Issue 94 – Monday 13th February 2023
Contents
HeadsUp
I jotted the last Heads-up in the wake of the floods. Two weeks later, I’m doing so on a laptop with a fading battery as the house shakes in Gabrielle’s grip. I am grateful for a cup of tea brewed on my tramping stove, the power and wifi having been out all morning. What times. No option but to be adaptable, patient and learn from experience…
As the tempest howls, it’s hard to focus on the usual cycle of events. But as Marsden applications await my attention and signoff (when the internet returns!) I want to congratulate all those who have prepared preliminary bids and contributed to such a fascinating range of topics and questions. Such an indication of the breadth of our School’s scholarship! Best wishes to all.
Reflecting on the last fortnight, I have been pondering to what extent we as Taiao/Environment people grab the moment and add our voice to interpreting events in our world? Perhaps doing so could be a new academic year’s resolution for us all. I was especially inspired by Martin Brook’s engagement with the print and spoken media on the topic of landslides after the events of a fortnight ago. And Shane Cronin’s engagement with the media on the anniversary of the Tongan eruption. Are we often too shy of be asked questions outside our expertise? I know I have been. But surely one indirect but potent way of keeping our School relevant and being seen as a destination for enrolments and inquiry is putting ourselves out there as commentators on current issues relating to the environments of everyday life.
Next week – Tuesday 21st – we have our first staff meeting of the year. This will be a chance, weather and all other obstacles permitting, to meet in person and reflect on the year ahead. As I mentioned in the last Heads-up, these gatherings are intentionally few in number through the year (n=4). Attendance is expected to assist us working as a fully functional team.
And to end with a plea. I have had a few requests for travel reimbursement through Concur lately. Please be reminded that university policy requires all travel and hotel accommodation to be booked through Orbit. I am breaching policy approving any claim that departs from that rule.
All for now before my laptop battery dies!
Robin
General Announcements
Supervisors of new Masters students
Supervisors of new Masters students starting a 90 or 120 point research project in S1 of 2023 should direct the student to the following link to submit an Expression of Interest. The student will need a support message from you as supervisor to upload at this site. The information gathered allows me and the science faculty keep track of student-supervisor pairing. This is important when there are issues relating to extensions, reporting and examination.
https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/science/our-research/finding-your-supervisor.html
Phil Shane (DGA)
Laboratory Survey for Staff
The Technical Services team would like to undertake a small survey to understand the expectations around school laboratories and support.
This link will remain active until March 1st 2023.
Please direct any questions to Blair.
https://auckland.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8qPEWuhBB0BxR1s
CapEx Requests for 2024
Applications are now open for 2024 CapEx requests. We have decided to give a longer time frame than usual, so more staff have the opportunity to submit. This link will remain active until April 15th 2023.
If you have an item that isn’t on the list for this year (P2) then please submit a request so we know its still needed. Blair will email those staff directly.
Please direct any questions to Blair.
https://auckland.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bJXjoluewgiVizs
Whakawhanaungatanga – Communities
20th February Bartrum lecture titled ‘The State of Carbon Removal’ by Dr Julio Friedmann – 3-4pm, Conference Centre (across street from ENV), 423.342, with refreshments following.
Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) has gained recognition as a necessary addition to greenhouse gas reductions by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Reforestation and afforestation can contribute substantially to this goal but are insufficient. As such, innovations ranging from direct air capture to carbon mineralization to biomass internment will be needed to reach these targets. Questions about the quality of CDR have prompted accusations of greenwashing and fraud. Navigating the next few years will create immense opportunities for people seeking to position themselves as the vanguards of this critical climate and environmental service.
27th February Green Hydrogen lecture on ‘The Status of Hydrogen Technology and Key RD&D Drivers for Innovation by Dr Julio Friedmann, 303.G016
Over 30 nations have developed hydrogen strategies, and a combination of climate commitments, geopolitical threats, and technology advances have produced skyrocketing investments around the world. Although some key innovations have been relatively straightforward, such as renewable power cost reductions, the opportunity for dramatic improvements in cost, performance, and applications across technology options is immense. Global competition around hydrogen production, conversion, transportation, and use will remain central to rapid decarbonization, expanded trade, and maximizing advantage of key natural resource.
If anyone would like to meet with Dr Julio Friedmann of Carbon Direct please contact Kathy Campbell for info – ka.campbell@auckland.ac.nz
Funding
| Climate Impacts Awards | |
| The aim of the Climate Impacts Awards is to make the impacts of climate change visible across a wide range of physical and mental health outcomes in order to drive urgent climate policy and practice change at scale. This scheme will fund transdisciplinary teams to deliver short-term, high-impact projects, combining evidence generation with communications and/or public engagement. | |
| Value/Duration: | Internal Deadlines: |
| • Project duration is up to 3 years.
• Funding level is up to GBP2.5M (circa NZD4.6M). • Indirects for the UOA will be limited to 15% of the direct research costs. |
5pm Wednesday 5 April 2023. |
| Further Information (funding call, guidelines, registration info):
If interested, please also inform your FIRST team (Franca, Dianne or Kelly) |
|
Ngā Ara Whetū 2023 Doctoral Scholarships
Ngā Ara Whetū is delighted to announce that we have three UoA doctoral stipends to award in 2023. The purpose is to support the mission of our centre, particularly fostering transdisciplinary research. Therefore, the supervisors must be affiliated to Ngā Ara Whetū and come from at least two different Faculties/large scale research institutes. It’s easy to become an affiliate, UoA academics just need to email ngaarawhetu@auckland.ac.nz and you will be added to our list. We invite students to apply for the scholarships by 1 March 2023.
More information, including the application form, can be found on the University of Auckland Doctoral Scholarships page in the Faculty/LSRI/USC Doctoral Scholarship Strategies and Opportunities section:
If you have any questions, please email ngaarawhetu@auckland.ac.nz.
| Climate Change AI – Innovation Grants | |
| The CCAI Innovation Grants aim to encourage research activity that addresses these challenges. The second cycle allocates grants for research projects that apply AI to help study, mitigate, or adapt to climate change. Projects that address AI governance in the context of climate change or that assess the climate impacts of AI and its applications are also eligible for funding. | |
| Value/Duration: | Internal Deadlines: |
| •In this cycle, up to USD150,000 (circa NZD228,000) will be allocated per proposal.
•The duration of the project can be up to 12 months. Project start date to be August 15, 2023. |
5pm, Monday 20 February 2023 |
| Further Information (funding call, guidelines, registration info):
· Website Please inform your FIRST team (Franca, Dianne or Kelly) if you are interested in applying. |
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| Te Tahua Taiao Ngā Taonga – Lottery Environment and Heritage grants – Round Two | |
| Lottery Environment and Heritage grants are available for projects that will help protect, conserve or care for our natural, cultural and physical heritage, or allow us to better understand and access these resources. | |
| Value/Duration: | Internal Deadlines: |
| •Small projects, where the grant requested is for less than $250,000.
•Large projects, where the grant requested is for $250,000 or more. |
5pm, Monday 20 February 2023 |
| Further Information (funding call, guidelines, registration info):
· Website Please inform your FIRST team (Franca, Dianne or Kelly) if you are interested in applying. |
|
| RSNZ- Catalyst Fund Seeding | |
| Catalyst: Seeding facilitates new small and medium pre-research strategic partnerships that cannot be supported through other means, and with a view to developing full collaborations that could be supported through Catalyst: Strategic over time. Funding is for research exchanges, research activities, and expenses related to hosting workshops for new strategic research partnerships with international collaborators. | |
| Value/Duration: | Internal Deadlines: |
| A maximum of NZ$80,000 (excl. GST) is available per proposal for projects lasting up to two years. | 5pm Wednesday 12 April 2023. |
| Further Information (funding call, guidelines, registration info):
· Website To register to apply, please email the following information to the Funds Advisor Team via submissions@auckland.ac.nz: title (e.g. Dr, A/P, Professor), full name, email address, faculty and department or click the above button to get registered to the portal. Also inform your FIRST team (Franca, Dianne or Kelly) |
|
| RSNZ- Catalyst Leaders | |
| Catalyst: Leaders supports incoming and outgoing targeted international fellowships for exceptional individuals that cannot be supported through other means. The following funding schemes are open in Round 1:
International Leader Fellowships (up to 3 awards) Supports exceptional individuals from any country outside New Zealand to catalyse science and innovation capability and capacity development in New Zealand for a minimum of 4 weeks per year for up to 3 years. JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowships (up to 4 awards) Supports excellent post-doctoral researchers to do research in Japan for 12-24 months. New Zealand – China Scientist Exchange Programme (up to 10 Awards) Supports the development of research linkages with China by enabling New Zealand researchers to visit Chinese research organisations for 2-6 weeks. |
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| Value/Duration: | Internal Deadlines: |
| International Leader Fellowship
Up to $50,000 per annum for up to three years. New Zealand – China Scientist Exchange Programme NZ$3,000 travel grant JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowships •Round trip air-ticket + approx. $6690 allowances
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5pm Wednesday 12 April 2023. |
| Further Information (funding call, guidelines, registration info):
· Website To register to apply, please email the following information to the Funds Advisor Team via submissions@auckland.ac.nz: title (e.g. Dr, A/P, Professor), full name, email address, faculty and department or click the above button to get registered to the portal. Also inform your FIRST team (Franca, Dianne or Kelly) |
|
| Ministry for the Environment – Plastics Innovation Fund Round 2 – Te Tahua Pūtea mō te Kirihou Auaha | |
| The Plastics Innovation Fund supports projects that will minimise plastic waste and its harm on the environment. They are seeking to fund projects that find ways to use less plastic and make what we do use reusable or recyclable. It should be noted that applicants are required to secure at least 50% co-funding. | |
| Value/Duration: | Internal Deadlines: |
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· EOI deadline from 1 November 2022 to 30 June 2023
· The Funds Advisor team will accept EOIs at any time during this period for a QA check provided that you allow at least 7 working days before final submission to the funder. |
| Further Information (funding call, guidelines, registration info):
Please register or make contact 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 |
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| 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. |
|
Rangahau – Research
Student Research Experience
Are you a post-grad student researcher at the School of Environment (Hons/MS/PhD)? Would you like to get some support for your research from an undergrad student sometime this year? We are talking about 30 hours as a guide, either used as a block or distributed in the year. We have flexibility. In addition to gaining support for your research, this is a great opportunity for you to gain experience in mentoring an undergrad student and share your passion for the research you conduct.
If you are interested, please complete this form by 26th February: https://forms.gle/Ro5wbh6qskSdF2Mw8
Please email Melanie Kah melanie.kah@auckland.ac.nz if you have questions.
Talofa lava, Mālō e lelei, Kia orana, Fakaalofa lahi atu, Talofa ni, Ni sa bula, Fakafeiloaki, Fakatalofa atu, Halo, Gude, Greetings, Tēnā koutou katoa
This is to inform you that the first round of the ENV Māori Postgraduate Research Awards and the Moana Postgraduate Research Awards is now open.
This award is intended to help you to be able to do postgraduate research – maybe covering transport costs or something like that.
There is an application form to fill out if you are keen – I am really happy to answer any questions you may have about it, just let me know, Sonia, s.fonua@auckland.ac.nz
Can you please email me your application by 5pm Monday 20th March?
There are five $500 awards for each category available so make sure you give it a go.
Hauraki Gulf Scholarship
The Hauraki Gulf Scholarship for MSc and Phd students is open for application from today. The award is provided by Newmarket Rotary Club for research with the potential to improve the natural environment of the Hauraki Gulf, its islands and environs. The award is $10,000. If this covers your area of research then you are encouraged to apply.
More details are here:- https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/study/scholarships-and-awards/find-a-scholarship/rotary-club-newmarket-hauraki-gulf-environment-pg-award-1125-sci.html
If you have any enquiries about the award you can contact the Scholarships Office or myself.
Best wishes
Professor Andrew Jeffs
Institute of Marine Science, & School of Biological Sciences
University of Auckland
Auckland, New Zeland
Ph +64-21-256-3303
R N Brothers Memorial Award – The University of Auckland
An Award of up to $5,000 to assist a postgraduate research student to undertake field-based geological research in New Zealand or the South West Pacific.
About the scholarship
Application status: Apply now
Applicable study: Postgraduate degree in Earth Sciences
Opening date: 17 January 2023
Closing date: 28 February 2023
Tenure: One year
For: Assistance with field-based Research
Number on offer: One
Offer rate: Annually
Value: Up to $5,000
DRDF Call for proposals
We are opening the call for DRDF proposals (former PBRF) early this year to allow as many people to apply as possible.
The guidelines are available here and the application form, here.
In addition to the usual activities, we are keen to see applications from groups with shared research interests and who would like to support engagement activities within our school, throughout the year and involving PG research students (seminar series, reading/writing groups, retreat, workshops etc.)
Please email the form (or your questions) to melanie.kah@auckland.ac.nz by 15th February 2023.
Health, Safety and Wellbeing
Changes to first aid certificate revalidation
As of 1 February 2023, participants can attend a revalidation course if their certificate is no older than two years and three months from the date of issue. i.e. the time between attending courses can NOT be longer than two years three months.
As of 1 May 2023,participants can attend a revalidation course if their certificate is no older than two years from the date of issue. i.e. the time between attending courses can NOT be longer than two years. (three month ‘grace period’ no longer exists)
Publications
Kench, P.S., Liang, C., Ford, M.R., Owen, S.D., Aslam, M., Ryan, E.J., Turner, T., Beetham, E., Dickson, M.E., Stephenson, W., Vila-Concejo, A. and McLean, R.F. 2023 Reef islands have continually adjusted to environmental change over the past two millennia, Nature Communications, 14, 508.
Nikolai Siimes. (2023). Routledge Handbook of Wine and Culture [Book review]. Social & Cultural Geography. https://doi.org/10.1080/14649365.2023.2172859