Issue 74 – Monday 11th April, 2022
HeadsUp
“Seeing is believing”. That old proverb sums up the power of observation, a power that can be derived from both ‘real-world’ phenomena and data derived from the world. “Look before you leap”. Another proverb that speaks to observation and lies behind something we’ve heard so often during the pandemic: an abundance of caution.
This last weekend, two occasions here on the motu reminded me of the importance of observation as the foundation of science.
First, I linked up with the Geog250 field trip. In response to necessary caution in Covid times, Joe Fagan and colleagues had redesigned the Waiheke excursion so that it was entirely based on observation, punctuated by pauses with comments from staff and tailor-made explanatory apps. As far as I could tell, the walking school bus of students seemed to be enjoying the experience and were seeing the landscapes in a suitably analytical light. This seemed to me to be a great outcome: sacrificing small group exercises and data collection but keeping and adapting the actual field experience. And for me, joining the group for only a couple of kilometres, it was a case of ‘seeing is believing’ what can be done with a bit of creativity in these times.
My second experience of the power of observation last week occurred more in the domain of citizen science than science education. In response to a question in Parliament the Minister of Conservation responded that DoC had advised her there were no active kororā (little penguin) burrows in the rock wall being dismantled for a massive marina development at Pūtiki Bay here on Waiheke. That assertion ran counter to our local knowledge, so eight of us kept vigil late into last Wednesday evening observing and recording the mystical calls of the kororā in cavities beneath our feet on the rock wall. Supplied with this evidence, our local MP posed an updated question to the Minister the next day. In response, the Minister admitted she had been supplied with poor evidence by her Department and that she would henceforth be insisting representatives monitor the site with more vigilance.
How often our carefully-crafted papers take months if not years to appear in print and then have negligible impact in the political/environmental management realm? Yet here were simple observations recorded with nothing more than an iPhone that led to a ministerial u-turn in Parliament. Never under-estimate the power of doing science in your spare time and practicing on-the-ground observation!
Speaking of observation, I greatly look forward to seeing many of you in the week beginning Monday 2nd May. Doubtless, zoom meetings are now firmly and conveniently embedded as part of our work routines. Doubtless also, WFH (working from home) saves on carbon emissions and time-loss. Yet, RTO (return to office) will bring a reminder that true collegiality grows more in the context of fully-embodied personhood than through the second-best of talking to our laptops.
To mark the beginning of the great return migration, there will be catered drinks at 4pm on Monday 2nd May in the Building 302 6th Floor break out space. I look forward to seeing many of you there.
Robin Kearns,
Acting Head of School.
PS As a footnote, our challenge as we return to a more populated workplace is to continue create a positive and tolerant work environment. This will be particularly important as some people may be weary or anxious. To that end, please be familiar with the university’s code of conduct and how it relates to communications with other staff and students
https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/on-campus/life-on-campus/code-of-conduct.html
Whakawhanaungatanga – Communities
Breaking news
Many of you will have seen the latest results of the QS World University Rankings last week. While these metrics have their flaws, it is nonetheless a huge accoladefor the Geographers in our School that their subject area has achieved such a strong result this year. (see this account in which Geography is revealed to be the highest ranking subject at the University of Auckland and that U of A is #30 in the world for the discipline). This result reflects well on the resolute focus on internationally- recognised scholarship within not only this group but also within the School at large, given the many links and collaborations that mark our trans-disciplinary outlook as people of the environment. Another reason to raise a glass in celebration when we next gather in person.
Robin Kearns, HoS
Reducing uncertainties in wastewater-based epidemiology through combining complementary population datasets – Mackay Price (PhD Proposal)
Wastewater-based epidemiology has fast become a valuable complementary public health tool. Through the analysis of municipal wastewater, wastewater-based epidemiology can provide objective estimates of the chemicals and pathogens that communities are exposed to. However, accurately estimating the number of people in a wastewater catchment at any given time is highly challenging and remains one of the largest sources of uncertainty for the discipline. My research focuses on exploring how complementary sources of information like national censuses and mobile phone data can be used to resolve this problem. This research will develop new methods to estimate the day-specific population size for wastewater treatment plant catchments across New Zealand. This research aims to reduce the uncertainties of wastewater-based epidemiology so that more accurate and robust insights into public health can be obtained.
More info: Mackay PhD Seminar Flyer
Revealing the Diverse Economies of Kaupapa Māori Community Housing Provision – Jack Barrett (PhD Proposal)
Supervisors: Larry Murphy, Tom Baker, Karen Fisher (Advisor)Aotearoa is experiencing a housing crisis, of which Māori have, and continue to be disproportionately impacted by its constituents. Aotearoa’s community housing sector has seen a growth in Māori led housing organisations and strategies aiming to address this inequity. However, to date the dynamics of these organisations as they navigate contemporary political and economic environments remains less understood. This project proposes a diverse
economies framing of Māori-led community housing provision to understand the diversity of methods, engagement and strategies that materialise place-based housing aspirations for Māori. The project will employ an in-depth case study of a hapu-led community housing project, accompanied by a broader institutional study of key actors in the Māori housing sector to develop these insights.
To hear more, please join my proposal seminar via zoom on Thursday,
April 21st at 10am.
More info: Jack PhD Seminar Flyer
Geological occurrence, mineralogical characterisation, and risk assessment of potentially carcinogenic erionite in New Zealand – Janki Patel (PhD Proposal)
This research aims to investigate the geological occurrence of erionite within New Zealand and characterise the minerals’ crystal habit, chemistry and aspect ratio. Erionite is a carcinogenic zeolite mineral that forms within rocks and soils that contain altered volcanic materials. While undisturbed erionite poses no risk to human health, disturbed and aerosolised erionite fibres can cause effects similar to asbestos exposure within the human body. The critical factor causing erionite’s toxic nature is its fibrous crystal habit and aspect. Within New Zealand, previous evidence for erionite has been found within Auckland, Taupo Volcanic Zone, and Moeraki. Thus, as erionite is present within New Zealand, it is vital to study the occurrence of the mineral and assess the potential risk associated with erionite exposure.
More info: Janki PhD Seminar Flyer
Travertine and Speleothems as recorders of magmatic processes and volcanic eruptions from Mount Taranaki – Nathan Collins (Phd Proposal)
Travertines are terrestrial carbonates precipitated from bicarbonate springs often found in volcanic settings. This volcano-travertine association is geochemically and texturally recorded within the travertine providing important information about volcanic processes, Speothems are increasingly being used as achieves of volcanic activity and can be U-Th dates, often with high precession. However, obtaining robust speleotem tephrochronologies have been challenging due to site specific variable which modify tephra signals before reaching the growing speleothem.
More info: Nathan PhD Seminar Flyer
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:
- S1 Honours and MENVSCI Oral presentations– Wednesday 8 June. Time and venue to be confirmed.
- 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)
SouthSci and WeSTEM – STEM Partner Role Description
Participatory science platforms (PSP) connect STEM experts with school and community groups, to explore a research or design question and engage youth in STEM. Please see for more information: SouthSci WeSTEM STEM partner role – 2022.
Masters Research Seminars 8 June 2022 — Rm 302-G20
Students who started in S2, 2021 will present their preliminary results. These are 10 minute oral talks followed by 5 minutes of questions. They are designed to assist students with the direction that their project is going in. Supervisors should support their students and all staff should support the research culture in our school.. This is an on-campus seminar series. However, we may revert to Zoom if campus access is not possible. Below is a preliminary schedule.
Cheers,
Phil Shane (coordinator)
| Time | Name | Topic | |
| 9.00 | KoKo | Lat | rock mass quality from seismic refraction surveying |
| 9.15 | Adi | Levy | Engineering Geological and Liquefaction Assessment |
| 9.30 | James | Wilson | Rock Characteristics on foreshore morphology |
| 9.45 | Amber | Peek | Environmental Education and Data Generation |
| 10.00 | Kenzi | Yee | Insects as food (for who?) |
| 10.15 | Elliot | Stevens | ‘Voice of the River’ in catchment management |
| 10.30 | Jaynie | Yang | Root production and root exudations in kauri forests |
Another PBRF consultation!
The 4th round of consultation is looking at how the Moderation Team is composed.
There is only one option proposed by TEC – to have two co-moderators with one to be a recognised expert in Mātauranga Māori. We are asked if we support this option and what our preferred model would be if we don’t support it. Also, if there are any changes we’d suggest to the proposed option if we do support it. The university is collecting feedback by 27 April, so if it was possible to get reactions or suggestions by 26 April that would be wonderful. Please send any feedback directly to Robert directly (trebor@cs.auckland.ac.nz).
Employment Opportunities
Research Assistant casual contract available:
Are you good at preparing figures using drawing packages like illustrator, photoshop of corel draw? If you would like up 30+ hours work drafting figures for publication please get in touch with JR j.rowland@auckland.ac.nz
Professor in Geography, Earth Science or Atmospheric Science (Women Only)
Salary: Level E, Professor – $204,320 p.a (Pro Rata for part time)
Superannuation: Employer Contribution of 17%
Working Hours: Full time 1.0 FTE
Basis of Employment: Continuing
Opportunity
The newly formed School of Geography, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences wishes to appoint a Professor in Geography, Earth Science or Atmospheric Science. The appointee will contribute to teaching excellence at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels in one of the School’s disciplines and/or across the disciplines. They will also make major contributions to research, academic leadership and professional development including mentoring, and contribute to the School’s governance (e.g., committees, strategic planning, etc.).
The Professor will engage in high impact research collaborations and maintain a significant international profile through publications, presentations and other outputs. They will raise funding for their research and lead major projects as appropriate and engage with external communities and stakeholders.
About You
You will be an outstanding academic woman with expertise in Geography, Earth Science, or Atmospheric Science or a multidisciplinary area that encompasses those disciplines or any of its sub-disciplines
You will possess;
- A PhD in any area of geography, earth science, atmospheric science or a closely related discipline.
- An established research career of international standing in geography, earth sciences, atmospheric sciences, or multidisciplinary research that encompasses those disciplines, ideally complementing our existing strengths.
- Demonstrated leadership and strategic perspective in research and scholarship within their discipline area.
- Strong track record of collaboration with other researchers and relevant stakeholders.
The Faculty of Science is deeply committed to creating a diverse, inclusive and equitable environment that welcomes and values all people. We firmly believe that diversity, including in senior leadership, is essential to our Faculty’s continued success. https://science.unimelb.edu.au/
Funding
The Research Committee has funding available for activities to benefit Postdocs and RFs and allow them to connect.
To all those who fall into the following categories:
– Postdocs/Research Fellows;
– People conducting research on non-permanent contracts at the post-doctoral level,
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
MBIE Catalyst: Strategic – New Zealand-China Strategic Research Alliance 2022 funding round.
New Zealand and China have agreed to support two projects through this funding round, one in each priority area of Food Science and Environmental Science. Grant value: Up to $300,000 (excluding GST) over three years is available for each successful project. Internal Deadline:
- Registration: 12pm, Thursday 21 April 2022.
- Full Proposal: 12pm, Friday 6 May 2022.
Applications are submitted via the MBIE IMS Portal. Returning applicants log in using your existing login details. New applicants contact the Funds Advisor Team submissions@auckland.ac.nz to create your User Profile. IMS portal opens on 5 April 2022.
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.
FoS New Staff Grant
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.
Vision Mātauranga Hui
As part of the Vision Mātauranga support for researchers within Te Whare Pūtaiao Faculty of Science, the Māori advisors’ team will be running a 90-minute Vision Mātauranga Hui on the 12th April 2022 from 1.15-2.45pm. Please complete the registration form to receive the zoom link Vision Mātauranga Hui.
Teaching & Learning Research Initiative (TLRI)
The TLRI funding call seeks to support research addressing themes of strategic importance to education in New Zealand that will lead to an improvement in outcomes for learners. Partnerships between researchers and practitioners are central to the TLRI. You can read more about this opportunity in the TLRI Expression of Interest 2022 Guidance document. EOI Internal Deadline is 21 April 2022. Register interest to the Funds Advisor Team via submissions@auckland.ac.nz
James Cook Research Fellowships
The James Cook Research Fellowships are awarded to researchers who have achieved national and international recognition in their area of scientific research. Funding is for Senior Researcher Fellowships in Biological, Engineering and Physical Sciences for up to $110,000 for two years.
Internal Deadline: 5pm, Tuesday 03 May 2022. Email the following information to the Funds Advisor Team via submissions@auckland.ac.nz for James Cook Fellowship portal access: title (e.g. Dr, A/P, Professor), full name, email address, faculty, and department. Guidelines available here.
2023 CapEx applications now open
https://auckland.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9Rew1VYtLrpvkGO
Applications will close 5pm Friday April 29th.
Any questions can be directed to Blair Sowman.
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).
Rutherford Discovery Fellowships
Rutherford Discovery Fellowships (RDF) are to support the development of future research leaders, and to assist with the retention and repatriation of New Zealand’s talented early-to mid-career researchers. 10 Fellowships, up to $160,000 p.a. each for 5 years in length will be awarded in 2022. Internal Deadline: 9am Wednesday 20 April 2022. Applications are to be submitted on the RDF Portal by the deadline. Email the following information to the Funds Advisor Team via submissions@auckland.ac.nz for RDF portal access: title (e.g. Dr, A/P, Professor), full name, email address, faculty, department and years post PhD Experience. Further information is available on guidelines and the RDF Roadshow.
COVID-19 Hardship Fund – New closing date for Tranche 1: 29 April 2022
Support for critically impacted research projects through the COVID-19 Hardship Fund.
2021 was a challenging year for our University research community, navigating through a prolonged COVID-19 disruption. We acknowledge that many Researchers have been assessing the 2021 impacts on projects and taking the time to consider research plans in the context of COVID-19 Protection Framework settings.
Tranche 1 funding is targeted at Principal Investigators of externally funded research projects impacted by COVID-19 and ending before 31 Dec 2022.
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
Publications
Lorna J. Strachan, Julien Bailleul, Kyle J. Bland, Alan R. Orpin & Adam D. McArthur (2022) Understanding sedimentary systems and processes of the Hikurangi Subduction Margin; from Trench to Back-Arc. Volume 1, New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics, 65:1, 1-16, DOI: 10.1080/00288306.2022.2048032.
Available here: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00288306.2022.2048032
Please email content to Illiane Gomez Vilchis for next edition of P-cubed by Friday
