Issue 126 – Monday 8 July 2024
Contents
HeadsUp
Many will be having a welcome return to focusing on research during these weeks between semesters. I’ve found a few days to tidy up a collection of papers and, apropos this activity, an article about academic journals and publishing took my attention. It coined the term ‘overpublishing’. Unders and overs, as they say, results in a balance. But what about when ‘over’ becomes too much? Over-tourism is certainly an issue where I live. In a recent paper published (yes, there’s perhaps an irony there!) by the International Science Council, Boulton and Koley claim that excessive individual and institutional academic competitiveness as well as commercially-driven profit-seeking have been a ‘perfect storm’ of factors leading to too many journals and too many journals publishing too many papers of insufficient quality. Such poor quality, in fact, that editorial boards have been resigning at publisher pressure to increase issues. Further, Wiley closed down a whole stable of recently acquired journals due to corrupted results and fictitious authorship. What are the lessons? While there are numeric targets in the academic standards we aspire to, be sure of the reputation of the outlets you are publishing in. Ultimately quality matters.
Quality is invariably more elusive to define that quantity. As a qualitative methodologist, I can attest! But quality needs to be our all-embracing goal both for its own yield of job-satisfaction and for its ability to maintain and enhance our reputation. This week we will participate in a workshop at which the new stage 1 course building project will be presented and discussed. With our eyes firmly on quality, these innovative offerings may yet be the portal into a revival of our undergraduate course numbers. A focused spotlight on our postgraduate course offerings which, with some exceptions, have been languishing in enrolments will likely need to be our next work programme.
Lastly thanks to all those who have agreed to times for an ADPR conversation. I like Simon Sinek’s definition of leadership: “it is not about being in charge. It’s about taking care of those in your charge.” These conversations continue to be interesting, engaging and often surface issues I wasn’t aware of. A privilege to undertake.
Other Matters:
- Larry Murphy is the new Chair of ENV PG Committee, replacing Nick Lewis, from Mon 8 July. If you are completing any documentation re PG students that asks for Head of School, please remember to add Larry’s name. He has delegated authority, and it may slow things down identifying me on such forms.
- From Wed 10th July to Friday 2md August, Tom Baker (10-22 July) and George Perry (22 July – 2 Aug) will be Acting Heads. Please direct any immediate queries or approvals to them; otherwise, while I may be able to reply, there will be less speedy responsiveness.
- Finally, big congratulations to Sila on receipt of a 2024 University Early Career Research Excellence Award!
Robin Kearns, Head of School
ENV-stories
I was brought up in northern England. My parents divorced when I was 5 and we went to live with my mum and her partner. In our household, a Victorian 2-up-2-down, poverty prevailed. Newspapers lined the concrete floor for insulation, no telephone of course, and mainly eggs and potatoes for dinner. It was a really brutal upbringing in every way. Think Once Were Warriors, the only difference was no suicide. I realized my only way out was either through professional rugby league or study. I was not good enough at the former but managed better at studying. Interest in geology started at primary school on a day trip to the coast, looking at ammonites in mudstone cliffs. At the local state secondary school, I was lucky enough to have some inspirational teachers among Maggie Thatcher’s hollowed-out education system (textbooks were shared between 4 students). It was difficult to engage fully, and homework was almost impossible due to the mayhem. However, I managed enough at GCSE level, to stay on for A-levels. None of my family had stayed at school beyond 15 years old, and the career’s teacher had suggested I become a farm laborer, so at 16 years old I felt an over-achiever. But, I never looked back, enjoyed my undergraduate years over in Manchester and then my PhD 6 hour’s north at Dundee. I have a great family now – my wife’s Ngāti Porou and Tainui whanau. If you drive past Taupiri Maunga, and look up at the urupā, my ongoing slope stabilization works are keeping my wife’s relatives in-situ! Life has taught me about equity. First, we all have different starting points, and as educators we should try to lift students up to achieve their aspirations, rather than keeping them down. Second, we are sometimes the only role models some of our students will have.
Martin Brook
Whakawhanaungatanga – Communities
This is an Award to encourage Māori students to pursue graduate studies in Environmental Science or Mathematics. The value of the Award is up to $4,000. applications are now open and close on 25 July 2024. https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/study/scholarships-and-awards/find-a-scholarship/craig-memorial-award-415-sci.html
The TAIAO Environmental Datascience Platform is embarking on a book project
Where we dedicate each chapter to an innovation in datascience that is useful for solving an environmental science problem. We would like each chapter to be written by at least one datascientist and at least one environmental scientist, (it is an experiment on communication as well as novel methods). We are hoping that such an approach will break down silos and make the work more useful to a wider range of people. Unfortunately, the team is a bit shy, and we are very short of environmental scientists that would like to collaborate. What will it entail? Providing example data, your domain knowledge, your opinion on whether the technique is useful and how it could be made more useful. Prof Yun Sing Koh in Computer Science is leading the adventure, and the topics are as follows (with the proposed datascience lead).
Chapters
- Introduction
- Data science best practices
- Anomaly Detection / Extreme Events -> Bernhard
- Explainable AI -> Albert
- Time Series -> Yun Sing
- Streaming Machine Learning -> Heitor
- Graph Neural Networks -> Varvara
- Generative AI – Nick
- Downscaling data -> Guilherme (Climate Downscaling)
- Visualization
- Appendix – TAIAO Python Notebooks (All)
Write to Yun Sing if you are keen.
From Karin Bryan
ResBaz Aotearoa 2024 is being held 8-12 July.
This is a great opportunity for researchers (staff and students) to explore and develop digital research skills.
What is ResBaz?
- A free online research workforce development event for the Aotearoa research community.
- Hosted by the University of Auckland, in collaboration with NZ research institutions.
- Last year 1500 individuals made 5000+ session registrations.
The ResBaz Aotearoa programme includes 45 workshops covering a wide range of topics, including:
- Programming languages – Python, R, command line, Rust, & Julia
- Research data management, data management planning, REDCap, Qualtrics, NVIVO, & OpenRefine
- Māori Data Sovereignty, Trusted Research, cybersecurity, impact, & Open Access
- Transcription using digital tools, APIs, & tools for reproducibility
- Career planning, poster design, & graphic abstracts
- Research compute options
Sessions are filling up fast, so get in quick to secure your place!
Visit the website to explore and register for sessions.
ResBaz https://resbaz.auckland.ac.nz
An introductory R Workshop is being run on Thursday 11th and Friday 12th of July 2024. 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 – please contact Joei Mudaliar j.mudaliar@auckland.ac.nz for further instructions).
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 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 on how to do this in our pre-workshop information email.
Access to computers and the 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.
I hope you can make it on the 11th and 12th July 2024, and we look forward to seeing you there.
Ngā mihi (Kind regards),
Joei Mudaliar | Kairuruku Ratonga ā-Rōpū (Group Services Coordinator)
Department of Statistics | Faculty of Science
The University of Auckland | Te Whare Wānanga o Tāmaki Makaurau
FUNDS FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH HAPORI MAORI
School of Environment has a small budget for enabling engagement with Maori, particularly through koha or contributions that may be needed to initiate research relationships. In disbursing that putea, priority is given to academic staff working on behalf of groups of staff or students, pre/consultation activities for ethics approval and collaborations that are not readily funded through other mechanisms. As it is desirable to utilise the budget before the end of the academic year, however, all well-reasoned proposals will be considered. If interested, email a brief, one paragraph description of a proposed activity and a budget for how funds will be utilised to Brad (b.coombes@auckland.ac.nz). Although there are no prescribed maxima or minima for these grants, the limited scope of the overall budget will likely preclude grants in excess of $1000. Applicants should also be mindful of UoA guidelines or policies for gifting and koha.
Post Graduate Wellbeing ….. where to go
If you are currently coordinating a PG course, could you please post the inforgraphic slide to your Canvas course page so students will know the resources that are available throughout the University.
3k writing grant available for students
These are currently on hold. Rangahau will reopen this fund for requests later in the year, please keep an eye on P-cubed for more details.
Rangahau – Research
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 katarzyna.sila-nowicka@auckalnd.ac.nz
Funding for Research Retreats
The Rangahau Committee has a small amount of funding set aside to sponsor Research retreats (e.g grant writing workshops, paper writing). This can be up to 2k per team, with a minimum 2 SoE participants.
If you have an idea that you would like considered, please submit a short paragraph explaining the intention and benefits of the retreat to katarzyna.sila-nowicka@auckland.ac.nz.
Proposal development support
The Rangahau Committee has a small fund set aside 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.
Funding
Funding Calls
| Researcher Skills and Development (RSD) Fund | |
| This fund aims to help enhance and expand researcher development offerings across the University to supplement existing funding sources for the design, development, and delivery of researcher development offerings. | |
| Value: | Deadline: |
| There is no minimum or maximum amount of funding that can be sought per request. The total amount of the fund available is $500k for 2025. | End of the day Friday August 30th |
| Further Information:
· Form, Guidelines and FAQs can be accessed via the Research Hub · For enquiries, please contact victoria.hewitt@auckland.ac.nz If you are interested, please also get in touch with your FIRST. |
|
| Spencer Foundation: Small Research Grants on Education | |
| This fund is intended to support education research projects that will contribute to the improvement of education. The research concept is “field-initiated” with the grant designed to support rigorous, intellectually ambitious and technically sound research that is relevant to the most pressing questions and compelling opportunities in education. | |
| Value/Duration: | Internal Deadline |
| · Value: up to USD50,000 (circa NZD80,000
· Duration: up to a maximum duration of 60 months |
12pm, Monday 2 September 2024 |
| Further Information (funding call, guidelines website):
· Website If you are interested, please also get in touch with your FIRST. |
|
| Mana Tūānuku Research Leader Fellowship | |
| The New Zealand Mana Tūānuku Research Leader Fellowships will support mid-career researchers to firmly establish themselves as experts in their research domain and as leaders within the research landscape. | |
| Value/Duration: | Internal Deadline: |
| The total value is $1,160,000 for 4 years:
· $115,000 towards the researcher’s salary (p.a.) · $115,000 in organisational overheads (p.a.) · $60,000 for research-related expenses (p.a.) |
9:00am, Tuesday 16 July 2024 |
| Further Information (funding call, guidelines, website):
· Website If you are interested, please also get in touch with your FIRST. |
|
| Mana Tūāpapa Future Leader Fellowship | |
| The New Zealand Mana Tūāpapa Future Leader Fellowships will support Aotearoa New Zealand’s talented early career researchers to establish the foundations of an excellent and impactful research career. | |
| Value/Duration: | Internal Deadline: |
| The total value is $820,000 for 4 years:
· $82,500 towards the researcher’s salary (p.a.) · $82,500 in organisational overheads (p.a.) · $40,000 for research-related expenses (p.a.) |
9:00am, Tuesday 16 July 2024 |
| Further Information (funding call, guidelines, website):
· Website If you are interested, please also get in touch with your FIRST. |
|
| Mana Tūārangi Distinguished Researcher Fellowship | |
| The New Zealand Mana Tūārangi Distinguished Researcher Fellowship will support researchers with expansive and international reputations to make contributions that will extend beyond their own career span. | |
| Value/Duration: | Internal Deadline: |
| The total value is $220,000 for 1-2 years:
· $100,000 towards the researcher’s salary (p.a.). · $10,000 for research-related expenses (p.a). |
9:00am, Tuesday 16 July 2024 |
| Further Information (funding call, guidelines, website):
· Website If you are interested, please also get in touch with your FIRST. |
|
| Te Tahua Taiao Ngā Taonga: Lottery Environment and Heritage grants (Round One) | |
| This fund aims to help protect, conserve or care for our natural, cultural and physical heritage, or allow us to better understand and access these resources.
· Natural heritage projects promote, protect and/or keep our native plants (flora) and animal life (fauna) safe from harm (including the on-going costs of pest and predator control) · Physical heritage projects restore, protect and/or conserve places, structures and large built objects that are important to our history · Cultural heritage projects conserve, protect and/or promote collections and stories that are important to our cultural heritage and identity. |
|
| Value/Duration: | Internal Deadline: |
| Value
· 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 22 July, 2024 |
| Further Information (funding call, guidelines, website):
If you are interested, please also get in touch with your FIRST. |
|
| The Prime Minister’s Science Prizes | |
| The New Zealand Government introduced The Prime Minister’s Science Prizes in 2009 as a way of raising the profile and prestige of science among New Zealanders, in Aotearoa and internationally.
· Te Puiaki Pūtaiao Matua a Te Pirimia: is for a transformative scientific advance, which has had a significant economic, health, social, political, cultural and/or environmental impact on New Zealand or internationally · Te Puiaki Kaipūtaiao Maea: will be awarded to an outstanding emerging scientist who has had their PhD conferred within the past eight (8) years. · Te Puiaki Whakapā Pūtaiao: will be awarded to either a practising scientist who can demonstrate an interest, passion and aptitude for science communication and public engagement, or to a person who has developed expertise in public engagement or communication of complex scientific or technological information to the public. |
|
| Value: | Deadline: |
| There are five prizes in total with a combined value of $975,000 NZ Dollars. | Applications open 13 May 2024 and close 1pm, 30 September 2024 |
| Further Information:
· Form, Guidelines and FAQs can be accessed via the Research Hub · For enquiries, please contact pmscienceprizes@royalsociety.org.nz If you are interested, please also get in touch with your FIRST. |
|
| New Horizon Europe Calls |
| In mid-April, the European Commission announced a new selection of funding calls covering the remainder of 2024. The funding call details here Horizon Europe Funding Call List on the Horizon Europe Support Materials page on ResearchHub.
New Zealand can participate in these calls on equal terms as our European counterparts. However, the targeted nature of most of these calls means that it is highly likely that it will be more appropriate for us to partner on these projects, joining European-led bids as a collaborator rather than developing a proposal as a lead. Anybody exploring these opportunities should contact International.Research@Auckland.ac.nz to arrange a discussion and explore additional support available. |
MBIE 2025 Endeavour Support
MBIE have released details regarding the 2025 Endeavour Round including:
- 2025 Gazette Notice
- Investment Plan 2025 – 2027, which includes the new Investment Signals
- Changes to Smart Ideas for 2025
Links and details can be found on the MBIE Endeavour Website
Because of the changes to the Smart Ideas round this year, the process at UoA will different than in previous years. If you intend to apply for a Smart Idea this year, please let your RPC (Sophie/Kelly/Franca) know asap so we can pass on any details as soon as they become available.
Support Sessions organised by UOA:
- Research Impact Webinar (24th July 2024 10:00am-11:00am) – Research Impact Manager, Dr Cherie Lacey, will be hosting a webinar to give you practical advice on how to plan your MBIE Endeavour funding application to achieve maximum impact.
Register here
| RSNZ: Catalyst: Seeding (Round2) | |
| This fund aims to 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. | |
| Value/Duration: | Internal Deadline: |
| Up to $80,000 (excluding GST) over a maximum of 2 years is available for each successful feasibility study. | 12 pm, Tuesday 9 July 2024. |
| Further Information (funding call, guidelines, registration info):
· Website If you are interested, please notify your FIRST (research support) of your intent to apply for this scheme to receive important information and updates in relation to this fund |
|
New Zealand-German academic exchange programme (ENZ-DAAD)
ENZ-DAAD’s Programmes for Project-Related Personal Exchange (PPP) is open again and inviting applications from students across all subject areas who are completing their doctorate, and from academics who have completed their doctorate in the last five years.
The application for 2024 close on the 28th of June.
Announcements
| Webinar: Building your Knowledge in Responsiveness to Māori within your Research | |||||||||||||
| The webinars will provide a general overview of the Treaty of Waitangi as it relates to research. The content focuses on why it was written, what it says, what went wrong, where we are today, and how it applies to research.
(i) Workshop 1/2 – Making Sense of the Treaty in a Research Context: will provide a brief overview of the Treaty of Waitangi as it relates to research. (ii) Workshop 2/2 – Putting the Treaty into Practice in a Research Context: Christine, founding member of Auckland Project Waitangi, explores application of the main Treaty concepts to the major stages of research.
If you have any questions, please email: researcherdevelopment@auckland.ac.nz |
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Health, Safety and Wellbeing
Some daily actions to help you beat the winter blues
But you might need extra help to
Beat Depression and Anxiety
Beating the Blues is easy to use, confidential and available 24/7 so you can work through the program at your own pace to improve your mental health and wellbeing
Publications | Articles
- Katherine L. Maier, Lorna J. Strachan, Stephanie Tickle, Alan R. Orpin, Scott D. Nodder, and Jamie Howarth (2024) Testing turbidite conceptual models with the 2016 Mw7.8 Kaikōura Earthquake co-seismic event bed, Aotearoa New Zealand. Journal of Sedimentary Research, 94: 325-333.
- J.D. Howarth, A.R. Orpin, S.E. Tickle, Y. Kenako, K.L. Maier, L.J. Strachan, S.D. Nodder (2024) Relationship between fault source, ground motions and marine turbidites emplaced by the 2016 Kaikōura earthquake, Past Global Changes (PAGES) Magazine, 32: 1, 6-7.
- Zhao, X., Wu, X., Yu, D., Lundquist, C., Li, C., Zhong, H. (2024) Protect wetlands from legacy plastics. Science, 384(6703): 1414-1415. doi:10.1126/science.adq2315