Issue 79 – Monday 20th June 2022
Contents
HeadsUp
Interviewing candidates for an academic position always feels momentous. One will ultimately be a new colleague, bringing new ideas and energy to the School. This week we have four shortlisted candidates for the GISCi Lectureship based in four countries/time zones who will meet with us over the course of a four-day week. It’s been a complicated almost 4-D scheduling equation and I’m very grateful for Patricia’s patience and guidance getting it all sorted out. Please tune in amid your exam marking and hear what they have to say in their seminars.
And then, on Friday, we break with the work week and honour Matariki for the first time. After a week of meetings with and hearing from stars in their fields, I eagerly anticipate looking up to fields of celestial stars (weather permitting). Here on the motu, a guided stargazing walk at 5am starts the day and will continue with various activities including learning raranga (weaving) and rongoa (plant-based medicine). May we all find ways to engage with the spirit of this new holiday that surely speaks to our environmental concerns more so than any other on the calendar….
A few notable notes:
Equity Committee is short of two members. Please be in touch if you can spare a little more of your 20% service FTE for a very important committee.
And congratulations to
Joe Fagan for acceptance into the EdD programme.
Karen Fisher and Nick Lewis for jointly being awarded the Distinguished Service award by the NZ Geographical Society
Rachael Boswell for being awarded the Year’s Best PhD Award by the NZ Geographical Society for he thesis “Play, politics and the production of space: DIY urbanism in post-earthquake Christchurch”
Have a great week! Robin
General Announcements
Call for PG research students: would you like a little hand to help with your research?
Survey deadline: Tuesday 21 June
The School is going to distribute small awards to motivated undergraduate students so they give a hand and shadow a researcher (Hons/Master/PhD students etc.) for a period equivalent to 2 weeks. The work can be carried out as a single block or spread over a longer period that suits the research. The idea is to match these UG students with PG researchers in a way that will maximize mutual benefits.
As a researcher: you will get an extra pair of hands (and a brain!) to do something that helps you and your research + you get an experience (and a line in your CV) about mentoring earlier career colleagues.
The UG student gets paid for their work (we are covering this) and their research experience with you will hopefully inspire them to do research with us in the future. It is OK to give them “boring tasks” in the field, lab or desk-based, as long as you spend some time with them to explain why they do it and to share your experience as a researcher.
Whether you are interested or not, I would really appreciate if you complete the following survey by Tuesday 21st June. It will take 5 minutes max.
Any questions, feel free to contact me (melanie.kah@auckland.ac.nz)
Thank you for your support!
New Zealand Geographical Society (NZGS) Auckland Branch
Here is the NZGS June newsletter and read about the next meeting on Tuesday 21 June, Building 302, Room 551 Ontology Lab – 4.00pm to 5.30pm
Auckland Dialogues – Speaker: Tom Baker
Innovatory urban governance: A research agenda
As ‘governance innovation’ is embraced as an imperative to address urban policy challenges, many cities are adopting novel governance arrangements, institutions, and mechanisms. Yet, innovatory urban governance—a distinctive set of urban governance practices and heterogeneous political project—is not well understood within critical urban scholarship. Stemming from a collaborative research project with Pauline McGuirk, Robyn Dowling, Sophia Maalsen and Alistair Sisson, this paper argues for such recognition and suggests engagement with public sector innovation literatures as a productive way forward. We build from this engagement to suggest a critical urban geography research agenda to drive systematic analysis of innovatory urban governance, its heterogeneous formation, politics and possibilities.
Travel and carbon emissions
Colleagues,
Many of you are working through travel requests.
As you will be aware the sustainability strategy and the Net Carbon Zero strategy will be open for consultation in July/august. Both clearly identify that we need to reduce our air travel. The proposal to consultation is a 50% reduction by 2030. This document provides the carbon cost for some return flights to Europe US, Asia and Australia to help with staff travel conversations. I am happy for you to share this further.
Regards,
Gillian Lewis, AD Sustainability
Extension of expiry date – RDA and HOD accounts
Message from Nicholas Kearns, ORSI: In recognition of the need to reinvigorate research activity following protracted COVID-19 disruptions, the DVC(R) has agreed to extend the expiry date to 31 December 2023 for 50% of any residual balances in Research Development Accounts (RDAs) and/or Head of Department (HOD) accounts currently due to expire in 2022 (or before). Updates will be made to the RDA Policy, Expiry of HoD Accounts Policy and the RDA/HoD Accounts Dashboards in Strategic Management Reports (SMR) to reflect the above.
Whakawhanaungatanga – Communities
Faculty and School/Department Research Centres
A call for proposals is about to open for Faculty and School/Department Research Centres. This Faculty process follows on from the University-level process initiated last year to support the establishment and development of flagship University Research Centres.
There will be a two-stage process. Applicants should complete the EOI Form and submit to FoS-researchadmin@auckland.ac.nz by 5.00 pm on 1st July 2022. Full proposals will be due on Wednesday 31st August. See the RFP for a more comprehensive process timeline.
For questions, please contact Wendy on FoS-researchadmin@auckland.ac.nz.
Kia Ora Disaster Researchers!
Welcome to the Disastrous Doctorates 2022 has a new date! The DD2022 symposium is rescheduled for 11-13 July. It will be hosted by The University of Auckland in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. At this time, this conference is moving forward with in-person attendance.
Please follow us on Twitter and Facebook for the most up-to-date information.
Disastrous Doctorates is an annual multi-day symposium for PhD students enrolled at a New Zealand university who are directly studying disaster-related topics. It is organized by PhD students for PhD students. The symposium provides a forum for students to network and learn from each other and subject experts, share best practices and learn helpful tips on managing a PhD career and beyond. We welcome students from across the full range of disciplines, including social sciences, engineering, geology, geography, and law.
Please register on the link below;
Official Registration Form – Disastrous Doctorates (wordpress.com)
Honours Research Projects and sub-90 points Masters dissertations
Dear colleagues,
Thank you to everyone who supervised and/or examined Honours Research projects and sub-90-point Masters projects/dissertations in 2021. Your time and effort in supervising students and/or examining projects in what was a disrupted year, protracted by deadline extensions, is greatly appreciated. The 2021 cohort should now be all finished and moving onto new things.
In 2022, we have students completing Honours and MENVSCI 30-point research projects, and Bachelor of Advanced Science 60-point dissertations, with submissions in Semester 1 (Monday 27 June) and Semester 2 (Monday 14 November).
For your diary:
S2 Honours, MENVSCI and BAdvSci Oral Presentations – Wednesday 26 October. Time and venue to be confirmed.
These are on the same day as Masters presentations and every effort will be made to avoid clashes.
Finally, if you are supervising Honours/MENVSCI/BAdvSci students this year, please ensure their project is achievable within the one- or two-semester timeframe and that it can be completed under pandemic conditions. Please encourage your student(s) to meet the end-of-semester submission date too, even if Covid-19 extensions are again offered by the Faculty; it is helpful to the students, for getting grades back in time to go on to further study or work, and to those involved in the examination process if we can all stick to the schedule.
Kind regards
Gretel Boswijk, (Honours coordinator)
Funding
Auckland Museum Institute Postgraduate Scholarships
The 2022 round of Auckland Museum Institute Postgraduate Scholarships is currently open for applications.
EOI deadline 20 June 2022
Some general details on the scholarships. Open for Masters and PhD level students
- $5000 in value for up to 12 months of research
- First stage is just an Expression of Interest, to be made at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1zAsxDU60OWiBTkqglJ1xlBEVKanr30dkwAbB5iQJAa0/edit
- EoI due by the 20th of June
- More details about the scholarship and application process at https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/discover/research/opportunities/post-graduate-scholarships/ami-scholarship
Plastics Innovation Fund
***Application Deadline 20 June 2022***
The purpose of the Plastics Innovation Fund is to support projects that will minimise plastic waste and its harm on the environment. The fund is seeking to fund projects that find ways to use less plastic and make what we do use reusable or recyclable. It is targeted at projects that: minimise plastic waste; support circular solutions; protect the environment from harm; support the reduction of imported plastic; and improve the behaviour of people and businesses (up the waste hierarchy). For further information visit the funder website or refer the Funder guidelines. You can also view a One-hour webinar about the fund
Waka Kotahi Innovation Fund
Internal Deadline for application: 5pm Wednesday 22 June 2022.
Waka Kotahi Innovation Fund has been set up by Waka Kotahi (NZTA) to support the private sector to develop and accelerate innovative solutions that will help to solve some of New Zealand’s biggest transport challenges. Hoe ki angitū is only open to the private sector which includes: Start-ups, Iwi, Domestic and international companies, Community groups, Research institutions, and University groups. The funding available for round one of Hoe ki angitū is $3.5 million.
Email your title, full name, email address, faculty/department and the funder/scheme to the Funds Advisor Team via submissions@auckland.ac.nz to receive the application template.
The inaugural 2022 round for Waipapa Taumata Rau | the University of Auckland Research Impact Award is now open
Application deadline 30 June 2022
The Research Impact Award celebrates the transformative impacts of research and engagement. Individuals or small teams who have had an impact beyond academia in the last five years are welcome to apply.
This is a University of Auckland Research Committee (UARC) award, and there are up to five awards annually. Awards can be up to $10,000 in value and will support future impact and engagement activities.
Applications are to be submitted to your faculty contact (see application form for details) by the deadline of 30th June 2022.
The 2022 guidelines and application form are available from the ResearchHub page. Any questions related to the award can be directed to internalawards@auckland.ac.nz.
FoS New Staff Grant
Closing date for application submission is 30 June 2022
Eligible new staff will be able to apply for a New Staff grant of $20k.As we are transitioning to a new internal funding process, all new staff who have joined the Faculty since 1 January 2020 will be eligible to apply in 2022. Applications are now open and the closing date for submission is 30th June 2022. Full details, guidelines and the application form are available on the Faculty of Science Staff Intranet – New Staff Research Grant page.
Call for Applications: New Zealand-German Academic Exchange Programme
Applications will close on 30 June at 11:59 PM NZT.
Education New Zealand supports early-career researchers from New Zealand to collaborate on research projects in Germany. The call for the Programmes for Project-Related Personal Exchange (PPP) opened on 6 April 2022 (CET). You can find more information about the programme, application requirements, and the link to the application portal on the Education New Zealand Scholarships and Grants site. For any questions, please contact Jina Kim, International Networks Coordinator on jina.kim@auckland.ac.nz
Background information: New Zealand-German Academic Partnership Event recording of the event.
For more information on the PPP mobility scheme, including requirements for applicants, please follow: https://www.daad.org/en/ppp/
School of Environment DRDF funding call
Applications due 15 July 2022
The purpose of this fund is to increase the quality and international reach of our research output. It will support initiatives that produce tangible outcomes that are in line with the School strategic objectives and improve our future PBRF quality scores. The fund will be distributed in two contestable application rounds in March and July 2022.
You can apply for direct research costs up to $10,000 for a single applicant, and up to $15,000 for a group of applicants from the SoE.
Please refer to the attached Guidelines for DRDF applications for 2022 for further information or contact Katarzyna.sila-nowicka@auckland.ac.nz with any questions. Email your application using the attached application form to Katarzyna.sila-nowicka@auckland.ac.nz by 15 July 2022.
Scholarships for students to undertake research at the SoE
The Rangahau Committee coordinates the distribution of three new scholarships to support students in undertaking research in our School. If you know potential applicants or if you are a potential applicant, make sure you contact the people below. There is no strict deadline at this stage, but the earlier we hear from you, the better. Note that these scholarships are also advertised via other channels.
- Moana PG Research Scholarship: NZ$500-1000 (5-10 awards available) to support Pacific students to do research at the SoE at the post-grad level (Master or Hons). Contact Sonia Fonua s.fonua@auckland.ac.nz
- Māori PG Research Scholarship: NZ$500-1000 (5-10 awards available) to support Māori students to do research at the SoE at the post-grad level (Master or Hons). Contact Kimoro Taiepa kimoro.taiepa@auckland.ac.nz
- Undergrad Research Experience: NZ$800 (up to 10 awards available) for undergraduate students to shadow a researcher (Master/PhD student, research fellow etc.) for a period equivalent to 2 weeks (as a block or spread over a longer period that suits the research). Contact Melanie Kah melanie.kah@auckland.ac.nz
2023 MBIE Endeavour Fund Support Sessions
Details on the support for MBIE Endeavour Fund 2023 is available on the Research Hub. There are a number of other events and workshops on offer, details of which can be found on the Research Hub.
The Research Committee Funding available
This is for activities to benefit Postdocs and RFs and allow them to connect. To all those who fall into the following categories, we invite you to contact the new RF rep in the Rangahau/Research committee Joa Paredes-Mariño (for RFs/postdocs) joa.paredes.marino@auckland.ac.nz, for further information
– Postdocs/Research Fellows
– People conducting research on non-permanent contracts at the post-doctoral level
3k writing grant available for students
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 melanie.kah@auckland.ac.nz.
Funding for class meet and greets
The Student Experience Committee has limited funding available for class related activities. If you want to run a class event, online or otherwise (challenging given the current restrictions), and would benefit from some funds, please contact Joe (j.fagan@auckland.ac.nz). The Committee would prefer to fund several small events rather than one big one (but we are open to suggestions).
Health, Safety and Wellbeing
Publications
S. Bull, S. J. Watson, J. Hillman, H. E. Power, and L. J. Strachan (2022), “Landslide graveyard” holds clues to long-term tsunami trends, Eos, 103, https://doi.org/10.1029/2022EO220263.
Macnaughtan, M. T., Pecher, I. A., and Strachan, L. J. (2022) Sedimentary bottom simulating reflection muting — A new model of hydrate and fluid redistribution from the Pegasus Basin, New Zealand. Basin Research, 00, 1– 26. https://doi.org/10.1111/bre.12681
Zheng Chen, Melissa Bowen, Gaoyang Li, Giovanni Coco, Brendan Hall, Retention and dispersion of buoyant plastic debris in a well-mixed estuary from drifter observations, Marine Pollution Bulletin, Volume 180, 2022, 113793, ISSN 0025-326X, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113793. (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X22004751)
Please email content to Anna-Marie Simcock for next edition of P-cubed by Friday