Issue 95 – Monday 27th February 2023
Contents
HeadsUp
Well, it’s been a bumpy start with rain, wind and power outages, but we’re underway. Semester 1 is upon us. Expect the unexpected should, perhaps, be our motto.
This last week brought three moments in which I caught myself feeling unexpectedly buoyed by occasions we hosted in the School.
First, the staff meeting. “The people had spoken” as they say, and we are serially retreating no more. Instead, we have scheduled two staff meetings per semester. And what a turnout at the first! The issuing of a Teams link had me concerned whether people would come in person. Yet we filled the large room and the buzz of conversation was palpable. There is clearly a pent up will to engage in person and that has to be good. Interestingly in the group discussion on what might enhance a sense of community, the resounding message was food. I doubt it’s because academics go hungry or need a School lunch programme! But clearly there’s a recognition that kai and korero have a strong synergy. Rest assured we’ll do what we can to support this wish, the first instance of which is Monday’s back to semester staff lunch. Let’s see if we fill the Ontology Lab!
Second, we had the Bartrum Lecture at which Julio Friedmann spoke on carbon removal. A buzz of palpable excitement as an accessible talk dived into a pressingly relevant topic for these times. Attendees from all over. Retired academics, people from consultancies, postgrad students, academics from across the campus. This is environment in action.
Third, we had orientation events for Postgrads and Undergrads on consecutive days. Impressive to see such a strong turnout of staff and senior students speaking to their portfolios, enthusiastically proclaiming our virtues as a collective learning environment. Its banal, I know, but as Head of School, it can feel moving just to see a host of colleagues stepping up and speaking in their roles. And speaking to eager-looking incoming students. Our future as they step into their future as students.
My request – if you see new students around (or returning ones for that matter), greet them, speak with them, help them feel welcome. And connected.
Two reminders:
- If you’re a P, AP or PTF 4, please return your spread sheet to me asap. I can’t offer an informed recommendation in the salary review process in the absence of knowledge of your achievements.
- A reminder. If someone helps you with a task, you are likely to thank them. If they have drawn on their professional expertise, all the more so. So, if a member the Technical Services team significantly assists you in your research, please acknowledge them in your published papers. Its courtesy and good professional practice.
Till next time, enjoy your teaching and the buzz of engaging in the workplace in person.
Robin Kearns
General Announcements
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
Anonymisation Of Movement Data: Privacy Over Utility?
Maike Gatzlaff (PhD Proposal)
Movement data are often either not shared or shared in unregulated and unscrutinised ways. While geomasking methods have successfully been established for location data, no suitable anonymisation method for movement data has been established yet. In addition, the complex nature of movement data is challenging and results in high re-identification risks after anonymisation. To contribute to the advancement in trajectory anonymisation methods, this project aims to answer the need for context-dependent anonymisation algorithms that maintain the utility of trajectory data. Based on an evaluation of existing anonymisation methods, a new anonymisation algorithm will be developed – focusing on significant locations and critically assessing the role of synthetic data in preserving privacy around the most sensitive information. By reliably anonymising movement data and minimising the trade-off between privacy preservation and data utility, more human movement data will be releasable for the public good.
Monday, 6 March 2023 · 10am · Ontology Lab
https://auckland.zoom.us/j/91715569231?pwd=L3NVa204MG1sZEFHYnp2NjFFaElxdz09
Fame and cash for sharing your best School of Environment mini vlog (videos)
The ENV Outreach Committee is looking for exciting, funny and engaging mini vlogs (i.e. video collage) to upload to the soon to launch School of Environment Instagram account. We would love to receive mini vlogs from studies of our environment and people, field work, lab experiments, data analysis or a mix of it all!
Videos from students, academic and technical staff are all welcome!
Think of the mini vlog as “A day in the life of …” related to school of environment research or careers. Of course you could record material over several days. Here is an example -of many- on how to make a mini vlog (you can also make them directly in the Instagram or TikTok apps).
Prizes (prezzy cards):
1st place: $200
2nd place: $100
3rd place: $75
4th -10th place: $ 30
Rules:
– The mini vlog has to be under 15 seconds.
– If filming others, make sure you don’t see their faces or you have their consent (model consent form). Avoid having under 18-year olds in the video.
– You don’t have to be in the mini vlog if you don’t want to, neither do you have to talk.
– Keep all mini vlogs G-rated as they may be made public. This includes no swearing or alcohol consumption, and also conforming with all University regulations.
– Some guidelines are found here, including the use of music.
Submissions may be uploaded (with credit) to the School of Environment Instagram account.
Please email env-comms@auckland.ac.nz that you have submitted. Submit the mini vlog by April 28th to this google drive link.
Shanice, Thomas and Mila
Are you actively researching in energy or decarbonisation?
The university if compiling a list of researchers working on energy and decarbonisation that they will share with government, industry and communities.
If you are interested to be listed please send Mila Adam a one line description or keywords of your research.
Horizon Europe Roadshow – Virtual Event – 2 March at 10 am
In light of New Zealand’s recent successful negotiations to become an Associate member of Horizon Europe (the European Union’s Framework Programme for Research and Innovation) MBIE and EURAXESS are conducting a roadshow to provide more information about the opportunities and prepare the New Zealand research community to engage with the programme.
Horizon Europe Pillar II
Pillar II of Horizon Europe focuses on science and technologies that addresses major global challenges, such as climate change, energy and health, and addressing the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. It has funding of €53.5 billion (approximately NZD$90 billion) over the 2021–2027 period. Pillar II funds are distributed across six themes (‘clusters’), with a number of topic areas (‘destinations’) within each cluster. Work programmes for each cluster for the 2023–2024 period are available from the European Commission website..
Proposals under Pillar II of Horizon Europe must be made by multinational consortia (typically at least three partners) from EU Member States or Associated countries. Researchers are encouraged explore the work programmes and reach out to European collaborators as early as possible.
Register here
Funding
The Kate Edger Educational Charitable Trust has a new award: Women in Science Award in Memory of Sylvia Tredwell of $2000.
“This award in memory of Sylvia Tredwell was made possible by a generous donation from her family, who wish to pay tribute to her determination in pursuing her career despite the barriers she faced, and to support other women to pursue the qualifications and career of their choice. The Award is intended to help support a woman studying towards an undergraduate or postgraduate science degree at a tertiary institute in the Auckland or Northland regions. The funding may be used for fees or living costs.”
Further details are at: https://www.academicdresshire.co.nz/Academic%20Awards/Discipline%20Specific%20and%20Other%20Awards?mv_pc=3238
| Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga Matakitenga Research Round | |
| The NPM Matakitenga research fund supports impactful research that contributes to their vision of building the foundations for flourishing Māori Futures. This is a Request for Proposals for multi-institutional Māori led research that contributes to specific outcomes and the overall mission of the CoRE | |
| Value/Duration: | Internal Deadlines: |
| •The funder expect to support up to 10-12 projects valued between NZ$10,000-60,000 (out of a total funding pool of NZ$600,000).
Applicants must be prepared to spend their fully allocated budget by 31st December 2024 and complete all project objectives. |
5pm, Wednesday, 22 March 2023. |
| Further Information (funding call, guidelines, registration info):
· Website If interested, please also inform your FIRST team (Franca, Dianne or Kelly) |
|
| L’Oréal Australia – Women in Science Fellowship | |
| The L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Australia & New Zealand Fellowships are designed to provide support for women to continue their research and rise to leadership positions in their field of expertise. There is one Fellowship available for a New Zealand citizen/permanent resident researcher. Funds are provided to enable them to undertake research in their chosen field(s). •Applicants must have been awarded a PhD within the last 5 years (or FTE). PhD conferred date must be before close of applications. | |
| Value/Duration: | Internal Deadlines: |
| NZD$25,000 – funding is intended to help finance the Fellow’s scientific research.
The Fellowship lasts for 12 months |
1pm, Wednesday, 1 March 2023. |
| Further Information (funding call, guidelines, registration info):
· Website If interested, please also inform your FIRST team (Franca, Dianne or Kelly) |
|
| 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.
| 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. |
|
| 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
|
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: |
|
· 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 |
|
| 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:
|
|
| 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
Visitors
We would like to introduce our recent visitors to the School of Environment.
- Professor Rachael James – host by JR Rowland – visiting ends mid-July 2023
Rachael James is Professor of Geochemistry and until recently Deputy Head of School (Research and Enterprise) in the School of Ocean and Earth Science at the University of Southampton, UK. She obtained a BSc (Hons) degree in Oceanography and Chemistry from the University of Southampton and a PhD from the University of Cambridge (Earth Science). After 8 years at the Open University as Lecturer then Senior Lecturer in Oceanography, she returned to Southampton in 2008 as Principal Geochemist at the National Oceanography Centre before joining the University in 2013.
Rachael’s expertise lies in the development and application of novel chemical and isotopic techniques to improve understanding of ocean and Earth (and extra-terrestrial) processes and to address critical environmental and societal challenges. A key current focus is on the development of methodologies for removing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. Rachael is conducting field trials on CO2 removal by enhanced rock weathering and mineral carbonation, and she is developing methodologies for monitoring and verification of potential leakage from sub-seafloor CO2 storage sites. Rachael is also using novel isotopic tracers, including iron, chromium and lithium, to locate new sources of metals and elements that are critical for supporting the transition to green technologies.
Rachael is an Associate Editor for Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta and sits of the scientific advisory councils of the Deutsches GeoForschungsZentrum (GFZ) Potsdam, the UK CLASS programme and the German CDRMare Program. She was awarded a Philip Leverhulme Prize in 2006, EAG Distinguished Lecturer in 2014 and gave the annual Marie Tharp Lecture at GEOMAR in Germany in 2022.
- Professor Damon Teagle – host by JR Rowland – visiting ends mid-July 2023
Damon Teagle is Director of the University of Southampton Marine and Maritime Institute (SMMI) and Professor of Geochemistry in the School of Ocean and Earth Science, National Oceanography Centre Southampton. He is an Earth scientist principally interested in fluid-rock interactions in a variety of tectonic settings including mountain belts and mid-ocean ridges and their impact on global chemical cycles and held a Royal Society Wolfson Merit Award from 2014-2018. Much of his work involves scientific ocean drilling and he has served as Co-Chief Scientist on 4 expeditions (ODP Leg 206, IODP 309/312, 335, 390/393) including the recent South Atlantic Transect (Apl-Aug, 2021) to study the aging of slow spreading ocean crust. Other recent research investigates serpentinization in the Troodos and Semail ophiolite (as part of the Oman Drilling Project of which he was Co-PI), and atmospheric CO2 reduction through the enhanced weathering of mine tailings. His New Zealand geological research includes the initial structural studies of the Hyde-Macraes shear-zone, the sourcing of gold in metamorphic deposits, and fluid and heat budgets along the Alpine Fault.
The SMMI is a pan-University of Southampton inter-disciplinary institute that pulls together the University of Southampton’s distinctive strengths in ocean-facing research, education and knowledge exchange including marine science, oceanography and climate change, naval architecture, maritime, offshore and coastal engineering, materials and energy systems, archaeology, maritime law, politics and business, medicine and human health, as well as the arts, humanities and music. Major research themes include the decarbonisation and optimisation of maritime trade, ports and logistic networks, autonomous and robotic observations and monitoring of the natural and built environments and associated data analytics, air pollution, coastal societies, the responsible use of future oceans and the just transition to a decarbonised, zero-pollution world.
Damon is keen to engage with groups across the University of Auckland to share common interests and experiences, and potentially generate future research opportunities, The University of Southampton is a founding member of the Worldwide University Network and already has a number of productive links with the University of Auckland.
Python for Research Science
The Rangahau/Research Committee has organized “Python for Research Science course”.
Dr. Irene Wallis will be delivering the course, which will run for five consecutives Mondays and it will be divided in two parts:
- Five lectures that include discussion and code-along components
- Five tutorials.
The dates are the following:
1st Monday: 27/March
2nd Monday: 03/April
BREAK-Eastern April 10/April
3rd Monday: 17/April
4th Monday: 24/April
5th Monday: 01/May
There are 5 sessions. Each session starts with a lecture/discussion/code-along (1.5 – 2 hrs) followed by a tutorial during which participants can work on their own data or specific issues they are having. The lecture can be hybrid (in person and with video conference for remote attendees). However, Tutorials will ideally be in-person only because it allows for a more fluid setting focused on the participants’ interest (unless our covid levels change).
The room is booked from 9:00 to 13:00 h. Not every session will take this long, but it allows for flexibility.
It is open to postdoc, staff, and also last-year PhD students.
If you are interested, send me an email and a short motivation letter at joa.paredes.marino@auckland.ac.nz. There are few spots left and they will assigned on a first-come, first-served basis
Do not hesitate to contact me if you have any further 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
Health, Safety and Wellbeing
Publications
Horrocks, M., Bickler, S., Gumbley, W., & Jones, B. (2023). Plant microfossil and 14C analysis of archaeological features at Coromandel Peninsula, New Zealand: Evidence for regional Māori use of introduced and indigenous plants. Journal of Pacific Archaeology. https://pacificarchaeology.org/index.php/journal/article/view/345
Dowell, A., Lewis, N., & Jones, R. (2023). Experimentation as infrastructure: Enacting transitions differently through diverse economy‐environment assemblages in Aotearoa New Zealand. Geographical Research. https://doi.org/10.1111/1745-5871.12590