HeadsUp

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It has been a fortnight of firsts in some unsettling ways. The hottest days ever (global average) was recorded on 22 July, with 21 and 23 July also exceeding the previous record. At the same time and unseasonally warm weather in Antarctica is driving the cold weather we have been experiencing.  In such times constancy is consoling.  It is nearly a year since I last wrote a Heads Up and them, as now, I was working on the Aotea Bird Count survey – a community-led initiative to survey the birds of Aotea.  The short story is that not much has changed – the same birds are present in the same places at about the same abundance.  This doesn’t mean there aren’t things that could be improved – we face plenty of environmental challenges – but it suggests that at least we aren’t going in the wrong direction! So, while we seem to be constantly experiencing change in the School, often externally imposed, it is worth remembering that there are plenty of things we do well, alongside those we might be able to improve. After all, “He manako te koura I kore ai!”

George

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ENV-stories

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I’m a South Aucklander, born and bred.  I grew up in Manurewa, back when it was a small, isolated suburb surrounded by farmland as far as the eye could see.  Back in the days when you’d get up on a weekend morning, scoff breakfast, run out the door, jump on your bike (mine was a gold Raleigh Twenty, two speed, stripped of all non-essentials) and not return until dinner time (not sure what we used to do for lunch).  It was a great place to cycle as we were close to nice open, empty rural roads.  The only danger came from speeding milk tankers and the occasional herd of cows being moved for milking – riding through their detritus was an experience to forget.  As I got older (and the bike got upgraded) Clevedon, Maraetai, even Kaiawa were regular stops on long weekend sojourns.  Back then you could ride to Pokeno along what is now the Southern Motorway.  I have great memories of flying (almost literally) down the south side of the Bombay Hills, equal parts elated and terrified at the ludicrous speeds we could reach, then having to turn around at the bottom for the long grind back towards home.

Fast forward to the end of 7th form (Year 13 for many of you now).  I gained a B bursary (by the skin of my teeth) and so headed off to university, unsure exactly what I wanted to do.  A mix of chemistry, physics, geography and geology saw me through my first two years – not a sparkling success, but I didn’t fail anything (not through lack of trying when I look back at my grades).  I don’t remember a lot about geology in those two years, except for the Port Waikato field camp – a week of solid rain and freezing cold, and yet we survived and actually quite enjoyed it.  I do remember getting a letter from the then Geography Department congratulating me on my grades and suggesting that I continue.  It was not to be.

After two years at uni I was a bit over studying and so decided to take a year off.  This ended up being three years – I dabbled in sports photography, had a few jobs, and of course embarked on the obligatory OE.  It was near the end of this, contemplating a long cold English winter, that I decided that I should complete my degree and do something with my life.  Re-entering the uni system at Stage 3 level after a three-year hiatus was a little challenging at first, but I was fortunate to land in a great cohort – several were returnees like me and I was relieved not to be the only ‘old guy’ in the class.  I rediscovered geology, and enjoyed it so much that when I finished my BSc I went on to complete my MSc and PhD (yes, I was a glutton for punishment).  This led to a two-year post doc in Japan (a whole other wonderful story), followed by a stint with one of the large engineering consultants here in NZ.  Then the opportunity arose to come and teach here at Auckland and I jumped at it.  The rest is history – 20 years down the track and I am still here, still loving the work, and still cycling.

Barry O’Connor

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Announcements

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Hono | Important Information regarding changes to HR systems and Processes – Updated 24 June 2024

As you may have heard, there is an exciting transition in our HR systems this year with the introduction of Hono, which will replace PeopleSoft HR, CareerTools, SilkRoad, and introduce a new payroll system.

How does this impact you?

You might be wondering how this change directly affects you. As an employee, you’ll be introduced to a new system featuring navigation that differs from what you’re accustomed to, along with some enhancements in processes like absence management and requests.

To delve deeper into these changes, an Employee Persona pack has been created to help outline the impacts and key process changes. You can access it here.

Timeline

Here’s a quick overview of the timeline:

• Hono Go-Live: Scheduled for late October to early November, pending critical testing and data migration.

 

• Employee Training: Training sessions are scheduled to commence approximately four weeks prior to the Hono go-live, likely around end of September. To ensure all employees are well-prepared, training will be offered in both in-person and online formats.

Enrolment will be required, and communication will be sent out with a link to enrol. Prior to the training sessions, there will be a pre-eLearning module available to help familiarise yourself with Hono.

Would you like to see Hono in action?

Check out these demos tailored for employees:

Submitting an Absence Request

Something to start thinking about

As we prepare for the migration to Hono, it is important to anticipate the planned brownout and blackout period when systems like SmartRecruiters, PeopleSoft HR, and SilkRoad will be unavailable. The proposed timings for this period are currently preliminary and subject to change as work continues on the details in the coming weeks and months.

Detailed information will follow once an exact date for this period is confirmed; however, here is a high-level cutover plan of proposed timings.

In the meantime, it is important to start considering and planning for how you will manage HR tasks during this downtime and identify any adjustments needed to ensure a smooth transition.

If you have any questions or need further clarification, feel free to Michael Groom as one of the change champions for Hono, or reach out directly to the programme team

 

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Whakawhanaungatanga – Communities 

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BLAKE 2024/2025 Ambassador Applications now open

Kia ora koutou,

As of last Friday, the BLAKE Ambassadors are now live on our website: https://www.blakenz.org/programmes/blake-ambassadors/, applications will be open until midnight on Sunday 4^th August.

Across 2024/25 we have 10 incredible opportunities to work with NIWA, GNS, the University of Waikato and DOC to contribute to significant environmental projects in New Zealand and Antarctica.

We are looking for a diverse group of young people between the ages of 18 – 24 who also have a passion for working towards solving some of New Zealand’s biggest environmental problems.Our Ambassadorships include:
• 1 NIWA Climate/Atmosphere Ambassador
• 2 NIWA Freshwater Ambassadors
• 2 NIWA Aquaculture Ambassadors
• 2 DOC Takahē Ambassadors
• 1 DOC Hoiho Ambassador
• 1 DOC Southern New Zealand Dotterel Ambassador
• 1 University of Waikato/Antarctic Ambassador

 

Tai Tonga Open Day – researchers (incl PhDs) needed for 40 min lab/tutorial-like workshops

The Faculty of Science has stall space at the Tai Tonga Open Day event (for year 11 students from 17 secondary schools) Monday, August 19th to Wednesday, August 21st. They are looking for researchers (including PhD students) to contribute interactive workshops (like interactive labs/tutorials) to engage students. Each workshop will be 40 minutes long, and could only be one or two of these days, if not all. Transport will be provided. 

This particular age group is at a critical juncture in their academic journey, as they are approaching the decision of whether or not to continue studying environmentally related subjects beyond school. It’s a great opportunity to showcase our research and work – please contact Emma Sharp on el.sharp@auckland.ac.nz  if you’re interested.

 

Tūpuna Maunga Authority announces annual research scholarship opportunity

The Tūpuna Maunga Authority is excited to announce the opening of applications for its annual Tūpuna Maunga research scholarship from 1 August 2024. This scholarship, established as part of the education strategy, offers up to $10,000 to support students conducting research on the Tūpuna Maunga.

The education strategy was developed from the Authority’s founding document, the Integrated Management Plan (IMP). “The key driver for this scholarship is to encourage students from all areas of study and empower them to increase their learning about Tūpuna Maunga o Tāmaki Makaurau,” says Paul Majurey, Authority Chair.

The scholarship is open to research that aligns with the Tūpuna Maunga values, focusing on enhancing and protecting the mauri (life force) and wairua (spiritual essence) of the Tūpuna Maunga (ancestral mountains). Detailed information about the scholarship, including an overview of the Tūpuna Maunga Values, is available on the Authority website www.maunga.nz/research/.

Majurey emphasizes the broader impact of the scholarship, stating, “We believe that this scholarship will not only benefit the students but also the wider community. Innovative research projects have the potential to bring new ideas and solutions that can significantly enhance the sustainability and preservation of the Tūpuna Maunga.”

Applicants have until 10pm, 25 September 2024 to apply via SmartyGrants, with funding to successful candidates as early as December 2024 (based on processing requirements). As part of the selection process, the $10,000 may be split across different applicants.

 

Postgraduate Research Showcase 2024

We are thrilled to announce that the Science Research Showcase is back for 2024.

Registration opened on Monday 8 July and will close on Friday 23 August at 4 pm. More information, including the registration form, judging criteria and valuable resources, please visit the Science Research Showcase webpage.

Please feel free to contact Yue Zhang (yue.zhang@auckland.ac.nz) if you’d like to know more about the Science Research Showcase. We look forward to celebrating postgraduate research with students from the School of Environment!

 

 

 

2024 Tūpuna Maunga Research Scholarship

The Tūpuna Maunga Authority is excited to announce their Tūpuna Maunga Research Scholarship application opens this week, 1 August 2024.

A product of the Tūpuna Maunga Education Strategy, the scholarship is a $10,000 funding initiative available annually, to support students who wish to undertake research about the Tūpuna Maunga.

The scholarship applies to research that aligns with the Tūpuna Maunga Values, enhancing and protecting the mauri and wairua of the Tūpuna Maunga. All details about the scholarship, including an overview of the Tūpuna Maunga Values can be found in the application portal.

How to apply

This year’s scholarship application round is open now and closes 10 pm, 25 September 2024. A decision about the applications will be made by 4 November 2024, with the funding becoming available as early as December 2024. Applications are submitted via SmartyGrants. We very much look forward to receiving our first round of applications.

About the Tūpuna Maunga Authority

 The Tūpuna Maunga (ancestral mountains) hold a paramount place in the historical, spiritual, ancestral, and cultural identity of the thirteen iwi and hapū of Ngā Mana Whenua o Tāmaki Makaurau (the Māori tribes of Auckland).

The Tūpuna Maunga Authority is the statutory authority established under the Ngā Mana Whenua o Tāmaki Makaurau Collective Redress Act 2014 to govern the fourteen Tūpuna Maunga (ancestral mountains) of Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland.

For more information, please email the team on maungaevents@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.

 

AINSE Postgraduate Orientation Week – Expressions of Interest now received from future scholarship applicants (applications close 30 September 2024) (flyer available online)

Coinciding with the international celebrations of Nuclear Science Week in the third week of October, the annual AINSE Postgraduate Orientation Week welcomes new postgraduate scholars in the AINSE PGRA, RSS, and Pathway scholarships, and provides all postgraduate students with the opportunity to establish enduring networks with like-minded colleagues across Australia and New Zealand. This year’s O’Week event will run from Monday 21^st – Friday 25^th October 2024 as an online event via Zoom, commencing with a full-day program on Monday 21^st, followed by afternoon and early evening sessions from Tuesday 22^nd – Friday 25^th.

Alongside our new scholarship recipients, AINSE are now accepting Expressions of Interest directly from interested students from AINSE-member institutions who are looking to apply for an AINSE postgraduate award in 2025.

These interested students can learn about the broad range of research supported by ANSTO’s landmark facilities, engage in a virtual tour of ANSTO, and participate in social activities as part of the worldwide Nuclear Science Week celebrations. The program will be differentiated, with these interested students able to attend a specialised workshop focused on the application process for 2025 AINSE scholarships.

Expressions of Interest close 11.59 pm AEST Monday 30^th September 2024.

For more information, and a link to the online application portal, please see our Postgraduate O’Week website.

 

8^th AINSE Women in STEM and Entrepreneurship (WISE) School – Expressions of Interest now received
(applications close 30 September 2024). (flyer available online)

AINSE is now accepting Expressions of Interest directly from students for the 8^th AINSE Women in STEM and Entrepreneurship (WISE) School, to be held Monday 2^nd to Friday 6^th December 2024.

Expressions of Interest close Monday 30^th September 2024.

This school is targeted at female students who are about to complete their first year of full-time undergraduate study (or part-time equivalent).

A key component of the WISE School is an ongoing mentorship program in which students are allocated mentors from across site at ANSTO. AINSE will be coordinating mentor and student meetings in 2025 to provide additional networking and educational opportunities for the students.

The 2024 WISE School will run as a 5 day hybrid event, with the possibility of a small number of students being invited to ANSTO’s Lucas Heights campus for the final 2 days of the program (Thursday 5th – Friday 6th December) if circumstances permit.

For more information, and a link to the online application portal, please see our WISE website.

 

AINSE Scholar Gold Medals (nominations received until 31 August 2024).

The AINSE Scholar Gold Medal is awarded for impact and excellence in research on the basis of publications that acknowledge AINSE support. At the presentation of the medals, the newly-awarded Gold Medallists are invited to deliver an address on their research.

To nominate an early career researcher or postgraduate student for a Scholar Gold Medal, please complete the nomination form (available online at this link) and return via email to applications@ainse.edu.au prior to the close of nominations at 11:59 pm AEST Saturday 31^st August 2024.

For more information, please visit the AINSE Scholar Gold Medal page or contact AINSE (enquiries@ainse.edu.au).

 

United Uranium Scholarship: applications closing soon (applications close 11 August 2024)

 Are you a young scientist looking to work in the field of nuclear science?

ANSTO is seeking a talented young scientist or engineer in the field of nuclear science and technology, specifically as it applies to nuclear energy. 

Supported by the United Uranium Trust, this $6,000 scholarship can be used to attend international conferences and congresses, visit research labs for collaboration in nuclear science and technology, and more.

Application close 11 August. To find out more, visit ANSTO’s website: United Uranium Scholarship – Guidelines | ANSTO

 

Doctoral Development Offerings

An overview of the many UoA Doctoral Development offerings that candidates and supervisors may want to consider has been compiled here.

 

Co-funded University of Auckland Doctoral Scholarships

Guidelines have now been drafted for the University of Auckland Doctoral Scholarship scheme to co-fund scholarships with industry or philanthropic partners to seed new collaborations. If you are making connections where some money to support a student may be possible please come and chat to Jennifer Eccles asap about whether this could be an option.  

 

An introductory R Workshop is being run on Thursday 24^th and Friday 25^th of October 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

The cost is $400 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 $650 + 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 302.160. Building 302 is on the corner of Symonds St and Wellesley St. The room we will be using is on level 1, room 160.

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 24^th and 25^th October 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 | Waipapa Taumata Rau

 

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. 

 

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.

 

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Rangahau – Research

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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.

 

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Funding

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Funding Calls

Global Research Engagement Fund (GREF)
This fund aims to support applicants working towards a pre-identified collaboration or funding opportunity to develop new and emerging research partnerships with international collaborators.
Value/Duration:	Internal Deadline
·         Networking & Engagement Grants: up to $10,000 ·         Project Planning Grants: Up to $12,000	27 September 2024
Further Information: ·         Full details including guidelines and the application form are available on Research Hub ·         For enquiries, please contact international.research@auckland.ac.nz If you are interested, please also get in touch with your FIRST.

 

The Transdisciplinary Ideation Fund (TIF)
The Waipapa Taumata Rau (TIF) is a fund that 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 Deadline
·         Grants of $20,000. Up to 15 projects will be funded.	5pm, Thursday 7 November 2024
TIF workshop: encourages new cross-disciplinary research collaborations and is designed for academic staff who are intending to pursue transdisciplinary research. (Please register bid via registration link provided) Date and Time: Friday 13 September 2024, 9am to 12pm (morning tea provided) Location: B201-342, 10 Symonds Street
Further Information: ·         Funding Call ·         Full details including guidelines and the application form are available on Research Hub If you are interested, please also get in touch with your FIRST.

 

Catalyst: Seeding (Round3)
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 Deadline
Seeding General: up to $80,000  (excl. GST) in total for up to two years ·         NZ – Japan Joint Research Projects: up to $30,000 (excl. GST) per annum for up to two years	12pm, Tuesday 08 October 2024
Further Information (funding call, guidelines, registration info): ·         Funding Call ·         Guidelines ·         Website  If you are interested, please also get in touch with your FIRST.

 

Catalyst: Leaders (Round3)
HOPE Meetings are held for excellent graduate students and young researchers selected from countries/areas around the Asia-Pacific and Africa region. These meetings give an opportunity for the participants to engage in interdisciplinary discussions with Nobel Laureates and other distinguished scientists pioneering the frontiers of knowledge.
Value/Duration:	Internal Deadline
Supports excellent PhD students and/or young researchers to attend the HOPE meetings with Nobel Laureates for 5 days including flights, accommodation, and meeting registration.	12pm, Tuesday 08 October 2024
Further Information (funding call, guidelines, registration info): ·         Funding Call ·         Guidelines ·         Website If you are interested, please also get in touch with your FIRST.

 

2024 Research Development Fund (RDF)

The total amount to be allocated in the 2024 contestable round is approximately $1 million with spending split across 2025,2026, and 2027. This will be distributed amongst the different award types listed below based on the excellence and justifications of submitted applications.

Value/Duration Award type Duration Minimum and maximum funding available per application ~ Number of Awards Research Fellowship Award Up to 3 years $100,000 – $200,000 4 Staff Research Award Up to 2 years  $10,000 – $40,000 9 Aronui Pūtaiao Award Up to 2 years $10,000 – $40,000 2 Applications are due by 5.00pm on Monday, 2 September 2024 ·        Full details including guidelines and the application form are available on the research page of the staff intranet ·        For an overview of the Research Development Fund, visit the Research Hub RDF page If interested, please inform your FIRST team.

 

UoA approach to organisational cap for MBIE Endeavour Smart Ideas 2025

The University’s response to the organisational cap (23 for the University of Auckland) is to implement a two-stage (Faculty and Central) triage process to determine which applications to support for submission. The steps are summarised as following: Wednesday,17 July Training zoom session on how to fill out the Lean Canvas Wednesday, 24 July Deadline for submitting your RoI for Smart Ideas 2025 through this link Monday, 29 July Drop-In session, Level 10 Dean’s Board Room Monday, 5 August Submit the Lean Canvas for Faculty-level assessment to:  FoS-researchadmin@auckland.ac.nz 14 – 15 August Faculty Assessment Panel meetings Thursday, 22 August Feedback from the assessment panels will be made available Tuesday, 27 August Applicants submit final Lean Canvas for final FoS check FoS-researchadmin@auckland.ac.nz Friday, 30 August FiRST team submits FoS Lean Canvases for Central triage process Mid-to-late Sept. Central panel will meet to determine 23 proposals for submission Late September Successful applicants will be notified before Smart Ideas registration

 

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): ·         Funding Call ·         Website ·         Guidelines 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

UoA approach to organisational cap for MBIE Endeavour Smart Ideas 2025

 

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. Date & Time Registration (Session 1)   (i)                  Making Sense of the Treaty in a Research Context (Part 1/2): 30th July 2024, 9:30am – 12:30 pm Here (ii)                Putting the Treaty into Practice in a Research Context (Part 2/2): 6th August 2024, 9:30am – 12:30pm Here (Session 2) (i)                  Making Sense of the Treaty in a Research Context (Part 1/2): 26th September 2024, 9:30am – 12:30 pm Here (ii)                Putting the Treaty into Practice in a Research Context (Part 2/2):  3rd October 2024, 9:30am – 12:30pm Here If you have any questions, please email: researcherdevelopment@auckland.ac.nz

 

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Health, Safety and Wellbeing 

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We are in the home stretch to make it to spring.

August can be colder than the previous two months and a little help to prepare is important.

There is a spike on respiratory disease hospitalizations and vaccination is still a good way to reduce possible downtime. 

Increase your level of serotonin and oxytocin by practising kindness

August usually brings drier weather, spend as much time outside to help with the mood, don’t forget to layer and keep warm when doing outdoors pursuits.

Things you can get busy preparing for with in the meantime:

• Planting less hardy herbs
• Spring cleaning. Best time to choose things to go to charities/op shop.
• Preparing for summer, it is only 4 months away

If cold temperatures are not for you, bring the outdoors indoors.

• Plants and flowers
• Do things with other humans, go to the movies, games night with your friends
• Stay in bed is an acceptable option

 

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Publications | Articles

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• Shane, Phil, Cronin, Shane (2024). Pre-eruptive magmatic processes at Taranaki volcano from an amphibole perspective. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research 452, 108144, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2024.108144
• Bulmer, R.H., Stewart-Sinclair, P.J., Lam-Gordillo, O., Mangan, S., Schwendenmann, L. and Lundquist, C.J. (2024), Blue carbon habitats in Aotearoa New Zealand—opportunities for conservation, restoration, and carbon sequestration. Restor Ecol e14225. https://doi.org/10.1111/rec.14225
• Macnaughtan, M., Pecher, I, Strachan, L.J., Crutchley, G. (2024) Deep free-gas accumulation beneath the Chatham Rise, New Zealand – an AVO study. Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, 25 e2023GC011360. https://doi.org/10.1029/2023GC011360
• Bowen, M., Chen, Z., Li, G., Coco, G., Estuaries and coastlines capture most plastic before it gets out to sea, giving us a chance to stop ocean pollution, The Conversation, 22 July, 2024. https://theconversation.com/estuaries-and-coastlines-capture-most-plastic-before-it-gets-out-to-sea-giving-us-a-chance-to-stop-ocean-pollution-232896
• Bowen, M., Interview on ABC Melbourne Overnights with Michael Pavlovich, 23 July, 2024.
• Bowen, M., Interview on RNZ Afternoons with Jessie Mulligan, 24 July, 2024. https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/afternoons/audio/2018948358/estuaries-nature-s-sieve-for-plastic