strategy. Engagement will include interviews and surveys. The data will be collected and coded in NVivo with the support of three Research Assistants (RAs), and the analysis and insights will be informed by transition theory frameworks. The initiative is led by Robin Kearns, Gillian Lewis (Associate Dean Sustainability), and Caroline Roughneen (FoS Strategic Projects Manager). The initiative leaders have appointed a Research Fellow (RF), Dr Barbara Ribeiro, to act as Project Lead (designing the research structure, providing a theoretical grounding, and day to day project management). We are seeking a further suitably qualified RA experienced in conducting interviews and undertaking qualitative research. Theis researcher would start at the primary data collection phase (mid-October) and continue until the project is completed by December 17th. Pay rate to be assessed by experience and qualifications by HR. For further information and /or to apply, please contact Barbara at b.ribeiro@auckland.ac.nz.
Funding Call
Plastics Innovation Fund
***Application Deadline 20 June 2022***
The purpose of the Plastics Innovation Fund is to support projects that will minimise plastic waste and its harm on the environment. The fund is seeking to fund projects that find ways to use less plastic and make what we do use reusable or recyclable. It is targeted at projects that: minimise plastic waste; support circular solutions; protect the environment from harm; support the reduction of imported plastic; and improve the behaviour of people and businesses (up the waste hierarchy). For further information visit the funder website or refer the Funder guidelines. You can also view a One-hour webinar about the fund
Publications
Pelling M, Biesbroek R, Caretta MA, Cissé G, Costello MJ, Ebi KL, Gunn EL, Kerr RB, Parmesan C. Schuster-Wallace C, van Aalst MK, Woodward A, 2021. Synergies between COVID-19 and climate change impacts and responses. Journal of Extreme Events, online. https://doi.org/10.1142/S2345737621310023
Fryirs, K., & Brierley, G. (2021). How far have management practices come in ‘working with the river’?. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms.https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.5279
Gao, S., Hofstra, A.H., Zou, X., Valley, J.W., Kitajima, K., Marsh, E.E., Lowers, H.A., Adams, D.T., Qin, K., Xu, H., 2021, Oxygen isotope evidence for input of magmatic fluids and precipitation of Au-Ag-tellurides in an otherwise ordinary adularia-sericite epithermal system in NE China. American Mineralogist, vol. 106, p. 2020 – 2027. https://doi.org/10.2138/am-2021-7825
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 Isabella for next edition of P-cubed by Friday