Issue 55 – Monday 10th May 2021
Contents
HeadSup
Soon after JR asked me whether I would step ‘into her shoes’ for the rest of 2021, I found myself walking the Milford Track and pondering what I had agreed to. I began to wonder if I wouldn’t make a better Head of School of Acting than Acting Head of School. I had, after all, done a course in Theatre Sports in my earlier years. ‘Who, me?’ was the echoing question as I walked up MacKinnon Pass.
Maybe a dose of imposter syndrome is a good thing. Indeed, it’s probably better that we are afflicted by a little of this malaise than its opposite: confidence to the point of arrogance. But maybe along with accepting the ‘who, me?’ voice within, we also need to step outside our comfort zones a little more. This is in fact what is happening across the School as a number of our community are taking up new roles and leadership opportunities.
When I was among the Ngā ahurei hou /new Fellows welcomed last week at the Te Apārangi/Royal Society of NZ, we were all given a copy of a little book titled ‘Aroha’ by Hinemoa Elder. In the pages within, she reflects on and interprets a whakataukī (proverbial saying) for each of the 52 weeks of the year. With the Head of School role still sinking in, I opened the book on the flight home and the first saying was Tūwhitia te hopo (feel the fear and do it anyway). Serendipity perhaps.
More broadly, we live in anxious times. Covid, climate crisis and other environmental uncertainties. Yet, perhaps in these times, these external stressors invite us all the more to overcome our expressions of imposter syndrome and be more public in our views.
Scientists have a tendency to feel most comfortable speaking about their specialist expertise. This is understandable. But perhaps there is scope to offer wisdom and insight on a wider range of issues; to speak more passionately of, and for, the environments that concern us. Perhaps 2021 can be the year of us all being a little bolder, inspired by Taumata Teitei and its vision of us contributing ‘to fair, ethical and sustainable societies’. While a strategic plan isn’t everyone’s idea of compelling reading, we will need to consider its contents this year as we boldly look at the future of our School and the environments that surround and concern us all.
I am grateful for JR ‘laying down the wero’ and offering me this role for the rest of 2021. I look forward to taking up the challenge: listening, engaging in korero and more closely understanding the vantage points you all bring to the School.
Robin Kearns
Whakawhanaugatanga – Communities
NCEA Level 1 – Geography Subject Expert Group
Congratulations Karen Fisher who has been invited by the Ministry of Education to join the Geography Subject Expert Group reviewing NCEA Level 1.
The Complications of Crowdfunding w/ Dr. Tom Baker
In a recent study, it was found when it comes to crowdfunding campaigns, not only is a large amount of pressure place on those fundraising for medical purposes, but there are also certain biasies which can determine how successful campaign is.
To understand why people campaign, what makes a good campaign, and what some of the stresses are, James from 95b FM talks to Dr. Tom Baker, one of the authors of the study about what was found.
To listen to Dr. Tom Bakers interview on 95bFM, click here
To listen to Dr. Tom Bakers RNZ Nine to Noon talk, click here
Seminar & Events
Coastal Group Meeting/Seminar
The next Coastal Group meeting/seminar will be held on Monday May 10th at 12:00 to 1:00 pm in the Coastal Lab. News will be shared and a talk given from PhD students Ben Collings, Ben Jones, Gaoyang Li, and Lovleen Chowdhury: “Predicting coastal hazards on New Zealand/Aotearoa’s coast: Reflections from the MBIE/Maxar Geospatial Hackathon”
All welcome to attend – please email Emma Ryan at e.ryan@auckland.ac.nz if you wish to attend and don’t have the calendar invite already.
 |
PhD Student Forum
 |
A Roundtable Korero on Qualitative Methods in Postgraduate Research with Dr Alasdair Jones.
Wednesday 12th May, 302-586, 12noon-1pm
Alasdair Jones has degrees in both Geography and Sociology. He is an Associate Professor in Qualitative Research Methodology at LSE (London School of Economics) and Senior Research Fellow at the Public Policy Institute (University of Auckland).
Alasdair is keen to meet postgrads in the School whose research is including qualitative methods. This ‘round table’ will be an informal conversational opportunity to discuss opportunities, challenges and work-arounds through the field research and analysis stages. Feel free to bring your lunch and any research conundrums. Or just one (lunch or a conundrum). Or neither and just be there for the conversation.
Queries: Robin Kearns r.kearns@auckland.ac.nz
RTEA – School of Environment Dodgeball Tournament
 |
Auckland’s Repeating Water Crisis: “Keep Calm and Carry On” or “Panic and Repeat”?
Auckland’s 2020 water crisis was the latest in a long series of similar events, and only 26 years after the last in 1994 (after which we supposedly adopted a 1-in-200 year drought standard). I will briefly outline the history of urban water resource planning in Auckland as being reactive to these crises. It appears that lessons have repeatedly been learnt, but then repeatedly forgotten after a few benign years. I will argue that the latest crisis was triggered by a drought that was much less significant than the design threshold. If so, then what are the prospects for a secure water supply as the region dries and the climate become more extreme?
 |
Date: Tuesday 18th May 2021
Time: 4:00pm – 5:30pm
Venue: 23 Symonds Street, Building 302-Ontology Lab, Level 5, Science Centre
H&S: Out of consideration for others, please do not attend if you are unwell.
RTEA – School of Environment Pub Quiz
“TWO GEO-PHOTOGRAPHERS: Joseph Divis and Lloyd Homer”- an illustrated talk by Simon Nathan
Date: 25 May 2021
Time: Arrive 5:30pm for networking, Tapas, finger food and light refreshments. Talk starts 6:00pm.
Venue: Astor Tapas Bar and Eatery, Shop 6/145 Quay Street, Shed 23 Princes Wharf, (before you reach the Hilton on harbour bridge side), Auckland CBD, Walking distance from ferry or Britomart
RSVP: For catering purposes, RSVP your intention to attend by email to ktstanaway@xtra.co.nz and OR vhbull@tenements.co.nz
H&S: Out of consideration for others, please do not attend if you are unwell.
Dinner 7pm at your own cost at the restaurant
Joseph Divis and Lloyd Homer both photographed aspects of New Zealand’s landscape and mining history. Divis was a working miner from 1909-39. Photography was his hobby, and he recorded life in mining towns where he lived, particularly Waiuta and Waihi. Homer worked for the NZ Geological Survey in the late 20th century, specializing in aerial photography before the days of drones and satellites. The work of these two photographers is now a valuable heritage resource, recording both the natural environment and the nature of past mining.
 |
Simon Nathan has produced books illustrating the work of both photographers. He will have copies of the book about Lloyd Homer for sale on the night ($30 cash per book).
School of Environment Graduation Lunch – 2021 Winter Graduation
Dear staff and graduands,
You and your guests are cordially invited to attend the School of Environment Graduation Lunch on Wednesday 2 June. Please register here by Wednesday 19 May for catering purpose.
 |
Master Student Research Seminars
We will run a seminar series show-casing Masters thesis research on 9 June 20201 (9am to 3 pm Rm 303-130; lunch for presenting students & supervisors at noon in 4th floor tea room). The sessions will cover students who commenced thesis studies in semester 2 of last year. Each student will give a 10-minute oral presentation followed by 5 minutes of questions. This is designed to assist students with the direction their project is going in. Supervisors will be introducing their students. The topics will be grouped into disciplines allowing associated staff to attend and moderate the seminars. This is an on-campus event. It does not involve Zoom-style or digital presentations from off-campus sites.
Draft schedule:
Earth-Geology (Martin Brook chair) 9-11 am
Env Science (Luitgard chair) 11 am – 12 noon
Env Science & Management, Geog (Kevin Simon chair) 1-3 pm
Ako – Teaching & Learning
Course Schedule for 2022
This is another call for Course Coordinators to check their course scheduling for the 2022 timetable. Again, relevant documents to help you check your courses can be requested from Liana Ball, please also feel free to come and chat about your requests.
Please contact Liana as soon as possible with your timetabling information for your course in 2022.
The absolute deadline for data collection is Friday 21st May 2021 by 4pm – any change requests after this deadline are not guaranteed.
Rangahau – Research
Getting your research out to the public
Gilbert Wong and Anne Beston from the UoA Central Communications team can support academic staff and students to share insight, commentary and stories about their research.
Specifically, the team can help with commentary for Newsroom and The Conversation. The UoA has also launched Matataki|The Challenge to feature long form articles about research that responds to major societal issues. The team is happy to hear from academics, whether senior or emerging about their research.
Get in touch: anne.beston@auckland.ac.nz gilbert.wong@auckland.ac.nz
UoA Research Hub
UoA Research hub just relaunched with a new look and a much improved University-supported technical platform: this is the place to get support for your research, from accessing resources (e.g. facilities, software, computing) to improving your research impact or vision Mātauranga. Really worth checking it out! Welcome to the Research Hub
Faculty of Science Sustainable Future Theme Funding
We invite applications from members of the Faculty of Science for funding to support research projects and promoting sustainability. Funding of up to $5000 per project is available, with a particular focus on supporting collaborations across disciplines and outreach. Further details are available in the attached application form.
The Sustainable Future research theme exists to serve in the broadest sense the sustainability aspirations for research in the Faculty of Science. Anyone affiliated with the Faculty of Science is encouraged to participate in the theme and consider how sustainability can underpin their research.
Applications are due by 5pm, 21 May 2021.
Early Career Researcher Grant (ECRG)
The Early Career Researcher Grant consists of a $10,000 payment given to persons in the first five years of their postdoctoral research career.
The grant can be spent on travel, accommodation, consumables and care requirements, subject to AINSE discretion. For more information, click here.
 |
EQC Biennial Grants Programme 2022 – EOI
The Earthquake Commission (EQC) promotes and supports research in disaster risk reduction in New Zealand. Every two years, EQC’s Biennial Grants programme invites experienced and emerging researchers to submit proposals for public good research (available for public use).
Grant Value: $50,000-$70,000 is the preferred range, with a maximum of $100,000
Timeline:
• Applications open 1 June, at which point further information and application guidelines will be available on the EQC website.
• Internal Deadline for EOI submission is 10am, Tuesday 15 June 2021
Submission Process:
Register interest in this funding scheme by emailing submissions@auckland.ac.nz cc RPC/RPM.
Registered participants will be sent the confirmed EQC submission information once this has been released by EQC.
Further details of the funding scheme can be found on the funders website.
Catalyst: Seeding
• Catalyst: Seeding facilitates new small and medium pre-research strategic partnerships with international collaborators that cannot be supported through other means.
• Funding is for research exchanges, research activities, and expenses related to hosting workshops for new strategic research partnerships with international collaborators
Grant Value: A maximum of NZ $80,000 (excl. GST) in total is available per proposal for projects lasting up to two years.
Internal Deadline: 5pm Tuesday 6 July 2021.
Submission process: Please contact your RPC for submission details. See the funders website for further information.
Catalyst: Leaders Julius von Haast Fellowship Award
• Supports an internationally recognized researcher from Germany to undertake research in New Zealand for a minimum of 4 weeks per year, providing $50,000 per annum for 3 years.
• The Fellow must be a German national or permanent resident with an international reputation as an innovative researcher. He/she must be currently working within the German research/science sector and have been employed for no less than five years (in total) in public or private German research or academic institutions
Internal Deadline 5pm, Tuesday 6 July 2021.
Submission process: Please contact your RPC for submission details. See the funders website for further information.
New Publications
Neuwelt Kearns, C., Baker, T., Calder-Dawe, O., Bartos, A. E. and Wardell, S. (in press) Getting the crowd to care: Marketing illness for health-related crowdfunding in Aotearoa New Zealand. Environment and Planning A: Economy and Space.
Ryan, E.J., Morgan, K.M., Kench, P.S., Owen, S.D., Carvajal, C.P. and Turner, T. 2021 Fossil reefs reveal temporally distinct late Holocene lagoonal reef shutdown episodes in the central Pacific, Geophysical Research Letters, 48, http://dx.doi.org/10.1029/2020GL092113
Rowe, M.C., Carey, R.J., White, J.D.L, Kilgour, G., Hughes, E., Ellis, B., Rosseel, J.-B., Segovia, A. 2021. Tarawera 1886: an integrated review of volcanological and geochemical characteristics of a complex basaltic eruption. New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00288306.2021.1914118.
Environment IT Committee Updates
Software for teaching in 2021
This is only for software needed for teaching (labs. and FlexIT).
Last September, IT asked us to send software requests for 2021. If you need anything beyond what you have requested back then, please contact me ASAP (say, Wed., 20 Jan., COB). I will compile a list via the IT Committee, hoping IT can accommodate late requests.
Please provide as much information as possible from the list below:
| Requester Name |
| Requester Username |
| Faculty |
| Software Vendor |
| Software Name |
| Software Version |
| Course Name |
| Lab Location(s) |
| Teaching Week Required |
| Comments\Customisations\Modules etc |
| Tester Installation |
| Source Files Location |
| *FlexIT? |
| License Owned |
*Please be ready for another lockdown…
Even if it is the same software as last year, IT need to know – software will not be carried over from last year. IT needs more time than in previous years to make sure software works off FlexIT.
Thank you, Ingo
More Information
Need to store and share research data? Request Research storage or UoA Dropbox for research
Queries about virtual machines? Virtual machine consult or Nectar Research Cloud?
ResearchHub: connects people, resources, and services -research-hub.auckland.ac.nz
Remote working issues: Please refer to the remote working page. If you do not find the answers to your questions, please log a call on the IT Portal for any IT-related issues or contact the Staff Service Centre for other queries.
Two-factor Authentication : Authy
https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/about-us/about-the-university/identity-and-access-management/two-factor-authentication/download-authy-for-desktops.html
YubiKeys work but of course require a USB port.
VPN: Instructions on how to install
VPN, Linux: FortiClient is running fine on Linux. Check the VPN link listed above.
VPN, Mac desktops: (information from April, may be outdated). Students may need IT to make their machines mobile and install FortiClient directly from the website. They will also need to set-up two-factor authentication by downloading an app like “Authy” on their phones and then setting up their University of Auckland account. I suggest people do this part before IT gets to them to make the process faster. To do that, they can use the instructions on this page:
To get a mobile account set up, log a service request or go to one of the service kiosks. It is unclear how this is being done remotely but I am sure this can be done. Please let me Ingo (i.pecher@auckland.ac.nz) know if you have managed to install FortiClient on their macs remotely.
FlexIT and Remote Access
FlexIT is straight-forward for remote access to computing power and programs. Alternatively, check if your project/group or so has a virtual machine. Remote desktop access to specific machines can be set up by IT but may note be reliable. Check the Staff Service Center https://uoaprod.service-now.com/sp.
Remote access is possible to some workstations in the geocomputational lab for research, and on a needs basis. This may be a viable solution for specialized data analysis. Please look into alternatives: It is unclear however, if/how on-site desktops can be maintained, if needed..
FlexIT access and requests: Use the FlexIT form in the IT Portal to request access as a staff member, to ask for an application be added, or to report any issues or faults.
FlexIT, Linux: Please check FlexIT link: https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/my-tools/flex-it.html. It does not have any information on Linux but should be useful for “translation”.
Depending on your browser (in particular, Firefox), you also need to do the following, from https://communities.vmware.com/thread/595554.
“…tested with the Horizon 4.8.x and 4.10.x clients and Firefox v64.0. Both are 64bit versions, running on Ubuntu 18.04.1
Download the client from the VMWare Horizon Client for 64-bit Linux
In Firefox, open about:config and click through the warning.
Add a new boolean entry called network.protocol-handler.expose.vmware-view and set the value to false
Create a file called `test.html` somewhere on your computer and put the following in it: test
Open the file in Firefox and click on the link, which should prompt you for a path to open the link.
Select /usr/bin/vmware-view and it should work for future uses! “
(1) was provided by UoA but I think it works with generic software from VMWare as well.
Check with Ingo (i.pecher@auckland.ac.nz) if you run into problems.
Software licenses: Software vendors have relaxed their licensing to allow students to install software at home, rather than relying on Flex IT. There is a running list here https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/my-tools/flex-it/install-software.html
Please email content to P-cubed-content for next edition of P-cubed by Friday