Issue 10 – Monday 10th June 2019
Contents
HeadSup
Kia ora koutou
Well done everyone getting to the end of the teaching semester. Once the marking and exams are done I hope everyone gets the chance to have a good break before Semester 2 kicks-off. If you are an academic, a research fellow or a research assistant on contract, you will be accruing annual leave. If you are not saving it up for later in the year, this is a great time to take a few days off to recharge the batteries. If you a PG student with exams coming up fast, good luck and study hard.
I’m pleased to announce that Dr James Muirhead has accepted the Earth Sciences post and will be starting in mid-January 2020. We had a high number of applicants (103) for this position and a good share of excellent ones. In making the selection, the committee prioritised early career and expertise in structural geology and tectonic geomorphology. These attributes were in addition to collegiality, potential or demonstrated ability in teaching, and good values around diversity and inclusivity. James’ track record is outstanding for an early career academic and I’m delighted that he has accepted our offer. Unfortunately we have been unsuccesful in securing a new Professor for the Environmental Management position. Annie will call a meeting for those with an interest in this position to discuss options for moving forward.
Can you save our bacon? Today is the deadline for confirming the School’s contribution to ‘Incredible Science’, the annual Faculty of Science showcase for 10-12 year olds to be held on Tuesday 2 July. Usually Kate Kenedi and Neville Husdon run the day, but both are on leave this year. Mila has put her hand up to participate but we need a volunteer to coordinate the day. If you are a motivated and well-organised PG student or staff member and can devote a bit of time to this worthy cause I would love to hear from you today.
Two opportunities to ‘tautoko’ your colleagues are in this edition of p-cubed: please think about encouraging applications for the NZ Association of Scientists awards, and for the positions on the Rhodes scholar selection panel. Sometimes a little encouraging nudge can help someone have the confidence to step forward.
Lastly, the deadline for feedback on the draft ‘code of conduct’ is coming up fast. The purpose for of this code is to clarify and maintain a standard of behaviour of all members of the University of Auckland. I encourage everyone to read this document and provide feedback as appropriate.
Ngā mihi – JR
For Your Diary
| Deadlines | Date & Location |
| Feedback due on draft Code of Conduct – see here | 14 July 2019 – to claire.hall@auckland.ac.nz |
| Application to be on the Rhodes selection panel | end June – to j.harding@auckland.ac.nz |
| Professorial promotion applications – send to John Hosking, see here for info |
01 July 2019 |
| NZ Association of Scientist Medals – applications due | 31 July, 2019 |
| Other Events | |
| Workshop: The Writing Habits of Successful Academics, click here to register | 18 Jun, 1pm in 302-140 |
| Ako Innovation: Blended Learning Workshop | 18 Jun, 10-12pm in 302-140 |
| ENV Staff Retreat – see agenda and background info here | 12 June, 8.30-5pm, Old Government House |
Whakawhanaungatanga – communities
Congratulations!
Congratulations to Tom Baker who has been elected to the Council of the Royal Society Te Apārangi for a three-year term as Councillor representing early career researchers.
PhD Student Megan Tuck won one of the top student paper awards at the 2019 Coastal Sediments Conference at St Pete Beach, Florida. There were over 60 student papers from around the world presented at the conference.
Mighty congratulations to Mary-Anne and Sam, and welcome Rhett Robert Clive, who arrived on 5 June, healthy and happy at 2.85kg.
Mary-Anne and Rhett
News
School of Environment Dodgeball Tournament
Team Geography managed to dodge, dip, duck, and dive its way to winning the recent School of Environment Dodgeball Tournament. While geography took the honours, defeating a combined GISCI-ENVSCI team in the final, the highlight of the tournament was the performance of JR. Representing AUGA there was a moment when she found herself as the only person left on her side of the court. Completely outnumbered, JR used her knowledge of fluid flow and her ability to identify vectors, to dodge a barrage of red missiles. After lasting a remarkably long time she eventually took a hit, but not before she had gained the respect of everyone present. It would be wonderful if more staff would follow JR’s example and join in on these sports events. It really does help to foster healthy relationships between staff and students within the school.
Competition results after two events: Geography 5 points, Geospatial Club 5 points, AUGA 2 points, ENVSCI 2 points.
Geography Association Quiz
On Wednesday 5th June, 13 teams battled it out for glory in the Geography Association Quiz. In a close fought contest, the very serious “Finalfinalteamnamev2.tif” (66 points) held on to win, finishing just ahead of “GA QUIZ: a comprehensive analysis of Joe Fagan’s ability to teach” (65 points). Taken for Granite (60 points) came in third. Hampered by their lack of youth, the two staff teams finished well off the pace. A big thank you to the GA crew for organising an excellent event and to everyone who came along.
On telly: Beneath New Zealand
Beneath NZ II started screening on prime last night – about volcanoes. Episode 3 is about Auckland and features Jan Lindsay.
https://www.primetv.co.nz/beneath-nz
National awards and service opportunities
2019 Science Medals – nominations open
Applications are invited for the following 2019 Science Medals from the New Zealand Association of Scientists (NZAS)
Marsden Medal – awarded for a lifetime of outstanding service to the cause or profession of science, in the widest connotation of the phrase.
Shorland Medal – awarded to an individual or to a team in recognition of major and continued contribution to basic or applied research that has added significantly to scientific understanding or resulted in significant benefits to society.
Hill Tinsley Medal (formerly known as the Research Medal) – awarded for outstanding fundamental or applied research in the physical, natural or social sciences published during the year of the award or the preceding three calendar years. Applicants will normally be within their first 15 years after graduating PhD as at 1 January 2019, unless career breaks extend this period.
Cranwell Medal (formerly known as the Science Communicator Medal) – made annually to a practising scientist (or group of scientists) for excellence in communicating science to the general public, in any area of science or technology. Nominations are sought from scientific organizations, scientific associations and individuals.
How to apply:
- Interested applicants should apply directly, rather than seek a nomination.
• Please submit electronic applications. See the guidelines from the links below and email applications to: awards@scientists.org.nz and tobuchananp@LandcareResearch.co.nz by 31 July, 2019. - Individuals or Scientific Teams (of up to five people) may apply for the Shorland and Cranwell Medals
• Applications submitted in previous years will remain valid for five years from the original submission date (except for Hill Tinsley Medal applicants if the 15 year post-PhD limit is exceeded), but a previously submitted application should be updated annually using the current format.
For instructions and guidelines, please see:https://scientists.org.nz/2019-awards-applications or the guidelines attached to this email.
NZ Rhodes Scholars – nominations open for selection panel
See here and here for detail. Please send nominations directly to Jane Harding as NZ Secretary for the Rhodes Trust – j.harding@auckland.ac.nz.
Meetings, seminars and events
Geography Auckland (NZGS Auckland Branch) newsletter
Please note the June Dialogues:
Date: Tuesday 18 June
Time: 4.00pm to 5.30pm
Place: Building 302, Room 551 (Ontology Lab)
Who: Tom Baker and panel (Jan Lindsay, Richard Le Heron, Mark Dickson, Nick Lewis)
HR Services- Open Day (for staff)
The HR Services Team will be hosting an Open Day on Thursday, 18th of July 2019 from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM in Building 302, Room 140.
This drop-in session is for employees who may have any questions in regard to things like staff benefits (superannuation), leave, retirement or anything else relating to their employment with the University.
The HRS team may also be able to assist staff and shed light on some other HR processes and workflows.
They will also have a Recruitment Consultant on hand to answer any Advertised Recruitment related queries.
For future details please click here
EAP Services e-flyer
Topics in this edition include:
- Learn encouraging tips for self-motivation
- How to improve the quality of your sleep
- Sharing happiness and the value of a smile
See here.
Rangahau – Research
Funding Opportunities
RSNZ Rutherford Foundation 2019
The objectives of the Rutherford Foundation Fellowships and Scholarships are to support the education and development of promising excellent early career researchers with the potential to excel in a research environment.
Information and guidelines : Rutherford Foundation
Kate Edger Post Doctoral Awards 2019
To assist women who have qualified to graduate with a doctoral degree within the last two years to carry out research on a specified, independent project at an approved Institute in the Auckland area.
Information and guidelines: Kate Edger
Pacific research, Consultancies, Teaching, Supervision
Request for information (Urgent, rather than gentle, reminder!)
I am working on a report which includes a section on the involvement of School of Environment in the Pacific islands in relation to research, consultancy, teaching and any other linkages. This includes the pre-ENV departments of Geology, Geography etc. By “Pacific” I am meaning Pacific islands i.e. NOT including NZ, Australia, Philippines etc.
Specifically it would be good to have information on you and/or colleagues in relation to:
1) Research: location, topic, how funded, dates, resulting publication(s) .
2) Consultancy: with what agency in the Pacific? location, dates, resulting reports
3) Teaching: Is there any “Pacific islands” content in the courses you teach? or in earlier versions of courses you or your predecessors taught? What is the nature of content? Were there many Pacific students in these courses?
4) Supervision: Masters and PhD theses supervised on a Pacific topic; student name and topic
5) Other linkages: with institutions not covered in the above categories? Nature of linkages etc.
As well as research etc. in the Pacific itself, please include any involvement with Pacific issues in Aotearoa NZ, and with Pacific communities in Auckland/ NZ. Also, if you are old enough to remember the 1990s, 1980s, or even the 1970s, are you aware of the Pacific work in these eras (not necessarily involving yourself)?
I appreciate your help in this; please forward this information directly to me w.friesen@auckland.ac.nz
Cheers,
Ward
Dr. Wardlow Friesen
Associate Professor of Geography
School of Environment
The University of Auckland
Meetings, seminars and events
Marine Geosciences Group meeting
Tue. 11 June, 12-1 pm (note, new time), 303-G14
Francesco Turco, who is visiting us from the University of Otago, will give a presentation on “Geostatistical methods applied to seismic data: trace interpolation and seismic inversion”
Doctoral Morning Tea | International Student Life by School of Graduate Studies
If you’re an international doctoral candidate, the next Doctoral Morning Tea is for you! Our panel of candidates from across the globe (and University) will discuss what it’s like to study for a doctorate as an international candidate. Come along on 20 June for networking, snacks and to hear and share stories, struggles, tips and tricks. Book now!
https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/doctoral-morning-tea-international-student-life-tickets-56769430896
Date and Time
Thu., 20 June 2019
9:30 am – 11:00 am
Location
iSpace (Kate Edgar Bldg Level 4)
UoA City Campus
9 Symonds Street
Towards the unbiased processing of temporal location data using machine learning
Kamil Smolak is visiting us from Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences in Poland. His talk is titled ‘Towards the unbiased processing of temporal location data using machine learning’.
Thursday 13 June, 11:00am in Building 302, Room 551 (Ontology Lab)
He will discuss the ways of predicting human mobility using geo-located data (data from mobile phones and GPS) as well as the limits of existing human mobility models.
If you are interested in meeting him for a more detailed discussion, he would be happy to do so at any time before his talk. He is based in the room 302:430.
Learning from our lakes
Biological community shifts resulting from natural and anthropogenic disturbances
Katie Brasell (PhD Proposal) Tuesday, 11th June · 12 pm · Room 302-130
Introductory R Workshop
The second Introductory R Workshop for 2019 is being run on July 8th and 9th. This will be led by Kevin Chang and supported by other Statistical Consultancy Centre staff.
The workshop is limited to a maximum of 40 participants. Therefore if you would like to attend please register ASAP.
As per our previous Introductory R workshops, the cost is $300 for UoA students and staff; you can pay using your PRESS account, research grant, or other UoA account. You can also opt to use a debit/credit card (however we would have to also add GST, sorry). You can find the payment authorisation form here.
The cost for non-UoA attendees is $500 + GST.
Location: Building 302 room 190.
Time and schedule: 9am till 5pm. For more details please click here
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).
Colombian National Geothermal Meeting
Research and Development to Action- November 25-28
Please click here for more details.
Publications:
Nano-enabled strategies to enhance crop nutrition and protection
Melanie Kah , Nathalie Tufenkji & Jason C. White
Nature Nanotechnology 14, 532–540 (2019)
This link should bring a pdf of the paper (https://rdcu.be/bFEMx) please try as it may be associated with some personal rights.
The two following links should redirects to the issue page where the cover appears: https://www.nature.com/nnano/ or https://www.nature.com/nnano/volumes/14/issues/6
Hartley Travers Ferrar (1879-1932) and his geological legacy in Antarctica, Egypt and New Zealand
Martin Brook and Susanna Ferrar
Earth Sciences History 38, 43-58 (2019)
See here for a copy of the paper
Ako – Teaching and Learning
Academic matters
Masters Thesis Examiner Nominations
All staff supervising Masters Students submitting in July are requested to nominate the examiners. An AS-512R, examiner nomination form needs to be completed for each submitting student by Friday the 28th of June 2019 and submitted to Mick Johannisson-Wallman at m.johannisson-wallman@auckland.ac.nz
If you or potential examiners are going to be away in the preceding weeks, please ensure that you submit your nominations early.
You can access via the following link: AS-512R Masters Thesis or Research Portfolio worth 90 points or above (PDF)
Meetings, seminars and events
Examiners’ Meetings
For details on Semester 2 Examiners’ Meetings, and advice on preparing for these and submitting final grades, please see the ENV Academic Guide.
Blended Learning Workshop
The Ako teaching and learning innovation committee will be hosting a workshop on “Blended Learning” on the 18th of June from 10-12 in the 302-140 (MDL lab). This session is dedicated to sharing ideas on how to effectively integrate various teaching and learning tools and strategies within your courses. Topics covered include: blended learning resources available at UoA, enhancing motivation, using analytics, Canvas hacks, managing group work online, among others.
Copy deadline for next edition of P-cubed: Friday 12:00 21st June, to Farnaz: f.sheikh@auckland.ac.nz