Issue 88 – Tuesday 25th October 2022
Contents
HeadsUp
By the time you read this, I hope you’ve all had a good and refreshing long weekend. I hope, too, that you’ve spared a thought for the struggle Labour Day commemorates. The eight hour day may seem like an illusion to many of us academics (yes, I was caught taking a five minute power-nap last week after a particularly late night on the laptop… 😊 ). However in a more balanced world and work-style, we shouldn’t need to burn the midnight oil. That’s what our forebears lobbied for and won.
Labour Day recognises the struggle for a reasonable working week. NZers were among the first in the world to gain this right when, in 1840 (the same year as another and more momentous agreement!) Samuel Parnell, a Wellington carpenter, won the prerogative to work no more than an eight-hour day. It took another 50 years until NZ’s Labour Day was first celebrated (28th October 1890).
We lose sight of the future when we forget the past. Next time I am weary from working till midnight, I’ll try and remember Samuel Parnell.
In the School, we can celebrate more than Labour Day at this time. There’s the end of the teaching semester and the slow but steady seasonal shift towards summer. Morale boosters!
More specifically….
I am delighted to announce, now it’s finally official with contract signed and visas issues, that we have a new Lecturer who will be joining us in February.
Dr Tom Dowling will be an exciting addition to the School and our GISci team. He will bring cross-over contributions into physical geography. I look forward to introducing Tom to you in person, but until then he has sent the following precis:
Tom studied Physical Geography at Durham University (BSc) before moving on to Geographical Information Systems and Remote Sensing (GIS & RS) (MPhil) at Cambridge University. He completed a PhD in Glaciology (with GIS & RS) at Lund University, Sweden, which was focused on national-scale high resolution LiDAR and geomorphology of the ice-bed interface. After leaving formal education he worked in the commercial geospatial intelligence sector before moving back into academia with a research-associate post at King’s College London (KCL). While at KCL and subsequently the National Centre for Earth Observation (NCEO-UK) he specialised in thermal remote sensing with machine learning (AI), validating land surface temperature (LST) products in both the laboratory and field. During this time, he also set up an independent consultancy (Artio Earth Observation) with former colleagues to assist conservation charities in the use of remote sensing and cloud-based processing. After KCL/NCEO Tom moved into regular service with the Royal Navy (RN) where he tackled the impact of the Space domain on maritime operations. Having now left the RN to take up a Lecturership in GISci at the University of Auckland, he is excited to be back in academia once more- with the intention of focusing on maritime remote sensing. Tom is a keen, if not particularly good, climber and swimmer who has occasionally been sighted doing a triathlon.
I think you’ll agree Tom’s resume is exciting – especially for these times in which we try and make connections across the School and beyond. And as the second Tom in our team, to save “Tom? which Tom?” confusion maybe we’ll need to have a Tom B and Tom D? 😊
Another cause for celebration is the momentous news that Mel Wall has been awarded the University of Auckland Teaching Excellence Award for Sustained Excellence in Teaching 2022. This is a huge accolade for Mel’s resolute commitment to creative pedagogy, robust teaching processes and student-centred career. It also brings reflective glory to the School and the fact the School of Environment values teaching to the extent we do. Very big congratulations Mel. We look forward to toasting your success in person in the near future.
Lastly, I’d like to congratulate Sonia Fonua and team for a wonderfully positive and insightful inaugural Moana Pacific postgraduate colloquium at the Fale two Fridays ago. This occasion offered a window into the experiences of students with roots across the wider Pacific archipelago complete with kava and very good kai. Another example of commitment to student experience and an honouring of the stories students bring with them.
Much to celebrate and more with the upcoming School Research Awards.
Just let’s try and keep to eight hour days. If we can….
Robin Kearns
General Announcements
The new XRF (X-Ray Fluorescence) Tiger S8 from Bruker is ready for use!
The 4 kW Buker S8 Tiger can detect up to 80 elements with precision, expanding the capabilities of the existing 1 kW XRF instrument, which was only capable of 12 – 16 high-abundance elements. The XRF is available for all geological and archaeological purposes and can detect, major, minor, and trace elements depending on preparation and sample amount provided.
The instrument can be book through iLab and prices for analysis depend on sample condition and sample preparation. Please note that all users who wish to enter the XRF laboratory are required to complete a canvas induction and quiz, as well as an in-person tutorial.
For more information, please contact the technician in charge: Gina Swanney (gina.swanney@auckland.ac.nz).
Whakawhanaungatanga – Communities
Inclusion in Disaster Risk Reduction Seminar
You are kindly invited to attend a seminar on Inclusion in Disaster Risk Reduction today.
This seminar is organized by Disaster Prevention and Management, the Inclusive Urban Communities Stream of the Resilience to Nature’s Challenges and the FAST! Network (France Aotearoa Science, Technology and Innovation).
Speakers will be Dr. Loïc Le Dé (Auckland University of Technology), Dr. Khanh Ton (Allen+Clarke), Crystal Fa’asolo (Waipapa Taumata Rau) and Louise Baumann (Waipapa Taumata Rau).
The event will take place in the Ontology Lab (302-551) of The Science Building of Waipapa Taumata Rau University of Auckland and will be followed by a French aperitif.
Looking forward to seeing you there,
Ngā mihi,
The Organizing Team
NZGS October Newsletter
You can read here the newsletter of this month where you will note that next Tuesday’s Dialogues is presented by Professor Jennifer Salmond – a poster is on Page 2.
The next ENV Research Seminar Series is coming up!
What: Please join us for the ENV Research Seminar Series where you will hear interesting research updates from three ENV staff members – Giovanni Coco, Mila Adam and Sam Trowsdale.
When: 27 October 2-3 pm, drinks and nibbles from 3-4pm
Where: Federation Room, Level 1, Old Government House, followed by drinks in the Members Lounge (ground floor)
Queries: Emma Ryan, e.ryan@auckland.ac.nz
Learning to the rhythm: on the use of music in the classroom
Controls, triggers, and evolution of sedimentary transport processes in the northern Hikurangi Margin, New Zealand
Anthony Shorrock (PhD Proposal)
ENV Research Awards Ceremony
What: Please join us to celebrate student and staff research excellence at the annual School of Environment Research Awards Function. Research successes will be shared, short presentations given, and awards will be presented.
When: 3 November 11 am to 1pm. Lunch will be provided.
Where: 302-140
Queries: Emma Ryan, e.ryan@auckland.ac.nz or Joa Paredes-Mariño, joa.paredes.marino@auckland.ac.nz
Raising your research profile: Using researcher profiles and social media to build your profile and promote your research.
Trying to work that academic hustle, but don’t know how to get your name out there?
Wondering about the best way to promote your research or track your publications?
In this workshop, we’ll discuss the reasons why research profiles are important, look at the different types of profiles and their purposes, and brainstorm some strategies to help you manage your online identities. This will help doctoral candidates and early career researchers (ECRs) set the stage for their future research career.
Date: Thurs, 5 Nov
Time: 10-11 am
Location: Zoom
Book your place today: https://auckland.campuslabs.com/engage/event/8436965
Coastal and Marine Geoscience Group Meeting/Seminar
The next Coastal and Marine Geoscience Group seminar will be held on Monday 7th November at 12:00 to 1:00 pm in the Ontology Lab (302-551).
News will be shared and talks given from:
Lovleen Acharya Chowdhury (PhD Candidate): “Do short-term cliff-erosion measurements reliably represent long-term erosion rates?”
Lovleen presents 13 years of Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) dataset, which is the longest dataset from this technique from around the globe. Additionally, she discusses the coastal landscape evolution at Rothesay Bay, Auckland at time scales dating back to 6000 years or beyond using the TLS derived results coupled with the deductions made from the Rocky Profile Model simulations.
Aidan McLean (PhD Candidate): “Coastal Upheaval: using cosmogenic nuclides to determine the history of earthquake uplift at the coast”
Aidan presents his results from cosmogenic Beryllium-10 dating of marine terrace and shore platform surfaces at Kaikōura Peninsula and Needles point, Marlborough, which were both uplifted in the 2016 MW 7.8 Kaikōura earthquake. These results demonstrate evidence for missing terraces from the Needles point sequence. While measurements from Kaikōura reveal a process mechanism through which intermediate terraces may have been removed from the landscape.
All welcome to attend – please email Emma Ryan e.ryan@auckland.ac.nz
if you wish to attend and don’t have the calendar invite already.
What else is on in Oct and Nov?
31 Oct | Presenting your research
03 Nov | Literature review: Finding information
17 Nov | Literature review: Organising and writing
25 Nov | Publishing your research
Shut up and write! online
Struggling with procrastination? Having trouble getting started with writing your thesis or publication? Join us every Wednesday from 1-3 pm for Shut up and write!
Toka Tū Ake EQC University Research Programme (URP 2024-26) Round Open
Toka Tū Ake EQC has officially opened the next round of 3-year funding for our University Research Programme (called URP 2024-26). Up to 10 Programmes will be funded, and each successful programme will receive up to $150,000/annum for 3 years, starting 1 January 2024. Deadline for EoI: 11 November 2022
Key information and Documents are now available via the website.
Please feel free to Contact Research@eqc.govt.nz for more information.
ENV Masters students research seminars, 27 October 2022
Master research students will present 10-minute seminars summarizing their work on 27 October 2022, in room 302-140. This is an opportunity for them to present in person and get feedback from other students and staff. Thus, all are encouraged to attend. ENV coordinator: Phil Shane
Schedule:
| 27 October 2022 – 302-140 | ||
| Time | Chair: Luitgard Schwendenmann | |
| 9.00 | Kyle | Hamilton |
| 9.15 | Patrick | Hollands |
| 9.30 | Ngaio | Balfour |
| 9.45 | Declan | Fisher |
| 10.00 | James | Lear |
| 10.15 | Ann | McElvein |
| 10.30 | Jazmine | Burgess |
| 10.45 | Michael | Snowdon |
| LUNCH | ||
| Chair: Nick Lewis | ||
| 1.00 | Isla | Christensen |
| 1.15 | Miro | Hall-Jones |
| 1.45 | Mary | Hurley |
| 2.00 | Paul | Jang |
| 2.15 | Ruth | Soukoutou |
| 2.30 | Maya | Duckworth |
| 2.45 | Chao | Han |
| 3.00 | Rosalind | Holland |
| 3.15 | Grace | Joyce |
| 3.30 | Connor | Sharp |
| 3.45 | Daria | Solovynea |
| 4.00 | Bethany | Waller |
Honours Research Projects and sub-90 points Masters dissertations
Dear colleagues,
Thank you to everyone who supervised and/or examined Honours Research projects and sub-90-point Masters projects/dissertations in 2021. Your time and effort in supervising students and/or examining projects in what was a disrupted year, protracted by deadline extensions, is greatly appreciated. The 2021 cohort should now be all finished and moving onto new things.
In 2022, we have students completing Honours and MENVSCI 30-point research projects, and Bachelor of Advanced Science 60-point dissertations, with submissions in Semester 1 (Monday 27 June) and Semester 2 (Monday 14 November).
For your diary:
S2 Honours, MENVSCI and BAdvSci Oral Presentations – Wednesday 26 October. Time and venue to be confirmed.
These are on the same day as Masters presentations and every effort will be made to avoid clashes.
Finally, if you are supervising Honours/MENVSCI/BAdvSci students this year, please ensure their project is achievable within the one- or two-semester timeframe and that it can be completed under pandemic conditions. Please encourage your student(s) to meet the end-of-semester submission date too, even if Covid-19 extensions are again offered by the Faculty; it is helpful to the students, for getting grades back in time to go on to further study or work, and to those involved in the examination process if we can all stick to the schedule.
Kind regards
Gretel Boswijk, (Honours coordinator)
The next ENV Research Seminar Series is coming up! Please SAVE THE DATE in your calendars:
What: Please join us for the ENV Research Seminar Series where you will hear interesting research updates from three ENV staff members – Giovanni Coco, Mila Adam and Sam Trowsdale. More details will be provided closer to the time.
When: 27 October 2-3 pm, drinks and nibbles from 3-4pm
Where: Federation Room, Level 1, Old Government House, followed by drinks in the Members Lounge (ground floor)
Queries: Emma Ryan, e.ryan@auckland.ac.nz
An introductory R Workshop is being run on Thursday 17 and Friday 18 of November 2022. The course will be run by the Statistical Consulting Centre (SCC), in the Department of Statistics.
What’s covered in the workshop?
Introduction
Getting familiar with R
- Using R Studio and loading projects/scripts
- Basic functions using R
- Reading in Data Files (.csv, .xls/.xlsx)
- Introduction to R Objects. How R thinks (vectors, matrices, basic data formats)
Working with data(sets)
- Cleaning and subsetting
- Merging datasets and reformatting
- Grouping variables and summarising
R graphics
- Starting with plots in R (boxplots, histograms, bar graphs)
- Graphics in R with ggplot2 (customising plots)
Data analysis
- Introduction to performing t-tests, chi-square tests, ANOVA, and general linear models
As per our previous introductory R workshops, the cost is $300 for UoA students and staff.
You can pay using your PRESS account, research grant, or other UoA account.
You can also opt to use a debit/credit card (however we will have to also add GST for this type of payment and payment can only be made at the Student Resource Centre on main campus).
The payment authorisation form for UoA participants paying from a UoA account is attached.
The cost for non-UoA attendees is $500 + GST. Please contact Joei Mudaliar (j.mudaliar@auckland.ac.nz) for payment instructions.
We will be sending out a pre-workshop information email the week prior to the course, however here are some of the details:
Location
We will be in room 302.190. Building 302 is on the corner of Symonds St and Wellesley St. The room we will be using is on level 1, room 190.
Time and schedule
The approximate schedule for both days is attached (since this is the schedule from our previous course, it may yet be altered very slightly).
We will start at 9am and finish at 5pm.
Morning and afternoon tea will be provided and there are cafes handy nearby for lunch.
Computers
We will be using a Faculty of Science computer lab.
You are also welcome to use your own laptop, however please make sure that you have downloaded R and RStudio onto your machine before the workshop (they are free to download).
We will also include some instructions re how to do this in our pre-workshop information email.
Access to computers and internet
We will arrange access to the lab computers for all non-UoA participants.
We will also have a guest wireless password for non-UoA participants who are bringing their own laptops.
UoA staff and students will be able to access the FoS computers using their normal UoA upi and password.
Funding
| 2023 MBIE Endeavour Fund – Smart Ideas | |
| The Endeavour Fund supports excellent research with the potential to positively transform New Zealand’s economy, environment and society
Smart Ideas are intended to catalyse and rapidly test promising, innovative research ideas with high potential for benefit to New Zealand, to refresh and enable diversity in the science portfolio.
Note: the internal deadline for registration has passed. The external deadline is 02 November. If you wish to submit an application contact Kelly, Franca or Dianne asap! |
|
| Value/Duration: | Internal Deadlines: |
| · Value: $0.4 – $1 million over the term of the contract
· Duration: 2 or 3 years |
· Registration: 12 noon, Friday 21 October 2022
· Concept: 12 noon, Monday 14 November 2022 |
| Further Information (funding call, guidelines, registration info):
Please register with FIRST (Kelly, Dianne, Franca) if you wish to make a submission. |
|
| 2023 MBIE Endeavour Fund – Research Programmes | |
| The Endeavour Fund supports excellent research with the potential to positively transform New Zealand’s economy, environment and society
Research Programmes are intended to support ambitious, excellent and well-defined research ideas which have credible and high potential to positively transform New Zealand’s future in areas of future value, growth, or critical need |
|
| Value/Duration: | Internal Deadlines: |
| · Value: $0.5 million or more per year
· Duration: 3, 4 or 5 years |
· Registration: 12 noon, Friday 25 November 2022
· Full proposal: 12 noon, Monday 20 February 2023 |
| Further Information (funding call, guidelines, registration info):
Please register with FIRST (Kelly, Dianne, Franca) if you wish to make a submission. |
|
| Toka Tū Ake EQC University Research Programme (URP 2024-26) | |
Since the 1990s, Toka Tū Ake EQC has provided funding to tertiary institutions across New Zealand. This funding has helped to support research capability in natural disaster risk reduction. From 2020, Toka Tū Ake EQC funding introduced a three-year University Research Programme for tertiary institutions focused on:
|
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| Value/Duration: | Internal Deadlines: |
| · Projects can be up to a maximum duration of 36 months
· The award is up to NZD150,000/annum |
· EOI Deadline: 5pm Wednesday 2 November 2022.
· Full Proposal Deadline: Wednesday 22 March 2023 |
| Further Information (funding call, guidelines, registration info):
Please register with FIRST (Kelly, Dianne, Franca) if you wish to make a submission. |
|
| Transdisciplinary Ideation Fund 2022 – Call for Proposals | Internal Funding Call |
| The purpose of the TIF is 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, social justice, and innovating secure knowledge systems. The fund encourages research staff from across the University to develop cross-faculty research partnerships, aspiring toward high-quality Transdisciplinary Research outputs, research learning initiatives, and successful applications to external research funders | |
| Value/Duration: | Internal Deadlines: |
| · Applicants may apply for small grants ($10,000–$20,000) or large grants ($20,000–$60,000) | · 5pm, 14 November 2022 |
Please register with FIRST (Kelly, Dianne, Franca) if you wish to make a submission. |
|
R J Mowat Memorial Award in Earth Sciences
A $2,000 Award to support a Part IV BAdvSci(Hons), or BSc(Hons) or MSc student enrolled full-time in the School of Environment. Open for applications 19 September -31 October 2022. Please encourage any eligible students to apply.
ANSTO FutureNow and FutureNow [Plus] scholarships – applications are open (applications close 27 November 2022)
With the support of NSW Government, ANSTO offers FutureNow and FutureNow Plus scholarships to graduates or early career researchers working on industry-focused research projects that support developments in health, defence, aerospace engineering and nuclear technologies.
The FutureNow Scholarships are made possible through the generous support of the NSW government funding scheme as part of our ANSTO Innovation Precinct development. These scholarships are for graduate students or early career researchers working on industry-focused research projects aligned with ANSTO’s strategic objectives. The scholarships are open to Australian and New Zealand students.
Scholarship recipients will have access to the expertise and technology needed to facilitate cutting edge discoveries in advanced manufacturing, health, environment and the nuclear fuel cycle.
FutureNow [Plus] scholarships offer a stipend of up to $35,000 and more. FutureNow scholarships offer a $10,000 top-up stipend and more.
For further information, please visit:
FutureNow Scholarships | ANSTO
Funding for class meet and greets
The Student Experience Committee has limited funding available for class related activities. If you want to run a class event, online or otherwise (challenging given the current restrictions), and would benefit from some funds, please contact Joe (j.fagan@auckland.ac.nz). The Committee would prefer to fund several small events rather than one big one (but we are open to suggestions).
3k writing grant available for students
Funds are available to support students writing up their thesis as publication(s). Each grant is worth $3000 (120 hours at 25$ all included). There is no deadline to apply. Applications are evaluated as they come by members of Rangahau (2 weeks turn over max.), until we use all the funds available.
Do you have a good candidate in mind? Please complete this form and submit to melanie.kah@auckland.ac.nz.
Rangahau – Research
Transdisciplinary Ideation Fund 2022 – Call for Proposals and Workshops (Internal Funds)
The purpose of the TIF is 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, social justice, and innovating secure knowledge systems. The fund encourages research staff from across the University to develop cross-faculty research partnerships, aspiring toward high-quality Transdisciplinary Research outputs, research learning initiatives, and successful applications to external research funders.
- Applications must include researchers from at least two Faculties / LSRIs, and evidence the transdisciplinary aspects of the research.
- Application Teams must be a diverse mix of early career researchers, as well as established researchers where possible.
- Applicants must be members of the academic staff, employed by the University of Auckland, and have an employment contract that specifies that they must undertake research.
- Staff members employed on fixed-term or part-time contracts are eligible to apply as a PI provided that:
– the duration remaining of their contract is sufficient to complete the project or initiative;
– their appointment is 0.5 FTE or greater.
Grant Value: Applicants may apply for small grants ($10,000–$20,000) or large grants ($20,000–$60,000)
Internal Deadline: 5pm, 14 November 2022
Enquiries should be directed to ORSI via internalawards@auckland.ac.nz.
Application Form, Guidelines and FAQs can be accessed via the Research Hub at the link: Transdisciplinary Ideation Fund. Please get in touch with your RPC if you intend to apply as we can help with the submission process.
Applications for the Transdisciplinary Ideation Fund are due by November 14. Funding decisions will be announced in December 2022 for a 1st March 2023 start with an 18 month funding window. The Transdisciplinary Ideation Fund and Transdisciplinary Ideation Workshops have emerged from a collaboration between the Associate Deans Research, the Office of Research Strategy & Integrity and UniServices.
Rangahau Committee Funding
The Rangahau Committee has a small amount of funds set aside ($5,000 total) to help with proposal development (e.g. writing support, support to scope proposals etc). If you have an idea that fits within this scope please get in touch with Kelly Kilpin to discuss further.
Health, Safety and Wellbeing
Health & Safety Tip
Publications
Siimes N, Sharp EL, Lewis N & Kah M (2022) Determining acceptance and rejection of nanotechnology in agriculture: a case study of the New Zealand wine industry. NanoImpact
Bickler, S. H., & Jones, B. D. (2022). Machine Assisted Identification to Find Pā Sites from Hartley Ferrar’s Geological Maps. Archaeology, 41. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/364223937_Machine_Assisted_Identification_to_Find_Pa_Sites_from_Hartley_Ferrar’s_Geological_Maps_AINZ
Watson, S.L; Stephenson, F.; Pilditch, C.A.; Lundquist, C. (2022). Improving predictions of coastal benthic invertebrate occurrence and density using a multi-scalar approach. Ocean and Coastal Management. 230:1063555. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2022.106355
Tablada, J., Geange, S., & Lundquist, C. J. (2022). Evaluation of biodiversity benefits of proposed marine protected areas from the Sea Change—Tai Timu Tai Pari Hauraki Gulf Marine Spatial Plan. Conservation Science and Practice 4(10): e12803. https://doi.org/10.1111/csp2.12803
Hewitt, J.E. Lundquist, C.J. Pilditch, C.A., Thrush, S.F., Urlich, S.C. (2022). Barriers to coastal planning and policy use of environmental research in Aotearoa-New Zealand. Frontiers in Marine Science, 9:898109. Special issue on Contemporary Marine Science, its Utility and Influence on Regulation and Government Policy. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2022.898109