HeadsUp

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I write from home, rain pelting down, under the weather both literally and metaphorically. Thankfully, one of the downstream effects of the Covid years for workplace culture has been an acknowledgement that being at the office with even a moderate winter cold is not a great idea for all parties. Do please use good judgement if you succumb to an unwelcome winter virus and take sick leave to completely unplug if you can (and please log the time as sick leave on Hono). And do think about ways to keep well through winter. Clearly, I need a refresh of strategies as I’ve had bad luck despite all the raw garlic and dips in the sea…

Some updates:

• Thanks to those who got along to the morning tea reception for Amelia Linzey, Geography graduate and honoured as FoS Distinguished Alumnus.
• The four new ENV courses are an important new direction for the School, so many thanks to those of who have attended the meetings where their development has been discussed. The information presented at these sessions will be made available to all. We will be holding a specific examiners’ meeting to review the courses since they transcend the individual disciplinary programmes, and these will happen each semester they run. It is also expected that the courses will be reviewed more extensively at the end of Semester 2 this year once they have run twice and some of the teething issues have been resolved.
• A reminder: our 2nd (yes, only second) all-staff meeting is next Wednesday 18th, 11am-1pm (with the usual first hour for deliberations, 2nd hour for kai). Be there please.
• Congratulations to Murray Ford whose been appointed as Acting Associate Dean Academic.
• Congrats also to JR, Sila and Melissa who are leading Endeavour bids that have made it to the next stage of consideration. A great showing for the School!
• With RSLs for some in Sem 2, there are a few changes in service role responsibilities: effective July. Here are the first:
  • Meg Parsons assumes Environmental Management Programme Director from Brad Coombes;
  • Kathy Campbell assumes Chair of Equity Committee from Sonia Fonua.
  • Hyesop Shin chairs the Stage 3 and postgraduate SSCCs.
• And a forthcoming acknowledgement/farewell: On account of a range of commitments overseas as well as the Faculty’s quest to reduce air travel, Giovanni Coco will be physically leaving us at the end of August, two months’ earlier than his actual date of ending his time with us. Please mark your diaries for an opportunity to share a drink and offer him thanks and good wishes on Wed 13th August, 4.30pm.

A reminder:
Please remember there are two steps prior to any travel: first obtain a quote from Orbit and complete a Faculty Travel approval form (https://www.forms.auckland.ac.nz/en/staff/science/fos-staff-travel-approval-request-form.html); second, once approved by your academic manager (ie me, via Patricia p.yip@auckland.ac.nz) request that Orbit moves from a quote to a purchase. The second and online form they send you doesn’t replace the Faculty one; it is a purchase order not a travel approval form. The latter is your undertaking that your responsibilities are covered while you are  away, appraising me of your itinerary and length of absence, and an assurance of where the cost will be billed to (an if you plan on being away > 1 month, the Dean’s approval is needed).  Further details can be found in the How to do Stuff guide – there’s a link to this on the p-cubed header (As Sarah our Dean reminded us today, all staff need to complete an Approval Form including her; she needs to seek approval from her manager , the VC). Please don’t leave me wondering where in the world you are, why and for how long.   

All best for these winter days leading up to Matariki.

Robin Kearns, Head of School

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Announcements, Seminars & Events

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School of Environment / IMS Equity Morning Tea

 

Kia ora everyone,

This month, SoE and IMS Equity is holding our morning tea to mark World Refugee Day. Please join us for some kai, connecting with others, and our usual light competitive quiz spirit!

When: Wednesday, 18th June, 10:30am – 11:00am
Where: 302 Level 6 Kitchen

We’ll be running our monthly quiz with a focus on World Refugee Day (with prizes to be won!), alongside the highly anticipated Round 2 of the Whittaker’s Chocolate Tournament to help decide the School’s favourite Whittaker’s chocolate flavour.

All are welcome. We look forward to seeing you there!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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2025 GSNZ President’s Lecture Auckland

GSNZ President Sam McColl will be in Auckland on the 17^th June 2025. He will be giving his (same) lecture twice that day – once at 1 pm in Rm 302-130 (1^st floor) of the University of Auckland Science Centre at 23 Symonds St https://gsnz.org.nz/gsnz-events/ViewEvent/398  and again at 7.30 pm at the Epsom Community Centre, 200 Gillies Ave, Epsom https://gsnz.org.nz/gsnz-events/ViewEvent/401

2025 GSNZ President Tour: Martian monsters, giant landslides, and recipes for disaster: Landslide curiosities, hazards, and a slippery future

Come along to briefly hear of the latest developments of the GSNZ, including new training and funding opportunities. You will have the opportunity to provide feedback or suggestions to the President.

Sam will then take you on a foray through the fascinating world of landslides, from the unbelievably large landslides on Mars to common problems in your back yard. The talk will explore why New Zealand has so many landslides and why they cost more than any other natural hazard. Some thoughts will be given to the big questions in landslide science and projections for landslides in a warming world. 

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Small class-related catering activities

This year, the Student Experience Committee had a budget of $2500.00 towards small class-related catering activities. There is $1250.00 available for semester 2. To maximise this budget and make its distribution as fair as possible, we have created an online form where all interested course coordinators can declare their interest and submit a very brief proposal (100 words) outlining how much they need and for which purpose. The cap for each course is set at $150.00 per semester and applications for semester 2 should be submitted by the 18th of July. Selection will be made by the committee shortly afterwards. Ad-hoc applications throughout the semesters may be considered depending on budget availability. Application must be submitted through the following link: https://forms.office.com/r/s7bvNAcFAP

Student Experience Committee

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From the OUTREACH COMMITTEE:

Share Your Latest Academic and Career Achievements with Us!

Share your latest research, conference presentations, fieldwork, and career updates with us! Your achievements could be featured on the School of Environment’s social media to showcase the amazing work happening in our community. Fill out the survey and include photos, titles of papers or theses, and anything else you’d like to share!

https://forms.gle/QAEkcndygHNazXr2A

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COMPASS Morning Tea 

COMPASS PG is dedicated to creating a vibrant and supportive community for postgraduate students at all levels in the School of Environment. We host regular events designed to foster collaboration, networking, and a sense of community. 

All staff and postgrad students are invited to come along, to participate or just to enjoy some home baked goods!

 

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Te Akoranga Kairangi

The free staff programme, Te Akoranga Kairangi (TAK) is an introduction to Māori language, culture and the treaty. Details about the programme are appended. The programme runs over 8 weeks, 2 hours per weekly session, on Tuesdays or Thursdays. Fourteen 8-week cohorts are offered throughout the year, including an on-line option. Details about the schedule are appended and ALSO on Hono Learning (see instructions below). 

Here are links to the details of the programme: TAK Programme  and 2025 TAK times available

In addition, a free 2.5 hour Colonial History Walk around the university area is led by Assoc Prof Avril Bell. This is a unique opportunity for all staff keen to learn more about the role of central Auckland in the history of colonisation.

To enrol in TAK or the Colonial History Walk:

EITHER by emailing  (we can enrol you directly) Assoc Prof Avril Bell a.bell@auckland.ac.nz (Tuesday classes) or Prof Alison Jones a.jones@auckland.ac.nz (Thursdays classes)  

OR  by going to University of Auckland staff intranet webpage, search for Hono Learning. On the Hono page, type Te Akoranga Kairangi into the search bar at the top. Then click on the Te Akoranga Kairangi or Colonial History Walk link. Then click on Select Offering. There you should see a list of cohort dates for the year’s classes or walks. Select the cohort dates that suit you. Then click on Submit. You should then get an email to confirm your enrolment.

Feel free to contact Alison or Avril with any questions! 😊

Ngā mihi, thanks a lot

Alison and Avril

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Geoscience Society of New Zealand Student Activity Support

Thanks to the bequest to the Geoscience Society of New Zealand by Jack Grant-Mackie, former faculty (and a Head of Department etc) of the University of Auckland Geology Department who specialised in paleontology and stratigraphy, there are funds to support student activities at branch level to the value of $500 in the coming year.

If you have a proposal about a student Geoscience trip or event (outside of our normal university activities) please contact GSNZ branch rep Jennifer Eccles j.eccles@auckland.ac.nz so we can get a short budget/proposal together. Student led initiatives particularly welcomed!

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Introductions to R Workshop

An introductory R Workshop is being run on Wednesday 2^nd and Thursday 3^rd of July 2025. The course will be run by the Statistical Consulting Centre (SCC) in the Department of Statistics.

What’s covered in the workshop?

• Introduction
  Getting familiar with R
  Using R Studio and loading projects/scripts
  Basic functions using R
  Reading in Data Files (.csv, .xls/.xlsx)
  Introduction to R Objects. How R thinks (vectors, matrices, basic data formats)
• Working with data(sets)
  Cleaning and subsetting
  Merging datasets and reformatting
  Grouping variables and summarising
• R graphics
  Starting with plots in R (boxplots, histograms, bar graphs)
  Graphics in R with ggplot2 (customising plots)
• Data analysis
  Introduction to performing t-tests, chi-square tests, ANOVA, and general linear models

The cost is $400 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 will have to also add GST for this type of payment – please contact Joei Mudaliar j.mudaliar@auckland.ac.nz for further instructions).

The payment authorisation form for UoA participants paying from a UoA account is here.
The cost for non-UoA attendees is $650 + GST. Please contact Joei Mudaliar (j.mudaliar@auckland.ac.nz) for payment instructions.

We will be sending out a pre-workshop information email the week prior to the course, however here are some of the details:

Location
We will be in room 302.190. Building 302 is on the corner of Symonds St and Wellesley St. The room we will be using is on level 1, room 160.

Time and schedule
The approximate schedule for both days is here (since this is the schedule from our previous course, it may yet be altered very slightly).
We will start at 9am and finish at 5pm.
Morning and afternoon tea will be provided, and there are cafes nearby for lunch. 

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).
We will also include some instructions on how to do this in our pre-workshop information email.

Access to computers and the internet
We will arrange access to the lab computers for all non-UoA participants.
We will also have a guest wireless password for non-UoA participants who are bringing their own laptops.
UoA staff and students will be able to access the FoS computers using their normal UoA upi and password.
I hope you can make it on the 2^nd and 3^rd July 2025, and we look forward to seeing you there.

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The 2025 ANZIC Marine Geoscience Masterclass

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ANZIC calls for funding proposals

Funding of up to NZ$25,000 is now available for projects that will advance the field of scientific drilling. ANZIC invites proposals from scientists in Australian & New Zealand Member Institutions – including the University o – for their Continent & Ocean Research & Education (CORE) Funding.

ANZIC CORE funding supports research using previously-collected scientific drilling samples, cores and data; activities that aid future drilling proposals; and educational projects in the sphere of scientific drilling. ANZIC is looking for innovative proposals that align with their science priorities.

Submit your proposal by 8 September!

LEARN MORE: www.iodp.org.au/legacy-funding/

 

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Health Safety & Wellbeing

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Remember to get your free flu vaccine available at Unichem Campus Pharmacy, this will help you prepare for winter.

Location: Kate Edger Information Commons
9 Symonds Street (corner of Symonds Street and Alfred Street)
Level 1, next to UBIQ and Esports Arena
You also might be eligible to a free MMR vaccine. The measles (MMR) vaccine is free for all children under 18 years in New Zealand, and all adults over the age of 18 who are eligible for free NZ healthcare.
Measles – The University of Auckland
Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine

Men’s Health Week

 

“Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.”

 

That’s the message to Kiwi guys from Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey as Men’s Health Week cranks up for 2025.

The Minister reiterated the message that MHW has been getting out through its ambassadors – talking to a mate can be the first step on your path back to great again.

“Whether it’s men’s health week or any other day, talking to your mates, family or a mental health practitioner, I would encourage you to have the conversation about how you’re really doing.”

What You Can Do This Men’s Health Week:

• Book a check-up with your GP
• Join in with a class or session that best suits you
• Encourage a mate to book their appointment too
• Share your journey using #SeeYourGP and #MensHealthWeek2025

Message from AT for this Winter:

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Funding Calls

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Hono data integration are impacting research projects

Do you have research grants? Do you, or a member of your research team, use EIP dashboards to monitor your research funds or Research Development Account (RDA)? If so, please read on.

Recent challenges with Hono data integration are impacting research projects. As a result, EIP dashboards are not correctly reflecting actual salary costs from 20 February, casual staff payments, or future-dated salary commitments. All other actual transactions are correct, however, the left-to-spend balances may not be correct. 

What does this mean?

1. EIP reports should not be used to confirm a project’s financial status until further notice, as salary details in EIP reports for pay runs after 20 Feb 2025 are not yet available.
2. Research Development Account (RDA) balances may not be correct, particularly if fixed-term or casual staff are being paid from the RDA account. 
3. Surpluses or deficits on research grants cannot be resolved until the balances can be confirmed, so projects ending after 20 Feb 2025 cannot be closed. 
4. Surpluses or deficits will not be distributed to, or recovered from, RDA accounts (or returned to funders) for projects ending after 20 Feb 2025 until accurate balances can be confirmed. 

Resolutions and Timeframes 

A Solution Oversight Co-ordination (SOC) Team has been formed and includes a range of experts who understand the issues and the impacts. Members have been drawn from Research Services, OneFinance, HR, Integration Specialists, Vendors, the Risk Team, and the Planning and Information Office to find solutions to the identified issues.  Alongside the SOC Team, several continuity groups (including a research continuity group) are working on specific outcomes, the teams meet daily and report to SOC. The Solution Oversight Coordination Team are in the process of identifying and quantifying the risks around these and implementing mitigation strategies.

Please be assured we’ll be providing regular progress updates to the Faculties and Institutes. In the meantime, if you have an urgent query related to your project financials, please contact your Faculty or Institute Research Services Team in the first instance.

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2025 New Zealand – China Strategic Research Alliance

The New Zealand – China Strategic Research Alliance (SRA) is an annual joint funding programme funded by New Zealand and the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST).  Chinese partners must apply for their own funding through MoST. 

For 2025, proposals must align with the priority area of Environmental Technologies. The specific research areas for this priority are:

• Clean and renewable energy technologies
• Climate change adaptation technologies
• Climate change mitigation technologies
• Carbon dioxide capture and conversion technologies
• Novel technologies for biodegradation or elimination of emerging pollutants in vivo
• Grant value:  Up to NZ $300,000
• Duration: Up to 3 years
• Internal Deadline: 12 noon, Monday, 23 June 2025

Guidelines and resources can be found on the MBIE website

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Hood Fellowships

The Hood Fellowships are University of Auckland Foundation awards for the distinguished scholars to visit the University (Incoming Hood fellows) or our distinguished scholars to travel outside New Zealand (Outgoing Hood fellows) to build stronger networks, maintain and enhance the international standing and performance of Waipapa Taumata Rau | University of Auckland as New Zealand’s premier research-led university. The Hood Fellowship Fund aims to help the University meet this challenge by:

• Attracting distinguished overseas academics who are leaders in their field
• Developing and retaining the University’s best academic staff
• Hosting recognised international experts for guest lectures and seminars
• Building stronger international networks among its community of scholars

One of the key expectations of inbound Hood fellows is that they should give at least one public lecture during their time in Auckland.

• Value: up to $25,000 each award
• Duration: 12 months 2026 (Jan-Dec 2026)
• Applications open 1 June 2025 and close 30 June 2025

Further Information

• Funding Call
• Guidelines

If you are interested, please also get in touch with your FIRST.

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Royal Society Te Apārangi: Tāwhia te Mana Research Fellowships

Please note that this funding called is related to the Tāwhia Te Mana Fellowship webinar Roadshow webinar under the Announcements, Seminars & Events section.

These Fellowships will support researchers at different career stages to produce excellent and impactful research and to develop into leaders in their fields, their respective host organisations and across the whole of the Aotearoa New Zealand ST&I system. The Fellowships consist of three schemes, targeted at early, mid- and established career researchers, respectively. The three schemes are:

• New Zealand Mana Tūāpapa Future Leader Fellowship
• New Zealand Mana Tūānuku Research Leader Fellowship
• New Zealand Mana Tūārangi Distinguished Researcher Fellowship

Value/Duration:

New Zealand Mana Tūāpapa Future Leader
Fellowship

• Value: $820,000
• Duration: 4 years or up to 8 years part-time

New Zealand Mana Tūānuku Research Leader
Fellowship

• Value: $1,160,000
• Duration: 4 years or up to 8 years part-time

New Zealand Mana Tūārangi Distinguished
Researcher Fellowship

• Value: $220,000
• Duration: 1-2 years

 

Internal Deadline: 12pm, Tuesday, 1st July 2025

Guidelines:

•  New Zealand Mana Tūāpapa Future Leader Fellowship
•  New Zealand Mana Tūānuku Research Leader Fellowship
•  New Zealand Mana Tūārangi Distinguished Researcher Fellowship

Application templates

•  New Zealand Mana Tūāpapa Future Leader Fellowship
•  New Zealand Mana Tūānuku Research Leader Fellowship
•  New Zealand Mana Tūārangi Distinguished Researcher Fellowship

Website
ResearchHub resources

If you are interested, please also get in touch with your FIRST.

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Royal Society Te Apārangi Catalyst Seeding (Round 2)

Catalyst Seeding facilitates new small and medium pre-research strategic partnerships that cannot be supported through other means, and with a view to developing full collaborations that could be supported through Catalyst: Strategic over time. Funding is for research exchanges, research activities, and expenses related to hosting workshops for new strategic research partnerships with international collaborators.

The Catalyst Fund investment plan identifies six priority research areas, which are:

• Quantum technology
• Health and biomedicine
• Biotechnologies
• Artificial Intelligence
• Antarctic research
• Space and Earth observations

Details:

• Value: up to $80,000 (Exc. GST)
• Duration: 2 years
• Deadline: 12pm, Tuesday, 8 July 2025

Further Information (funding call, guidelines website):

• Funding Call
• Guidelines

If you are interested, please also get in touch with your FIRST.

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Funding Calls

Horizon Europe, Pillar 2, Cluster 3: Civil Security for Society	Key topics  Destination 1: Better protect the EU and its citizens against Crime and Terrorism (FCT) Destination 2: Effective management of EU external borders (BM) Destination 3: Resilient infrastructure (INFRA) Destination 4: Disaster-Resilient society for Europe (DRS) Destination 5: Strengthened Security Research and Innovation (SSRI) Destination 6: Increased Cybersecurity	Single-stage calls in cluster 3 have various closing dates in November 2025   GUIDELINES Cluster 3 – Work programme 2025
Horizon Europe, Pillar 2, Cluster 4: Digital, Industry and Space	Key topics Destination 1: Climate neutral, circular and digitised production Destination 2: Increased Autonomy in Key Strategic Value Chains for Resilient Industry Destination 3: World-leading Data and Computing Technologies Destination 4: Digital & Emerging Technologies for Competitiveness and Fit for the Green Deal Destination 5: Open Strategic Autonomy in Developing, Deploying and Using Global Space-Based Infrastructures, Services, Applications and Data Destination 6: A human-centred and ethical development of digital and industrial technologies	Deadline: Single-stage calls in cluster 4 have various closing dates in September/October 2025   GUIDELINES Cluster 4 – Work programme 2025
Horizon Europe, Pillar 2, Cluster 5: Climate, Energy and Mobility	Key topics Destination 1: Climate sciences and responses for the transformation towards climate neutrality  Destination 2: Cross-sectoral solutions for the climate transition Destination 3: Sustainable, secure and competitive energy supply Destination 4: Efficient, sustainable and inclusive energy use Destination 5: Clean and competitive solutions for all transport modes Destination 6: Safe, Resilient Transport and Smart Mobility services for passengers and goods	Single-stage calls in cluster 5 have various closing dates in September 2025   GUIDELINES Cluster 5 – Work programme 2025
Horizon Europe, Pillar 2, Cluster 6: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment	Key topics Destination 1 – Biodiversity and ecosystem services Destination 2 – Fair, healthy and environmentally friendly food systems from primary production to consumption Destination 3 – Circular economy and bioeconomy sectors Destination 4 – Clean environment and zero pollution Destination 5 – Land, oceans and water for climate action Destination 6 – Resilient, inclusive, healthy and green rural, coastal and urban communities Destination 7 – Innovative governance, environmental observations and digital solutions in support of the Green Deal	Single-stage calls in cluster 6 have various closing dates in September 2025.   GUIDELINES Cluster 6 – Work programme 2025
•                     Value: from NZD110,000 to NZD3,000,000 exclusive of the MBIE top-up •                     Duration: 3-4 years
WEBSITE EU Funding & Tenders Portal- portal to find topics EU Funding & Tenders Portal- setting up your own account SUPPORT ResearchHub Resources here If you are interested, please also get in touch with your FIRST.

HeadsUp

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One of the traps of science is excessive reductionism. To an extent, of course, it’s necessary. The crystals in a rock specimen, for instance, might not be seen without the tunnel-vision of the microscope. The trick is achieving balance: to focus on the detail and but acknowledge the wider context in which a specimen was formed and embedded.

I’ve been thinking about how reductionism can plague our teaching: for instance, seeing SET scores as the sole measure of performance and student satisfaction. Now is the time of course to encourage your classes to engage with SET and this remains an important tool for reflecting on our engagement in courses and the way we are regarded as educators.

But there’s a shift across the university towards embracing wider performance metrics. In career assessment processes, such as continuation and promotion, SET scores are a necessary but not sufficient indicator of satisfactory performance or, even better, excellence. There is now an expectation applicant for advancement will engage with the Teach Well framework. Quality cannot be only measured by looking down a metaphorical microscope at SET-based student feedback. Rather, we are expected to be educational as well as research innovators. The challenge is to be creative in demonstrating just that. Ideas? Ask a peer to sit-in on one of your classes and jot some observations. Ask students to offer narrative feedback part-way through a course. Describe how you have maintained an engaged attendance though the semester. Show you are running a course not a curse!

This week we begin a series of deliberative reflections on the four new stage 1 courses. Big thanks to Ako Innovation Committee for the organising and to those who will present on these occasions. Four 90-minute sessions could be seen as a big commitment, but how quickly the same duration passes writing a paper or in a lab. Please attend and offer feedback.

More broadly, this is a time to -paradoxically perhaps – both take teaching seriously and make it fun; a time to collectively “up our game”. As framed in the title of Parker Palmer’s book, it takes ‘courage to teach’. It’s exposing, requires engagement, takes enthusiasm. We have been appointed to lecture and profess. Let’s do it with gusto.

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Thanks to all colleagues who graced the stage in their finery for graduation. A big congratulations to all of our students who crossed that same stage. Its all-too easy for us who’ve been on the marking/supervision side of the equation to lose touch with the grunt, tenacity and sacrifice involved to graduate, so big respect to you all. Here’s a great write up on the university website about one of our PhD graduates: Herbalist cooks up a witchy brew of a PhD – The University of Auckland

Congratulations also to Tara Coleman, a qualitative methodologist and part of the School since her award-winning MA thesis in 2008. Tara has just finished her three- year Marsden grant and, among other outputs, is publishing a book of poetry crafted from her interviewee’s transcripts. In these time when the tap being turned off for some categories of Marsden applicants, such pathbreaking work at the nexus of social science and the humanities is to be honoured all the more ( You can read an introduction to her Placing Unheard Voices here.)

Other outstanding achievements, awards, new opportunities I /we should know about and profile? Don’t be whakama – send them in.

Have a good week.

Robin Kearns, Head of School

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Announcements, Seminars & Events

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Tāwhia Te Mana Fellowship webinar Roadshow

The Royal Society Te Apārangi will hold an online Zoom webinar Tāwhia Te Mana Fellowship roadshow on Thursday 29 May, 2025.

The roadshows will explain the application process and provide potential applicants with an opportunity to ask questions. The roadshows will primarily focus on the Mana Tūāpapa Future Leaders and Mana Tūānuku Research Leader Fellowships, but the funder will answer questions on Mana Tūārangi as well if requested.

We would appreciate it if you could help us circulating these events

Please note that participants need to pre-register for these events by following the respective link in the table below.

Date	Time	About	To register, please go to:
Thursday 29 May	10 AM	Mana Tūāpapa Future Leader Fellowship	Register here
Thursday 29 May	11 AM	Mana Tūānuku Research Leader Fellowship	Register here

Recordings from these roadshows will become available for viewing here after the roadshows.

Please reach out to submissions@auckland.ac.nz if you have any questions and/or concerns.

Please note this webinar is related the Royal Society Te Apārangi: Tāwhia te Mana Research Fellowships funding call under the Funding Calls section.

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Three Minute Thesis – School of Environment Heats

• Date: Tuesday 3rd of June
• Location: 302-551 Ontology Lab

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Hang Thai PhD Proposal Seminar

• • When: Tuesday 10 June | 11:00am  |  302-551 (Ontology Lab)
  • Zoom: https://auckland.zoom.us/j/93386936143

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From the OUTREACH COMMITTEE:

Share Your Latest Academic and Career Achievements with Us!

Share your latest research, conference presentations, fieldwork, and career updates with us! Your achievements could be featured on the School of Environment’s social media to showcase the amazing work happening in our community. Fill out the survey and include photos, titles of papers or theses, and anything else you’d like to share!

https://forms.gle/QAEkcndygHNazXr2A

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COMPASS Morning Tea 

COMPASS PG is dedicated to creating a vibrant and supportive community for postgraduate students at all levels in the School of Environment. We host regular events designed to foster collaboration, networking, and a sense of community. 

All staff and postgrad students are invited to come along, to participate or just to enjoy some home baked goods!

 

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Te Akoranga Kairangi

The free staff programme, Te Akoranga Kairangi (TAK) is an introduction to Māori language, culture and the treaty. Details about the programme are appended. The programme runs over 8 weeks, 2 hours per weekly session, on Tuesdays or Thursdays. Fourteen 8-week cohorts are offered throughout the year, including an on-line option. Details about the schedule are appended and ALSO on Hono Learning (see instructions below). 

Here are links to the details of the programme: TAK Programme  and 2025 TAK times available

In addition, a free 2.5 hour Colonial History Walk around the university area is led by Assoc Prof Avril Bell. This is a unique opportunity for all staff keen to learn more about the role of central Auckland in the history of colonisation.

To enrol in TAK or the Colonial History Walk:

EITHER by emailing  (we can enrol you directly) Assoc Prof Avril Bell a.bell@auckland.ac.nz (Tuesday classes) or Prof Alison Jones a.jones@auckland.ac.nz (Thursdays classes)  

OR  by going to University of Auckland staff intranet webpage, search for Hono Learning. On the Hono page, type Te Akoranga Kairangi into the search bar at the top. Then click on the Te Akoranga Kairangi or Colonial History Walk link. Then click on Select Offering. There you should see a list of cohort dates for the year’s classes or walks. Select the cohort dates that suit you. Then click on Submit. You should then get an email to confirm your enrolment.

Feel free to contact Alison or Avril with any questions! 😊

Ngā mihi, thanks a lot

Alison and Avril

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Geoscience Society of New Zealand Student Activity Support

Thanks to the bequest to the Geoscience Society of New Zealand by Jack Grant-Mackie, former faculty (and a Head of Department etc) of the University of Auckland Geology Department who specialised in paleontology and stratigraphy, there are funds to support student activities at branch level to the value of $500 in the coming year.

If you have a proposal about a student Geoscience trip or event (outside of our normal university activities) please contact GSNZ branch rep Jennifer Eccles j.eccles@auckland.ac.nz so we can get a short budget/proposal together. Student led initiatives particularly welcomed!

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Ngā Motu Whakahī Summer Scholar

Kia ora Researchers,

We are now receiving summer research project details if you are interested in having a Ngā Motu Whakahī Summer Scholar. If you are interested in submitting a project, please add your project details to the template here and send it to nga-motu-whakahi@auckland.ac.nz (and/or k.ridings@auckland.ac.nz) by 5:00 pm Thursday 29th May.

For these scholarships, the primary supervisor MUST be a current UoA employee within the Faculty of Science. We also require that a project has a co-supervisor — this can be a postgraduate student. At least one of the supervision team members (preferably both) MUST be Māori or Pacific.

Ngā Motu Whakahī summer research studentships are designed to promote the early interest of Māori and Pacific undergraduates in research. We aim to support our scholars through a unique supervision structure and regular activities for scholars throughout the summer with the Ngā Motu Whakahī team. Additionally, we also provide support for postgraduate supervisors.

Things to note:

• Supervision teams should consist of two supervisors, at least one of whom is Māori or Pacific (a postgraduate student can be a contributing supervisor)
• The stipend amount per scholar is $6750 for approximately 10 weeks of research. There are at least 10 summer scholarships available.
• Projects will be advertised centrally and on https://ngamotuwhakahi.blogs.auckland.ac.nz/. During this time, students may contact you to discuss your project. Answer any queries they may have, but please do not promise your project to a student. The allocation of projects and or students is done after all applications have been received and eligibility has been confirmed.
• Ngā Motu Whakahī summer scholars are required to attend fortnightly hui throughout their summer.
• Ngā Motu Whakahī scholars must complete their studentship with a final presentation at the end of summer, date TBD. Any written work or deliverables associated with the research project are to be agreed upon with the student and the supervision team at the beginning of the summer.
• Students who have previously been awarded a centrally funded, faculty funded, externally funded or Ngā Motu Whakahī Summer Research Scholarship will be eligible to hold a second or subsequent Ngā Motu Whakahī Summer Research Scholarship. This Scholarship cannot be held at the same time as another equivalent Scholarship.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact nga-motu-whakahi@auckland.ac.nz.

Ngā mihi,

Ngā Motu Whakahī team

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Introductions to R Workshop

An introductory R Workshop is being run on Wednesday 2^nd and Thursday 3^rd of July 2025. The course will be run by the Statistical Consulting Centre (SCC) in the Department of Statistics.

What’s covered in the workshop?

• Introduction
  Getting familiar with R
  Using R Studio and loading projects/scripts
  Basic functions using R
  Reading in Data Files (.csv, .xls/.xlsx)
  Introduction to R Objects. How R thinks (vectors, matrices, basic data formats)
• Working with data(sets)
  Cleaning and subsetting
  Merging datasets and reformatting
  Grouping variables and summarising
• R graphics
  Starting with plots in R (boxplots, histograms, bar graphs)
  Graphics in R with ggplot2 (customising plots)
• Data analysis
  Introduction to performing t-tests, chi-square tests, ANOVA, and general linear models

The cost is $400 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 will have to also add GST for this type of payment – please contact Joei Mudaliar j.mudaliar@auckland.ac.nz for further instructions).

The payment authorisation form for UoA participants paying from a UoA account is here.
The cost for non-UoA attendees is $650 + GST. Please contact Joei Mudaliar (j.mudaliar@auckland.ac.nz) for payment instructions.

We will be sending out a pre-workshop information email the week prior to the course, however here are some of the details:

Location
We will be in room 302.190. Building 302 is on the corner of Symonds St and Wellesley St. The room we will be using is on level 1, room 160.

Time and schedule
The approximate schedule for both days is here (since this is the schedule from our previous course, it may yet be altered very slightly).
We will start at 9am and finish at 5pm.
Morning and afternoon tea will be provided, and there are cafes nearby for lunch. 

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).
We will also include some instructions on how to do this in our pre-workshop information email.

Access to computers and the internet
We will arrange access to the lab computers for all non-UoA participants.
We will also have a guest wireless password for non-UoA participants who are bringing their own laptops.
UoA staff and students will be able to access the FoS computers using their normal UoA upi and password.
I hope you can make it on the 2^nd and 3^rd July 2025, and we look forward to seeing you there.

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Managing Sensitive Research Data Workshop

The Centre for eResearch is piloting a new ‘Managing sensitive research data’ workshop to support doctoral candidates and researchers to comply with policies around ethics, data management, and Māori data sovereignty by pointing to relevant University services and support.

Managing sensitive research data (Wed 4 June, 1-2pm, online)

This 1 hour online workshop builds on existing research data management skills to support you in managing sensitive research data. Through the lens of international and national frameworks, attendees will learn about best practices, considerations, and University-approved tools for managing sensitive research data responsibly and securely. 

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The 2025 ANZIC Marine Geoscience Masterclass

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ANZIC calls for funding proposals

Funding of up to NZ$25,000 is now available for projects that will advance the field of scientific drilling. ANZIC invites proposals from scientists in Australian & New Zealand Member Institutions – including the University o – for their Continent & Ocean Research & Education (CORE) Funding.

ANZIC CORE funding supports research using previously-collected scientific drilling samples, cores and data; activities that aid future drilling proposals; and educational projects in the sphere of scientific drilling. ANZIC is looking for innovative proposals that align with their science priorities.

Submit your proposal by 8 September!

LEARN MORE: www.iodp.org.au/legacy-funding/

 

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Health Safety & Wellbeing

---

Remember to get your free flu vaccine available at Unichem Campus Pharmacy, this will help you prepare for winter.

Location:
Kate Edger Information Commons 9 Symonds Street (corner of Symonds Street and Alfred Street) Level 1, next to UBIQ and Esports Arena

You also might be eligible to a free MMR vaccine. The measles (MMR) vaccine is free for all children under 18 years in New Zealand, and all adults over the age of 18 who are eligible for free NZ healthcare. Measles – The University of Auckland Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine

Measles – The University of Auckland

Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine

Food Safety at Home:

Food safety at home is especially important during the winter months, when warm, comforting meals such as soups, casseroles, and roasts are commonly prepared. These dishes often involve slow cooking and the use of various ingredients, which increases the need for proper food handling to avoid cross-contamination. In winter, people also tend to cook in larger quantities and store leftovers, making it crucial to cool and refrigerate food promptly. To reduce the risk of foodborne illness, hot foods should be cooled quickly and stored in a refrigerator at or below 4°C, while frozen items should be kept at -18°C or colder.

Treat your leftovers right | NZ Government mpi.govt.nz

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Funding Calls

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Hono data integration are impacting research projects

Do you have research grants? Do you, or a member of your research team, use EIP dashboards to monitor your research funds or Research Development Account (RDA)? If so, please read on.

Recent challenges with Hono data integration are impacting research projects. As a result, EIP dashboards are not correctly reflecting actual salary costs from 20 February, casual staff payments, or future-dated salary commitments. All other actual transactions are correct, however, the left-to-spend balances may not be correct. 

What does this mean?

1. EIP reports should not be used to confirm a project’s financial status until further notice, as salary details in EIP reports for pay runs after 20 Feb 2025 are not yet available.
2. Research Development Account (RDA) balances may not be correct, particularly if fixed-term or casual staff are being paid from the RDA account. 
3. Surpluses or deficits on research grants cannot be resolved until the balances can be confirmed, so projects ending after 20 Feb 2025 cannot be closed. 
4. Surpluses or deficits will not be distributed to, or recovered from, RDA accounts (or returned to funders) for projects ending after 20 Feb 2025 until accurate balances can be confirmed. 

Resolutions and Timeframes 

A Solution Oversight Co-ordination (SOC) Team has been formed and includes a range of experts who understand the issues and the impacts. Members have been drawn from Research Services, OneFinance, HR, Integration Specialists, Vendors, the Risk Team, and the Planning and Information Office to find solutions to the identified issues.  Alongside the SOC Team, several continuity groups (including a research continuity group) are working on specific outcomes, the teams meet daily and report to SOC. The Solution Oversight Coordination Team are in the process of identifying and quantifying the risks around these and implementing mitigation strategies.

Please be assured we’ll be providing regular progress updates to the Faculties and Institutes. In the meantime, if you have an urgent query related to your project financials, please contact your Faculty or Institute Research Services Team in the first instance.

---

Spencer Foundation – Research Grants on Education: Large

 The Large Grant supports education research projects that will contribute to the improvement of education, broadly conceived, with budgets ranging from US $125,000 to $500,000 for projects ranging from one to five years.

This program is “field-initiated,” meaning that proposal submissions are not in response to a specific request for a particular research topic, discipline, design, or method. Goal for this program is to support rigorous, intellectually ambitious and technically sound research that is relevant to the most pressing questions and compelling opportunities in education.

• Value:  between US$125,000 and US$500,000 (circa NZ$ 220,000 -880,000)
• Duration:   12 – 60 months
• Deadlines:  Intent to apply.  External Deadline – Wednesday 14 May 2025;  Internal Deadline – Monday 9 June, 2025 (12 Noon)
• Funder webpage

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Hood Fellowships

The Hood Fellowships are University of Auckland Foundation awards for the distinguished scholars to visit the University (Incoming Hood fellows) or our distinguished scholars to travel outside New Zealand (Outgoing Hood fellows) to build stronger networks, maintain and enhance the international standing and performance of Waipapa Taumata Rau | University of Auckland as New Zealand’s premier research-led university. The Hood Fellowship Fund aims to help the University meet this challenge by:

• Attracting distinguished overseas academics who are leaders in their field
• Developing and retaining the University’s best academic staff
• Hosting recognised international experts for guest lectures and seminars
• Building stronger international networks among its community of scholars

One of the key expectations of inbound Hood fellows is that they should give at least one public lecture during their time in Auckland.

• Value: up to $25,000 each award
• Duration: 12 months 2026 (Jan-Dec 2026)
• Applications open 1 June 2025 and close 30 June 2025

Further Information

• Funding Call
• Guidelines

If you are interested, please also get in touch with your FIRST.

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Royal Society Te Apārangi: Tāwhia te Mana Research Fellowships

Please note that this funding called is related to the Tāwhia Te Mana Fellowship webinar Roadshow webinar under the Announcements, Seminars & Events section.

These Fellowships will support researchers at different career stages to produce excellent and impactful research and to develop into leaders in their fields, their respective host organisations and across the whole of the Aotearoa New Zealand ST&I system. The Fellowships consist of three schemes, targeted at early, mid- and established career researchers, respectively. The three schemes are:

• New Zealand Mana Tūāpapa Future Leader Fellowship
• New Zealand Mana Tūānuku Research Leader Fellowship
• New Zealand Mana Tūārangi Distinguished Researcher Fellowship

Value/Duration:

New Zealand Mana Tūāpapa Future Leader
Fellowship

• Value: $820,000
• Duration: 4 years or up to 8 years part-time

New Zealand Mana Tūānuku Research Leader
Fellowship

• Value: $1,160,000
• Duration: 4 years or up to 8 years part-time

New Zealand Mana Tūārangi Distinguished
Researcher Fellowship

• Value: $220,000
• Duration: 1-2 years

 

Internal Deadline: 12pm, Tuesday, 1st July 2025

Guidelines:

•  New Zealand Mana Tūāpapa Future Leader Fellowship
•  New Zealand Mana Tūānuku Research Leader Fellowship
•  New Zealand Mana Tūārangi Distinguished Researcher Fellowship

Application templates

•  New Zealand Mana Tūāpapa Future Leader Fellowship
•  New Zealand Mana Tūānuku Research Leader Fellowship
•  New Zealand Mana Tūārangi Distinguished Researcher Fellowship

Website
ResearchHub resources

If you are interested, please also get in touch with your FIRST.

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Royal Society Te Apārangi Catalyst Seeding (Round 2)

Catalyst Seeding facilitates new small and medium pre-research strategic partnerships that cannot be supported through other means, and with a view to developing full collaborations that could be supported through Catalyst: Strategic over time. Funding is for research exchanges, research activities, and expenses related to hosting workshops for new strategic research partnerships with international collaborators.

The Catalyst Fund investment plan identifies six priority research areas, which are:

• Quantum technology
• Health and biomedicine
• Biotechnologies
• Artificial Intelligence
• Antarctic research
• Space and Earth observations

Details:

• Value: up to $80,000 (Exc. GST)
• Duration: 2 years
• Deadline: 12pm, Tuesday, 8 July 2025

Further Information (funding call, guidelines website):

• Funding Call
• Guidelines

If you are interested, please also get in touch with your FIRST.

---

2025 New Zealand – China Strategic Research Alliance

The New Zealand – China Strategic Research Alliance (SRA) is an annual joint funding programme funded by New Zealand and the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST).  Chinese partners must apply for their own funding through MoST. 

For 2025, proposals must align with the priority area of Environmental Technologies. The specific research areas for this priority are:

• Clean and renewable energy technologies
• Climate change adaptation technologies
• Climate change mitigation technologies
• Carbon dioxide capture and conversion technologies
• Novel technologies for biodegradation or elimination of emerging pollutants in vivo
• Grant value:  Up to NZ $300,000
• Duration: Up to 3 years
• Internal Deadline: 12 noon, Monday, 23 June 2025

Guidelines and resources can be found on the MBIE website

---

HeadsUp

---

An impending farewell

It’s with mixed feelings that I open with the news that some of you be aware of: our friend and colleague Giovanni Coco will be leaving ‘Team Environment’ to return to the Northern Hemisphere from the end of October. Giovanni has been a huge contributor to the School since his appointment a decade ago. His international collaborations, engaging teaching, numerous supervisions and wide array of grants and contracts in the coastal research area have been truly impressive. He has also cheerfully taken on various service roles to help keep the engine of the School running. Giovanni will leave a wide gap but we have a six-month runway before he takes off. Over that time we can continue to appreciate the warmth and stellar commitment he brings. Closer to his departure we will have a more focussed opportunity to offer thoughts of appreciation and toast his contributions the School.

Congratulations

Blair has let me know that he and his partner Melanie are expecting baby #3 in October. He reports “It’s a boy this time, so I’ll be slightly less outnumbered at home. We’re excited (and slightly terrified), but mostly excited.” Well done and may excitement prevail!

And on the research front, two ENV-led Marsden EOIs have been invited to the next stage. Well done again. And commiserations to those not invited to proceed , but hoping that you can reconsider, tweak, update and recycle next year.

A colourful week ahead

I doubt reminders are needed but…its graduation this week. I look forward to being on a stage well-populated by Environment people. I especially look forward to seeing two of our recent PhD students who have made great teaching contributions as limited-term PTFs graduate: Alice McSherry and Salene Schloffel-Armstrong.

A reminder that even if you are not ascending to the stage in your finery, please do come along to the reception 730am on Tuesday in the 302 atrium and introduce yourself to some parents and supporters. Its our opportunity for manaakitanga.

And next week, celebrations continue..

…with Phil Shane’s inaugural lecture on Monday 19th May. (refreshments and conversation from 5pm – PLT1 hallway on 303 Ground Floor).

Health and Safety

Thanks to all those associated with our labs who have cleared out surplus materials and generally tidied up in response to last week’s call by Blair and Tom as well as the associated Faculty-driven ‘health check’ on labs. The general message is our labs are workspaces not storage spaces for long-term or redundant materials. As my wise Scots grandmother used to say (not in reference to Labs I should add) “if in doubt, toss it out”.

Leave

Remember that all types of Leave are now to be applied for via Hono. Please remember also that any research or conference-related leave over two weeks in duration may need Dean’s approval (but still apply to me as HoS in the first instance). Recall also that any travel needs a completed FoS Travel Approval Form so we know where costs are coming from, where you will be and how your duties are being managed during you absence. A further requirement is that any travel arrangements being made for you by another agency still needs a Travel Approval Form and you need to submit your itinerary to the Risk Office. Please don’t leave me and others wondering where you are, what you are doing and when you will be back.

All for now. Have a great week

Robin Kearns, Head of School

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Announcements, Seminars & Events

---

Phil Shane Inaugural Lecture

• When: Monday 19 May | Link to register: https://PhilShane.eventbrite.co.nz
• 5pm Refreshments: Building 303, Ground Floor PLT1 Hallway, 36 Princes Street
• 5:30pm Lecture: Physics Lecture Theatre 1 PLT1/303-G20, Science Centre, 38 Princes Street

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Sanne Vaassen PhD Proposal Seminar

• When: Monday 19 May | 12:00pm  |  302-586
• Zoom: https://auckland.zoom.us/j/98859215511?pwd=XChpQ8G8TeH38XJ00MRQNt3zpNafhp.1
  Meeting ID: 988 5921 5511 Passcode: 020440

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Edouard Basquin PhD Proposal Seminar

• When: Monday 19 May | 3:00pm  |  302-586
• Zoom: https://auckland.zoom.us/j/94621178362?pwd=VjyC6B1BQtQSKA7hpyIqbnk497r4R9.1

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ENV Research Seminar Series

You are cordially invited to attend the next round of the School of Environment Seminar Series presentations, which will include presentations by:

Dr Itxaso Ruiz – Does land management affect grapevine water resources?

Dr Maurizio D’Anna – Reshaping the understanding of beach response to sea-level rise for shoreline models

When: Tuesday 20 May, 12-1pm | Where: 302.140 | Please RSVP for catering

 

 

 

 

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COMPASS Morning Tea 

COMPASS PG is dedicated to creating a vibrant and supportive community for postgraduate students at all levels in the School of Environment. We host regular events designed to foster collaboration, networking, and a sense of community. 

All staff and postgrad students are invited to come along, to participate or just to enjoy some home baked goods!

 

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The Great SoE Bake Off

When: 13 – 16 May, 10am everyday | Where: 5th Floor Kitchen

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Te Akoranga Kairangi

The free staff programme, Te Akoranga Kairangi (TAK) is an introduction to Māori language, culture and the treaty. Details about the programme are appended. The programme runs over 8 weeks, 2 hours per weekly session, on Tuesdays or Thursdays. Fourteen 8-week cohorts are offered throughout the year, including an on-line option. Details about the schedule are appended and ALSO on Hono Learning (see instructions below). 

Here are links to the details of the programme: TAK Programme  and 2025 TAK times available

In addition, a free 2.5 hour Colonial History Walk around the university area is led by Assoc Prof Avril Bell. This is a unique opportunity for all staff keen to learn more about the role of central Auckland in the history of colonisation.

To enrol in TAK or the Colonial History Walk:

EITHER by emailing  (we can enrol you directly) Assoc Prof Avril Bell a.bell@auckland.ac.nz (Tuesday classes) or Prof Alison Jones a.jones@auckland.ac.nz (Thursdays classes)  

OR  by going to University of Auckland staff intranet webpage, search for Hono Learning. On the Hono page, type Te Akoranga Kairangi into the search bar at the top. Then click on the Te Akoranga Kairangi or Colonial History Walk link. Then click on Select Offering. There you should see a list of cohort dates for the year’s classes or walks. Select the cohort dates that suit you. Then click on Submit. You should then get an email to confirm your enrolment.

Feel free to contact Alison or Avril with any questions! 😊

Ngā mihi, thanks a lot

Alison and Avril

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ANZIC calls for funding proposals

Funding of up to NZ$25,000 is now available for projects that will advance the field of scientific drilling. ANZIC invites proposals from scientists in Australian & New Zealand Member Institutions – including the University o – for their Continent & Ocean Research & Education (CORE) Funding.

ANZIC CORE funding supports research using previously-collected scientific drilling samples, cores and data; activities that aid future drilling proposals; and educational projects in the sphere of scientific drilling. ANZIC is looking for innovative proposals that align with their science priorities.

Submit your proposal by 8 September!

LEARN MORE: www.iodp.org.au/legacy-funding/

 

---

Health Safety & Wellbeing

---

Remember to get your free flu vaccine available at Unichem Campus Pharmacy, this will help you prepare for winter.

Location :  Kate Edger Information Commons 9 Symonds Street (corner of Symonds Street and Alfred Street) Level 1, next to UBIQ and Esports Arena

Pink Shirt Day is an annual event dedicated to raising awareness about bullying and promoting kindness and inclusion. It originated in Canada in 2007 when two students, David Shepherd and Travis Price, distributed pink shirts to support a fellow student who was bullied for wearing a pink shirt 

In New Zealand, Pink Shirt Day is observed on the third Friday of May each year. This year, it will be held on Friday, 16 May 2025

Supporting Pink Shirt Day is a wonderful way to stand against bullying and promote kindness. Here are some meaningful ways you can get involved:

1. Wear Pink: The simplest way to show your support is by wearing a pink shirt on Pink Shirt Day. This sends a powerful message that you stand against bullying 
2. Educate and Raise Awareness: Host events or activities at your school, workplace, or community to educate others about the impact of bullying and the importance of kindness 
3. Support Anti-Bullying Organizations: Donate to or volunteer with organizations that work to prevent bullying and support victims 
4. Social Media Campaigns: Use your social media platforms to spread the message. Share posts, stories, and information about Pink Shirt Day to raise awareness 
5. Reflect and Act: Take time to reflect on your own behaviour and how you can contribute to a kinder, more inclusive environment. Stand up for others if you see bullying happening

 

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Funding Calls

---

Hono data integration are impacting research projects

Do you have research grants? Do you, or a member of your research team, use EIP dashboards to monitor your research funds or Research Development Account (RDA)? If so, please read on.

Recent challenges with Hono data integration are impacting research projects. As a result, EIP dashboards are not correctly reflecting actual salary costs from 20 February, casual staff payments, or future-dated salary commitments. All other actual transactions are correct, however, the left-to-spend balances may not be correct. 

What does this mean?

1. EIP reports should not be used to confirm a project’s financial status until further notice, as salary details in EIP reports for pay runs after 20 Feb 2025 are not yet available.
2. Research Development Account (RDA) balances may not be correct, particularly if fixed-term or casual staff are being paid from the RDA account. 
3. Surpluses or deficits on research grants cannot be resolved until the balances can be confirmed, so projects ending after 20 Feb 2025 cannot be closed. 
4. Surpluses or deficits will not be distributed to, or recovered from, RDA accounts (or returned to funders) for projects ending after 20 Feb 2025 until accurate balances can be confirmed. 

Resolutions and Timeframes 

A Solution Oversight Co-ordination (SOC) Team has been formed and includes a range of experts who understand the issues and the impacts. Members have been drawn from Research Services, OneFinance, HR, Integration Specialists, Vendors, the Risk Team, and the Planning and Information Office to find solutions to the identified issues.  Alongside the SOC Team, several continuity groups (including a research continuity group) are working on specific outcomes, the teams meet daily and report to SOC. The Solution Oversight Coordination Team are in the process of identifying and quantifying the risks around these and implementing mitigation strategies.

Please be assured we’ll be providing regular progress updates to the Faculties and Institutes. In the meantime, if you have an urgent query related to your project financials, please contact your Faculty or Institute Research Services Team in the first instance.

---

Spencer Foundation – Research Grants on Education: Large

 The Large Grant supports education research projects that will contribute to the improvement of education, broadly conceived, with budgets ranging from US $125,000 to $500,000 for projects ranging from one to five years.

This program is “field-initiated,” meaning that proposal submissions are not in response to a specific request for a particular research topic, discipline, design, or method. Goal for this program is to support rigorous, intellectually ambitious and technically sound research that is relevant to the most pressing questions and compelling opportunities in education.

• Value:  between US$125,000 and US$500,000 (circa NZ$ 220,000 -880,000)
• Duration:   12 – 60 months
• Deadlines:  Intent to apply.  External Deadline – Wednesday 14 May 2025;  Internal Deadline – Monday 9 June, 2025 (12 Noon)
• Funder webpage:

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Natural Hazards Commission Toka Tū Ake 2026 Biennial Research Funding Programme

NHC Toka Tū Ake invites researchers and practitioners to submit proposals for Biennial grants that align with their updated Research Strategy and Research Investment Priorities Statement 2025.

There have been a number of changes since the last round, so please take some time to familiarise yourself with these.  Please visit the funders website for links to the relevant documents, guidelines and application templates.

• Value: $50,000 – $100,000
• Duration: maximum 2 years
• EOI Internal Deadline:  12pm, Tuesday 20 May 2025

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Hood Fellowships

The Hood Fellowships are University of Auckland Foundation awards for the distinguished scholars to visit the University (Incoming Hood fellows) or our distinguished scholars to travel outside New Zealand (Outgoing Hood fellows) to build stronger networks, maintain and enhance the international standing and performance of Waipapa Taumata Rau | University of Auckland as New Zealand’s premier research-led university. The Hood Fellowship Fund aims to help the University meet this challenge by:

• Attracting distinguished overseas academics who are leaders in their field
• Developing and retaining the University’s best academic staff
• Hosting recognised international experts for guest lectures and seminars
• Building stronger international networks among its community of scholars

One of the key expectations of inbound Hood fellows is that they should give at least one public lecture during their time in Auckland.

• Value: up to $25,000 each award
• Duration: 12 months 2026 (Jan-Dec 2026)
• Applications open 1 June 2025 and close 30 June 2025

Further Information

• Funding Call
• Guidelines

If you are interested, please also get in touch with your FIRST.

---

Royal Society Te Apārangi Catalyst Seeding (Round 2)

Catalyst Seeding facilitates new small and medium pre-research strategic partnerships that cannot be supported through other means, and with a view to developing full collaborations that could be supported through Catalyst: Strategic over time. Funding is for research exchanges, research activities, and expenses related to hosting workshops for new strategic research partnerships with international collaborators.

The Catalyst Fund investment plan identifies six priority research areas, which are:

• Quantum technology
• Health and biomedicine
• Biotechnologies
• Artificial Intelligence
• Antarctic research
• Space and Earth observations

Details:

• Value: up to $80,000 (Exc. GST)
• Duration: 2 years
• Deadline: 12pm, Tuesday, 8 July 2025

Further Information (funding call, guidelines website):

• Funding Call
• Guidelines

If you are interested, please also get in touch with your FIRST.

---

2025 New Zealand – China Strategic Research Alliance

The New Zealand – China Strategic Research Alliance (SRA) is an annual joint funding programme funded by New Zealand and the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST).  Chinese partners must apply for their own funding through MoST. 

For 2025, proposals must align with the priority area of Environmental Technologies. The specific research areas for this priority are:

• Clean and renewable energy technologies
• Climate change adaptation technologies
• Climate change mitigation technologies
• Carbon dioxide capture and conversion technologies
• Novel technologies for biodegradation or elimination of emerging pollutants in vivo
• Grant value:  Up to NZ $300,000
• Duration: Up to 3 years
• Internal Deadline: 12 noon, Monday, 23 June 2025

Guidelines and resources can be found on the MBIE website

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Publications

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HeadsUp

---

So soon after the Easter/Anzac/Mid-semester break, it’s a case of heads-down rather than heads-up as we move into the business-half of the semester. I hope you all were able to take at least part of the break as a bona fide break.

Some rough weather may have modified leave plans, however. And when you lead field courses, being nimble in choppy weather is the key.  So all credit to George and Kevin whose PG class of 30 students had two days more on Aotea/Great Barrier than was planned for….

When I asked DHoS Tom if there were any issues I should mention but had forgotten, his reply was “no news is good news”. Indeed after a year of too much turbulence, would it be jixing things to say we are generally moving along quietly, confidently and happily? That’s certainly the impression I get as I talk to people in the corridors, at Wednesday morning tea and in ADPR conversations. Long may it last.

Its not all quiet though. At the Faculty level, Sarah Young our new Dean is working with us Heads and other senior leaders to craft a new organisational structure, with leadership and portfolios better aligned with the pou of Taumata Teitei. Those at the recent Faculty meeting would have had a foretaste of this change. Stay tuned for more. 

School Initiative – The Manaaki Project Kaupapa

Sonia, Nick R and Rachel have developed a succinct statement outlining the kaupapa of the   Manaaki Project. I paste it in below to underline (well, italicise!) its importance as a School-based initiative and ensure it is recognised and understood.   

“The Manaaki Project (TMP) is a programme of support in the School of Environment that enables course coordinators to work with Tuākana coordinators and tutors to ensure the best outcomes for Māori and Pacific students.

TMP works to triage situations and find the best solutions so that students do not have to share their personal situations to multiple staff, and can instead focus on their coursework in a manner that suits their context. The overall aim is to support students to do their best, while recognising that some students have complex lives, and need flexibility in their assessments’ due dates, timelines, and participation on occasion.

By choosing to participate in TMP course coordinators agree to trust the process of student support which includes various check points with the Tuākana discipline coordinators, and if necessary, the Tuākana coordinator, Head of School/Deputy Academic or AD Teaching and Learning.

For the most part, this means that details of the students’ situations will not be shared with course coordinators. Therefore, it is imperative that TMP functions as a high-trust model with the student’s success as the central taumata.

This ensures our students can maintain their privacy and dignity with respect to their personal circumstances.

In practice, TMP may result in a Tuākana discipline coordinator contacting a course coordinator to ask for flexibility with respect to assessment and/or participation for a student. Ideally, the course coordinator will work with the Tuakana discipline coordinator to find a solution or outcome that supports the student’s success in the course, within the bounds of UoA assessment policy.

————–

To close, some congratulations and an opportunities

• Congratulations to Nick Lewis who has been invited to speak among a line up of other prominent thinkers in the Cook Islands next week. This aligns with his career-long commitment to the relations between education, knowledge, and nation. He sees this as “a chance to take part in an important conversation among old friends…and make a small repayment on the many benefits I’ve derived from my relationships with the Cooks”.
• Congrats too to Karen Fisher for recently being invited to join a very large and well-funded Canadian-based project titled “Transforming Chemical Risk Management with Indigenous Expertise”, which seeks to address the urgent need to reduce emissions of climate-changing gases and pollutants through innovative approaches to chemical risk management. Karen will contribute the application of Indigenous research methods to this challenge “to profoundly transform chemical risk management in Indigenous community-based practice, university labs and classes, regulatory practices, and policy development”.

Opportunities

• In case Easter treats were a bit lean this year, on Wed 14^th May we have Round 1 of the Chocolate competition for 2025 sponsored by our new combined Institute of Marine Science and the School of Environment equity committee!
• As communicated in an email to all staff on 23/4/25 and on the University intranet, Te Tumu Herenga | Libraries and Learning Services is conducting an in-depth review of our electronic collections. The focus is on maintaining access to high-use and high-value resources, ensuring that the most critical materials for teaching and research remain available. Please consider providing feedback.
• Many staff have already participated in and appreciated the free staff Te Akoranga Kairangi (TAK) programme, an introduction to Māori language, culture and the Treaty. Details about the programme appear later in this addition of p-cubed. The programme runs over 8 weeks, 2 hours per weekly session, on Tuesdays or Thursdays. Fourteen 8-week cohorts are offered throughout the year, including an on-line option. [We increase and deepen our collective capacity to encounter our own place and people with integrity through engaging in opportunities like this so if you have yet to take this course, please consider doing so].
• Finally, a reminder that our colleague Phil Shane’s inaugural professorial lecture is coming up on Monday 19^th I recently went to one of these occasions  in FMHS for a geography colleague in that Faculty. I was amazed at the immense turnout and festive atmosphere. Let’s match that at our inaugurals this year.

So, lots actually happening, beneath the overall relief of “no news is good news” !

Robin Kearns, Head of School

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Announcements, Seminars & Events

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Disaster Prevention and Management Seminar Series

When: Friday 2 May, 2pm | Where: Ontology Lab 302.551

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Phil Shane Inaugural Lecture

When: Monday 19 May | Link to register: https://PhilShane.eventbrite.co.nz

5pm Refreshments: Building 303, Ground Floor PLT1 Hallway, 36 Princes Street

5:30pm Lecture: Physics Lecture Theatre 1 PLT1/303-G20, Science Centre, 38 Princes Street

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ENV Research Seminar Series

You are cordially invited to attend the next round of the School of Environment Seminar Series presentations, which will include presentations by:

Dr Itxaso Ruiz – Does land management affect grapevine water resources?

Dr Maurizio D’Anna – Reshaping the understanding of beach response to sea-level rise for shoreline models

When: Tuesday 20 May, 12-1pm | Where: 302.140 | Please RSVP for catering

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COMPASS Morning Tea 

COMPASS PG is dedicated to creating a vibrant and supportive community for postgraduate students at all levels in the School of Environment. We host regular events designed to foster collaboration, networking, and a sense of community. 

All staff and postgrad students are invited to come along, to participate or just to enjoy some home baked goods!

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The Great SoE Bake Off

When: 13 – 16 May, 10am everyday | Where: 5th Floor Kitchen

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Te Akoranga Kairangi

The free staff programme, Te Akoranga Kairangi (TAK) is an introduction to Māori language, culture and the treaty. Details about the programme are appended. The programme runs over 8 weeks, 2 hours per weekly session, on Tuesdays or Thursdays. Fourteen 8-week cohorts are offered throughout the year, including an on-line option. Details about the schedule are appended and ALSO on Hono Learning (see instructions below). 

Here are links to the details of the programme: TAK Programme  and 2025 TAK times available

In addition, a free 2.5 hour Colonial History Walk around the university area is led by Assoc Prof Avril Bell. This is a unique opportunity for all staff keen to learn more about the role of central Auckland in the history of colonisation.

To enrol in TAK or the Colonial History Walk:

EITHER by emailing  (we can enrol you directly) 

Assoc Prof Avril Bell a.bell@auckland.ac.nz (Tuesday classes) or Prof Alison Jones a.jones@auckland.ac.nz (Thursdays classes)  

OR  by going to University of Auckland staff intranet webpage, search for Hono Learning. On the Hono page, type Te Akoranga Kairangi into the search bar at the top. Then click on the Te Akoranga Kairangi or Colonial History Walk link. Then click on Select Offering. There you should see a list of cohort dates for the year’s classes or walks. Select the cohort dates that suit you. Then click on Submit. You should then get an email to confirm your enrolment.

Feel free to contact Alison or Avril with any questions! 😊

Ngā mihi, thanks a lot

Alison and Avril

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Hono Help

For any Hono issues, please contact Michael Groom

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Rangahau

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Undergraduate–Postgraduate Pairing Scholarship

This $800 scholarship supports undergraduate students to gain hands-on research experience by shadowing a postgraduate student. Undergraduates will assist with tasks like literature reviews, data analysis, and mapping, while learning valuable research skills and contributing to real projects.

Applications should include a copy of the undergraduate student’s academic transcript and a short paragraph justifying the proposed project and pairing. This is a great opportunity for collaboration, skill-building, and mentoring across levels of study.

Please email Sila (katarzyna.sila-nowicka@auckland.ac.nz) for details or with ready applications.  

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Health Safety & Wellbeing

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As we head into winter, it is important to prepare to deal with the winter blues

Preparing yourself mentally for winter is like gently setting the stage for a slower, more inward season. It’s less about fighting the cold and more about embracing the quiet. Here’s a soulful guide to ease into it:

❄️ 1. Shift Your Expectations

• Understand that it’s okay to slow down.
• You don’t need to be at peak productivity—winter is nature’s rest season too.

🧣 2. Make Peace with Darkness

• Reframe the longer nights as time for rest, reflection, and coziness.
• Create evening rituals: reading, journaling, or listening to soft music.

🌲 3. Nourish Your Space

• Make your home feel like a sanctuary—warm lighting, calming scents, soft textures.
• Surround yourself with things that bring peace and comfort.

🫖 4. Lean into Simple Joys

• Enjoy quiet pleasures: hot drinks, winter walks, baking, old movies.
• Keep a small list of winter things you genuinely like—revisit it when days feel heavy.

🤍 5. Tend to Your Mind

• Stay aware of your emotional landscape. It’s normal to feel more introspective or low.
• Practice self-kindness. You don’t need to “fix” your mood—just care for it.

🧘 6. Anchor with Routine

• A gentle daily rhythm brings a sense of steadiness when the season feels still.
• Start and end your days with intention, even if it’s just lighting a candle or stretching.

🤝 7. Stay Connected

• Reach out, even when you feel like withdrawing. A little human warmth goes a long way.
• Make winter traditions with friends or family—even simple ones.

We would like to acknowledge the following dates:

• April 28 – World Day of Safety and Health at Work
• May 1-31 – World Smokefree May
• May 2 – World Asthma Day
• May 5 – World Hand Hygiene Day
• May 6-12 – New Zealand Sign Language Week
• May 8 – World Ovarian Cancer Day

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Funding Calls

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Hono data integration are impacting research projects

Do you have research grants? Do you, or a member of your research team, use EIP dashboards to monitor your research funds or Research Development Account (RDA)? If so, please read on.

Recent challenges with Hono data integration are impacting research projects. As a result, EIP dashboards are not correctly reflecting actual salary costs from 20 February, casual staff payments, or future-dated salary commitments. All other actual transactions are correct, however, the left-to-spend balances may not be correct. 

What does this mean?

1. EIP reports should not be used to confirm a project’s financial status until further notice, as salary details in EIP reports for pay runs after 20 Feb 2025 are not yet available.
2. Research Development Account (RDA) balances may not be correct, particularly if fixed-term or casual staff are being paid from the RDA account. 
3. Surpluses or deficits on research grants cannot be resolved until the balances can be confirmed, so projects ending after 20 Feb 2025 cannot be closed. 
4. Surpluses or deficits will not be distributed to, or recovered from, RDA accounts (or returned to funders) for projects ending after 20 Feb 2025 until accurate balances can be confirmed. 

Resolutions and Timeframes 

A Solution Oversight Co-ordination (SOC) Team has been formed and includes a range of experts who understand the issues and the impacts. Members have been drawn from Research Services, OneFinance, HR, Integration Specialists, Vendors, the Risk Team, and the Planning and Information Office to find solutions to the identified issues.  Alongside the SOC Team, several continuity groups (including a research continuity group) are working on specific outcomes, the teams meet daily and report to SOC. The Solution Oversight Coordination Team are in the process of identifying and quantifying the risks around these and implementing mitigation strategies.

Please be assured we’ll be providing regular progress updates to the Faculties and Institutes. In the meantime, if you have an urgent query related to your project financials, please contact your Faculty or Institute Research Services Team in the first instance.

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ECR Career Exploration Workshops

 We are excited to open applications for Early Career Researchers (ECR) to join ECR Career Exploration Workshops, a dedicated space for early career researchers (including final year PhD candidates) to reimagine their career paths and explore opportunities within and beyond academia. 

This two-part workshop is designed to help you reflect on your values, strengths, and career possibilities while providing practical guidance on researching and navigating diverse career paths. 

Workshop Details: 

Dates: Tuesday, May 6 & Tuesday, May 13 (participants must attend both sessions) | Location: Building 201- Room 317 (Arts and Education, City Campus)  
Two Cohort Options: 

• Morning Group: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM 
• Afternoon Group: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM 

Pre-Workshop Commitment: 

Participants will receive a digital pre-workshop workbook, requiring approximately four hours to complete. While not mandatory, this prework is highly recommended as it will help you reflect on your skills, aspirations, and career context before the sessions. 

How to Apply: 

To ensure a meaningful and engaged group, we ask applicants to submit the following via this link https://forms.office.com/r/0bGLSECf6P before the 28th of April.

• A short paragraph explaining what you hope to gain from this workshop 
• A link to your up-to-date LinkedIn profile or Discovery page 

Spaces are limited, so we encourage you to apply early. Please direct any questions to researcherdevelopment@auckland.ac.nz

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Faculty of Science Commercial Seed Funding – Call for Applications

The Faculty of Science announces our next funding round for development of commercially-focused research and capability. Projects of up to $10k may be funded, and must be completed during 2025.

The aim is to support early-stage work that will make a difference to the tech development pathway. A range of commercial R&D or skill development activities could be supported, including experiments to determine whether a particular idea is commercially feasible, development of initial proof-of-concept results for commercial funding applications, IP and Freedom to Operate searches, or market research. Researchers may also apply for this funding to support their personal development (commercial and entrepreneurial skills).

The application should be well thought-out and indicate why the project is promising, but:

• Very early-stage projects can be funded;
• Emerging researchers are particularly encouraged to apply; and
• There is low administrative overhead, with the application limited to 2 pages in length.

Projects which involve collaborative research with industry, rather than development of in-house IP, should instead consider the new NZ Product Accelerator Industry Collaboration funding, which accepts applications on an ongoing basis.

Application process and deadline: Applicants should submit a proposal via email to FoS-researchadmin@auckland.ac.nz. The application deadline is Friday, 9th May 2025, at 12 noon. The application (max. 2 pages including references) should address the topics on the application form (downloaded from the webpage below).

 Webpage: Commercialisation Seed Funding – The University of Auckland

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2025 Tāwhia te Mana Research Fellowships Support Package: Q&A Insights Session

Please join us for the 2025 Tāwhia te Mana Research Fellowships Q&A Insights session on Monday, 12 May 2025 from 11:00am to 12:15pm.

The Domestic Portfolio in the Research Funding team will be hosting a 1-hour session with past Tāwhia te Mana Research Fellowships winners and previous panellists to share their insights and advice on applying for the Tāwhia te Mana Research Fellowships.

Questions are encouraged and can be sent in advance to: submissions@auckland.ac.nz.

AUDIENCE: Open to UoA research staff applying for the 2025 Tāwhia te Mana Research Fellowships round, and research support staff (FIRST).

Key information:

• Date: Monday, 12 May 2025
• Time: 11:00am – 12:15pm
• Location: Building 260, Seminar room 310 (Decima Glen), 12 Grafton Road, City Campus

Registration Link: https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/tawhia-te-mana-fellowships-qa-insights-session-12-may-2025-tickets-1310870070669?aff=oddtdtcreator

A Calendar Event invitation will be sent out to participants when the registration has been completed.

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Spencer Foundation – Research Grants on Education: Large

 The Large Grant supports education research projects that will contribute to the improvement of education, broadly conceived, with budgets ranging from US $125,000 to $500,000 for projects ranging from one to five years.

This program is “field-initiated,” meaning that proposal submissions are not in response to a specific request for a particular research topic, discipline, design, or method. Goal for this program is to support rigorous, intellectually ambitious and technically sound research that is relevant to the most pressing questions and compelling opportunities in education.

• Value:  between US$125,000 and US$500,000 (circa NZ$ 220,000 -880,000)
• Duration:   12 – 60 months
• Deadlines:  Intent to apply.  External Deadline – Wednesday 14 May 2025;  Internal Deadline – Monday 9 June, 2025 (12 Noon)
• Funder webpage:

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Natural Hazards Commission Toka Tū Ake 2026 Biennial Research Funding Programme

NHC Toka Tū Ake invites researchers and practitioners to submit proposals for Biennial grants that align with their updated Research Strategy and Research Investment Priorities Statement 2025.

There have been a number of changes since the last round, so please take some time to familiarise yourself with these.  Please visit the funders website for links to the relevant documents, guidelines and application templates.

• Value: $50,000 – $100,000
• Duration: maximum 2 years
• EOI Internal Deadline:  12pm, Tuesday 20 May 2025

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2025 New Zealand – China Strategic Research Alliance

The New Zealand – China Strategic Research Alliance (SRA) is an annual joint funding programme funded by New Zealand and the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST).  Chinese partners must apply for their own funding through MoST. 

For 2025, proposals must align with the priority area of Environmental Technologies. The specific research areas for this priority are:

• Clean and renewable energy technologies
• Climate change adaptation technologies
• Climate change mitigation technologies
• Carbon dioxide capture and conversion technologies
• Novel technologies for biodegradation or elimination of emerging pollutants in vivo
• Grant value:  Up to NZ $300,000
• Duration: Up to 3 years
• Internal Deadline: 12 noon, Monday, 23 June 2025

Guidelines and resources can be found on the MBIE website

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Publications

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Oliver, P., Kearns, R., & Wills, P.  (2025). ‘Waiheke is a community not a commodity’: Residents’ right and kaitiakitanga in tourism ‘hot spots’. In Justice in Tourism Destinations : Avenues for Destination Governance and Management. Eds Torabian, P and Albrecht, J.N.. Routledge, London & New York. pp 35-65

Castree, N., Barnes, T. & Salmond, J. (eds) (2025) Making Geography Matter: The past and present of a changing discipline (London: Routledge) https://www.routledge.com/Making-Geography-Matter-The-Past-and-Present-of-a-Changing-Discipline/Castree-Barnes-Salmond/p/book/9781032380513?srsltid=AfmBOoo3mep8Uwuu2zoD78ltxcbU4v8iOj4VnCv4PuV_sSj92juo7GyA

Agnew, J., Yeung, H., Salmond, J.A., Cox, K.R. 2024 Can Arguing for a Unified Geography Strengthen the Divisions It Seeks to Dissolve? Book review forum: Geography Indivisible (2023) Environment and Planning F 10.1177/26349825241276579

Salmond, J and Brierly, G (2025) Embracing and enacting critical and constructive approaches to teaching critical physical geography (Invited chapter). In Lane, S. and Lave, R (ed.) Field guide to mixing social and biophysical methods in environmental research (open access) https://www.openbookpublishers.com/books/10.11647/obp.0418

Ma, X., Zou, B., Gao, J., Deng, J., Wang, X., Wu, H., Xu, X., Wang, Y., Tan, Z., Jiang, N., Shen, Y., Li, D., Gao, J., Fan, Y., Salmond, J.A., Morawska, L. 2025 ‘Towards Compliance with the 2021 WHO Air Quality Guidelines: A Comparative Analysis of PM2.5 Trends in Australia and China’ Environment International, Volume 198, 2025,10937 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2025.109378.

Rindelaub, J., Salmond, J.A., Fan, W., Miskelly, G., Dirks, K., Henning, S., Conrath, T., Stratmann, F., Coulson, G., 2025 ‘Aerosol mass concentrations of microplastics at a remote coastal location in New Zealand’ Environmental Pollution Volume 372, 2025, 126034, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2025.126034.

HeadsUp

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I can almost feel the collective catching of breath with the mid-semester break upon us. As we take stock at the semester’s halfway point, there is much to be thankful for – we’ve had no interruptions of the scale of epidemics and floods as in recent years; we have healthy enrolments in many courses; and there is a vibrancy on a campus well-populated by students. Perhaps the completion of construction projects helps the latter? Fewer detours and orange cones!

Looking ahead, first to the longer term:

• if you are considering applying for academic promotion this year, please let me know. The longer the runways the smoother the lift-off. It will be good to discuss building you case early.

Second the shorter term:  

• Tuesday next week (April 22^nd) is a university holiday and mandatory annual leave day. Please be aware that there is a programme of work scheduled that day to test the smoke detection and suppression systems in building 302 which will also affect building 301. As this will significantly affect egress through the building (including elevators) the buildings will be closed for the day.

And third, to the medium term (ie next month):

• On Science graduation day (15^th May, 7.30am-9.00am) the  Autumn Graduation Morning Tea will be held in the 302-G80 and 302-G60 Foyer. This is a major event in our year with current and former students and their whanau coming along and deserving a welcome and conversation. The quality of our manaakitanga contributes to the reputation of our School. Whatever your role is – academic, professional, technical staff – please register and come along in a spirit of hospitality and celebration. Registration link: https://ScienceAutumnGraduationMorningTea.eventbrite.co.nz 

 

• Phil Shane was recently promoted to Professor and, in the spirit of celebration, will present his inaugural lecture titled From volcanic hazards to the global meta-crisis a geologist’s journey on Monday May 19^th. Venue:: Physics Lecture Theatre 1 PLT1/303-G20, 5.30pm with refreshments prior. Registration at Eventbrite From volcanic hazards to the global meta-crisis Tickets, Mon, May 19, 2025 at 5:00 PM | Eventbrite

Engagement with the media pleasingly continues apace, with Jenny and Karin recently sharing their research:

https://newsroom.co.nz/2025/04/01/how-many-beautiful-kitchens-have-come-at-the-expense-of-workers-lives/

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/557935/new-zealand-s-estuaries-in-hot-water

Let’s keep up this momentum of outward facing messaging.

Finally, on a note of sadness (but excitement for new opportunities) our enthusiastic and dedicated Research Programme Manager, Kelly Kilpin, is leaving us for a new opportunity within the university. On behalf of us all I thank her for all her dedication and friendly assistance over recent years.

For now, may everyone catch breath and enjoy some safe and rejuvenating time off their laptops and away from teaching spaces over the coming days.

Robin Kearns,  Head of School

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Announcements, Seminars & Events

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Disaster Prevention and Management Seminar Series

When: Friday 2 May, 2pm | Where: Ontology Lab 302.551

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Phil Shane Inaugural Lecture

When: Monday 19 May  Where: Physics Lecture Theatre 1, PLT1/303-G20

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Free Flu Jab

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Hono Help

If anyone have any Hono issues, please contact Michael Groom

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Understanding how labs can better engage Pacific science learners

Sonia Fonua has received a Faculty of Science SOTL grant (1 year, 5k) to explore how labs can better engage Pacific science learners. If you teach labs and would like to be involved or learn more about it, please email Sonia s.fonua@auckland.ac.nz

Exploring how arts-based creative practices can engage Pacific science learners and upskill science educators

Sonia has also received a University of Auckland TeachWell Grant (two years, 20k) to explore how arts-based creative practices can engage Pacific science learners and upskill science educators. This builds on the FoS SOTL grant which she received last year, so if you were involved in that you are welcome join in again. If you would like to know more information please let Sonia know, really happy to have a chat!

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Rangahau

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Undergraduate–Postgraduate Pairing Scholarship

This $800 scholarship supports undergraduate students to gain hands-on research experience by shadowing a postgraduate student. Undergraduates will assist with tasks like literature reviews, data analysis, and mapping, while learning valuable research skills and contributing to real projects.

Applications should include a copy of the undergraduate student’s academic transcript and a short paragraph justifying the proposed project and pairing. This is a great opportunity for collaboration, skill-building, and mentoring across levels of study.

Please email Sila (katarzyna.sila-nowicka@auckland.ac.nz) for details or with ready applications.  

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Health Safety & Wellbeing

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Having a healthy autumn is all about embracing the season’s changes and finding balance. Here are a few ways to keep your physical and mental well-being in check during fall:

1. Boost Your Immunity

As the weather gets cooler, your body might need some extra support to fend off seasonal colds and flu.

• Eat Seasonal Produce: Autumn is the perfect time for nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables like squash, sweet potatoes, apples, pears, and root veggies. These foods are full of vitamins and antioxidants.
• Vitamin D: Shorter days and less sunlight can make it harder to get enough vitamin D. Consider a supplement if needed, or try to soak up some sun when you can.
• Hydration: Even though it’s cooler, don’t forget to drink plenty of water. Herbal teas or warm lemon water are a cozy option too.

2. Stay Active

Cooler weather can make it tempting to stay indoors, but it’s important to stay active for both your body and mind.

• Outdoor Activities: Go for a walk in the crisp air, hike to enjoy the fall foliage, or take up cycling or jogging. Fresh air and movement are great for your health.
• Yoga or Stretching: The transition into fall can bring some stiffness with it. Yoga is fantastic for flexibility and mental calm.
• Home Workouts: If you’d rather stay inside, bodyweight exercises like squats, lunges, and push-ups can keep you moving.

3. Mental Health Care

Autumn’s shorter days and the changing season can sometimes impact your mood. To keep your mental health in check:

• Natural Light Exposure: Try to get outside during daylight hours to combat seasonal affective disorder (SAD). If it’s dark by the time you’re awake, light therapy lamps can help.
• Mindfulness or Meditation: Autumn is a great time to reflect and slow down. Take 5-10 minutes each day to practice mindfulness or meditation to help manage stress.
• Journaling: Writing about your thoughts can be a grounding practice, helping to clarify your goals and give thanks for the season’s bounty.

4. Rest and Rejuvenation

The fall season is a great reminder to take care of your body by prioritizing rest.

• Sleep Hygiene: As the nights get longer, adjust your sleep schedule to ensure you’re getting enough rest. Aim for 7-9 hours a night.
• Create a Cozy Space: Light some candles, make your favorite cozy drink, and create a peaceful, inviting space for rest and relaxation.

5. Fall-Inspired Self-Care

Autumn is all about coziness, so indulge in a little self-care that feels seasonal:

• Healthy Comfort Food: Get creative with comfort foods like soups, stews, and baked goods. Make healthy versions of classic fall dishes by using whole grains, lean proteins, and plenty of veggies.
• Skin Care: The cooler air can be drying, so hydrate your skin with rich moisturizers or oils, especially if you’re prone to dry skin.
• Aromatherapy: Scents like cinnamon, clove, and pumpkin spice can uplift your mood. Use essential oils or candles to bring fall vibes into your home.

6. Connection and Community

The autumn season invites connection, whether with nature or loved ones.

• Enjoy the Outdoors: Visit a pumpkin patch, orchard, or enjoy a scenic drive. Being in nature can help you feel grounded and relaxed.
• Socialize: Autumn is often a time for gatherings. Whether it’s a cozy dinner with friends or a family game night, connecting with loved ones boosts mental health.

How do you usually spend your autumn? Any favorite activities or habits you like to bring into the season?

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Funding Calls

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Global Research Engagement Fund (GREF)

The Global Research Engagement Fund (GREF) is available to UoA researchers and professional research staff to foster the development of new and emerging research partnerships with international collaborators.

The next application deadline is 28^th April.

Applicants must connect with international.research@auckland.ac.nz to inform their intention to submit no later than 18^th April. Further funding application rounds are available throughout the year.

For enquiries, please contact international.research@auckland.ac.nz

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ECR Career Exploration Workshops

 We are excited to open applications for Early Career Researchers (ECR) to join ECR Career Exploration Workshops, a dedicated space for early career researchers (including final year PhD candidates) to reimagine their career paths and explore opportunities within and beyond academia. 

This two-part workshop is designed to help you reflect on your values, strengths, and career possibilities while providing practical guidance on researching and navigating diverse career paths. 

Workshop Details: 

Dates: Tuesday, May 6 & Tuesday, May 13 (participants must attend both sessions) | Location: Building 201- Room 317 (Arts and Education, City Campus)  
Two Cohort Options: 

• Morning Group: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM 
• Afternoon Group: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM 

Pre-Workshop Commitment: 

Participants will receive a digital pre-workshop workbook, requiring approximately four hours to complete. While not mandatory, this prework is highly recommended as it will help you reflect on your skills, aspirations, and career context before the sessions. 

How to Apply: 

To ensure a meaningful and engaged group, we ask applicants to submit the following via this link https://forms.office.com/r/0bGLSECf6P before the 28th of April.

• A short paragraph explaining what you hope to gain from this workshop 
• A link to your up-to-date LinkedIn profile or Discovery page 

Spaces are limited, so we encourage you to apply early. Please direct any questions to researcherdevelopment@auckland.ac.nz

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Faculty of Science Commercial Seed Funding – Call for Applications

The Faculty of Science announces our next funding round for development of commercially-focused research and capability. Projects of up to $10k may be funded, and must be completed during 2025.

The aim is to support early-stage work that will make a difference to the tech development pathway. A range of commercial R&D or skill development activities could be supported, including experiments to determine whether a particular idea is commercially feasible, development of initial proof-of-concept results for commercial funding applications, IP and Freedom to Operate searches, or market research. Researchers may also apply for this funding to support their personal development (commercial and entrepreneurial skills).

The application should be well thought-out and indicate why the project is promising, but:

• Very early-stage projects can be funded;
• Emerging researchers are particularly encouraged to apply; and
• There is low administrative overhead, with the application limited to 2 pages in length.

Projects which involve collaborative research with industry, rather than development of in-house IP, should instead consider the new NZ Product Accelerator Industry Collaboration funding, which accepts applications on an ongoing basis.

Application process and deadline: Applicants should submit a proposal via email to FoS-researchadmin@auckland.ac.nz. The application deadline is Friday, 9th May 2025, at 12 noon. The application (max. 2 pages including references) should address the topics on the application form (downloaded from the webpage below).

 Webpage: Commercialisation Seed Funding – The University of Auckland

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2025 Tāwhia te Mana Research Fellowships Support Package: Q&A Insights Session

Please join us for the 2025 Tāwhia te Mana Research Fellowships Q&A Insights session on Monday, 12 May 2025 from 11:00am to 12:15pm.

The Domestic Portfolio in the Research Funding team will be hosting a 1-hour session with past Tāwhia te Mana Research Fellowships winners and previous panellists to share their insights and advice on applying for the Tāwhia te Mana Research Fellowships.

Questions are encouraged and can be sent in advance to: submissions@auckland.ac.nz.

AUDIENCE: Open to UoA research staff applying for the 2025 Tāwhia te Mana Research Fellowships round, and research support staff (FIRST).

Key information:

• Date: Monday, 12 May 2025
• Time: 11:00am – 12:15pm
• Location: Building 260, Seminar room 310 (Decima Glen), 12 Grafton Road, City Campus

Registration Link: https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/tawhia-te-mana-fellowships-qa-insights-session-12-may-2025-tickets-1310870070669?aff=oddtdtcreator

A Calendar Event invitation will be sent out to participants when the registration has been completed.

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Spencer Foundation – Research Grants on Education: Large

 The Large Grant supports education research projects that will contribute to the improvement of education, broadly conceived, with budgets ranging from US $125,000 to $500,000 for projects ranging from one to five years.

This program is “field-initiated,” meaning that proposal submissions are not in response to a specific request for a particular research topic, discipline, design, or method. Goal for this program is to support rigorous, intellectually ambitious and technically sound research that is relevant to the most pressing questions and compelling opportunities in education.

• Value:  between US$125,000 and US$500,000 (circa NZ$ 220,000 -880,000)
• Duration:   12 – 60 months
• Deadlines:  Intent to apply.  External Deadline – Wednesday 14 May 2025;  Internal Deadline – Monday 9 June, 2025 (12 Noon)
• Funder webpage:

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Publications

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Matt T. Illing, Lorna J. Strachan, Christopher M. Moy, Christina R. Riesselman, Vincent Rigalleau, Helge W. Arz, Frank Lamy (2025) Millennial-scale along-slope and down-slope marine flow processes over the last 160,000 years at the Chilean margin, Quaternary Science Reviews, 356, 109280.

HeadsUp

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I’ve been having annual performance review discussions with senior colleagues earlier this year, ahead of the salary review process in late April. It’s been a pleasure to meet  and have a sustained korero about how things are going and what the year holds for goals and objectives.

It’s also helped provide an ‘ear to the ground’ for the new (well, not-so-new) semester. Not only are student numbers up in many courses, but I also hear of widespread student enthusiasm and their sustained presence in lectures. That is very welcome, given recent years. In return let’s offer strong doses of enthusiasm and engagement.

As I’ve said before, one pair of words I’d love to banish is ‘teaching load’. Do we ever speak of ‘research load’? Whether intended or not there is an implication of burden and a need to endure in that pairing of words. We need to find joy in teaching if we don’t know it already. With very few exceptions, we are contracted to teach 40% (lecturing staff) or 80% (PTFs) of our time. If enthusiastically teaching really feels burdensome and a ‘load’, then we are probably in the wrong profession.  

Our new Dean has two strong messages filtering through to Heads of Schools: we must strive for teaching quality and be vigilant to maintaining a safe working environment.  With respect to the latter, a refreshed School Health & Safety Committee met for the first time last week ahead of the monthly FoS HSW meeting to which all Heads attend. A key message is being observant: if you see something that could be a hazard, report it.   It’s as much what could be as what is a risk.  

Looking ahead, we have graduation on May 15^th.  Please plan on being there and register now to be on stage. We owe it to our students and their families to take time out and affirm their efforts. With over 70% of our revenue coming from enrolments, a response of ‘nah I’m too busy with my research’ really isn’t acceptable when graduation is only twice a year. Being present at a ceremony sits firmly at the intersection of teaching and academic citizenship and speaks to values of excellence, affirmation and collegiality.

Oh, and congratulations to Shane, Mark and Karin – all of whom I have heard on RNZ recently speaking to their research on vulcanism, sand dynamics and estuarine processes respectively. If I have missed other instances of media engagement, please let me know.

As the clocks change, enjoy these autumn days and may the enthusiasm of students be matched by yours.

Robin

Head of School

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Announcements, Seminars & Events

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Coastal and Marine Geoscience Group Meeting / Seminar

When: Wednesday 2 April,12-1pm | Where: Ontology Lab 302.551

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School of Environment Seminar Series

When: Wednesday 9 April, 12-1pm | Where: Ontology Lab 302.551

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Earth Observation Lab Quarterly Event

• Join us on 10th April for this quarter’s EO Lab event 🎉 With exciting speakers from research and industry lined up, we will be in person and live-streaming from Auckland so you can join us in person or online! Join us to hear about some of the latest earth observation projects from across the country and connect with fellow EO Lab members. Sign up for your spot https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/earth-observation-lab-meet-up-tickets-1303805931639?aff=oddtdtcreator. 

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Horizon Europe Workshop

The EU’s flagship research and innovation program, promoting collaboration among research, industry, communities, and policymakers to address global challenges.

As interest in Horizon Europe continues to grow and funding calls for 2025 begin to emerge, we are offering support and a series of practical workshops focused on key aspects of networking with potential collaboration partners, developing your profile in Horizon Europe, project development as well as application process. These workshops are designed for researchers and research teams preparing to submit funding proposals for the upcoming 2025 calls.

Online Seminar: What to do if you’re invited to join a Horizon Europe consortium | Thursday, 10 April 2025, 10:00am – 11:00am via zoom.  

There will be a series of short presentations, including from Andrew Sporle – National Contact Point Māori, followed by a 30min live panel discussion answering your questions. Please contact us at international.research@auckland.ac.nz to receive details on how to register and obtain the zoom link. 

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Oceanum Datamesh Demo

Seminar and Demonstration 15th April. 1300-1400, 302.586: The team at Oceanum have created a powerful environmental data science platform that accelerates work flows across various disciplines, from oceanography and coastal ecology to climate change adaptation. The OCEANUM.IO platform streamlines data discovery, access, and wrangling for all levels of expertise, overcoming many of the limitations and points of friction in existing data infrastructures. 

By addressing issues like file format incompatibilities and data volumes, OCEANUM.IO enables users to focus on their analysis tasks rather than the underlying data engineering – thereby promoting more effective use of their time. With more than 5000 national and international datasets already registered, and the ability for users to upload their own data, the cloud-based application is actively promoting data democratisation and reducing knowledge disparities.

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Easter Tuesday closure of Building 301/302 and fire systems testing

There is a programme of work being scheduled to test the smoke detection and suppression systems in building 302 which will also affect building 301.

Sunday 6^th April – access to the building will be available as normal for those with weekend access however there will be some disruption over much of the day (4+ hours) caused by:

• Smoke detector testing which will initiate the alarm sounder in short bursts
• Fire curtain testing (on levels G to 6) – this will be mainly silent but will affect building egress

Tuesday 22^nd April (Easter Tuesday) – Given the level of disruption, this has been scheduled on the University holiday and the building will be closed for the day.

Access will only be provided to those maintaining critical infrastructure. Please contact David Jenkinson (Technical Services Manager) – d.jenkinson@auckland.ac.nz to arrange special approval.

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Understanding how labs can better engage Pacific science learners

Sonia Fonua has received a Faculty of Science SOTL grant (1 year, 5k) to explore how labs can better engage Pacific science learners. If you teach labs and would like to be involved or learn more about it, please email Sonia s.fonua@auckland.ac.nz

Exploring how arts-based creative practices can engage Pacific science learners and upskill science educators

Sonia has also received a University of Auckland TeachWell Grant (two years, 20k) to explore how arts-based creative practices can engage Pacific science learners and upskill science educators. This builds on the FoS SOTL grant which she received last year, so if you were involved in that you are welcome join in again. If you would like to know more information please let Sonia know, really happy to have a chat!

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Media contribution by Thomas Dowling

Radar reflectors in the news again! Successful field trials in the sub-Antarctic islands: https://www.odt.co.nz/news/national/life-saving-reflector-tested-successfully.

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Introductory R Workshop

An introductory R Workshop is being run on Monday 14^th and Tuesday 15^th of April 2025. The course will be run by the Statistical Consulting Centre (SCC) in the Department of Statistics. Below are the details of the workshop and attachments: R Workshop Registration Form April 2025     Introduction to R schedule

• Introduction
  • Getting familiar with R
  • Using R Studio and loading projects/scripts
  • Basic functions using R
  • Reading in Data Files (.csv, .xls/.xlsx)
  • Introduction to R Objects. How R thinks (vectors, matrices, basic data formats)
• Working with data(sets)
  • Cleaning and subsetting
  • Merging datasets and reformatting
  • Grouping variables and summarising
• R graphics
  • Starting with plots in R (boxplots, histograms, bar graphs)
  • Graphics in R with ggplot2 (customising plots)
• Data analysis
  • Introduction to performing t-tests, chi-square tests, ANOVA, and general linear models
• Cost
  • The cost is $400 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 will have to also add GST for this type of payment: please contact Joei Mudaliar j.mudaliar@auckland.ac.nz for further instructions.
  • The payment authorisation form for UoA participants paying from a UoA account is attached.
  • The cost for non-UoA attendees is $650 + GST. Please contact Joei Mudaliar (j.mudaliar@auckland.ac.nz) for payment instructions.

We will be sending out a pre-workshop information email the week prior to the course, however here are some of the details:

• Location: We will be in room 302.190. Building 302 is on the corner of Symonds St and Wellesley St. The room we will be using is on level 1, room 160.
• Time and schedule: We will start at 9am and finish at 5pm. Morning and afternoon tea will be provided, and there are cafes nearby for lunch.
• 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). We will also include some instructions on how to do this in our pre-workshop information email.
• Access to computers and the internet: We will arrange access to the lab computers for all non-UoA participants. We will also have a guest wireless password for non-UoA participants who are bringing their own laptops. UoA staff and students will be able to access the FoS computers using their normal UoA upi and password.

For any further queries please contact Joei Mudaliar j.mudaliar@auckland.ac.nz

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Health Safety & Wellbeing

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The new dean is introducing big changes to how the Faculty and the Schools are going to operate and a big part of it is an overhaul to HSW. There are changes in progress to Faculty and School committees. Compliance is being looked at in detail and all the processes to identify and manage risks are being refreshed. This is a process that will take a while, and we can expect few bumps in the road but the end result is going to be a safer environment that we all can be proud of.

FLU VACCINE

Flu vaccine campaign kick starts on April, please see the information in this link: 2025 influenza vaccination for staff and students – The University of Auckland

Reporting incidents

There is systemic underreporting of HSW matters in the School and Faculty. Please follow the link to familiarise yourself with incident reporting. We must not only report incidents with injuries. There are three categories to report:

• Observation, report an observation when you notice an unsafe condition or a positive comment about facilities, systems or people.
• Incident: Any mishap that did not involved injury but could have potentially caused harm
• Injury: Report any injury to an employee, student, contractor or visitor during a work activity. This is also required to be done when working from home. ACC claims will depend on the report. There is not such a thing as a small report.

Spotlight

We want to put the spotlight on two important dates coming up:

2 April is World Autism Awareness Day: please visit the website  Home – Autism NZ to learn more about autism

7 April is World Health Day

 

 

 

 

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Funding Calls

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Spencer Foundation: Small Research Grants

This fund is intended to support education research projects that will contribute to the improvement of education.  This program is “field-initiated” in that proposal submissions are not in response to a specific request for a particular research topic, discipline, design, method, or location. Goal for this program is to support rigorous, intellectually ambitious and technically sound research that is relevant to the most pressing questions and compelling opportunities in education.

• Value: up to USD50,000 (circa NZD85,600
• Duration: up to a maximum duration of 60 months
• Internal Deadline: 12pm, Monday 7th April
• Further Information (funding call, guidelines website). 
  • Funding Call
  •  Website
  • Guidelines

If you are interested, please also get in touch with your FIRST

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RSNZ: Catalyst: Seeding (Round1)

Catalyst seeding fund aims to supports activities that initiate, develop and foster collaborations leveraging international science and innovation for New Zealand’s benefit.

Notable eligibility changes for the 2025 funding opportunities: the Catalyst Fund investment plan (released in December 2024) identifies six priority research areas, which are:

• Quantum technology
• Health and biomedicine
• Biotechnologies
• Artificial Intelligence
• Antarctic research
• Space and Earth observations

 *Note that 75% of the awarded Catalyst: Seeding contracts will be expected to be made up of proposals that align with the priority research areas. The remaining 25% of awarded contracts can be in any field of research including social sciences and the humanities.

• Value: Seeding General: up to $80,000 (excl. GST)
• Duration: for up to two years
• Internal Deadline: 12pm, Tuesday 08 April 2025
• Further Information (funding call, guidelines, registration info). 
  • Funding Call
  • Guidelines
  • Website

If you are interested, please also get in touch with your FIRST

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RSNZ: Catalyst Leaders (Round 1)

This fund aims to supports incoming and outgoing targeted international fellowships for exceptional individuals that cannot be supported through other means. The following funding schemes are open in Round 1

• International Leader Fellowships (up to 3 awards): Supports exceptional individuals from any country outside New Zealand to catalyse science and innovation capability and capacity development in New Zealand for a minimum of 4 weeks per year for up to 3 years.
• Julius von Haast Fellowship Award (up to 1 award): Supports an internationally recognised researcher from Germany to undertake research in New Zealand for a minimum of 4 weeks per year for 3 years.
• Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) Postdoctoral Fellowships (up to 4 awards): Supports excellent New Zealand post-doctoral researchers to do research in Japan for 12-24 months.
• New Zealand – China Scientist Exchange Programme (up to 10 Awards): Supports the development of research linkages with China by enabling New Zealand researchers to visit Chinese research organisations for 2-6 weeks.

• Value:
  • International Leader Fellowships: up to $50,000 per annum.
  • JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship: Flights, insurance and living allowance.
  • Julius von Haast Fellowship Award: up to $50,000 per annum.
  • New Zealand-China Scientist Exchange Programme: Flights, insurance and living allowance.
• Internal Deadline: 12pm, Tuesday 08 April 2025
• Further Information (funding call, guidelines, registration info). 
  • Funding Call
  • Website
  • Guidelines

If you are interested, please also get in touch with your FIRST

HeadsUp

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Along with Tom Baker, over recent months I’ve had the pleasure of participating in a leadership programme named Puhoro. One of its brilliant aspects is that the kaleidoscope of senior university staffing has been given a shake and cohorts are mixed in together from across the range of roles and expertise. Quite aside from the valuable input, it’s offered rich insight into how the university operates through exposure to a diversity people often invisible to most of us who keep the engine room of the organisation ticking over.

Names are invariable chosen carefully. In te reo ‘Puhoro’ means “a type of tattoo design, often found on the thighs and buttocks, which symbolizes strength, resilience, and the interconnectedness of life, often representing the wake left by a waka”.  I wasn’t left with a souvenir tattoo, but a sense that resilience and strength in any large institution like ours is aided by strong relationships and a culture that acknowledges interconnectedness.

The waka reference in the definition was built into the programme with a day devoted to paddling as teams on the harbour. Sadly my participation was ruled out by the recency of surgery but the powerful image of a waka remains as I reflect on more local interconnectedness in our School. A waka’s clear trajectory through the water is reliant on a unified commitment by paddlers with few instructions needed by a navigator.

Once again, I have been struck by how this work ethic prevails as a modus operandi in the School. It’s a gift when, as Head, one needs to step back for a while and reminded that the team keeps paddling with few instructions needed from the sidelines. I am very grateful for that. Certainly, there are ocean swells and the wakes of other vessels to navigate and so always issues to grapple with. That’s organisational life. But as I look back on the last month  I am both grateful for Tom being Acting Head and, more recently, for the ease of being a Head-at-a-distance as I get on my feet again.

To be part of a team in which there is a collective recognition that we all do our bit without being asked or reminded is a gift indeed. As my poet friend Gregory O’Brien expresses it metaphorically “If we all carry each other, no one will have to walk”.

Ngā mihi mahana

Robin

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Events & Announcements

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All are invited to the School BBQ on Friday 21st March @ 12 noon

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Community of Interest: Communicating Research to the Media and the Public (In-person forum 2)

The second in-person gathering is being held for academics interested in joining a network to share experience and advice on communicating research to media and the public.

When: Thursday 27 March, 12-1pm | Where: LG002 Seminar Room, 28 Park Ave, Grafton

Hear from guest speaker Nicola Gaston on her experience with media. Learn how to distil key messages and we can share news on storytelling workshops. The Community of Interest has been developed by academics for academics to offer an open and safe space to talk about communicating with the public and the media about research. Light refreshments will be served. For enquiries, please contact gilbert.wong@auckland.ac.nz

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CAPEX 2025

Proposals for CAPEX purchases in the upcoming round are now being solicited.  Please fill out the following form by 31 March.  https://auckland.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4Og4JcE5R8VQlPo

Please provide realistic cost and use estimates and only list people who have been consulted and who support the application.  We’ll be arranging to have a member of the CAPEX committee to have a quick chat with applicants so the committee fully understands the proposal.  If you have questions contact Kevin (k.simon@auckland.ac.nz).

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Understanding how labs can better engage Pacific science learners

Sonia Fonua has received a Faculty of Science SOTL grant (1 year, 5k) to explore how labs can better engage Pacific science learners. If you teach labs and would like to be involved or learn more about it, please email Sonia s.fonua@auckland.ac.nz

Exploring how arts-based creative practices can engage Pacific science learners and upskill science educators

Sonia has also received a University of Auckland TeachWell Grant (two years, 20k) to explore how arts-based creative practices can engage Pacific science learners and upskill science educators. This builds on the FoS SOTL grant which she received last year, so if you were involved in that you are welcome join in again. If you would like to know more information please let Sonia know, really happy to have a chat!

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ANZIC Prize for Best Student Publication

Attention Post-Grad Students! Do you have a great publication relating to scientific drilling?

ANZIC – The Australian & New Zealand International Scientific Drilling Consortium – is proud to announce their new Prize for Best Student Publication in scientific drilling! As an ANZIC member, students from <<YOUR INSTITUTION>> are eligible to nominate! This award aims to foster community, celebrate excellence, and recognise outstanding contributions to scientific drilling research. This is your chance to gain recognition, connect with leading scientists, and win an all-expenses-paid trip to present at the 2025 ANZIC Forum in Auckland!

Learn more: https://www.iodp.org.au/anzic-prize-for-best-student-publication/

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Horizon Europe Workshop

The EU’s flagship research and innovation program, promoting collaboration among research, industry, communities, and policymakers to address global challenges.

As interest in Horizon Europe continues to grow and funding calls for 2025 begin to emerge, we are offering support and a series of practical workshops focused on key aspects of networking with potential collaboration partners, developing your profile in Horizon Europe, project development as well as application process. These workshops are designed for researchers and research teams preparing to submit funding proposals for the upcoming 2025 calls.

Online Seminar: What to do if you’re invited to join a Horizon Europe consortium | Thursday, 10 April 2025, 10:00am – 11:00am via zoom.  

There will be a series of short presentations, including from Andrew Sporle – National Contact Point Māori, followed by a 30min live panel discussion answering your questions. Please contact us at international.research@auckland.ac.nz to receive details on how to register and obtain the zoom link. 

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Media contribution by Salene Schloffel-Armstrong and Robin Kearns

DarkSky designation can mitigate ‘privatisation of celestial sphere’

The expansion of satellite activity has, in part, led to the increased push by certain communities to seek DarkSky certification by Salene Schloffel-Armstrong and Robin Kearns 13/4/2025 https://newsroom.co.nz/2025/03/13/darksky-designation-can-mitigate-privatisation-of-celestial-sphere/

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Introductory R Workshop

An introductory R Workshop is being run on Monday 14^th and Tuesday 15^th of April 2025. The course will be run by the Statistical Consulting Centre (SCC) in the Department of Statistics. Below are the details of the workshop and attachments: R Workshop Registration Form April 2025     Introduction to R schedule

• Introduction
  • Getting familiar with R
  • Using R Studio and loading projects/scripts
  • Basic functions using R
  • Reading in Data Files (.csv, .xls/.xlsx)
  • Introduction to R Objects. How R thinks (vectors, matrices, basic data formats)
• Working with data(sets)
  • Cleaning and subsetting
  • Merging datasets and reformatting
  • Grouping variables and summarising
• R graphics
  • Starting with plots in R (boxplots, histograms, bar graphs)
  • Graphics in R with ggplot2 (customising plots)
• Data analysis
  • Introduction to performing t-tests, chi-square tests, ANOVA, and general linear models
• Cost
  • The cost is $400 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 will have to also add GST for this type of payment: please contact Joei Mudaliar j.mudaliar@auckland.ac.nz for further instructions.
  • The payment authorisation form for UoA participants paying from a UoA account is attached.
  • The cost for non-UoA attendees is $650 + GST. Please contact Joei Mudaliar (j.mudaliar@auckland.ac.nz) for payment instructions.

We will be sending out a pre-workshop information email the week prior to the course, however here are some of the details:

• Location: We will be in room 302.190. Building 302 is on the corner of Symonds St and Wellesley St. The room we will be using is on level 1, room 160.
• Time and schedule: We will start at 9am and finish at 5pm. Morning and afternoon tea will be provided, and there are cafes nearby for lunch.
• 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). We will also include some instructions on how to do this in our pre-workshop information email.
• Access to computers and the internet: We will arrange access to the lab computers for all non-UoA participants. We will also have a guest wireless password for non-UoA participants who are bringing their own laptops. UoA staff and students will be able to access the FoS computers using their normal UoA upi and password.

For any further queries please contact Joei Mudaliar j.mudaliar@auckland.ac.nz

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Health Safety & Wellbeing

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As autumn begins, it’s important to adjust your health routine to stay well during the changing season. Here are some tips to help you stay healthy:

1. Get Your Flu Shot: Autumn marks the start of flu season, so getting vaccinated can help protect you from the flu. Vaccination for flu virus becomes available on 1 April 2025.
2. Boost Your Immune System: Eat a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables, stay hydrated, and get enough sleep to keep your immune system strong.
3. Stay Active: Even as the weather cools, try to maintain regular physical activity. Outdoor activities like walking or hiking can be enjoyable in the crisp autumn air.
4. Dress in Layers: The weather can be unpredictable, so dressing in layers helps you stay comfortable throughout the day.
5. Prepare for Allergies: Fall allergies can be bothersome. Keep windows closed on high pollen days and consider using an air purifier.
6. Stay Hydrated: It’s easy to forget to drink water when it’s cooler, but staying hydrated is just as important in autumn as in summer.
7. Plan for Daylight Savings: Gradually adjust your sleep schedule to prepare for the time change and ensure you get enough rest
8. Mental Health: As days get shorter, some people may experience seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Light therapy and staying active can help manage symptoms.

These tips can help you enjoy a healthy and vibrant autumn. Do you have any specific concerns or questions about staying healthy this season?

There is also a response in place to fight the current pertussis epidemic, ask the pharmacist if you are eligible for boosters.

Funded vaccines for special groups from 1 July 2024 – Factsheets – Immunisation Advisory Centre

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Funding Calls

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Spencer Foundation: Small Research Grants

This fund is intended to support education research projects that will contribute to the improvement of education.  This program is “field-initiated” in that proposal submissions are not in response to a specific request for a particular research topic, discipline, design, method, or location. Goal for this program is to support rigorous, intellectually ambitious and technically sound research that is relevant to the most pressing questions and compelling opportunities in education.

• Value: up to USD50,000 (circa NZD85,600
• Duration: up to a maximum duration of 60 months
• Internal Deadline: 12pm, Monday 7th April
• Further Information (funding call, guidelines website). 
  • Funding Call
  •  Website
  • Guidelines

If you are interested, please also get in touch with your FIRST

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RSNZ: Catalyst: Seeding (Round1)

Catalyst seeding fund aims to supports activities that initiate, develop and foster collaborations leveraging international science and innovation for New Zealand’s benefit.

Notable eligibility changes for the 2025 funding opportunities: the Catalyst Fund investment plan (released in December 2024) identifies six priority research areas, which are:

• Quantum technology
• Health and biomedicine
• Biotechnologies
• Artificial Intelligence
• Antarctic research
• Space and Earth observations

 *Note that 75% of the awarded Catalyst: Seeding contracts will be expected to be made up of proposals that align with the priority research areas. The remaining 25% of awarded contracts can be in any field of research including social sciences and the humanities.

• Value: Seeding General: up to $80,000 (excl. GST)
• Duration: for up to two years
• Internal Deadline: 12pm, Tuesday 08 April 2025
• Further Information (funding call, guidelines, registration info). 
  • Funding Call
  • Guidelines
  • Website

If you are interested, please also get in touch with your FIRST

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RSNZ: Catalyst Leaders (Round 1)

This fund aims to supports incoming and outgoing targeted international fellowships for exceptional individuals that cannot be supported through other means. The following funding schemes are open in Round 1

• International Leader Fellowships (up to 3 awards): Supports exceptional individuals from any country outside New Zealand to catalyse science and innovation capability and capacity development in New Zealand for a minimum of 4 weeks per year for up to 3 years.
• Julius von Haast Fellowship Award (up to 1 award): Supports an internationally recognised researcher from Germany to undertake research in New Zealand for a minimum of 4 weeks per year for 3 years.
• Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) Postdoctoral Fellowships (up to 4 awards): Supports excellent New Zealand post-doctoral researchers to do research in Japan for 12-24 months.
• New Zealand – China Scientist Exchange Programme (up to 10 Awards): Supports the development of research linkages with China by enabling New Zealand researchers to visit Chinese research organisations for 2-6 weeks.

• Value:
  • International Leader Fellowships: up to $50,000 per annum.
  • JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship: Flights, insurance and living allowance.
  • Julius von Haast Fellowship Award: up to $50,000 per annum.
  • New Zealand-China Scientist Exchange Programme: Flights, insurance and living allowance.
• Internal Deadline: 12pm, Tuesday 08 April 2025
• Further Information (funding call, guidelines, registration info). 
  • Funding Call
  • Website
  • Guidelines

If you are interested, please also get in touch with your FIRST

HeadsUp

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There’s pedestrian traffic down Symonds St, so it must be Week 1!  

Wishing everyone a good start to the semester. 

And in the spirit of wishing: may your lecture theatres, labs and tutorials be filled with actual students, and your assignment in-boxes with considered, well-referenced responses.

Tom (Acting HoS)

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Announcements 

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HONO – is live now!

• Please click here for the latest information and updates
• Log in to Hono using your University username and password
• The quick video guides is also available to assist you in getting help faster or click on the Hono online help
• First pay run in Hono: Wednesday 5 March 2025
• Contact Michael Groom if you get stuck with anything

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PhD Advisor Change

After 4(!) years Jennifer Eccles passes the PhD Advisor baton onto Luitgard Schwendenmann (l.schwendenmann@auckland.ac.nz) and Martin Brook (m.brook@auckland.ac.nz) as she jets off to Europe of R&SL.  

Luitgard will primarily be managing active student facing activities – confirmations, signing off on annual continuation reviews, being the HoD referee on University of Auckland Doctoral Scholarship Extensions applications, and any changes to enrolment (extensions, suspensions, full time/part time, change of supervisors, thesis title etc). Hence if there are any issues Luitgard will be the first point of call beyond your supervision team and it is better to broach any issues sooner rather than later so she will have the opportunity to help early.

Martin will primarily be handling admissions and interfacing with the centralised examination process as needed.

Please note that unfortunately the examinations office have a backlog at the moment and we are managing comms to them so they are working on moving these along rather than just replying to hundreds of emails querying progress. Please flag with Martin if the process is taking longer than:

• 4 weeks for the thesis to be sent out to examiners
• Thesis with examiners > 12 weeks
• > 4 weeks once examination report returned for decision to be made (this can be much shorter but it varies)
• > 4 weeks  for the oral examination to be scheduled once this decision has been made.

Generally useful documents in the Doctoral space are now hosted on Teams through ENV Group – Files under the path Documents – General – Postgraduate – Doctoral”

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LINZ Geographic Information Science (GIS) Scholarships award to 2 undergrad students 

We’re pleased to congratulate the recipients of this year’s Toitū Te Whenua Land Information New Zealand Geographic Information Science (GIS) Scholarships. Ka rawe! 🙌📢🎓The scholarships support recipients with their tertiary study fees. We’re proud to be helping develop the next generation of GIS specialists. Congratulations to:

• Anna Connell – Bachelor of Science (Geography and Environmental Science) at the University of Auckland
• Joel Plummer – Bachelor of Science (Geography) at the University of Auckland

Facebook LINZ Page Photo

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CAPEX 2025

Proposals for CAPEX purchases in the upcoming round are now being solicited.  Please fill out the following form by 31 March.  https://auckland.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4Og4JcE5R8VQlPo

Please provide realistic cost and use estimates and only list people who have been consulted and who support the application.  We’ll be arranging to have a member of the CAPEX committee to have a quick chat with applicants so the committee fully understands the proposal.  If you have questions contact Kevin (k.simon@auckland.ac.nz).

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Media contributions by Thomas Dowling

A paper to which Thomas Dowling and Te Kahuratai Moko-Painting contributed on orbital conservation, ended up in top 5% of media attention on all papers worldwide. Newsroom took a version of it here in the NZ media that Thomas wrote along with the UoA media team. 

• A sustainable development goal for space: Applying lessons from marine debris to manage space debris: 1016/j.oneear.2024.12.004

• NZ has a lot to lose from a polluted orbit – Newsroom

Opinion: The number of satellites and other objects sent into Earth’s orbit is increasing like never before. Before space ends up awash with debris like the ocean, scientists are calling for global agreements to protect orbital space. The United States and China are in a space race, sending thousands of satellites into orbit every year.

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Defence Science and Technology published a short story on the search and rescue with synthetic aperture radar work which Thomas is leading.

Research to help NZ search and rescue efforts

24 February 2025 | OUR SCIENCE. DST’s Sensing and Intelligence Programme is collaborating with the University of Auckland (UoA) to understand whether low cost, low tech, passive RADAR reflectors can improve the probability of detection of small marine craft in distress, by space-based Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) systems. This research is being done under a programme called SAR4SAR …

www.dst.mil.nz

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Outreach

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Social media : We’d like to expand the School of Environment’s social media reach to other platforms beyond Facebook, but we need some foundation content to guarantee at least one post a month (ideally one a week!).  Therefore, we need your content to celebrate and elevate your research and community activities. Please send the following to Kenzi Yee kenzi.yee@auckland.ac.nz (and cc: el.sharp@auckland.ac.nz) who is collating posts.

• Blurb of about ~30 words
• A representative image
• Ideally, a link to a website/ Conversation article/ RNZ / Newsroom/ TVNZ/ The Spinoff, but not necessary.

Ngā mihi mahana, Emma

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Health Safety & Wellbeing

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Autumn can bring a number of health issues, including respiratory infections, allergies, and mood swings. 

• Respiratory infections
  • Flu: A highly contagious virus that can be reduced with a flu shot 
  • Common cold: Cooler temperatures and indoor gatherings can lead to more colds 
  • Bronchitis and pneumonia: These can become more prevalent as the weather cools 
  • Ear infections: More prevalent during the autumn and winter seasons 
• Allergies 
  • Fall allergies: Can cause sneezing, congestion, and itchy eyes
  • Asthma exacerbations: Fall allergies can worsen asthma symptoms
• Mood swings 
  • Some people may experience mood swings and irritability during the fall due to hormonal changes and disrupted routines
• Other health issues
  •  Sinusitis, Strep, Norovirus/Stomach Bugs, Vitamin D Deficiency, and Pink eye

How to stay healthy in autumn 

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, especially after using public transport, coughing, or sneezing
• Use tissues to catch coughs and sneezes, dispose of them immediately, and then wash your hands
• Stay warm
• Ventilate your space
• Maintain a regular sleep schedule
• Eat a balanced diet
• Engage in relaxation techniques

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Funding Calls

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Spencer Foundation: Small Research Grants

This fund is intended to support education research projects that will contribute to the improvement of education.  This program is “field-initiated” in that proposal submissions are not in response to a specific request for a particular research topic, discipline, design, method, or location. Goal for this program is to support rigorous, intellectually ambitious and technically sound research that is relevant to the most pressing questions and compelling opportunities in education.

• Value: up to USD50,000 (circa NZD85,600
• Duration: up to a maximum duration of 60 months
• Internal Deadline: 12pm, Monday 7th April
• Further Information (funding call, guidelines website). 
  • Funding Call
  •  Website
  • Guidelines

If you are interested, please also get in touch with your FIRST

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RSNZ: Catalyst: Seeding (Round1)

Catalyst seeding fund aims to supports activities that initiate, develop and foster collaborations leveraging international science and innovation for New Zealand’s benefit.

Notable eligibility changes for the 2025 funding opportunities: the Catalyst Fund investment plan (released in December 2024) identifies six priority research areas, which are:

• Quantum technology
• Health and biomedicine
• Biotechnologies
• Artificial Intelligence
• Antarctic research
• Space and Earth observations

 *Note that 75% of the awarded Catalyst: Seeding contracts will be expected to be made up of proposals that align with the priority research areas. The remaining 25% of awarded contracts can be in any field of research including social sciences and the humanities.

• Value: Seeding General: up to $80,000 (excl. GST)
• Duration: for up to two years
• Internal Deadline: 12pm, Tuesday 08 April 2025
• Further Information (funding call, guidelines, registration info). 
  • Funding Call
  • Guidelines
  • Website

If you are interested, please also get in touch with your FIRST

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RSNZ: Catalyst Leaders (Round 1)

This fund aims to supports incoming and outgoing targeted international fellowships for exceptional individuals that cannot be supported through other means. The following funding schemes are open in Round 1

• International Leader Fellowships (up to 3 awards): Supports exceptional individuals from any country outside New Zealand to catalyse science and innovation capability and capacity development in New Zealand for a minimum of 4 weeks per year for up to 3 years.
• Julius von Haast Fellowship Award (up to 1 award): Supports an internationally recognised researcher from Germany to undertake research in New Zealand for a minimum of 4 weeks per year for 3 years.
• Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) Postdoctoral Fellowships (up to 4 awards): Supports excellent New Zealand post-doctoral researchers to do research in Japan for 12-24 months.
• New Zealand – China Scientist Exchange Programme (up to 10 Awards): Supports the development of research linkages with China by enabling New Zealand researchers to visit Chinese research organisations for 2-6 weeks.

• Value:
  • International Leader Fellowships: up to $50,000 per annum.
  • JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship: Flights, insurance and living allowance.
  • Julius von Haast Fellowship Award: up to $50,000 per annum.
  • New Zealand-China Scientist Exchange Programme: Flights, insurance and living allowance.
• Internal Deadline: 12pm, Tuesday 08 April 2025
• Further Information (funding call, guidelines, registration info). 
  • Funding Call
  • Website
  • Guidelines

If you are interested, please also get in touch with your FIRST.

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Publications | Articles

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• Shin, H., Gardner, Z., Solomon, G., & Basiri, A. (2025). Diagnosing Spatial and Temporal Biases of OSM Contributors: Identifying Differences Between Gender and Age from an Online Survey. Annals of the American Association of Geographers, 1–21. https://doi-org/10.1080/24694452.2024.2447507

HeadsUp

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The email traffic has increased and meeting frequency heightened. It must be Semester One approaching! At this time, I’d like to thank three groups of colleagues.

 First, the ‘course build’ teams for the new suite of ENV-codes stage 1 courses. These colleagues have devoted a great deal of creativity and time to developing teaching content and architecture to courses for which they won’t be directly contributing. Hence, these colleagues won’t be accruing any credit on the teaching workload model. This is School citizenship in action and we all should be grateful to the course builders among us.

Second, a big thanks to the student advisors who reply to emails and talk with students offering opportunities, alternative and advice, especially at this time of year. I recall when, a good number of decades ago, I arrived on campus as a teenager with only a sketchy idea of what I wanted to study. A patient Arts Faculty advisor outlined the options. Mercifully Geography was in the mix, even though it seemed an afterthought. These conversations can be crucial points of contact so the dedication of all who advise our current and prospective students is appreciated especially this time of year.

Third, appreciation too to Emma Sharp and her Outreach colleagues Kenzie and Thomas. This team has developed a plan for innovative research content to be rolled out regularly via the School’s social media outlets through 2025. The goal is digestible, accessible material deriving from our research projects that might entice prospective students in our direction as well as generally raise the profile of ENV. So, when Emma and team are in touch, please respond affirmatively.

I have been looking forward seeing everyone at the first staff meeting on 26^th and welcome back drinks on 3^rd. But I’ve had recent news of a late Christmas present so I won’t be with you. This week I am getting a new knee and have been advised to take a fortnight as post-operative medical leave. Tom Baker will be Acting Head. All going well, I will return to HoS duties – but perhaps remotely for a while – on Monday 10^th March.

So, I wish everyone well as teaching begins again. Enthusiasm is infectious. May you convey the enthusiasm that led you into the fields you have excelled in and inspire the curious minds you encounter.

Robin Kearns

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Announcements & Seminars

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HONO – Go live is now Monday 24 February 2025 | Hono Overview

• Go live for all users: Monday 24 February 2025
• First pay run in Hono: Wednesday 5 March 2025
• Leave: if you are taking or booking leave before ‘Go live’ or have taken any leave that wasn’t entered in the system, please email Patricia so that she can submit a service request to get it entered in the system. 
• Training will continue for all staff as planned

Research Support Update

Kim Le has recently joined the Research Support team as a Research Programme Coordinator (RPC), and will be working with Sophie and Kelly to assist with pre- and post-award research project queries.  Kim will be known to some of you having completed her MSc in Environmental Management (1^st class Hons) with Ward Friesen in 2020.  Following this, she returned home to Vietnam to work for non-profit environmental organisations, before relocating to NZ last year with her family.  Before moving across to the research support team, Kim worked as a research assistant at Koi Tū. Kim is located on Level 6 (outside of Robin’s office).

 Visit of Prof. Enzhu Hu (Northeastern University, China)

Melanie Kah is hosting Prof. Enzhu Hu (Northeastern University, China) who will offer two short courses in the next couple of weeks/months. Follow the link for more details on the content:

1. Meta-analysis
2. HYDRUS: The Basic Theory of Soil Physics

Open to both staff and research students, please contact Enzhu (huenzhu@gmail.com) directly if you are interested and would like to learn more!

Recent Australia New Zealand Tree Ring Sciences Conference” held at Waipapa Taumata Rau University of Auckland

From 21 to 23 January, the “Looking at the wood, seeing the trees and more: Australia New Zealand Tree Ring Sciences Conference” was held at the Clock Tower, here at Waipapa Taumata Rau University of Auckland.

This event bought together ~30 scientists and researchers mostly from Australia and New Zealand but also Italy and the UK, to present research based around the common theme of tree rings.

This was the first such meeting held specifically for the Australian and New Zealand tree-ring community. Topics ranged from climate reconstruction to forest ecology to the challenging nature of some Australian and New Zealand species for dendrochronology, requiring novel approaches to establishing chronologies. We also heard about new radiocarbon and stable oxygen isotope research using kauri tree rings, and cultural issues in the context of archaeological dating of wood.

Bad weather stymied our fieldtrip to Cascades Kauri Park but instead we spent the morning in the tree-ring lab where Luitgard and I showcased various kauri-based research carried out here at ENV, followed by a group lunch.

The conference was full of good energy, engagement and conversation (which continued into the evening over dinner and red wine). The student attendees reported that they really enjoyed the opportunity to come together, talk about their work and be reminded that they were not alone in working with sometimes quite challenging species! There is enthusiasm for a repeat event in two years’ time, somewhere in Australia.

The conference was organised by Gretel and Luitgard with help from Liam Casey in Event Services. Alan Hogg (Waikato University), Kathy Allen (University of Tasmania) and Pauline Grierson (University of Western Australia) were part of the conference committee. ENV students Melanesia Boseren, Em Sharp and Mitchell Keys provided great support during the meeting too.

Conference attendees, and not a tree-corer in sight!

Disaster Prevention and Management Seminar Series

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AKO

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This year, the Student Experience Committee has a budget of $2500.00 towards small class-related catering activities. There will be $1250.00 available in each semester. To maximise this budget and make its distribution as fair as possible, we have created an online form where all interested course coordinators can declare their interest and submit a very brief proposal (100 words) outlining how much they need and for which purpose. The cap for each course is set at $150.00 per semester and applications should be submitted by the 28th of February (semester 1 courses) and the 18th of July (semester 2 courses). Selection will be made by the committee shortly afterwards. Ad-hoc applications throughout the semesters may be considered depending on budget availability.

Here’s the link to the application form: https://forms.office.com/r/s7bvNAcFAP

Student Experience Committee

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Outreach

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Social media : We’d like to expand the School of Environment’s social media reach to other platforms beyond Facebook, but we need some foundation content to guarantee at least one post a month (ideally one a week!).  Therefore, we need your content to celebrate and elevate your research and community activities. Please send the following to Kenzi Yee kenzi.yee@auckland.ac.nz (and cc: el.sharp@auckland.ac.nz) who is collating posts.

• Blurb of about ~30 words
• A representative image
• Ideally, a link to a website/ Conversation article/ RNZ / Newsroom/ TVNZ/ The Spinoff, but not necessary.

Ngā mihi mahana, Emma

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Health Safety & Wellbeing

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Protective clothing for fieldwork

• Gloves, Some activities require protecting your hands
• hard hats
• high visibility clothing
• overalls and protective aprons.
• Rain gear

Footwear

Tennis shoes and sneakers are comfortable, but they are not, often, the proper type of footwear while undertaking fieldwork. Choosing the right footwear for fieldwork is crucial for comfort, safety, and performance. Here are some key factors to consider:

• Terrain and Environment:
  • Wet Conditions:Waterproof boots with good traction are essential. Look for materials like Gore-Tex that keep water out while allowing your feet to breathe¹.
  • Dry Conditions: Lightweight, breathable hiking boots or shoes are ideal. They provide comfort and prevent overheating².
• Activity Type:
  • Hiking and Walking: Sturdy hiking boots with ankle support are important to prevent injuries on uneven terrain².
  • Wading or Marsh Work: Chest waders or lace-up canvas wading boots are recommended for environments with deep mud or water¹.
• Comfort and Fit:
  • Proper Fit: Ensure the boots fit well with enough room for your toes. Consider wearing the socks you plan to use during fieldwork when trying on boots³.
  • Cushioning and Support: Look for boots with good arch support and cushioning to absorb impact and reduce fatigue³.
• Durability:
  • Quality Materials: Invest in boots made from durable materials that can withstand harsh conditions. High-quality leather or synthetic materials are often more durable².
• Safety Features:
  • Toe Protection: Boots with reinforced toes can protect against impacts and sharp objects³.
  • Non-Slip Soles: Thick rubber soles with plenty of traction are essential for preventing slips and falls³.

By considering these factors, you can choose the right footwear to keep you comfortable and safe during your fieldwork. Do you have a specific type of fieldwork in mind?

Waterproof hiking boots are a great option. In warm weather, non-waterproof hiking boots or trail running shoes are good options. Because these are breathable, they will keep your feet drier and cooler than waterproof boots

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Funding Calls

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RSNZ: Catalyst: Seeding (Round1)
Catalyst seeding fund aims to supports activities that initiate, develop and foster collaborations leveraging international science and innovation for New Zealand’s benefit. Notable eligibility changes for the 2025 funding opportunities: the Catalyst Fund investment plan (released in December 2024) identifies six priority research areas, which are: Quantum technology Health and biomedicine Biotechnologies Artificial Intelligence Antarctic research Space and Earth observations  *Note that 75% of the awarded Catalyst: Seeding contracts will be expected to be made up of proposals that align with the priority research areas. The remaining 25% of awarded contracts can be in any field of research including social sciences and the humanities.
Value/Duration:	Internal Deadline
·         Seeding General: up to $80,000 (excl. GST) in total for up to two years	12pm, Tuesday 08 April 2025
Further Information (funding call, guidelines, registration info). If you are interested, please also get in touch with your FIRST. Funding Call Guidelines Website

 

RSNZ: Catalyst Leaders (Round 1)
This fund aims to supports incoming and outgoing targeted international fellowships for exceptional individuals that cannot be supported through other means. The following funding schemes are open in Round 1 International Leader Fellowships (up to 3 awards): Supports exceptional individuals from any country outside New Zealand to catalyse science and innovation capability and capacity development in New Zealand for a minimum of 4 weeks per year for up to 3 years. Julius von Haast Fellowship Award (up to 1 award): Supports an internationally recognised researcher from Germany to undertake research in New Zealand for a minimum of 4 weeks per year for 3 years. Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) Postdoctoral Fellowships (up to 4 awards): Supports excellent New Zealand post-doctoral researchers to do research in Japan for 12-24 months. New Zealand – China Scientist Exchange Programme (up to 10 Awards): Supports the development of research linkages with China by enabling New Zealand researchers to visit Chinese research organisations for 2-6 weeks.
Value/Duration:	Internal Deadline:
International Leader Fellowships: up to $50,000 per annum. JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship: Flights, insurance and living allowance. Julius von Haast Fellowship Award: up to $50,000 per annum. New Zealand-China Scientist Exchange Programme: Flights, insurance and living allowance.	12pm, Tuesday 08 April 2025
Further Information (funding call, guidelines, registration info). If you are interested, please also get in touch with your FIRST. Funding Call Website Guidelines

 

Spencer Foundation–Vision Grant
This fund aims to fund the collaborative planning of innovative, methodologically diverse, interdisciplinary research on education that contributes to transforming education systems for equity.
Value/Duration:	Deadline:
Value: USD75,000 (circa NZD 120,000) Duration: up to a maximum duration of 12 months	Two-stage Submission deadlines:  EXTERNAL DEADLINE for Intent to Apply: Thursday, February 11, 2025 (12 Noon CT) INTERNAL DEADLINE for Full Proposal: Monday, March 3, 2025 (12 Noon CT)
Further Information (funding call, guidelines, website). If you are interested, please also get in touch with your FIRST (Kelly or Sophie) Funding Call Guidelines/Website

 

Marsden 2025 Updates

The Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology announced that the Marsden fund will be changing ahead of the 2025 round. Along with the announcement of the changes, a new Investment Plan (2025-2027) and Terms of Reference have been released by the Royal Society Te Apārangi. Due to the changes announced by the Minister, the Royal Society have advised that the Marsden 2025 round will be delayed. At this stage, no new timeline has been provided and we are unsure of the extent of the delay. The most notable changes that have been announced are as follows: The Marsden fund has been updated to “focus on core scientific research that helps lift economic growth and contributes to science with a purpose.” The Humanities and Social Sciences panels will be disbanded and no longer supported. The new Investment Plan focuses on supporting research that can be of economic, environmental or health benefit to New Zealand. The new Terms of Reference outline that approximately 50% of funds will go towards supporting proposals with economic benefits to New Zealand.

 

MBIE 2025 Endeavour Fund (Research Programmes)
This fund aims to support ambitious, excellent and well-defined research ideas which have credible and high potential to positively transform New Zealand’s future in areas of future value, growth, or critical need. For the 2024 investment round, the Science Board will aim to fund at least 17 Research Programmes.
Value/Duration:	Internal Deadline
Total funding pool: $38 million Value: $0.5 million or more per year Duration: 3, 4 or 5 years	Registration: 12 noon, Monday 25 November 2024. Full Proposal: 12 noon, Monday 24 February 2025.
Further Information (funding call, guidelines, registration info, templates):  Funding Call Guidelines Website Registration Template Full Proposal Template If you are interested, please notify your FIRST (research support) of your intent to apply for this scheme to receive important information and updates in relation to this fund

 

New Horizon Europe Calls

In mid-April, the European Commission announced a new selection of funding calls covering the remainder of 2024. The funding call details here Horizon Europe Funding Call List on the Horizon Europe Support Materials page on ResearchHub. New Zealand can participate in these calls on equal terms as our European counterparts. However, the targeted nature of most of these calls means that it is highly likely that it will be more appropriate for us to partner on these projects, joining European-led bids as a collaborator rather than developing a proposal as a lead. Anybody exploring these opportunities should contact International.Research@Auckland.ac.nz to arrange a discussion and explore additional support available.

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Publications | Articles

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• Ball, L. (2025) Gene technology bill fails to recognise Treaty partnership. Newsroom. 19 January
• Barrett, J. (2025) Māori communities lead innovative ways of financing housing on ancestral lands. The Conversation. 5 February. 
• Shorrock, A.E., Strachan, L.J., Barnes, P.B., Bostock, H.C., Moore, G.F., McArthur, A.D., Gamboa, D., Woodhouse, A.D., Bell, R.E., Davidson, S.R., Maier, K.L., and Nodder, S.D. (2025) Coeval transverse and axial sediment delivery to the northern Hikurangi Trough during the late Quaternary, Basin Research, 37:e70019, 1-25.
• Macnaughtan, M., Pecher, I, Strachan, L.J., (2025) Gas hydrates on New Zealand’s Chatham Rise. An indicator of Gondwanan thermogenic gas expulsion? Marine and Petroleum Geology, 173: 107226.

HeadsUp

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Welcome back to all! Ngā mihi o te Tau Hou! I trust the first weeks of 2025 have been good to you whether they have been mainly devoted to Annual Leave, research activities or teaching Summer School (or some combination).  I have enjoyed encountering colleagues in meetings and along the corridors, catching up on grant-writing efforts as well as holiday adventures.

Now that its February its time for our boots to seriously grip the tracks. Our first staff meeting is 26 February (and please also mark your diaries for a welcome back to the teaching semester staff drinks on Monday 3^rd March, 4pm).

Steering Group has already met to confirm our budget for 2025. Nothing too austere this year but some ‘nip and tuck’ has been needed to bring requests into line with what we have been offered. Thanks to Michael Groom for assistance with this process.

Early enrolment data looks promising for the first offering of our new Stage 1 courses. Two have already crested 100 students. Thanks to all for the efforts already undertaken and yet to come in their Semester 1 launch.  The Waipapa Taumata Rau course we are so heavily invested in has crested 1,000 enrolments. This is entirely new territory in purpose and scale. Again, big congrats to all involved. Sadly some of our existing courses continue to languish at the margins of viability.  Hard calls may yet lie ahead.  

In other news, for 2025 we welcome back Jan Lindsay from her AD(Research) role and congratulate Jenny Salmond who is stepping in for Vivien Kirk as Acting AD (Postgraduate) (till mid-year).

By way of reminder, and as you’ll know after all the publicity, PeopleSoft functions such as booking Leave remain unavailable until late this month when the sparkly new Hono system goes ‘live’. If you are taking or booking Leave before then or have taken any leave that wasn’t entered in the system, please email Patricia so that she can submit a service request to get it entered in the system. Once Hono is live we will not be able to backdate any leave you have taken. More generally, in a ‘back to the future’ move, we’ll return to use of a ‘Leave Planner’ sheet this year in an attempt to establish an ethic of Leave Responsibility in the School. I know many became tired of me talking about Annual Leave last year but as a School we are seriously negligent in this regard. I have been told by HR that 36% of staff have unacceptably high Annual Leave balances. Ahead of receipt of your planner, if you currently have more than 80 hours/2 weeks Leave owing, start considering when in 2025 you will take this time.

We can look ahead to the year with both confidence and uncertainty. The churn of change is never far away. I am therefore grateful to all who have already stepped up into new service roles, new teaching areas and, more generally, adopted a forward-looking School-wide perspective. This is no time to circle the disciplinary wagons or operate out of a position of self-interest. 2025 will be, in large part, as good as we make it. 

See you all soon – Robin Kearns

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Announcements & Seminars

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HONO – Go live is now Monday 24 February 2025 | Hono Overview

• Go live for all users: Monday 24 February 2025
• First pay run in Hono: Wednesday 5 March 2025
• Leave: if you are taking or booking leave before ‘Go live’ or have taken any leave that wasn’t entered in the system, please email Patricia so that she can submit a service request to get it entered in the system. 
• Training will continue for all staff as planned

 

John Morris Afternoon Tea event

Date: Wed 19th February 2025 | Time: 2-3pm | Venue: Level 6 break out space 

Click here to read the brochure Laboratory_Product Portfolio_NZ_Jan2025

 

Disaster Prevention and Management Seminar Series

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Communities 

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Public Event held at the Auckland Art Gallery on 18 January 2025

A panel discussion on the role of art in inspiring hope and environmental action – featuring four current or former students (Anna Wang, Joshua Wang, Inka Pledis, and Georgia Mae Pringle) we ran at Auckland art gallery on 18 January. 

What are the connections between creativity, hope and climate change? That is what four young people came together to discuss as part of an event “Imagining tomorrow: Creativity, Climate and Hope” hosted by Toi O Tāmaki”. A panel consisting of current and recently graduated University of Auckland students, who work in environmental and climate scientific spaces, were led through a series of questions by Dr Meg Parsons, to inspire and provoke thought in the audience gathered at the gallery. Inka Pleiss, Anna Wang, Georgia Pringle and Joshua Wang shared each how they were inspired to get involved in climate and environmental work, and how they stay inspired and hopeful even when times may seem dire, including actively searching out good news while still staying up to date with the not so good, and finding ways that your skills can help in climate and activism spaces instead of trying to fit a prescribed activist mold. For some this may look like painting posters and for others it’s helping out a local community group manage their volunteer database. Climate and environmental action looks different for everyone and each different skill set is needed for collective action.

A key message from the day was also what scientists and artists can learn from each other. Where scientists have lots of passion and know how, they occasionally lack the communication skills that artists hold central to their work. However, scientists regularly employ creative thinking to solve problems or design projects that will answer those burning questions facing us. The group also agreed the power of laughter and levity was not to be overlooked when having discussions around climate and environmental issues and how comedy can provide the relief you may need to buckle up the shoes for another day of hard mahi. Meg also adeptly led the group through her own reflections and experiences to highlight how positive reinforcement and imagery that provokes hope is a stronger motivator for positive climate actions, and how this was reflected in the work of Olafur Eliasson whose exhibition was the inspiration for the event. Olafur explores themes and imagery relating to climate change and other moments through his life without berating the viewer. It asks the viewer to explore and think while still inviting the potential for hope, action and positive change, a message that the panelists agreed was one to carry forward.
Olafur Eliasson: Your curious journey runs at Toi O Tāmaki – Auckland Art gallery until Sun 23 Mar 2025. Special thanks to Ellie Lim for helping curate the event.

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Health Safety & Wellbeing

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Field Gear

Choosing the right field-gear helps reducing the risks to you while undertaking field activities, we will explore different items you need to consider. Today is rain protection.

Waterproof vs rain jacket

In a rain jacket, although you will be fine in a drizzle, in a heavy downpour you need shelter. That’s not the case with a waterproof jacket, because it truly holds water outside from coming in contact with your skin.

• Waterproof jacket:
• Durable Water Repellent DWR Coating: Application, Cleaning & Care | REI Expert Advice
• Impermeable membrane
• Lining
• Cinchable hood
• Zipper pockets
• Impermeable membrane
• Seam sealed zipper
• Rain Jacket:
• No seam sealed zippers
• DWR coating
• Breathable
• Nylon or Polyester

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Funding

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Funding Calls

Marsden Fund 2025
The Marsden Fund aims to invest in excellent, investigator-led research aimed at generating new knowledge, with long-term benefit to New Zealand. Three types of awards are offered: • Fast-Start: for emerging researchers to give an impetus to their careers by promoting them as sole Principal Investigators (PI) in their own research programme. • Standard: for established and emerging researchers. • Council Award: for projects that are interdisciplinary in nature, with larger teams.
Value/Duration:	Internal Deadline
All grants are for a maximum of three years and are GST exclusive. • Fast-Start: up to $120K p.a. • Standard: up to $220-$320K p.a. (varies by panel) • Council Award: up to $1M p.a.	12pm, Monday 17 February 2025
Further Information (funding call, guidelines, website): ·         Funding Call ·         Website ·         Guidelines (Fast-Start, Standard) ·         Guidelines (Council) If you are interested, please also get in touch with your FIRST (Kelly or Sophie)

 

Spencer Foundation–Vision Grant
This fund aims to fund the collaborative planning of innovative, methodologically diverse, interdisciplinary research on education that contributes to transforming education systems for equity.
Value/Duration:	Deadline:
·      Value: USD75,000 (circa NZD 120,000) ·         Duration: up to a maximum duration of 12 months	Two-stage Submission deadlines: ·         EXTERNAL DEADLINE for Intent to Apply: Thursday, February 11, 2025 (12 Noon CT) ·         INTERNAL DEADLINE for Full Proposal: Monday, March 3, 2025 (12 Noon CT)
Further Information (funding call, guidelines, website): ·         Funding Call ·         Guidelines/Website If you are interested, please also get in touch with your FIRST (Kelly or Sophie)

 

Marsden 2025 Updates

The Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology announced that the Marsden fund will be changing ahead of the 2025 round. Along with the announcement of the changes, a new Investment Plan (2025-2027) and Terms of Reference have been released by the Royal Society Te Apārangi. Due to the changes announced by the Minister, the Royal Society have advised that the Marsden 2025 round will be delayed. At this stage, no new timeline has been provided and we are unsure of the extent of the delay. The most notable changes that have been announced are as follows: The Marsden fund has been updated to “focus on core scientific research that helps lift economic growth and contributes to science with a purpose.” The Humanities and Social Sciences panels will be disbanded and no longer supported. The new Investment Plan focuses on supporting research that can be of economic, environmental or health benefit to New Zealand. The new Terms of Reference outline that approximately 50% of funds will go towards supporting proposals with economic benefits to New Zealand.

 

Spencer Foundation –  Research Grants on Education: Large
This fund aims to support education research projects that will contribute to the improvement of education. The research concept is “field-initiated” with the grant designed to support rigorous, intellectually ambitious and technically sound research that is relevant to the most pressing questions and compelling opportunities in education.
Value/Duration:	Deadline:
·         Value: between USD125,000 and USD500,000 (circa NZD205,000 -NZD821,000), depending on the funding tier selected. ·         Duration: up to a maximum duration of 60 months	·         External Deadline for Intent to Apply: 5pm, Thursday, 30 January 2025 ·         Internal Deadline for Full Stage: 5pm, Tuesday,14 January 2025

 

Spencer Foundation – Small Research Grants on Education
This fund is intended to support education research projects that will contribute to the improvement of education.  The research concept is “field-initiated” with the grant designed to support rigorous, intellectually ambitious and technically sound research that is relevant to the most pressing questions and compelling opportunities in education.
Value/Duration:	Internal Deadline
·         Value: up to USD50,000 (circa NZD80,000 ·         Duration: up to a maximum duration of 60 months	12pm, Thursday, 28 November 2024
Further Information (funding call, guidelines website): ·         Funding Call ·         Website ·         Guidelines If you are interested, please also get in touch with your FIRST.

 

MBIE 2025 Endeavour Fund (Research Programmes)
This fund aims to support ambitious, excellent and well-defined research ideas which have credible and high potential to positively transform New Zealand’s future in areas of future value, growth, or critical need. For the 2024 investment round, the Science Board will aim to fund at least 17 Research Programmes.
Value/Duration:	Internal Deadline
·         Total funding pool: $38 million ·         Value: $0.5 million or more per year ·         Duration: 3, 4 or 5 years	·         Registration: 12 noon, Monday 25 November 2024. ·         Full Proposal: 12 noon, Monday 24 February 2025.
Further Information (funding call, guidelines, registration info, templates): ·         Funding Call ·         Guidelines ·         Website ·         Registration Template ·         Full Proposal Template If you are interested, please notify your FIRST (research support) of your intent to apply for this scheme to receive important information and updates in relation to this fund

 

New Horizon Europe Calls

In mid-April, the European Commission announced a new selection of funding calls covering the remainder of 2024. The funding call details here Horizon Europe Funding Call List on the Horizon Europe Support Materials page on ResearchHub. New Zealand can participate in these calls on equal terms as our European counterparts. However, the targeted nature of most of these calls means that it is highly likely that it will be more appropriate for us to partner on these projects, joining European-led bids as a collaborator rather than developing a proposal as a lead. Anybody exploring these opportunities should contact International.Research@Auckland.ac.nz to arrange a discussion and explore additional support available.