Issue 16 – Monday 2nd September 2019
Contents
HeadSup
Malo e lelei!
It is Tongan Language week next week. If you would like to know more please check out this website.
Many thanks to those who helped out at last Saturday’s Open Day: giving the presentations for our subject majors, and attending the desk and advising prospective students and their parents. At the risk of overlooking somebody may I say thanks on behalf of the School to Nick (R), Joe, Jenny (S), JC, Martin, Sam, Evan, Siła and Juan, plus a small army of enthusiastic postgraduate students. Many thanks for giving up your weekend – it is greatly appreciated.
There was a good turnout for the Cumberland lecture on 22 August. Kennedy Warne gave us a fascinating and provocative lecture pondering the legal rights of rivers, parks and places. Thanks to Gretel for organising this and to Dan Hikuroa for giving a response. It was a great event and sets the bar high for our season of special, invited lectures – see the advice on the Bartrum Lecture below.
I am writing this on JR’s behalf while she enjoys a short break. One other thing from her was to remind staff to get cracking” if you are planning to prepare an MBIE or Smart Ideas proposal.
Mālō ‘aupito, David
Whakawhanaungatanga – communities
School of Environment 2019 Spring Graduation Lunch
Staff are cordially invited to attend the School of Environment Graduation Lunch on Tuesday 24 September. We’d love you to come by and celebrate with your colleagues and students. Please register for the event here by Wednesday 11 September for catering purpose.
Event Date: Tuesday 24 September 2019
Time: 1-2pm
Location: Level 6 Breakout Space, Building 302
Vice-Chancellor’s Lecture Series 2019
Hosted by Te Ao Mārama – Centre for Fundamental Inquiry, this year’s series of three evening lectures and a panel discussion is themed ‘Perspectives on Life in the Universe’.
Are we alone? Is there life elsewhere? How did life begin? Explore the Biggest Questions of all with world-leading scientists in the 2019 University of Auckland Vice Chancellor’s Lecture Series. Hear about how new developments in astrobiology, astrophysics and fundamental science are expanding our understanding of the origin and evolution of the Universe, from the Solar System to ‘exoplanet’ worlds so far away they almost defy imagination. Come join us for these fascinating lectures and a panel discussion hosted by Radio New Zealand’s Kim Hill on the latest thinking about alien life and how we might find it.
All events : 6pm in the Fisher and Paykel Appliances Auditorium
Sir Owen G Glenn Building, 12 Grafton Road, Auckland
- Lecture 1 Thursday 5 September
Discoveries of Extra-Solar Planets and the Search for Evidence of Extraterrestrial Life
Professor David Bennett
- Panel discussion Tuesday 10 September
Fundamental Questions on Life in the Universe
Chaired by Kim Hill, Radio New Zealand
Panellists : Professor Maria-Paz Zorzano Astrobiology Center of the National Institute of Aerospace Technology (INTA), Spain, and Luleå University of Technology, Norway; Dr Heather Hendrickson, Massey University; Dr Dan Hikuroa, University of Auckland; Professor Kathy Campbell, University of Auckland
- Lecture 2 Wednesday 11 September
Searching for Alien Life in the Solar System
Professor Maria-Paz Zorzano
- Lecture 3 Friday 13 September
Letting Life Happen: from Particles to People
Professor Richard Easther, University of Auckland
Click here for more information and here to see the poster.
2019 BARTRUM LECTURE
Unearthing the past to foretell the future: Coastal environments, sea-level rise and the Anthropocene
Colin D. Woodroffe – School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences, University of Wollongong, Australia
Location: MLT3 (303-101)
Date: Monday, September 23
Time: 5 pm, with drinks and nibbles to follow in 302 6th floor break out space
About the lecturer
Professor Colin Woodroffe is a coastal geomorphologist with research interests in the morphology, stratigraphy and sedimentary dynamics of coasts. He is Chair of the International Geographical Union’s Commission on Coastal Systems. He was a Lead Author on Chapter 6, Coasts and low-lying areas (working group 2) of the Fourth Assessment report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in 2007, for which the IPCC was jointly awarded the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize (together with Al Gore). He has served on the Scientific Steering Committee of the Land-Ocean Interactions in the Coastal Zone (LOICZ) core project of IGBP.
Click here for more information.
GRADUATION CEREMONIES – Spring 2019
The 2019 Spring Graduation ceremonies will take place at the Aotea Centre on Tuesday 24 September. The ceremonies will be preceded by a street procession, when members of Council, staff and graduands, will walk from the Pavilion at Old Government House to the venue.
Assembly for Council and staff for the street procession is at 9am in the members’ lounge of Old Government House. The street procession departs from Bowen Avenue via the University gates at 9.30am. Regalia must be worn during the procession. Any changes regarding the procession will be communicated to all staff and students at the earliest possible time. You are invited to take refreshments in the Waitākere Rooms before the ceremony. To participate in the graduation ceremonies you will need to register your attendance online. Click here to log in and complete the registration form. Please note: if you do not register, there will be no available seating for you on stage. You must register by 6 September.
Each faculty has an assigned ‘agent’ to help you if you have trouble registering – for example you cannot register from outside the university. Please contact the agent for Faculty of Science: Brittany Bennenbroek:b.bennenbroek@auckland.ac.nz. Instructions for staff participating are available on the Graduation section of the staff intranet
- 9:30am – Procession (assemble at 9:00am)
- 10:30am – Faculty of Science Graduation Ceremony
Māori Graduation Celebration Spring 2019
All Spring Māori Graduates, their Whānau, and all staff are invited to share in the success of our Māori tauira by attendng our Spring Māori Graduation Celebration.
To RSVP, please email Sarai McKay (sarai.mckay@auckland.ac.nz ).
Travel Insurance revoked for travel to Hong Kong
We have been notified by our travel insurance provider Allianz that they have revoked comprehensive travel insurance cover for travel to Hong Kong due to current unrest in that location.
This notification affects all travellers covered under the University Travel insurance policy (including staff, students, consultants, contractors, visitors) who booked their travel after 6th August 2019 and have Hong Kong as a final and/or transit destination. This is applicable for both University and UniServices activities.
All affected travellers will be contacted by Orbit to discuss their itineraries and work through appropriate measures to either re-route or cancel. We have posted this information on the staff intranet and I will also include it in my update next week.
If you have any questions regarding this information, please contact the Risk Office at riskoffice@auckland.ac.nz.
Risk Office| Finance
PG Exposure competition deadline has been extended
The School of Graduate Studies has advised that the deadline for registrations for the 2019 postgraduate Exposure competition has been extended.
Exposure, the University’s biggest postgrad research expo and competition is now accepting registrations until 2 September! Huge prizes are available, plus the opportunity to polish your academic presentation skills, build valuable networks and gain exposure for your research.
Click here for more details.
Women in Earth and Environmental Science Australasia Database (WOMEESA)
WOMEESA are developing a database of women who work in Earth, Environmental and Atmospheric Science in Australasia. The aim of the database is to provide a resource for people who are looking for women in our disciplines to speak at conferences, apply for jobs, work with media outlets on science stories etc. If you would like to be included in the database please take a few minutes to fill out your details in our form.
Why are we doing this? Have you had the experience of turning up to a conference and finding that there are very few (or no) women speakers? Or have you noticed that most of the new hires within your organisation are men. When we’ve asked conference organisers or management why there is such a huge gender imbalance they have said that they had tried but they simply could not find the women. We want to eliminate this excuse and make an online, searchable database where every woman working in our discipline can easily be found.
In this initial stage we are collecting responses from women to populate the database. After this we will create the online database that will be searchable by location, discipline, and keyword. Once this database is implemented you will be able to log on and update your details as required (we will let all participants know once this has been implemented). Finally, we will publicise this database widely, to media organisations, to science communicators, and to every EAE organisation in Australasia, to ensure that everyone knows where to find us.
The WOMEESA committee
Important reminder from Facilities
Please hand back all keys to the Facilities team when you have finished your studies or no longer use the lab or office.
It is important that we remove your name from the key or keys that are assigned to you. This is a security and safety measures that we take to ensure that only people with permission can enter into a lab or room. Returning the keys for reuse also keeps us in line with the University’s sustainability commitments.
The Facilities team is located in building 302 level 6 reception.
We thank you for your cooperation.
Volcanology, Geochemistry, & Petrology Research Group
The volcanology, geochemistry, & petrology research group (VGP) meets every other week during the semester. We have a great line up for the second half of the semester including two recently finished students Ben Simons and Alex Davidson and four current students Jeff Lang, Daniel Bertin, Alec Wild, and Kate Cocker. We will also be hosting two (maybe three!) out of town guests.
Our next meeting will be on 19 September from 12 to 1 in 302-130. For more information, please see our website: vgp.blogs.auckland.ac.nz See you soon!
Improvements to the Travel Purchase Order Request Process
The Shared Transaction Centre (STC), Procurement and Central Finance team have implemented some changes to improve the travel purchase order process.
Following are the main changes:
For staff:
- New digital PO Travel request form
- New Orbit email with improved messaging and a link straight to the new digital form located on the intranet portal page
- New Orbit Confirmation document replacing the preliminary itinerary which will be used to attach to the new Travel PO request form
- Prior approval must be obtained from your line manager before booking travel by completing the Faculty of Science staff travel approval request form
- Automatic production of Purchase Orders, as no secondary approval required
A reminder of the process:
- Prior to booking travel, continue to obtain approval from your line manager as per current process
- If travel is funded by your research grant, you will also need to obtain prior approval from your Research Programme Coordinator (RPC) as you will need to enter their Username on the approval form
- Book your travel using the Orbit Travel Portal or an Orbit Travel Consultant (details on the Travel and accommodation page on the Staff Intranet)
- Orbit will send you an email containing a link to the new digital Purchase Order Request form as well as an order confirmation document
- From the Order Confirmation, check all travel itinerary details are correct including the name on the travel booking matches the name on the passport
- Open the link received on the email with your order confirmation document. Complete the digital Purchase Order Request form and attach your order confirmation document (no other documentation required)
- Press submit. Once submitted your request goes directly to the Shared Transaction Centre for processing. No further approvals are required
- If any changes to your travel are needed, contact Orbit as you currently would and repeat step 6 and 7 above.
If you have any queries or would like your GSC to raise the Travel PO please contact your GSC. For more information on the changes and updates visit the intranet.
For students:
- New digital PO Travel request form
- New Orbit email with improved messaging and a link straight to the new digital form located on the intranet portal page
- New Orbit Confirmation document replacing the preliminary itinerary which will be used to attach to the new Travel PO request form
- Prior approval must be obtained from your Supervisor before booking travel by completing the Faculty of Science student travel approval request form
- Automatic production of Purchase Orders, as no secondary approval required
A reminder of the process:
- Prior to booking travel, continue to obtain approval from your Supervisor as per current process
- Book your travel using the Orbit Travel Portal or an Orbit Travel Consultant (details on the Travel and accommodation page on the Staff Intranet)
- Orbit will send you an email containing a link to the new digital Purchase Order Request form as well as an order confirmation document
- From the Order Confirmation, check all travel itinerary details are correct including the name on the travel booking matches the name on the passport
- Open the link received on the email with your order confirmation document. Complete the digital Purchase Order Request form and attach your order confirmation document (no other documentation required)
- Press submit. Once submitted your request goes directly to the Shared Transaction Centre for processing.
- If any changes to your travel are needed, contact Orbit as you currently would and repeat step 5 and 6 above.
If you have any queries please contact your Group Services Administrator (GSA).
Rangahau – Research
Redesigning the research section of the website
The Faculty is migrating the research section of the website to a new site and the website is being redesigned. It is also a good opportunity for us to check that we still identify ourselves with the present structure and to request changes. The new pages have been prepared and follow the existing division into researcher areas. Please check this file and get back to Giovanni (g.coco@auckland.ac.nz) for requests of change (which will then need to be discussed). Please check that the key research projects listed on each page are still valid.
If you wanted to see how the website will look like, feel free to check the maths research section https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/science/about-the-faculty/department-of-mathematics/mathematics-research.html. They have less pages than SoE but the layout is essentially the same and the links go to similar places; find a supervisor goes to Findathesis, Take 10 goes to Take 10 etc…
Please send your comments and requests for change by September 10 (hard deadline).
FindaThesis
For those of you looking for a nice way to spend your break- consider creating or updating your FindaThesis page. It has been pointed out that only 2 staff members are currently on FindaThesis. FindaThesis is a centralized searchable database for students to find Masters and PhD supervisors/projects. The FindaThesis website was introduced in 2015 to centralise project searches for prospective students who do not always know which academic unit a topic or project can be found in. FindaThesis is particularly useful for international students as it is much easier to direct these prospective students (and agents) to a single, central webpage to view opportunities and projects.
Students coming to the FindaThesis website can browse projects or supervisors in their subject, can search for projects or supervisors using keywords, or can search for specific supervisors by name.
To get access to FindaThesis please submit a request form:
https://www.forms.auckland.ac.nz/en/staff/school-of-graduate-studies/findathesis-access-request.html
Click here to see Staff User Guide and here to see Setting Up Finda Thesis.
Meetings, seminars and events
Postgraduate Research Showcase: Save the Date – October 3rd
The annual Postgraduate Research Showcase is on October 3rd in the Fale. This is an important event for our postgraduate students, please try to make the time to attend. This is an all day event with oral presentations by PhD students across all disciplines during the day and posters by our Honours and Masters students at midday. Tea and Lunch are provided with drinks and nibbles back at the 6th floor of 302 following the event. A full schedule is coming shortly.
PhD students, if you are in your 3rd or 2nd year (priority to 3rd year students), please send Michael Rowe (michael.rowe@auckland.ac.nz) a title by September 6th and he will get you into the schedule.
Vision Mātauranga Workshops
These sessions are provided by Kaiarahi Geremy Hema from UniServices and will cover:
- What VM seeks to achieve (beyond the words of the policy, advancement and protection of Mātauranga Māori)
- Engagement best practice
- Iwi expectations
The 2 hour programme will include:
- A one hour presentation
- 30 minutes Q&A
- Time to meet and greet other colleagues and the UniServices team
- There will be time at the end of these sessions to meet other researchers and university staff
- Refreshment will be provided
Please register for a session on one of the links below:
Commercialisation Workshops
UniServices are hosting interactive half-day workshops, developed to help you transform your idea into a new and exciting venture. Bring along your research idea and UniServices advisors will help you develop the value proposition and commercialisation strategy.
Why should you come?
- You will learn what UniServices Commercialisation, Return on Science and The University of Auckland Inventors Fund can do for you.
- You will have the opportunity to talk to well-networked industry advisors and gain their insight on the opportunities for your idea.
- We will help you develop a business plan.
- We will work with you to identify the potential commercial value, intellectual property protection, research impact, target customers, and funding sources available to progress your ideas.
- You will receive a professional review of your idea from UniServices
Click here for more information and to register.
Dendroprovenancing in New Zealand: can we identify the forest areas where kauri was sourced from?
Gretel Boswijk and Anthony Fowler
Tuesday 17 September
Building 302, Room 551, Ontology Lab – 4.00pm to 5.30pm
Click here to see NZGS newsletter for more details.
ENV Staff Research Forum – Philanthropic Funding: how does it work?
Thursday 26 September 2019 12.00-2.00 pm
OGH, Federation of Graduate Women’s Suite (lunch provided at 1pm in the VC’s Suite)
Please come and join the second Research Forum of the School of Environment.
The Rangahau committee will host a 2-hour Strategic Research Forum on Thursday 26 September. We have invited two speakers to discuss philanthropic funding opportunities and how to shape research funding proposals.
- Kim Collins, Project Manager for Gulf Innovation Fund Together (GIFT), Foundation North. Originally from Palmerston North, Kim attended secondary school in Auckland and has been a resident of Waiheke Island since 2004. Her academic background is in psychology and sociology where she developed an interest in supporting and inspiring positive community change. Through roles in Local Government and the not for profit sector Kim has over 15 years’ experience in grant making and working with community organisations. Through her work at Foundation North Kim has developed a strong passion for the environment and wants to help create a better planet for future generations.
- Anastasia Papadakis, Development Manager, Alumni Relations and Development. Anastasia is based in the Faculty of Science and plays a bridging role in profiling the University of Auckland to philanthropic funders and ensuring that Faculty of Science researchers are aware of philanthropic priorities and research opportunities. Anastasia plans to focus the presentation on the importance of pitching research ideas to donors interests.
Please RSVP here for catering purposes by Friday 13 September. Please send your apologies to Samantha (Samantha.huang@auckland.ac.nz).
MBIE Endeavour Fund Roadshow Series 2020
The MBIE roadshow will be in Auckland on 15 and 16 October with the presentation at the University of Auckland on October 16th from 9-11:00am
This is your opportunity to find out what you need to know before applying for funding. Come a long and learn more about the Endeavour Fund including:
- Feedback from 2019 round
- Impact categories (Protect and Add Value & Transform)
- Investment signals
- Assessment process
- Eligibility criteria
- Funding available
There is no charge for the Roadshows, but places are limited so you must register here
School of Environment Research Awards Function
12 November, 11-1 pm, 302-140
Please book your calendar to attend the School of Environment Research Awards Function. A great opportunity to learn about the work and achievements of our colleagues and students. More information will follow soon.
Contact: melanie.kah@auckland.ac.nz
Funding Opportunities
WUN RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT FUND (RDF)
The RDF provides grants of up to £10,000, for one year, to augment institutional funds in fostering research collaborations among academic staff (faculty members) at partner universities. The RDF supports work across four WUN Global Challenges that lie at the heart of their mission: Responding to Climate Change, Public Health (non-communicable diseases), Global Higher Education and Research, and Understanding Cultures.
Grants from the RDF are intended to help stimulate larger collaborative projects that will strengthen WUN and make the collaborating partners competitive for major awards. Funds may be used to support such things as exploratory research initiatives, planning workshops, faculty exchanges and the formation of collaborative networks.
Further information (guidelines/proposal form/application process) can be located on the Networks-related funding page
Closing date: Monday 2 September – noon
Pacific Development and Conservation Trust
The trust supports sustainable development and supports grants for a range of conservation, cultural heritage, development and goodwill projects and activities in the Pacific.
The objectives of the Trust shall be to encourage and promote:
- the enhancement protection and conservation of the physical environment of the Pacific and of its natural and historic resources;
- the peaceful economic, physical, and social, development of the Pacific and of its peoples;
- the peaceful conservation and development of the cultural heritage of the peoples of the Pacific;
- peace understanding and good-will between the peoples of the Pacific.
Further information can be found here.
Grants range from $2,000 – $50,000
Application deadline: 5pm, Monday 16 September 2019
Auckland Museum Future Tāmaki Research Partnerships
Auckland Museum is looking for research partnerships to collaborate in the development of research-driven participatory visitor experiences that are focused on engaging the public in relevant science, research and technology for Future Tāmaki, an exhibition about the future of Tāmaki Makaurau.
Auckland Museum wants to work with researchers to develop a range of opportunities to facilitate public engagement with current research in Future Tāmaki. We are looking for research topics that are relevant to the future of Auckland, and that will make compelling, interesting, and provocative experiences for visitors to the Museum. The intent of the EOI process is to identify research topics that have potential for public engagement and dialogue. We are not looking for comprehensive or fully resolved solutions. The researchers with the successful proposals will work alongside the Auckland Museum project team to develop the research partnership elements of the exhibition.
Please see the documentation – an information pack and the EoI form. Note that the deadline for submission is 30th September 2019.
If you have any questions, please do get in touch with myself.
Faith Welch | faith.welch@auckland.ac.nz
Office of Research Strategy and Integrity
Dumont d’Urville’s call for applications
Dumont d’Urville’s call for applications for projects starting in 2020 is now open until October 17, 2019. The programme aims at fostering new partnerships between France and New Zealand, and developing science and technology exchanges between research laboratories of excellence. Follow link here for more info.
To apply for Dumont D’Urville project funding, applicants need to apply via the RSNZ under the Catalyst seeding process.
RSNZ Catalyst Leaders and Catalyst Seeding
This Catalyst Leaders round is to support excellent PhD students and/or young researchers to attend the HOPE meetings with Nobel Laureates in Japan in 2020.
The Catalyst Seeding round funds new small and medium pre-research strategic partnerships that cannot be supported through other means under three programmes:
- Seeding General ($80,000 in total for up to two years);
- Dumont d’Urville NZ-France Science & Technology Support Programme ($80,000 in total for up to two years);
- NZ – Japan Joint Research Project ($ 30,000 per year for up to two years)
Application due to Research Programme Coordinator and Funds & Submissions by 5pm Tuesday 8 October 2019.
Information on Catalyst Funds and Leaders guidelines and Seeding guidelines here.
New publications
Emma Sharp has an updated publication
Sharp EL (2019) (ed) Editorial: The Role of Reflexivity in Care-full Food Systems Transformations. Policy Futures in Education – Special Issue: Eating in the Anthropocene.
Ako – Teaching and Learning
Talking Teaching Submission deadline extended to 25 August
Talking Teaching is run by the Ako Aotearoa Tertairy Teaching Excellence Academy. The conference showcases excellent teaching practice from teachers across the tertiary sector. It will be held in Auckland this year at Unitec, on Non 28 & 29, with the conference dinner at our Fale. It is very reasonably priced at $250.00.
The theme this year is: Diverse Learners, Inclusive Teaching.
Registrations are open now and abstract submissions is extended to Aug 25. All presentation formats are accepted – see their huge range of suggestions when you enter the website.
Very worthwhile for getting great teaching tips and ideas and networking with innovative tertiary teachers.
Click here for more information.
The flipped classroom: How flipping good is it really?
Date: Wednesday 2nd October
Time: 10-12
Venue: 302-140
The Ako Innovation Committee invites you to its latest workshop: The flipped classroom: How flipping good is it really?
Join our flipped classroom to explore the do’s, don’ts and challenges of the flipped classroom. We use a flipped environment to learn how to flip a classroom and to explore:
How can we rethink space and time in our classrooms?
Do flipped classrooms lead to better learning outcomes?
Do students like flipped classrooms?
What are the challenges of implementing a flipped classroom?
Classifieds
Job vacancy:
Geology/Geophysics Internship with Todd Energy
EnergyTodd Energy is offering the opportunity for a Geology and/or Geophysics student to join our Exploration team in our New Plymouth office for an internship position over the 2019/2020 summer holidays. The position is suitable for a post-graduate student or MSc student with high academic achievements. The position runs from November-February for approximately 12 weeks (start and finish dates negotiable) and offers students the chance to gain professional experience within the geoscience department of a large New Zealand based Energy Company.
Please email your CV, academic transcript and a covering letter to Sheree Long at EnergySkills NZ sheree.long@energyskills.co.nz by 10 September 2019.
Click here for more information.
Copy deadline for next edition of P-cubed: Friday 12:00 13th September, to Samantha: samantha.huang@auckland.ac.nz