HeadSup

Kia ora koutou

This is the last edition of p-cubed for the year. We will start up again mid-January. Huge thanks to Farnaz for getting every edition out on time – it’s much appreciated! Thanks also to everyone in the School who has posted notices, events and acknowledgements, and even bigger thanks to everyone that has read them! Although the software doesn’t do everything we want it is way better than what we had before. If you have tips and ideas for improvements feel free to pass them on to me or Farnaz.

Congratulations to Brendan Hall, for achieving a 2019 FOS Professional Staff Excellence Award. Brendan is an outstanding contributor to the School and it’s fantastic to see this acknowledged at Faculty level. Thanks also to the entire technical services team for your great service to the School, and in particular Ilyas who will be leaving us early in the New Year.

PG students: thanks for creating such a positive student culture in our school. Good luck if you are finishing writing up over the break and if you are taking a well earned holiday, have fun!

We have two events to go before the holidays arrive. The staff end-of-year do is this Thursday. Currently, the buses up Onewa Road are still running – it’s an easy trip (see the post below). Big ups to Sila, Alex, Samantha and Nick for creating what is sure to be a fun late afternoon event for us to enjoy. The Doctoral students and supervisors shindig is scheduled for 4-6pm Tuesday 17th December in the Ontology Lab – see you there!

I would like to give a big shout out to those who have filled a service role for the school, to the professional team that supports us, and to everyone – staff and students – who has done their bit this year. We have transitioned to a new way of working and your contributions have been outstanding. The School has had a great year and I’ve had a lot of fun – ka pai!

Hararei hari!
JR

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Whakawhanaungatanga – communities

ENV Staff End-of-year Party

*Secret Santa
End of Year Party should be associated with fun and surprises so we thought that a silly game for some gift exchange would be a good idea. For those who want to take part in the game please bring along a gift to the End-of-Year/Christmas party. The gift can be “silly” or not and should be worth max $10.

Rules of the game:
1. Each person will draw a number from the bowl when the game commences. This determines the order in which you get to pick a gift
2. The person with the number 1 starts the game by picking a gift
3. The person with the number 2 can either choose to steal 1’s gift or pick a new gift to open. If they choose to steal the gift, 1 get’s to pick another new gift to open
4. The game continues like this until everyone takes a turn opening or stealing a gift. The last person to go can steal from anyone in the game or open the remaining gift
A round is when each person starts their turn of either picking a new gift or stealing a gift
A round ends when a new gift is opened
The same gift can only be stolen once in a round
Once a gift is stolen three times, it is retired from the game (the last person to steal it keeps the gift)

How to get there
• For those who are taking bus

Option 1

Option 2

• For those who are driving (There is public parking available on and around Seaview Avenue)

Annual Leave

If you are a research assistant, research fellow or academic staff member you will be accruing annual leave. Now is the time to check your annual leave balances and plan for 2020. This is critical for all staff on short-term contracts. A leave planner can be found here.

You can enter and change leave requests via PeopleSoft self-service option, or send the completed form to Samantha Huang (s.huang@auckland.ac.nz). See this link for details.

If you are an academic staff member please note that you are expected to be available for the Kaupapa 2020 (10.30-1.30pm, 26 Feb 2020), Annual Retreat (9 June), and Roundup 2020 (TBA). You are also expected to attend the examiners’ meetings relevant to your courses and programmes.

Leave Plus: a pilot scheme for buying or cashing-up a week of annual leave

In 2020 a trial scheme will operate whereby, under certain conditions, you can buy or sell a week of leave. Currently this is only available to staff on individual contracts.

Details can be found here.

Research and Study Leave

A new RSL policy will take effect from 1 January 2020. See here for details.

Staff can apply from January 2020 foe leave commencing 2021. Applications must be made at least 8 months in advance. Leave can be applied for in monthly increments.

This change has implications for us that currently are being worked through. More advice will be provided in due course.

Ilyas is leaving the University

It is with regret that I announce Ilyas is leaving the University to pursue new opportunities in Australia. His last day with the University will be the 10th of January 2020.
Ilyas has been a valued member of the School and Technical Team and is well respected in his field of expertise.
Please join me in wishing Ilyas success in his future endeavours. We will be holding a morning tea to say good-bye, details to be announced soon.

Blair Sowman
Technical Manager | School of Environment

Visiting Scientists

– Prof Ian Townend (University of Southampton) is visiting Giovanni Coco until April 2020. Ian work on beaches and estuaries. Stay tuned as he will be giving a short course on modelling in early 2020
– Prof Stefano Lanzoni (University of Padua) is visiting Giovanni Coco in December. He will give a short course on stability analysis for hydro-morphodynamic systems (11-13 december). Brush up the maths and join in! (for details contact Giovanni)

The U21 PwC Innovation Challenge

Respond to real workplace challenges to win world-class professional development with PwC Academy or an expenses-paid visit to PwC Middle East in Dubai. Join the competition by 13 December for a unique opportunity to enhance your career competencies, develop your professional networks and increase your personal impact.

Open to doctoral candidates and masters students.
https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/postgraduate-students/school-of-graduate-studies/doctoral-opportunities/u21-pwc-competition.html

IT Committee

The IT Committee has met on 27 Nov.  A few highlights:

• Software imaging in science labs.: Images will be carried over into the Summer Semester and Semester 1. If you require software for teaching that is currently not available in the labs (please test!), please contact Ingo (i.pecher@auckland.ac.nz) ASAP.
• ENV IT budget: We generally plan to renew software packages that were requested in 2019 (at ~2019 prices). There are limited funds available for additional software and data as well as emergency hardware (well below the Capex limit).  Requests will be discussed by the IT Committee.  Generally, the budget is aimed at supporting teaching-related software.  If software is also used for funded research, we expect that proportional funding will be provided from research projects.

 

Te Tumu Herenga | Libraries and Learning Services

Talis course reading lists for 2020

Now is a great time to update, publish and request reviews of your Talis reading lists for Summer School, Semester One or Quarter One courses in 2020. Talis reading lists are automatically carried over from one teaching period to the same teaching period for the following year. This means that there will be a draft version for 2020 which contains the previous content and is editable, but it won’t be visible to students until this new version is “published”.

For more information and guidance, see the staff intranet notice.

Free collection

Free collection of 40 (maybe all) 1:50,000 topographic maps of New Zealand looking for a good home from Mark Costello m.costello@auckland.ac.nz room 301-527B.

Meetings, seminars and events

ENV Equity Committee Webinar

White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism
Tuesday 17th December, 10-11 in 302-G20
All welcome

Health, safety and wellbeing

Laboratory and Workshops Safety Inductions 2019

If you wish to join an induction session please email the Technician in Charge.

Wed 11 December 2019	General Safety Inductions	Natalia (n.abrego@auckland.ac.nz)	2:00 – 2:20 pm	303-B11
Wed 11 December 2019	Chemistry +TF Lab Induction	Natalia (n.abrego@auckland.ac.nz)	2:20 p.m -3:30 p.m	303-B11
Thurs 12 December 2019	X-ray Labs Induction	Ilyas (ilyas.qasim@auckland.ac.nz)	11:30 am – 12:00 pm	301-411

Expired first aid supplies available

Expired first aid supplies that have been removed from the school’s first aid kits will be available for staff and students to collect on Tuesday 11th December 10am in the L4 break-out space. Please help yourself to a few items at first making sure everyone gets a chance to collect some.

Lab closures (x-mas break)

All ENV labs will be shut down on the 18th of December and will re-open on the 8th of January. Please make sure you have packed away samples/experiments and cleaned up any work spaces.
There will be no access to any laboratories over the break unless prior approval has been granted.

Blair Sowman
Technical Manager | School of Environment

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Rangahau – Research

Congratulations!

Jennifer Montano won the best poster award at the River, Coastal and Estuarine Morphodynamics Conference. Congrats!

FYI: Research Components of Masters Programmes at ENV

Below is an overview on the research components for the various Masters programmes at the School of Environment. Please distinguish between the overall programmes, which the Postgraduate (PG) Advisors are coordinating, and the research components, which the Masters Advisor coordinates, similar to a course coordinator.

Type of Masters research

The School of Environment offers several Masters programmes:
• Masters of Science (MSc) for Earth Sciences, Environmental Management, Environmental Science, Geography, and Geophysics. Programmes: 240 points. Research component: 120 points (796-labelled). MSc programmes are generally two years but for students who already have a PG qualification such as BSc (hons) or PGDip, a one-year research-only MSc is available as a programme.
• Master of Arts: Geography. Programme: 240 points. Research component: 120 points (796-labelled). Research component equivalent to that of MSc.
• Master of Engineering Geology (MEG). Programme: 180 points. Research component: 90 points (EARTHSCI 794). Martin Brook is the informal PG Advisor. There is an option for students who already have a PG qualification to be admitted into a 120-point programme with a 90-point research component.
• Master of Environmental Science (MEnvSci). Programme: 180 points. Research component: 90 points. There is an MEnvSci option with a 30-point research component that is handled similarly to a BSc (hons) thesis. There is also the option of a 240-point MSc in EnvSci (confusing!).

To read more please click here.

Meetings, seminars and events

Spatial and temporal dynamics of microplastic transport by freshwater systems

Speaker: Nadia Dikareva (PhD Proposal)
Date: Monday, 16th of December
Time: 10:30am
Venue: 302-551 (Ontology Lab)

Research and Funding Opportunities

AusIMM Scholarships

Minerals industry student research scholarships are available: $5k for MSc/Phd research, $2k for BSc(Hons) research in Geology, Engineering or the Environment that is related to the minerals industry.

See: www.ausimm.co.nz for details.

Closing date: 28 February 2020.

NASA internships and New Zealand Space Agency scholarships

The New Zealand Space Agency invites high-performing New Zealand tertiary students to apply to participate in the 2020 NASA International Internship Programme. To complement this opportunity, the New Zealand Space Agency is offering New Zealand Space Scholarships.

This brilliant opportunity opens for applications on Friday.  It’s open to STEM postgraduates who are NZ citizens.

Kick-start your space sector career with a 2020 NASA internship, funded by the New Zealand Space Scholarship. Apply from 29 November. Open to NZ STEM postgraduates.
mbie.govt.nz/nasa

Marsden 2020

The official funding call is yet to be released – in the meantime if you have not already done so, please let your RPC know you intend to apply to ensure you won’t miss out on any important information.

Applications for writing support at the EOI stage need to be made by Thursday 12 December, please discuss with your RPC asap if you are interested.

Science for Technological Innovation: Seed Projects 2020

The Fund is intended to bring in new ideas and researchers to the Science for Technological Innovation (SfTI) community. Higher priority will be given to projects that:
• are aligned with the Sensors, Robotics and Automation (SRA) and/or Data Science and Digital Technologies (DSDT) themes
• have a team (including the PI) of emerging researchers (up to seven years full-time equivalent post-PhD)
• involve researchers who are new to SfTI
• have strong Vision Mātauranga alignment

Value: Max. $200,000 per project
Duration: Up to 2 years
Internal deadline: 09 March 2020
Further Information: 2020 Call for Proposals

Postgraduate Scholarships for Antarctic Research 2020

Antarctica New Zealand Doctoral Scholarship

• For Doctoral Research
• $20,000 per annum over two years
• Logistics support in Antarctica*

New Zealand Post Antarctic Scholarship

• For Masters or Doctoral research
• $10,000 over one year
• Logistics support in Antarctica*
  Applications will open 3 February 2020
  *Subject to programme availability. See antarcticanz.govt.nz for more details

The School of Environment Māori Masters Thesis Scholarship

The School of Environment Māori Masters Thesis Scholarship is now open for applications from eligible students wishing to enrol for 2020.

This Scholarship provides up to $5,000 plus compulsory fees, and may be awarded to Māori students enrolling in full-time or part-time study in a Master of Arts or Master of Science thesis in Geography, or a Master of Science thesis in Earth Sciences, Environmental Management, Environmental Science or Geophysics. The basis of selection will be academic merit, with a minimum GPA/GPE of 4.00 or above in the applicant’s most recent qualifying programme required for consideration for the Scholarship.

If you know a student who is eligible and who is interested in undertaking Masters thesis study in the School in 2020, please encourage them to apply. Applications close on 15 January 2020.

For further details see: www.auckland.ac.nz/en/study/scholarships-and-awards/find-a-scholarship/school-of-environment-maori-masters-thesis-scholarship-674-sci.html

New publications

1. Wang, V., Gao, J., Schwendenmann, L., 2020. Assessing changes of urban vegetation cover and aboveground carbon stocks using LiDAR and Landsat imagery data in Auckland, New Zealand. International Journal of Remote Sensing 41(6), 2140-2158.
2. Thakuriah, PV., Sila-Nowicka, K., Hong, J., (…), Lido, C., McHugh, A., 2020. Integrated Mulitmedia City Data (iMCD): A composite survey and senisng approach to understanding urban living and mobility. Computers, Environment and Urban Systems, 80, 101427.
3. Poate, T., Masselink, G., Austin, M.J., (…), Dickson, M., McCall, R., 2020. Infragravity wave generation on shore platforms: Bound long waves versus breakpoint forcing. Geomorphology, 350, 106880.
4. Jara, IA., Morena, PI, Alloway, BV, Newnham, RM., 2019. A 15,400-year long record of vegetation, fire-regime, and climate changes from the northern Patagonian Andes. Quaternary Science Reviews, 226, 106005.
5. Wood, JR., Diaz, FP., Latorre, C., Wilmshurst, JM., Burge, OR., Gonzalez, F., 2019. Ancient paraiste DNA from late Quaternary Atacama Desert rodent middens. Quaternary Science Reviews, 226, 106031.
6. Wang, V., Gao, J., 2019. Towards refined estimation of vegetation carbon stock in Auckland, New Zealand using WorldView-2 and LiDAR data: the impact of scaling. International Journal of Remote Sensing, 40(3), 8727-8747.
7. Spreitzer, G., Tunnicliffe, J., Friedricj, H., 2019. Using Structure from Motion photogrammetry to assess large wood (LW) accumulations in the field. Geomorphology, 346, 106851.
8. Sangsefidi, E., Wilson, DJ., Larkin, TJ., Black, PM., 2019. The role of water in unbound granular pavement layers: a review. Transportation Infrastructure Geotechnology, 6(4), 289-317.
9. Holdaway, A., Ford, M. 2019. Resolution and scale controls on the accuracy of atoll island shorelines interpreted from satellite imagery. Applied Geomatics, 11(4), 339-352.
10. Evans, G., Augustinus, P., Gadd, P., Zawadzki, A., Ditchfield, A., 2019. A mulit-proxy μ-XRF inferred lake sediment record of environmental change spanning the last ca. 2230 years from Lake Kanono, Northland, New Zealand. Quaternary Science Reviews, 225, 106000.
11. Schwendenmann, L., Michalzik, B., 2019. Dissolved and particulate carbon and nitrogen fluxes along a Phytophthora agathidicida infection gradient in a kauri (Agathis australis) dominated forest. Fungal Ecology, 42, 100861.
12. Burrows, MT., Bates., AE., Costello, MJ., (…), Stuart-Smith, RD., Poloczanska, ES., 2019. Ocean community warming responses explained by thermal affinities and temperature gradients. Nature Climate Change, 9, 959-963.

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Ako – Teaching and Learning

Ako Innovation Committee: Teaching & Learning Fund 2020

 The purpose of this fund is to promote the development of innovative teaching and learning practices within the School of Environment which promote a culture of teaching excellence. These funds will be distributed in one contestable round, with grants of up to $6000. The total pool of funds available in 2020 is $12000. Grants to individuals or groups of teaching active staff will be used to fund small-scale teaching initiatives that have an impact on teaching practice for the benefit of learners.

 All applications should be received by 21/02/2020 by noon.

 See Ako Innovation Committee Teaching & Learning Fund: Grant Guidelines and 2020 Application Form for AKO Teaching and Learning Innovation Grant.

https://www.coursebuilder.cad.auckland.ac.nz/flexicourses/4101/publish/1/14.html

 Any questions please contact Mel Wall.

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Classifieds

Job opening – Technologist Microcharacterisation

We are seeking an experienced and organised Technician to operate and maintain the School of Environment X-ray analytical Research Laboratories in our Mircocharacterisation Facility.  

https://www.smartrecruiters.com/TheUniversityOfAuckland/743999701606229-technologist-microcharacterisation-facility

 

HeadSup

Kia ora koutou

I’m delighted to announce that Sila has been appointed to the permanent GI Science Lecturer position, effective 03 January 2020. Sila has made a fantastic contribution since taking up her fixed-term role and her acceptance of the permanent position consolidates our GI Science capability. Currently we are advertising for an Environmental Geography / Environmental Management position and the Professor in Environmental Management, and in the next couple of weeks we will be posting the advert for our Kai Whakaaho Mātai Taiao PTF position.

Over the past year we have initiated an upgrade to our media content and the results are starting to come through. Check out this fantastic video showcasing Geography (special thanks to Charlotte, Jon and the GEOG331 team): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utyyEW6fkNE&list=PL4EJd87SGj55mylaMCcegALVmvhZnev56

We are in the lead up to the closing of our books for the year. If you have $$ to spend that will disappear on 1 January 2020, and you plan on purchasing consumables or other OPEX, your deadline for raising POs is today. Likewise, please get those expense claims in asap.

Over the next few months many of us (staff and PG research students) will be heading into the field. Please be sure to complete your H&S paperwork with genuine engagement and on time (you may need to make modifications). Compliance with the H&S process is to ensure we manage risks well and can demonstrate due care for all field trip participants. Compliance with the ENV H&S policy for field activities is non-negotiable.

A new Research and Study Leave policy comes into effect 1 January 2020. This policy offers considerable flexibility but will require greater oversight to ensure programmes can be delivered without compromise.

Lastly, we have two major events still ahead that should be good fun: the annual end-of-year staff do from 2.30pm onwards on the 12th December, and the PhD end-of-year celebration, date to come. It will be great to see as many of you at these events as possible.

Ngā mihi
JR

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Whakawhanaungatanga – communities

Professional short course in the Philippines

Gary Brierley has just returned from running a River Styles professional short course as part of a NERC funded collaborative project between various universities in the Philippines and the University of Glasgow, UK.

Working with Kirstie Fryirs, Macquarie University, Gary was invited to present a one week short course in the Bislak Catchment, Laoag.

The course was attended by around 30 participants, representing over 10 research and river management agencies in the Philippines.

A social science project run by researchers from the University of Glasgow examined pedagogic aspects relating to the conduct of such short courses.

Gary turned up in a traditional Philippines shirt made from banana fiber for the first day.

Should anyone be interested in these collaborations and prospective future developments, please contact Gary directly. Gary will return to the Philippines in late 2021 to consider uptake of principles from the short course into river management practice and policy in the Philippines.

Kaikoura trip research story

Charlotte Milne is currently studying a Master of Science in Geography and uses drone technology to investigate how the 2016 Kaikoura Earthquake has changed the local rivers. We followed Charlotte down to Kaikoura to find out about her research. Charlotte’s story is now up on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utyyEW6fkNE&list=PL4EJd87SGj55mylaMCcegALVmvhZnev56
Learn more about studying Geography here: www.science.auckland.ac.nz/geography

Joint Graduate School in Coastal and Marine Science Spring School

7-8 November
NIWA Wellington

The JGS Spring School is a chance to learn about a wide range of ocean research, interact with other marine science students across many disciplines, and to learn about NIWA and other marine careers.

Students experienced:

o speakers from a range of marine science disciplines
o tours of the NIWA labs and facilities
o participated in 2-minutes thesis session
o panel discussion on marine careers

The School was a great success and next year’s school will be in Auckland!

Volcanoes of Auckland: A Field Guide

Research Associate Bruce Hayward’s latest book “Volcanoes of Auckland: A Field Guide”
has just been published by AUP. You may find a copy in a bookseller for $50 retail or you can order on-line: Best deal may be Fishpond.co.nz at $39 (incl delivery).

Earth Sciences Bickie Briefing

Earth Sciences Bickie briefing is every Thursday morning at 10.30am in the Level 6 break out space. All post grads and staff welcome.

Meetings, seminars and events

Preparing for disaster: the role of ambulance during catastrophe

Speaker: Todd Miller
St John New Zealand
Date: 26th November 2019
Time: 11:30- 1pm
Venue: 302-551 (Ontology Lab)
Light refreshment will be provided after the seminar.

Health, safety and wellbeing

TRAINING WORKSHOP: RECOGNISING AND RESPONDING TO POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS IN DISTRESS

A recent survey in the Faculty of Science showed that more 50% of our postgraduate students had experienced psychological distress in the past 30 days with approximately 1 in 5 students reporting serious distress. It can be challenging for staff to know how best to deal with distressed students during supervision, teaching or other interactions.

This workshop is intended for both academic and professional staff who regularly come into contact with postgraduate students. It will provide basic information on how to recognise a student in distress and offer appropriate first line responses to this.

The training workshop will be facilitated by Kimberley Farmer (Counselling Lead, University Health & Counselling Service), Kerry Gibson (Clinical Psychologist, Associate Professor, Wellbeing Strategy Leader – Postgraduate, Faculty of Science), Erin Leitao (Senior Lecturer, School of Chemical Sciences).

Date: Friday, 29^th November, 2019; Time: 11.00 am – 1.00 pm; Venue: 302.140

Places for this workshop are limited so please confirm your attendance by accepting the calendar invite.

RSVP:Kerry Gibson: kl.gibson@auckland.ac.nz

Laboratory and Workshops Safety Inductions 2019

If you wish to join an induction session please email the Technician in Charge.

Wed 11 December 2019	General Safety Inductions	Natalia (n.abrego@auckland.ac.nz)	2:00 – 2:20 pm	303-B11
Wed 11 December 2019	Chemistry +TF Lab Induction	Natalia (n.abrego@auckland.ac.nz)	2:20 p.m -3:30 p.m	303-B11
Thurs 12 December 2019	X-ray Labs Induction	Ilyas (ilyas.qasim@auckland.ac.nz)	11:30 am – 12:00 pm	301-411

 

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Rangahau – Research

Meetings, seminars and events

The Resurgence of the Public Library: An Examination of the Planning, Construction and Use of Tūranga

Speaker: Salene Schloffel-Armstrong (PhD Proposal)
Date: Monday, 25th of November
Time: 1pm
Venue: 302-551 (Ontology Lab)

 

Delineation of landslide hazard and development of mitigation tools in a vulnerable city:

Speaker: Matt Cook (PhD Proposal)

Date: Monday, 02/12/2019
Time: 10:00am
Venue: 302-551 (Ontology Lab)

ELASTIC WAVE BEHAVIOUR IN GEOTHERMAL METAMORPHIC HOST ROCK

Speaker: Pablo Aguilera Bustos (PhD Proposal)

Date: Monday, 05/12/2019
Time: 10:00am
Venue: 302-551 (Ontology Lab)

Research and Funding Opportunities

Strategic Science Investment Fund:  Advanced Energy Technology Platform

The Advanced Energy Technology Platform aims to advance the development of a dynamic and world-class energy technology research capability for New Zealand.  The Platform will focus on research in the engineering, physical and biological sciences, and will prioritise transformative, creative and potentially disruptive research to help define future global energy opportunities and accelerate technology towards commercialisation.

Value:  Up to $50 million in funding over seven years is available through the Advanced Energy Technology Platform.  MBIE are looking to fund up to four research programmes for seven years.

Deadlines:  Registration: Monday 9 December 2019; Proposal: 2 March 2019

Funding website/more information can be found here.

EQC University Research Programme 2020 – 2023

New Zealand tertiary institutions with expertise in natural hazard science and resilience are invited to submit funding proposals to EQC for University Research Programmes for the period 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2023.

Value:  $375,000 per 3 year programme ($125,000 per annum)

Deadline: Wednesday 29 January 2020

Funding website/essential information can be found here.  Please contact your RPC if you intend on applying to this fund.

2020 Marsden Funding Round  

We anticipate the funding call for the 2020 Marsden Round will be released in the next week or so – please watch this space. 

The Faculty and School have various support initiatives in place to help develop both Fast Start and Standard proposals (including writing and editorial support, mock panels, peer review and Vision Mātauranga).  If you intend on applying, please let your RPC know so you don’t miss out on any important information.

Deadline (estimated):  11 February 2020

Scholarships from Research Projects

If you have any PhD students on research project-funded scholarships due to start in January 2020, please let your RPC know asap.  These will need to be set up before mid-December in order for their stipend payments to begin in January.

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Copy deadline for next edition of P-cubed: Friday 12:00 6th December, to Farnaz: f.sheikh@auckland.ac.nz

HeadSup

Kia ora koutou

It’s congratulations all around in this edition of p-cubed. Great to see ‘givers’ acknowledged – well done Paul and Jane for your contributions to NZ Geography. We also had fantastic news in the latest Marsden round – congratulations to Ingo Pecher on getting “Geological Champagne” across the line, also Lorna, Mila and Giovanni who are AIs on successful externally-led Marsden proposals. These funds are hard to get and it’s wonderful when the good news comes through. You have to be in to win – see the post  in Rangahau below about accessing help for crafting a competitive Marsden proposal.

We have a busy week ahead with some major ENV events. Our annual Research Awards ceremony is on Tuesday (11-1pm, incl. lunch) in 302-140, Masters students will be giving their thesis presentations on Thursday, and the AKO Innovation Teaching & Learning Awards are on Friday (11-1pm) in the Ontology Lab. It would be great to see a good turn-out of staff and students to these events.

Three key activities are in front of staff – examiners’ meetings (please attend if you are a course-coordinator, course director or teacher on any of the assessed courses), digital course outlines will be due soon and need to be prepared now, and QS rankings information should be sent to Samantha by the first week of December (see p-cubed Issue 20). Assessment 2020 is on the horizon and will impact your digital course outlines for Semester 1 – please check the post in the Ako section below.

PG students and staff please note: a new email address has been created for Postgraduate Administration (env-pgadmin@auckland.ac.nz). All emails and postgraduate forms you would previously have sent to the Administrative Service Coordinator (Mick Johannisson-Wallman) – or mistakenly to me – should now be sent to env-pgadmin@auckland.ac.nz

Lastly, it is my privilege to announce two retirements after many years of stirling service: Ward Friesen and Lyndsay Blue have advised that they will be retiring effective from 1 May 2020. In the New Year, we will arrange a suitable event to acknowledge Ward’s and Lyndsay’s contributions to the Departments of Geography; Geography and Environmental Science; Geography, Geology and Environmental Science; and the School of Environment. Their history is our history so it will be an occasion not to be missed!

Ngā mihi
JR

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Whakawhanaungatanga – communities

CONGRATULATIONS!

NZ Geographical Society Awards: Auckland Branch NZGS

Congratulations to Professor Paul Williams who received the highest award the Society offers. One of two Distinguished New Zealand Geographer Awards (and Medal): Professor Paul W. Williams

Paul Williams with Lynda Johnston

Distinguished Service Award: Jane Michelle Foster (National Secretary of the NZ Board of Geography Teachers)

Jane Foster with Lynda Johnston

New Email Address for ACS

Dear All Postgraduate Students and Staff,
A New email address has been created for Postgraduate Administration (env-pgadmin@auckland.ac.nz).
An emails and postgraduate forms you would previously send to the Administrative Service Coordinator (Mick Johannisson-Wallman) should now be sent to env-pgadmin@auckland.ac.nz

ENV Catering Policy

Yes, we have one! All food served at formal ENV functions will be vegetarian unless otherwise requested. If meat-based dishes are requested, they are not to exceed 30% of the overall mix of offerings. No endangered species should be served.

Thanks very much to the PG student who took the time to write JR a note about this.

Equity news!

It’s been a busy couple of weeks and thanks to those who have come along to the equity events. We are hosting three equity meetings over a month to help set the agenda for the Committee in 2020. Alongside the inaugural Kāinga Wāhine lunch, we also hosted a Combatting White Supremacy hui. Both events were VERY well attended! Building on this momentum, the final equity meeting is on Thursday 14th November 1-2pm in 302.551 where we will set out a plan for the Committee for 2020. Do join us for lunch!

The ENV Equity committee would like to thank those who attended our inaugural Kāinga Wāhine lunch. It was a great opportunity to connect and foster/strengthen relationships amongst women within the School. We were also able to gather ideas about how to enhance the experiences of women (as a targeted University equity group) within the school. We look to forward to building on these ideas and continuing these lunches next year.

In response to a letter written to the School of Environment Equity Committee signed by 28 post-graduate students, a Combatting White Supremacy hui was held. The kōrero was robust and harrowing at times. We thank the attendees for their feedback and ideas as to how to move forward. We will use your feedback to inform our efforts to promote and create a safe, inclusive, and equitable space within the School of Environment. We see this hui as the start of a conversation rather than the final word. Let’s continue this productive kōrero.

 

The U21 PwC Innovation Challenge

A three-minute video could win you an expenses-paid trip to PwC Middle East or world-class career development in the U21 PwC Innovation Challenge! Open to doctoral candidates and masters students.
https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/postgraduate-students/school-of-graduate-studies/doctoral-opportunities/u21-pwc-competition.html

Kia ora!

Help us name the new doctoral candidature management system and you could win NZ$150 PB Tech vouchers!

Open to all University of Auckland staff and doctoral candidates.

Multiple entries allowed. Submit by 29 November.

https://www.staff.auckland.ac.nz/en/teaching-and-students/postgraduate-students/doctoral-candidature-management-project.html

Earth Sciences Bickie Briefing

Earth Sciences Bickie briefing is  every Thursday morning at 10.30am in the Level 6 break out space. All post grads and staff welcome.

Notice

From William Reid

I’ve got six batteries previously used for seismometers that need to get to GNS in Taupo. If anyone is driving that way and is happy to take them along then please get in touch with me on WAReid21@gmail.com.

Meetings, seminars and events

Doctoral workshops with Hugh Kearns

Build solid strategies for planning your PhD or develop key skills for networking and academic conference success at two FREE doctoral workshops this November.

https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/postgraduate-students/postgraduate-events/doctoral-workshops-with-hugh-kearns.html

Preparing for disaster: the role of ambulance during catastrophe

Speaker: Todd Miller

St John New Zealand
Date: 26th November 2019
Time: 11:30- 1pm
Venue: 302-551 (Ontology Lab)
Light refreshment will be provided after the seminar.

 

ENV Masters Presentations:

Please come to our Masters students’ presentations on Thu., 14 Nov., 9:30 am – 2:30 pm, 303-130 and 303-140
Draft programme

Marine Geosciences meeting:

Our monthly meeting this time is on Wed., 13 Nov., 1-2 pm, 303-G14 (TBC)
Marta Ribo: Sediment transport and Morphodynamics: From the Mediterranean Sea to the SE Australian coast and now the Marlborough Sounds in New Zealand

ENV IT Committee meeting

Exact time TBD. If you have any issues that should be addressed, please contact Ingo (i.pecher@auckland.ac.nz) by Sun. 17 Nov.

Health, safety and wellbeing

Laboratory and Workshops Safety Inductions 2019

If you wish to join an induction session please email the Technician in Charge.

November	Wed 13 November 2019	General Safety Inductions	Neville(n.hudson@auckland.ac.nz)	2:00 – 2:20 pm	303-G15
	Thurs 14 November 2019	X-ray Labs Induction	Ilyas (ilyas.qasim@auckland.ac.nz)	11:30 am – 12:00 pm	301-411
December	Wed 11 December 2019	General Safety Inductions	Natalia (n.abrego@auckland.ac.nz)	2:00 – 2:20 pm	303-G15
	Wed 11 December 2019	Chemistry +TF Lab Induction	Natalia (n.abrego@auckland.ac.nz)	2:20 p.m -3:30 p.m	303-G15
	Thurs 12 December 2019	X-ray Labs Induction	Ilyas (ilyas.qasim@auckland.ac.nz)	11:30 am – 12:00 pm	301-411

 

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Rangahau – Research

Meetings, seminars and events

Python for Geothermal Scientists and Engineers

Speaker: Dr David Dempsey

Date: Thursday, 28 November 2019
Time: 8:30am- 3:30pm
Venue: Auckland Bioengineering Institute, B439, 4th floor computer lab at 70 Symonds St

Abstract: please click here

$50 UoA Postgrad Student Registration: https://uoaevents.eventsair.com/nzgw19/pythonij
Other registrations: https://www.geothermalworkshop.co.nz

Living on the edge – Mangroves in the Auckland Region

Speaker: Luitgard Schwendenmann
Date: Tuesday 19 November
Time: 4.00pm to 5.30pm
Venue: Building 302, Room 551 (Ontology Lab)

Abstract: please click here

Newsletter of the Auckland Branch of the New Zealand Geographical Society.

Research and Funding Opportunities

MARSDEN 2020

The Royal Society Te Apārangi have announced the dates for the Marsden Roadshow.  This year they are also holding a separate Q&A session aimed at researchers submitting fast start applications  – please register at the links below:

Marsden Roadshow	Wednesday 20 November	10am	Grafton Campus	Register here
		3pm	City Campus	Register here
Fast Start Q&A	Thursday 21 November	10am	City Campus	Register here

If you intend to apply, please let your RPC (Kelly, Ivana or Amy) know so that we can keep you informed about the support being offered by both the Faculty and School.

EQC UNIVERSITY RESEARCH PROGRAMME 2020

New Zealand tertiary institutions with expertise in natural hazard science and resilience are invited to submit funding proposals to EQC for University Research Programmes for the period 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2023.

Research Programs are for three years duration, with annual funding set at $125,000 (total $375,000 per program).

Deadline for submissions to EQC is Friday 7 February 2020 (Internal deadline to be advised).

See the EQC website for more information and guidelines, and please advise your RPC (Kelly or Ivana) if you intend on applying.

NORTHERN HEMISPHERE SUMMER RESEARCH SCHOLARSHIPS

The International Office are calling for projects for the 2020 program, and are looking for supervisors and projects to advertise to partner institutions (supervision period June, July, August).

They are particularly interested in supporting existing research collaborations with the target partners: University of Bristol, University of Southampton, Zhejiang University, Pennsylvania State University and University College Dublin.

If you are interested in applying, please contact Monica Fong at the International Office directly (deadline November 15)

AGRITECH SHOWCASE

Spaces are limited so RSVP here today!

If you have any questions regarding the event please email c.mcmurray@auckland.ac.nz

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Ako – Teaching and Learning

KNOW YOUR CATCHMENT: The use of the River Styles Framework as a tool to support the development of coherent and strategic approaches to land and water management for India’s rivers

Prof Jain, Prof Brierley, Dr Sonam, Prof Fryirs

Many challenges must be addressed in the development and application of integrative approaches to land and water management. This is particularly important in India, the home of Mother Ganga.

To demonstrate the potential use of a geomorphic approach to the analysis of rivers, and use of this information in land and water management applications, Professor Gary Brierley (University of Auckland, New Zealand) and Professor Kirstie Fryirs (Macquarie University, Australia) have visited the Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar (IITGN) as part of one of the first SPARC projects in India (Scheme for Promotion for Academic and Research Collaboration). This SPARC project is led by Professor Vikrant Jain (IITGN). In this first visit of the 2-year SPARC project, Professors Brierley and Fryirs will run the week-long River Styles short course at IITGN. Rivers scientists from different parts of India are attending the short course. Fieldwork and subsequent research will focus on the Sabarmati River, on the doorstep of IITGN.

Please click here to read more.

Assessment 2020

The University’s new Assessment (Coursework, Tests and Examinations) Policy and Procedures come into effect in Summer School 2020 and apply to all undergraduate and taught postgraduate courses. Please set aside a few minutes to look at this page.

Course Coordinators in particular please note some important features:

1.     Assessments should be mapped to the Learning Outcomes. This is required in the Digital Course Outlines (see below) but is more than just a technical feature. Please note the Nine principles of assessment.

2.    There must be an early, formative assessment. The policy does not say how early but 2-3 weeks into the course would be reasonable. The purpose is to enable students to gauge their learning. Coordinators may also use this as an early warning of how the class is doing and to identify individuals who are struggling.

3.    Feedback and marks should be timely – and especially if students are to learn from this before their next assessment. Marking of course takes time and may be perceived as a burden for instructors. However, you are designing the course so please plan for the marking, and design the course so that you can provide feedback promptly.

4.    Group work is permitted but for large assignments or where it constitutes more than 30% of the final grade at least 40% of the mark must assess the individual student’s contribution.

Digital Course Outlines

These have been forewarned in the previous two editions of P-Cubed. Please note that we anticipate requests for Semester 1 courses to arrive very soon.

Reference pages:

·         Digital Course Outline Project

·         BSc Graduate Profile – relevant for undergraduate courses and may be useful for Postgraduate courses, too.

AKO TEACHING EXCELLENCE AWARDS

School of Environment Teaching and Learning Showcase and Inaugural Ako Awards

Friday 15 November, 11-1PM, 302-551

The event will include short presentations from staff on innovative teaching and learning. The showcase will also include the Inaugural Ako Awards which acknowledges teaching excellence within the School. The event will include lunch!

 

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Copy deadline for next edition of P-cubed: Friday 12:00 22nd November, to Farnaz: f.sheikh@auckland.ac.nz

HeadSup

Kia ora koutou

Two dates are coming up that should get fixed into staff agendas: the ENV wrap-up session and lunch (10.30-1.30pm, Thursday 7 November), and the ENV End-of-Year Staff Celebration (mid-afternoon onwards, 12 December) at…wait for it…Nick’s place! Given Nick’s recent demonstration of conviviality (Whose Lecture is it anyway?) and the fact that Sila is in charge of the organising committee, I’m picking this could set a new bar for the silly season. More details to follow. The Annual Doctoral Do is on the horizon – more about this in next fortnight’s p-cubed.

It was good to see a positive email from the VC last week outlining the report from the Special Working Group on the response to and prevention of discrimination at the University of Auckland. The working group was convened in June following a recommendation by AUSA in its report ‘The Path to Change’, which came out of the Zero Tolerance? Hui inviting students to speak about their experiences of bullying, harassment and discrimination held at the beginning of May. The text of the email is here. I was particularly pleased to see progress on development of a Code of Conduct that will apply to all members of the University, staff and students. The Code currently is going to University Council for approval and should be in place from the start fo 2020. More on this once it is through the approval process.

We have time to influence our QS World University rankings. I know there will be sighs all around about this but the QS number is an important international reputation marker. We need to maintain Geography at 28 and get Environmental Science and Earth & Marine Sciences into the top 100. Apparently, we can make a difference (see the post below) – let’s see if we can!

Recently I was asked about the academic staff per diem for field trips. Yes, there is a small sum that can be claimed in lieu of the employer providing relevant equipment and special clothing which shall remain the property of the employer – the details can be found in the academic staff collective contract (if you are on an individual contract you will need to check that). I think of this as ‘boot money’. Where fieldwork is undertaken as part of a research programme, that programme shall meet these costs. In other words, I won’t ask questions if this sum is claimed for teaching-related field work.

Big ups to Sonia, Mel, Karen and team for nailing a 2019 Learning Enhancement Grant with Mea’ofa: the gifts gained by sharing and Learning Māori and Pacific ways of being. This two-year project has potential to positively impact Ako within the School and wider University. Great mahi!

Ngā mihi
JR

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Whakawhanaungatanga – communities

Welcome!

Thomas Mules will be joining the Technical Team on the 25th of November as a Geography Technician. Thomas will be providing technical support to the maintenance and ongoing development of the School of Environment’s Geographical Information Systems (GIS) platforms and associated spatial data management. He will also be supporting Human Geography research and teaching activities and providing general technical support to the School’s Geography facilities.

We will welcome Thomas to his new role at the ENV morning tea on Wednesday 27th November.

Help lift our QS rankings

The University Planning & Information office has identified our subjects as high priority subjects. Currently, Geography is ranked 28^th and Environmental Sciences and Earth & Marine Sciences are ranked 101-150 in the QS Subject Rankings but, if we act strategically, we can improve that rank in future rounds.

The QS Global Academic Survey is used to determine ‘Academic Reputation’, which is the metric with the highest weighting for the QS World University Rankings (40%) as well as the Subject Rankings (40%-60%).

The survey asks academics from around the world to select and rank universities in the areas (subject and region) with which they are familiar. In the most recent survey, over 80,000 responses were collected from individuals in higher education. Given the 40% weighting, votes received in this survey are very important, especially for some subjects where a few more votes can make a big difference in the results.

Planning Office can supply QS with contact details of those we wish to invite to complete the next survey in March 2020 and they would like to ask for our assistance. Before the end of the month, please email Samantha Huang (s.huang@auckland.ac.nz) contact details (name, job title, institution, and email address) of colleagues outside of the University, with whom you have collaborated and built good relationships. For example, this can be an academic who has been a visitor, a colleague with associate or honorary roles, or a PhD student you have supervised who is working in an academic role in another institution. Planning and Information will then email them to seek permission to pass on their contact details to QS.

As the Global Academic Survey is conducted annually, this is likely to be a regular exercise. Additionally, you are more than welcome to provide contact details of employers (title, name, job title, company name, industry, location and email address) with whom you have close relationships. For example, this can be those you have set up internships or partnership programmes with. This is used to determine ‘Employer Reputation’ in the QS overall and subject rankings.

ILab Refresher

ILab Australian team are visiting us from 18 – 20th Nov 2019. We will be scheduling refresher course and face to face meetings.
There will be an iLab refresher course on the 18th Nov; it will be a day event including lunch. The face to face meetings will be 19th and 20th 8 am – 2 pm, please let Blair know if you want to have meeting with the team so that we can schedule a booking.

If you wish to attend either the refresher or have a meeting please let Blair know for catering and room booking purposes.

Dress for Success

With our students preparing to head out to summer work interviews and job interviews / placements, it is timely to remind them of the Dress for Success programme. This is a free service and the students get to keep the clothes.
https://auckland.dressforsuccess.org | www.facebook.com/dfsaklnewzealand |

Meetings, seminars and events

A korero on combatting white supremacy: ENV Equity Committee

We would like to invite you to pizza and korero on Wednesday 6th of November at 1-2pm in 302.551.
The ENV Equity Committee are in the planning stage for 2020 and would like to hear your thoughts about how we might ensure that white supremacy does not have a place in the School of Environment.

Kāinga Wāhine Lunch

The ENV Equity Committee invites all women (postgraduate and staff) within the School to join us for lunch on Thursday 31st October, 1-2pm in 302.551.

School of Environment Film Competition Results

The winners of the 2019 School of Environment Film Competition are:

Undergraduate Category

1st equal: Deja Kelly (A day in the life of an environmental science student)
1st equal: Arshia and Emilee (Sediment Best Friends)

Postgraduate Category

1st place: Gina Swanney and friends (Welcome to AUGA)

PhD Category

1st place: Mirja Heinrich (The Tongariro Project)
2nd place: Oliver Knebel (Coral reef impressions)

People’s choice award (as voted by viewers at the film showing)

Ben Simons, Kiara Daly and Geoff Lerner (Calibration)

Overall winner

Gina Swanney and friends (Welcome to AUGA)

A big thank you to everyone who contributed a film. We look forward to seeing even more entries next year.

Health, safety and wellbeing

Laboratory and Workshops Safety Inductions 2019

If you wish to join an induction session please email the Technician in Charge.

November	Wed 13 November 2019	General Safety Inductions	Neville(n.hudson@auckland.ac.nz)	2:00 – 2:20 pm	303-G15
	Mon 8 November 2019	Chemistry +TF Lab Induction	Natalia (n.abrego@auckland.ac.nz)	11:00 a.m -12:00 p.m	301-411
	Thurs 14  November 2019	X-ray Labs Induction	Ilyas (ilyas.qasim@auckland.ac.nz)	11:30 am – 12:00 pm	301-411
December	Wed 11  December  2019	General Safety Inductions	Natalia (n.abrego@auckland.ac.nz)	2:00 – 2:20 pm	303-G15
	Wed 11 December 2019	Chemistry +TF Lab Induction	Natalia (n.abrego@auckland.ac.nz)	2:20 p.m -3:30 p.m	303-G15
	Thurs 12 December 2019	X-ray Labs Induction	Ilyas (ilyas.qasim@auckland.ac.nz)	11:30 am – 12:00 pm	301-411

 

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Rangahau – Research

Meetings, seminars and events

Save the date: ENV Seminar: 6th of November 2pm-3pm, OGH – Federation Room.

Join us on Wednesday the 6th of November from 2pm to 3pm to learn about the fantastic research your colleagues do. All staff members and students from the School of Environment are warmly invited to attend this second School of Environment Seminar. We will run the seminars every three months and every time we will have three presenters from different disciplines from the School of Environment.
In the upcoming ENV Seminar, we will have three presenters giving talks centred around a concept of “water”:
1. Jon Tunnicliffe
2. Karen Fisher
3. David Fryxell

The Data Incubator’s Winter 2020 Fellowship

Time is almost up to apply for The Data Incubator’s Winter 2020 Fellowship application.
If you know anyone who would benefit from intensive data science training, encourage them to apply for our Fellowship program today.
Time is running out. Help us find the data scientists of the future.

Regular Application Deadline: October 21, 2019
Challenge Dates: October 31, 2019 — November 04, 2019
Interview Dates: November 11, 2019 — November 22, 2019
Acceptance Notification: By December 06, 2019
Session Dates: January 13, 2020 — March 06, 2020

The Theme of Social Living: Managing the Challenges of Relationships

Inaugural lecture by Professor Nickola Overall
School of Psychology

Date: Wednesday 6 November

Time: 5.15pm Refreshments
Level 2 Reception Area, Building 302

Time: 6.00pm Lecture
Large Chemistry Lecture Theatre
Ground Floor, Building 301
23 Symonds Street

Please register at nickolaoverall.eventbrite.co.nz

for further details please click here

The social dimension of long-term disaster recovery: a Southland and Hawke`s Bay case study

Tanya Amirapu

Date: 1st November 2019

Time: 12-2pm

Venue: 302-551 (Ontology Lab)

Light refreshment will be provided after the seminar.

Research and Funding Opportunities

MPI Postgraduate Science Scholarships – applications open

The Ministry for Primary Industry’s Postgraduate Science Scholarship opens for applications. Our aim is to build capability in primary industry science, particularly where there are skills and science gaps.

This scholarship is open to PhD and Masters candidates who are or will be engaged in primary industry relevant research at a New Zealand tertiary education institution. Each PhD scholarship is worth up to $50,000 and each Masters scholarship is worth up to $12,000. The successful recipients will also receive mentoring and career development support.

Visit our website for more information, including eligibility criteria and the application form.

2019 PS Science Scholarship poster A3

2020 CapEx funding

Hello,

We are accepting a second round of applications for the Schools 2020 CapEx funding.
If you have already submitted in the first round earlier this year then you do not need to do so again.
Applications can be submitted through the link below; the link will remain open until the end of October.
https://forms.gle/mgamgEAgQwjxb7Jo8

Regards

Blair Sowman
Technical Manager | School of Environment

Funded MSc Research Opportunities 2020: Auckland Faulting

Two $15,000 MSc scholarships will be available to ground truth previously mapped or hypothesised faulting highlighted in the initial project by:

1.        Structurally mapping Auckland’s West Coast.

2.        Structurally mapping Auckland’s East Coast

For more information contact Jennifer Eccles j.eccles@auckland.ac.nz. Julie Rowland, Jon Tunnicliffe and Martin Brook will also be involved in the supervision of these projects as appropriate. Entry to a research MSc requires BSc(Hons), PGDipSci or equivalent and the level of funding available is most appropriate to support candidates from New Zealand and Australia.​

Australian Geoscience Travel Grant

Specific funding is available to provide Australian and New Zealand geoscientists in the early stages of their careers with opportunities to travel internationally to further their careers as geoscientists by, for example, undertaking field work in appropriate areas, visiting and working with appropriate international experts, inspecting appropriate mines or other geoscientific features such as type localities, contributing to professionally-organised geoscientific conferences or conventions, etc

 Applications in the 2019 round are open and will close on 16 December 2019

 See the AGC website for more details

 Pacific Fund

The Fund for economic, social, cultural and scientific cooperation in the Pacific, is a tool for regional cooperation for France in the Pacific.  New Zealand partners are invited to submit their applications for projects contributing to the regional insertion of French collectivities: New Caledonia, French Polynesia, Wallis and Futuna.

 To be eligible, projects must fall under at least one of the following categories:
• Fight against climate change and risk management for natural disasters
• Economic and industrial projects (feasibility study, training actions, etc.)
• Health security and food security (fight against endemic diseases, fishery managements, etc.).

Projects must be submitted by the New Zealand partner and must involve at least one partner from New Caledonia, French Polynesia or Wallis and Futuna.  Preference will be given to projects highlighting planned efforts for communication.

 Closing date for applications: 20 November 2019 (midnight NZ time)

 For more info, see the funding website

C-Prize

The C-Prize is a competition run by Callaghan Innovation that seeks to push the boundaries of what’s possible through technology.  This year they are looking for teams with world-leading innovative solutions to environmental problems.  The C-Prize teams will compete for exciting cash prize packages, access to expert R&D and business advice, and significant international market exposure.

 More info can be found on the competition website.

 New publications

1. Fryirs, K.A., Brierley, G.J., Dixon, T. (2019) Engaging with research impact assessment for an environmental science case study. Nature Communications, 10(1), art. no. 4542.
2. Schwendenmann L., Michalzik B. (2019) Dissolved and particulate carbon and nitrogen fluxes along a Phytophthora agathidicida infection gradient in a kauri (Agathis australis) dominated forest. Fungal Ecology 42, 100086. DOI:10.1016/j.funeco.2019.08.005 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.funeco.2019.08.005 
3. Shane, P., Cocker, K., Coote, A., Stirling C., Reid, M. (2019) The prevalence of plagioclase antecrysts and xenocrysts in andesite magma, exemplified by lavas of the Tongariro volcanic complex, New Zealand. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology 174: 89. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00410-019-1626-y

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Ako – Teaching and Learning

School of Environment Teaching and Learning Showcase and Inaugural Ako Awards

15 November, 11-1 pm, 302-551
Please book your calendar to attend the School of Environment Teaching and Learning Showcase. The event will include short presentations from staff on innovative teaching and learning. The Showcase will also include the Inaugural Ako Awards which acknowledges teaching excellence within the School. The event will include lunch!

School of Environment Ako Teaching Excellence Awards
Overview
The School of Environment’s Ako Innovation Committee are proud to invite applications for the Ako Teaching Excellence Awards which celebrate and promote excellence in teaching. Up to three Ako Excellence Awards worth $300 each will be awarded annually. The awards celebrate teaching initiatives that display teaching excellence undertaken in the School’s courses either by individual teachers or by teaching teams.

Criteria
The Ako Committee will be looking for evidence that applicants have engaged in teaching practice that:
• exemplifies excellence
• is student-centred
• meets stated learning outcomes
• provides recorded evidence of having achieved learning outcomes or displays a critical reflection on why the learning outcomes may not have been fully met
While the awards encourage and reward successful initiatives they also cater for and encourage applications from teachers who are experimenting with innovative initiatives, even if they did not always fully achieve a desired outcome. The awards will also consider initiatives which encourage inclusive teaching and learning.

Eligibility
• Individual academic staff who engage in ENV course teaching
• Teaching Teams from ENV courses, (if appropriate these can include tutors).

Applications
Submit up to a maximum of TWO A4 pages of typed text that explain the activity and evidence of outcomes by 10/11/19 to m.wall@auckland.ac.nz.
Applications may also provide relevant collated appendixes that illustrate the activity and provide supporting evidence of learning outcomes.

Prizes
3 awards worth $300 each.

Award Notification and Obligation of Awardees
Successful awardees will be notified of their award by 12/11/19 and will be presented this at the Ako Teaching Excellence Awards Event to be held in 15/11/19 at 11am. Staff who receive awards will be expected to present a short 5-minute quick-fire presentation of their initiative at the awards event.

Digital Course Outlines

Update on the Digital Course Outlines – introduced in the 14 October edition of P-Cubed: the timelines for this appear to have been pushed back.

At the 23 Oct Faculty of Science meeting the AD T&L advised that:
• Semester 1 courses will need to be completed by the end of this year.
• Semester 2 courses will need to be completed by the mid-semester break of Semester 1.

We are not advised when to expect these to open but advice will go to Course Directors directly. Our GSA, Alexandra Soudlenkova, will be your primary point of contact for queries on this.

Reference pages:
• Digital Course Outline Project
• BSc Graduate Profile – relevant for undergraduate courses and may be useful for Postgraduate courses, too.

R Workshop for 2019

The last Introductory R Workshop for 2019 is being run on Thursday 21^st and Friday 22^nd November. This will be led by Daniel Barnett, Chris Triggs, and Avinesh Pillai, from the Statistical Consultancy Centre.

As per our previous Introductory R workshops, the cost is $300 for UoA students and staff; you can pay using your PRESS account, research grant, or other UoA account. You can also opt to use a debit/credit card (however we would have to also add GST, sorry). The payment authorisation form for UoA participants paying from a UoA account is here.

The cost for non-UoA attendees is $500 + GST, and if you contact me I will let you know re payment options. Card payment is preferred, however if an invoice is required this can be doable if your institution is able to provide a PO number and is registered in the Faculty of Science finance system (e.g. all DHBs are set up within this system).

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 190.

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. There are cafes handy 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 re how to do this in our pre-workshop information email.

Access to computers and 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.

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Copy deadline for next edition of P-cubed: Friday 12:00 8 November, to Farnaz: f.sheikh@auckland.ac.nz

HeadSup

Kia ora koutou

There’s new artwork getting hung across our levels thanks to UOA curators Sam and Lara and their willingness to engage with ENV. Take a walk around the Level 4, 5, and 7 foyers and corridors and check out the works. There’s an exceptional Jae Hoon Lee photo and a wonderful Ruth Watson world, in addition to other new pieces. We expect to have more on the way – hope you enjoy the changes.

It’s that challenging time of year: people are tired, sickness is prevalent and moods are a bit fractious. This is exactly the time we need to take care of ourselves and each other. If you are unwell please wrap up warm, drink lots of fluids, and rest, preferably at home (get in touch with David H if you need cover). If there’s any chance you have been in contact with measles – please see the info below, send me/David H an email and do not come to University. We need a high degree of integrity around this because we have immune-compromised people in our community who are unable to be vaccinated. Please remember the hygiene basics: wash hands thoroughly before eating food and give people the 1+ meter space if they appear to be unwell. If you have to cough, sneeze or splutter, please do it into your elbow not your hand or open space – and it would be great if you could BYO hand-gel to disinfect yourself before touching public stuff like door handles.

The big job of the week that must be done is timetabling. Course co-ordinators, please check your 2020 timetable urgently to ensure we do not put students off enrolling in courses because of timetabling stuff-ups (see notice in AKO), and please recommend TAs/GTAs (see classifieds below).

It was fantastic to hear from some of you supporting the school position on the Climate Strike. The Dean also made a strong statement in support and put out a challenge to us to develop more sustainable practice. I’d be please to hear initiatives in this space. There’s another opportunity for engagement with national priorities where ENV could make a contribution – the Action for Healthy Waterways proposal is up for submissions. If you are interested in adding your name to the submission, please see Brendon’s notice below.

I’m in the field in Chile for the next couple of weeks and David H is at the helm. Stay well, enjoy the artworks, and have fun in a cool School.

Ngā mihi – JR

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Whakawhanaungatanga – communities

Welcome!

The Marine Geoscience Group would like to extend a very warm welcome to Postdoctoral Research Fellow Dr Marta Ribó-Gene and new PhD student Francisco Enrique Saldaña-Monroy who recently joined the school. Marta is working with Dr Lorna Strachan and NIWA on a faculty funded project investigating the effect of suspended sediment on benthic ecosystems in Tōtaranui-Queen Charlotte Sound. Francisco is working with Prof Kathy Campbell and Dr Lorna Strachan. He will focus his research on understanding ancient and recent deep-sea ichnostructures (bioturbation structures) from Mexico and NZ.

Health, safety and wellbeing- Important Notice:

Measles outbreak- Please continue to be vigilant

There was another confirmed case of measles reported in the faculty of Science last week.  As you will be aware, measles is a highly infectious viral illness that can be very serious. Please continue to be vigilant.

Below are some useful links to information on what symptoms to look out for, how to best protect yourself and others, as well as what actions to take if you’ve been in contact with someone with measles. 

http://arphs.health.nz/public-health-topics/disease-and-illness/measles

Guide – Managing measles in the workplaces

Quick Guide

https://www.arphs.health.nz/assets/Uploads/Resources/Disease-and-illness/Measles-Mumps-Rubella/Quick-guide-to-measles-20190911.pdf

For details on Vaccination recommendations, please see here

The Personals

Looking for two Postgrad students to go on a date…

The date opportunity: The Health and Well-Being (aka Health and Safety) committee is currently looking for student reps, to act as channels and bring the concerns and suggestions of the student body forward to the committee, and to share with the student body the happenings around Well-Being and thereby help implement different initiatives.

Looking for several committed relationships

The Health and Well-Being committee is looking for people with first aid certificates willing to be the designated person to offer first care in case of mishaps in your neck of the woods.

Looking for long term relationship

Whether you have one already and want to renew it, or your last one lapsed and want to get back on the wagon, or it is your very first time ever… we want you! First aid certificates make life sooooo much easier.

From the Committee

Following the University and the faculty, the School wants to start incorporating Well-Being to the daily life of the School. You will find the framework in this link from the faculty webpage:

https://www.staff.auckland.ac.nz/en/human-resources/health-safety-and-wellbeing.html

However, we want to use well-being as an extra channel to enhance our sense of belonging.

In the compliance part we can inform you that the office audits are underway, the labs and workshops were completed previously. Test and tag for workshops and labs will be done shortly, some need to be done every 6 months.

Committee Members:

Andres, JR, Michael G, Jon, Blair and Sila.

Free Blood Pressure checks available

Please note the free service available for blood pressure checks on the city campus next week 2 October, 10am- 3pm Wynyard St, outside Fale Pasifika

Sustainability

The Academic Service Team has decided to implement a new policy around forms and documents. In order to help reduce printing and the amount of paper being scattered around we have decided that physical copies of forms will no longer be accepted. From Monday the 30^th of September please ensure that any forms that need to go to Mick Johannisson-Wallman are emailed to m.johannisson-wallman@auckland.ac.nz.

Facilities

Keys

Please hand back all keys to the Facilities team when you have finished your studies or no longer use the lab or office.
It is important that we remove your name from the key or keys that are assigned to you. This is a security and safety measure that we take to ensure that only people with permission can enter into a lab room. Returning the keys for reuse also keeps us in line with the University’s sustainability commitments.
The Facilities team is located in building 302 level 6 reception.
We thank you for your cooperation.

Spark cell signal boosting, Basement 301-302-303 – Build update

The project to improve cell reception in the basement areas has now been completed.
There is now markedly improved coverage (favouring Spark customers) in the basement areas of 301, 302 and 303.

2020 Women in Leadership Programme

Applications are currently being called for the 2020 Women in Leadership Programme. Further information about the programme and enrolling for the Information session on 3 October can be found by clicking on the link.

Please note that this leadership programme is an application by interested women and not a nomination process. It is open to professional staff women at Level 4-6 and mid-career academic women below the senior lecturer bar or equivalent. This includes those in the lecturer/senior lecturer, research fellow/senior research fellow, senior tutor and professional teaching fellows grades.

The closing date for applications is 31 October 2019.

Climate Change Response (Zero Carbon) Amendment Bill

In May 2019 the Climate Change Response (Zero Carbon) Amendment Bill proposes the establishment of the Climate Change Commission which will begin recruiting candidates for the Commission’s Chief Executive. To find out more information about the role, please follow this link https://www.seek.co.nz/job/39951523. The recruitment of this role is being managed by a third party provider. If you know anyone who would be suitable for this role please encourage them to apply via the above link as we will not be accepting nominations for this role. Applications close at midnight on 7 October 2019.

Freshwater submission: help ENV have a say

On behalf of the School, Brendon has begun working on a submission on the Government’s recently announced Action for Healthy Waterways proposal. The submission will broadly support the proposal while outlining some additional areas that we would like to see included or strengthened.

Our draft submission is here.

Brendon would be very happy to hear from anyone with comments or who would like to contribute to this (b.blue@auckland.ac.nz) by the end of this week.

GPE Information Session
Applications and Admissions August 2019

Please find the presentation (from the last Faculty PG committee meeting) about GPE calculations for international students here.

Theses calculations are used to assess eligibility for admission to the PG programmes and eligibility for some scholarships.

Events

Postgraduate Research Showcase 2019

Thursday 3 October | Fale Pasifika

On Thursday 3 October 2019, the School of Environment will hold its annual Postgraduate Research Showcase to celebrate research currently ongoing within the School. This event gives a selection of our current students an opportunity to display their research to the wider school community, its staff & students. The one-day event will feature selected PhD presentations, and poster displays by MSc and Honours students.  The event concludes with a reception back on the 6^th floor of building 302.

You can find the flyer here.

Imagine giving someone else’s lecture with ZERO preparation!

Thursday 10 October, 4-5pm, MLT1

The School of Environment Ball: GARDEN PARTY

Date: Saturday 12thOctober
Time: Doors open at 8 pm
Theme: Garden Party
Location: The Bluestone Room, 9-11 Durham lane
School of Environment presents

Tickets are for School of Environment students/staff and their partners (limited numbers).
Ticket sales ONE DAY ONLY: Wednesday 2ndOctober
Price: $40

For further information please see here

Cumberland Lecture 2019

Following on from the successful lecture given by Kennedy Warne, he kindly made the transcript available for download. It can be accessed as a pdf file from the Science website by searching ‘Kennedy Warne’ from the Science home page. (The page is not visible otherwise.) The link is below, so you can download and read it at your leisure.
https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/science/our-research/science-research-stories/stories-in-environment/cumberland-lecture-2019.html

Earth Sciences Bickie Briefing

Earth Sciences Bickie briefing is  every Thursday morning at 10.30am in the Level 6 break out space. All post grads and staff welcome.

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Rangahau – Research

News

PhD candidate Michaela recently went to Yellowstone with School of Biology PhD student Kitty Sriaporn and Argentinian National University of La Plata colleagues Amanda (PhD candidate) and Professor Diego Guido. Here they visited the various Hot Springs including Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic and Mammoth Travertines, and also saw a grizzly bear! Michaela and Kitty then went on to present their research at The First Billion Years: Habitability Conference, hosted by Lunar Planetary Institute and NASA Ames.

Meetings, seminars and events

Climate change: what it means for New Zealand and the Pacific

2019 Hay Lecture
Hosted by the School of Environment

Professor James Renwick, Victoria University Wellington

Global climate change is changing the weather and redrawing the coastlines of the world. Sea level rise, extreme storms, droughts and floods are affecting every corner of the globe already and the effects will get a lot worse if we don’t take urgent action to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. Pacific Islands are in the firing line on many of these issues and New Zealand does not get off scot-free. This presentation will cover the state of climate change today and will review how future climates could affect New Zealand and the Pacific. It will also talk about what’s needed to rein in the changes and secure a more manageable, less risky future.

5pm Thursday 24 October,
Lecture theatre PLT2
Ground Floor, Building 303
38 Princes Street

Register at hay2019.eventbrite.co.nz

Human Ethics:  For Research Involving Māori and Indigenous Cultures

 Wednesday 20^th November 2019 (8:45 am – 12:00 noon), City Campus

 This event is planned for research staff and advisors engaged in research involving Māori and indigenous cultures to enable understanding of the principles and requirements when preparing their human ethics application.  Also to provide an opportunity for discussion as to what resources are available or need to be developed to enable this to be done in a meaningful way.

 Main focus includes:

A)      Responsiveness to Māori

B)      Te Tiriti o Waitangi understanding

C)      Māori methodologies and human ethics

D)      Indigenous Data Sovereignty

 For more information, and to register please contact Fiona Cheal (Ethics Advisor, Office of Research Strategy & Integrity)

 2019 HOCHSTETTER LECTURE: Earthquakes, geometry, the mantle wedge and tsunami

Bill Fry, GNS Science

7.00 pm Monday 7 October

Auckland Museum, Auditorium – Entry via the Grand Foyer 

Click here for more information.

2019 COMPLEMENTARY HOCHSTETTER LECTURE: Rapid characterisation of the earthquake source

Bill Fry, GNS Science

11 am Tuesday 8 October

University of Auckland Science Centre, 23 Symonds St

Medium Chemistry Lecture Theatre/301-G053

Click here for more information.

He Vaka Moana Symposium

Tuesday 22 October 2019, 9:30am-3:30pm
Waipapa Marae, 16 Wynyard St, Auckland
Please RSVP to Ash Gillon: a.gillon@auckland.ac.nz

Pacific scholar and international guest speaker
Dr Dave Fa’avae is a fellow in research and leadership at the Institute of Education (IOE), University of the South Pacific. His research interests are in Indigenous research methodologies, intergenerational cultural capital, intergenerational cultural knowledge transmission, critical autoethnography, indigenous masculinities, comparative education, and sport and health education.

For further information please read here.

Virtual Poster Showcase (VPS)

Virtual Poster Showcase (VPS) is a guided peer review process and online presentation competition for Earth and space science students.
VPS Allows Students To:

• Practice presenting the relevancy and value of their research data
• Dedicate time to focus on enhancing (if not creating) their abstract and poster
• Experience the peer-review process in a low-pressure environment
• Connect with other like-minded students and experts from around the globe

How to Submit:

1. Register/create your VPS profile ($35 fee)
2. Upload your abstract. (due 1 October 11:59 p.m. ET)
3. Create video presentation about your research using your phone or camera; upload video and poster to the dashboard. (due 22 October 11:59 p.m. ET)
4. Review posters of other participants through the VPS dashboard, and vote for the top posters. (23 October to 5 November)
5. Respond to reviews and questions by science experts assigned to your poster. (6 November to 19 November)
6. Once the experts’ scores have been received, the best-ranked posters for Undergraduate and Graduate level competitions will be announced on 4 December 2019.

Please Register here

Volcanology, Geochemistry, & Petrology Research Group

The volcanology, geochemistry, & petrology research group (VGP) meets during the semester.

We will not be meeting this week because of the School of Environment Research Showcase. Although we will not be meeting, we encourage you to come support our VGP students who will be presenting! PhD candidate Sophia Tsang will be speaking at 9:45. PhD candidate Emily Limage will be speaking at 11:15 followed by PhD candidate Seethal Sivarajan at 11:30. During lunch (12-2), there will be posters including by MSc student Nathan Collins.

The following Thursday 10 October will be another meeting in  421W-301 (not our normal location! This room is across the road in Architecture. A map will be sent to the VGP listserv; please contact Sophia Tsang if you would like the map). Dr. Anke Zernack (Massey) will be presenting a talk about Laacher See. We’d love to have you join us.

As always, everyone is welcome to attend our meetings. For more information, please see our website: vgp.blogs.auckland.ac.nz See you soon!

Marine Geosciences:

1. Marine Geosciences group meeting: Tuesday, 8/10/2019, 1-2 pm, 114-G18 (Commerce A).
Michael Macnaughtan: “Seismic analysis of BSR controls in the Pegasus Basin, New Zealand”

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2. ANZIC Masterclass: Academics, please advertise among Year 2 and 3 students. Deadline 7 October.

ANZIC MASTERCLASS 2019, SYDNEY 2- 10 December, 2019.

ANZIC is pleased to announce its 2019 Masterclass in Sydney, hosted by University of Sydney (USYD) and Macquarie University (MQ), 2-10 December 2019.

DESIGN: This course will introduce students to the exciting world of marine geosciences through a combination of
practical workshops, geological fieldwork and marine activities. Based around the Sydney Institute of Marine Science (SIMS) the course will cover the background of the International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) and marine geoscience – delivered by marine geoscientists from Macquarie University, the University of Sydney, and CSIRO.

OPEN TO: The Masterclass is open to one excellent student from each Australian and New Zealand IODP member university who is completing 2nd or 3rd year. Students must provide a short written statement to their University leadership (up to 250 words) stating why they would like to participate in the Masterclass. Selection will be based on academic achievement and perceived benefit to a student’s course of study.

More information can be found at our Marine Geosciences web-page:
https://marinegeosciences.blogs.auckland.ac.nz/news/

Please contact Ingo Pecher (i.pecher@auckland.ac.nz) or Lorna Strachan (l.strachan@auckland.ac.nz) if interested.

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3. Call to Sail! Special call for scientists with expertise in radiolarian micropaleontology, preferably with experience in the northwest Pacific region, to apply for Expedition 386. The deadline to apply for this special call is October 11, 2019 at 11:59 PM EDT.

More information can be found at our Marine Geosciences web-page:
https://marinegeosciences.blogs.auckland.ac.nz/news/

The Potential for Green Infrastructure to Reduce Exposure to Air Pollution in Cities

Dr Jennifer Salmond delivered a talk entitled ‘The Potential for Green Infrastructure to Reduce Exposure to Air Pollution in Cities’ as a webinar which was presented as part of the ‘Passive Air Pollution Mitigation‘ global webinar series a collaborative EU-US webinar series, a partnership between Trinity College Dublin, Cornell University and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency broadcast to 1750 registrants representing over 60 countries. Hosted by the Centre for Air pollution, energy and health Research (CAR) and the Clean Air Society for Australia and New Zealand (CASANZ) on Monday 16th September 2019

She also delivered an invited talk on Friday entitled ‘AIR: the invisible and the visible’ as part of the 3^rd Auckland LASER TALK at AUT. LASER (Leonardo Art Science Evening Rendezvous) Talks are part of Leonardo’s international program of evening gatherings that bring artists and scientists together for informal presentations and conversations. LASER Talks were founded in 2008 by Bay Area LASER Chair Piero Scaruffi and are in more than 30 cities around the world, including Tāmaki Makarau.

Research and Funding Opportunities

Invitation to collaborate in research with Project Forever Waiheke

Project Forever Waiheke (PFW) was established in 2017 to develop sustainable tourism strategy on Waiheke Island and then undertake tourism impacts monitoring over 2-3 years. The Project is lead by a community organisation, in collaboration with the Waiheke Local Board, Auckland Tourism (ATEED) and Ngāti Paoa. More information about the Project is available at www.foreverwaiheke.com  PFW’s research and monitoring programme will be conducted under the auspices of the World Tourism Organisation’s (WTO) INSTO programme http://insto.unwto.org/how-to-join/  Further details are provided in the Appendix.

 PFW is inviting University of Auckland academics and students to propose discrete research projects across a broad range of disciplines that will contribute to the evidence base on tourism impacts on Waiheke Island. A short proposal form is provided in Appendix 1, or you are welcome to contact Peter Wills, Physics, ext 88889, p.wills@auckland.ac.nz  or PFW Research Manager Pam Oliver pam.oliver.waiheke@gmail.com 09 3727749

Approaches are welcomed from diverse perspectives, specific or interdisciplinary. Projects may investigate tourism impacts parameters in any of the following areas:

• Social and cultural environments (e.g. social/psychological/cultural impacts on residents, community well-being, recreation, mana whenua and tangata whenua, wahi tapu, homelessness, etc);
• Business and commerce (tourist and other businesses and development; economic impacts);
• Natural and built environments (e.g. native flora and fauna; beaches and coastlines; planning and architecture; noise, light and air pollution);
• Infrastructure management and development (roads, land and marine transport, water supply, waste management)

Research projects may be any size, and involve individual students or groups.

PFW support available to participating students and their supervisors includes the following:

• Support to access relevant data sources, in particular people and organisations on Waiheke
• Some free accommodation and transportation on Waiheke, where needed for data collection
• Free ferry trandport
• Research expertise to support with framing the project, to ensure relevance and utility to the needs of Project Forever Waiheke.

As an example, the report of a recent research project undertaken by a small team of Manukau Institute of Technology graduate diploma students in collaboration with PFW can be viewed at https://www.foreverwaiheke.com/pfwreports

 For further information please read here

2020 Te Pūnaha Hihiko: Vision Mātauranga Capability Fund

 The Fund invests in the development of skilled people and organisations that plan to undertake, or are undertaking, research that supports the themes and outcomes of MBIE’s Vision Mātauranga policy.

The aim is to:

• strengthen capability, capacity, skills and networks between Māori and the science and innovation system; and
• increase understanding of how research can contribute to the aspirations of Māori organisations and deliver benefit for New Zealand

 TYPE OF GRANT 

* Medium – to large-scale project funding ($100,000 – Connect Scheme or $180,000 – Placement Scheme, both up to 24 months)
* Must partner with a Māori organisation
* Must include co-funding
* Must address one or more Vision Mātauranga themes.

For more information, please see the following page or contact the local support (FIRST) team: Kelly Kilpin or Ivana Mlinac

 Deadline:  5pm, Tuesday 5 November 2019

MBIE Endeavour Fund 2020

 The funding call for the 2020 MBIE Endeavour Fund (Smart Ideas and Research Programmes) is expected to be released next week.  If you are thinking of applying this year, please register your interest with Kathryn Howard so we can keep you updated on the support offered by the FiRST teams.

The 2020 Endeavour Roadshows are being held in Auckland on Tuesday 15 and Wednesday 16 October – there are still places available.  If you would like to attend, please register at the following link

Earth Institute, Columbia University: Earth Institute Postdoctoral Research Program in Sustainable Development

$67,530

The Earth Institute at Columbia University in New York, NY, seeks applications from innovative, doctoral candidates or recent Ph.D., M.D., J.D., or Sc.D. recipients (within 5 years of degree receipt) interested in a broad range of issues in sustainable development. The Institute is especially interested in qualified candidates from historically underrepresented groups for its Diversity Fellowship.

The Earth Institute Postdoctoral Research program provides scholars with the opportunity to acquire and apply the cross-disciplinary expertise needed to address critical issues of sustainable development such as food security, energy systems, climate change impacts, poverty reduction, disease, and environmental degradation. Candidates who have developed cross-disciplinary approaches during their graduate studies will find numerous, unique opportunities to engage in programs at the leading edge of sustainable development research.

Candidates must complete the online application and submit a proposal for research that would contribute to global, sustainable development. Candidates may suggest contributing to or expanding on existing Earth Institute programs or developing new projects that integrate the breadth of expertise of the Earth Institute. Candidates are strongly encouraged to identify and contact a mentor prior to submitting an application.

The deadline to submit an application is October 30, 2019 for 24-month appointments starting in the fall of 2020. The salary is $67,530.

For more information about the program, the diversity fellowship, and to apply, visit www.earth.columbia.edu/postdocs or email eipostdocs@ei.columbia.edu. Videos of past research symposia are available here.

The program is open to U.S. and non-U.S. citizens. All doctoral requirements must be fulfilled and the degree awarded within 5 years before the start of the appointment. Gaps in employment or studies will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Columbia University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer. Minorities and women are encouraged to apply.

Student Research Grants

Applications for the NZMSS Student Research Grant are now open!

The grant is intended to help graduate researchers take their work further than academic funding allows and to provide exposure for their research. Applications from a broad range of marine disciplines are encouraged.

Objectives

• To advance the study of marine science, and to encourage research of high scientific merit in New Zealand
• To stimulate novel research involving graduate students in New Zealand
• Assist graduate students to take their work further than academic funding allows
• To provide exposure for graduate research within New Zealand and abroad

Eligibility

Applicants must be enrolled for a postgraduate degree at a New Zealand institution.

• During the tenure of the research grant the applicant must be an enrolled student and a member of NZMSS.
• Funds may be used for any purpose that supports the applicant’s research.

Applications close 31 October 2019
For this financial year we are offering one Student Research Grant of $3000.

NIWA and Fisheries New Zealand Scholarships 

In collaboration with NIWA, Fisheries New Zealand is offering scholarships to both Masters and undergraduate students.

https://niwa.co.nz/education-and-training/scholarships?fbclid=IwAR2dhNQuPszLqxgtKJ2y18nlOIDFCEInaIMJ01F-a58wmjmGyfiDahvQcXE

Student grants available

https://pf2050.co.nz/news/student-grants-available/
Predator Free 2050 Limited is seeking applications from students wishing to conduct possum, rat or mustelid fieldwork projects, particularly in urban and rural landscapes.
Up to five honours and post-graduate students will be funded up to $30,000 each, for operational and associated laboratory expenses.
Applicants should download and complete ‘this form’ and return to ShelleyC@pf2050.co.nz by 11 October 2019.

New publications

1. Bates, L., Kearns, R., Witten, K., Carroll, P. (2019) ‘‘A level playing field’: Young people’s experiences of wheelchair basketball as an enabling place’, Health and Place, 60, art. no. 102192.

MEDIA RELEASES

Experts reveal ways pregnant women can minimise their inhalation of black carbon particles

https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/lifestyle/2019/09/experts-reveal-ways-pregnant-women-can-minimise-their-inhalation-of-black-carbon-particles.amp.html 

Air pollution reaches the placenta – Expert Reaction

https://www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz/2019/09/18/air-pollution-reaches-the-placenta-expert-reaction/

Air pollution may enter the placenta

https://healthcentral.nz/air-pollution-may-enter-the-placenta/

Sleuths use footprints to help at-risk birds

https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2019/09/06/786774/sleuthing-shorebird-footprints

Identify New Zealand animal sign- available at http://nztracker.org/

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Ako – Teaching and Learning

Ako Innovation Teaching & Learning Workshop

Wednesday 2nd October· 10-12pm · Building 302, Room 140

2020 DRAFT Timetable

The draft timetable is now available for checking. We would be grateful if you could check the details for your courses using the Room and Event Viewer 2020

Please note:

·         The number and size of Lectures, Laboratories and/or Tutorials.

·         The locations and sizes (note the city campus map online, if needed)

·         The scheduled weeks – note that these are numbered according to the S+ sequence, as used in the 2020 Teaching Days chart

Advise Mick of any errors and/or adjustments – preferably by email.

We have a very tight window of opportunity to make corrections and so please check your courses by Wednesday 2 October.

To all potential supervisors for masters students

The supervisor selection form has been revised and converted to a digital form. This form make the process easier for applicants as the applicant can upload a confirmation email from their chosen supervisor. rather than getting a signature. The form can be found by following this link https://www.forms.auckland.ac.nz/en/public/science/soe-masters-research-supervision-approval.html

Geography and Earth Sciences Honours presentation

Our BSc/BA Geography and Earth Sciences Honours students will present their research on October 4th from 9:30 to 3pm in the Ontology lab (302-551). It is important for the collegiality of our School that Geography and Earth Sciences staff attend the talks and support our Honours students!

Below is the presentation schedule.

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Classifieds

GTA/TA positions 2020

Expressions of Interest for GTA/TA positions 2020 in the School of Environment are now open. If you know any student (PhDs, Masters, PGT, Hons, PGDip and 3rd year students) who would be a perfect candidate, please forward the below link for them to apply. Expressing interest by the end of November will be appreciated as we will start allocating in November. But they are welcome to keep applying.

https://www.forms.auckland.ac.nz/en/student/science/environment-GTA-expression-of-interest.html

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Copy deadline for next edition of P-cubed: Friday 12:00 11 October, to Farnaz: f.sheikh@auckland.ac.nz

HeadSup

Kia ora koutou

It’s a great week for the School. First, on Wednesday at 10.30am we will celebrate Richard Le Heron’s success in being awarded Emeritus Professor status – all welcome, Level 6 break-out space. Second, the results of the MBIE funding round will be formally released today and I’m sure we’ll have an excuse for another celebration. I’ll send an email around when the embargo is lifted.

As most of the staff know, I’m undertaking all the Academic Development and Performance Reviews rather than delegating out. I’m doing it this way because I think everyone deserves to have a conversation about their career with the Head of School. But, this is a big job and I need your help to complete it on time and to make it worthwhile.  If you are PTF 1-3, L or SL, your ADPR needs to be completed by 25 October. Samantha is scheduling appointments at the moment. Your self-review must be completed before your appointment with me. In creating objectives and reflecting on your performance, please consider the academic standards for your level and the next level in your career progression, and target accordingly. If you want to hit some service/leadership targets, please go back to the ENV 3-year plan and think about what you are doing in relation to the objectives set out in that document.

This edition of P-cubed is packed with activities and opportunities. Of note, the second of our prestigious School lectures, the Bartrum lecture, is coming up Monday 23 September. Colin Woodruffe will be speaking on coastal environments, sea level rise and the Anthropocene. This should be a great event of relevance to everyone concerned about the impacts of climate change. Please put this one into your diary and encourage students to attend. Also, Spring Graduation is upon us, September 24th. This is always a great event – please join our new graduates for a celebration lunch from 1-2pm. It makes a big difference when we have a good turn-out.

Lastly, for those who lodged ‘Underspend proposals’, I expect to have the results out later this week.

Ngā mihi, JR

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Whakawhanaungatanga – communities

National Conservation Week: 14-22 September

Please join us from 14–22 September to celebrate 50 years of Conservation Week! With more than 4,000 species threatened or at risk, nature needs us to take action now. You can take part by doing a conservation activity or attending an event. Click here to see more information.

GNSZ Awards

Nominations and applications for GNSZ awards close 19th September with applications and nominations to James Scott (james.scott@otago.ac.nz).

Click here for more information on the awards and application templates.

 

What STEM employers want – event for doctoral candidates

Are you aiming for a STEM career after your doctorate? Come along on 19 September, when we’ll hear industry reps and recent PhD grads working in STEM fields discuss their insights into the job search process. After the discussion, enjoy some tasty treats and network with your peers in other faculties. Book now!

 

Save the date: ENV Postgraduate Wellbeing Week

During the week of the 23rd – 29th September, we will be running a series of drop-in activities for School of Environment postgraduate students. We hope that these events will encourage our students to take a brief break from their studies and be more aware of their Hauora – in particular, their mental wellbeing (Mental Health Awareness Week is the same week).

The theme of each day will focus on a component of a balanced lifestyle, with activities designed with that theme in mind. A highlight will be a specially developed Dance Fit class hosted for us at the university gym on Wednesday 25th.

More details and a full programme for the week will be distributed shortly. In the meantime, mark your calendars and keep some time free on these days!

 

Volcanology, Geochemistry, & Petrology Research Group

The volcanology, geochemistry, & petrology research group (VGP) meets during the semester. 

Our meetings will start again this week on Thursday with two recently completed students Ben Simons and Alex Davidson. To hear them talk, join us on 19 September from 12 to 1 in 302-130. 

The following Thursday 26 September will be another meeting in 439-G10 (not our normal location! It’s up the road in the Auckland Bioengineering Institute building; leave a few minutes to get there!), which likely likely be of interest to earth scientists with many backgrounds, especially students.  Ashleigh Fromont and Karl Wright from GNS to give a talk titled “Introducing the National Geohazards Monitoring Centre: Using the Earth Sciences to keep Kiwis safe.” She will be summarising the new National Geohazards Monitoring Centre that opened last December, and there is potential to join their team. A flier is posted on our website (below).

As always, everyone is welcome to attend our meetings. For more information, please see our website: vgp.blogs.auckland.ac.nz See you soon!

 

2019 BARTRUM LECTURE

Unearthing the past to foretell the future: Coastal environments, sea-level rise and the Anthropocene

Colin D. Woodroffe – School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences, University of Wollongong, Australia

Location: MLT3 (303-101)
Date: Monday, September 23
Time: 5 pm, with drinks and nibbles to follow in 302 6th floor break out space

About the lecturer

Professor Colin Woodroffe is a coastal geomorphologist with research interests in the morphology, stratigraphy and sedimentary dynamics of coasts. He is Chair of the International Geographical Union’s Commission on Coastal Systems. He was a Lead Author on Chapter 6, Coasts and low-lying areas (working group 2) of the Fourth Assessment report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in 2007, for which the IPCC was jointly awarded the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize (together with Al Gore). He has served on the Scientific Steering Committee of the Land-Ocean Interactions in the Coastal Zone (LOICZ) core project of IGBP.

Click here for more information.

 

Free Hearing Tests for Children

How to successfully publish a scientific article?

The presenter will be Thierry Corrège, editor of Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology.

The session will be held twice on  26 September 2019 , at 8:00 (GMT) and 16:00 (GMT), to maximize international participation. More info in the link

http://pastglobalchanges.org/calendar/upcoming/127-pages/1974

 

Research Presentations by BSc/BA Geography and Earth Sciences Honours 

Our BSc/BA Geography and Earth Sciences Honours students will present their research on September 27th from 9:30 to 3pm in 201E-301. It is important for the collegiality of our School that Geography and Earth Sciences staff attend the talks and support our Honours students!

Below is the close to finished presentation schedule.

 

2019 HOCHSTETTER LECTURE: Earthquakes, geometry, the mantle wedge and tsunami

Bill Fry, GNS Science

7.00 pm Monday 7 October

Auckland Museum, Auditorium – Entry via the Grand Foyer 

Click here for more information.

 

2019 COMPLEMENTARY HOCHSTETTER LECTURE: Rapid characterisation of the earthquake source

Bill Fry, GNS Science

11 am Tuesday 8 October

University of Auckland Science Centre, 23 Symonds St

Medium Chemistry Lecture Theatre/301-G053

Click here for more information.

 

Call for nominations: NZ Universities Women in Leadership (NZUWiL) Discipline Pod Programme

The NZ Universities Women in Leadership (NZUWiL) Steering Group is hosting its third Discipline Pod Programme at the University of Auckland from 10 – 12 February 2020. This programme is aimed at providing discipline specific development and national networking opportunities for early career academic women from the 8 NZ Universities. The focus of this programme is on disciplines with particular equity and/or human capital challenges.

The discipline areas for the 2020 programme are Geography, Geology, Environmental Sciences and related disciplines such as Botany and Ecology. 20 participants from the 8 NZ universities will be selected with the aim to include a mix of participants across the targeted disciplines.

Note: Nominations from women in roles such as post doctorate research, research fellows and senior tutors will be considered, however priority will be given to permanent, tenured academics.

Calls for nominations open on Tuesday, 10 September 2020. See the links below for the nomination form and other supporting information.

The School of Environment encourages self-nominations and will cover the programme fee of $1,450+GST if selected by the NZUWiL Steering Committee.

Nominations close on Monday, 14 October 2019. ​

Please click the below files for more information.

Nomination Form 2020 – Discipline Pod Prog

Flyer Notice – 2020 NZUWiL Discipline Pod Prog

Guidelines for Selecting Participants NZUWiL Pod

Prog Objectives & Benefits NZUWiL Pod

 

Esri Ocean and Atmospheric GIS Forum: November 5 – 7, 2019

There are a variety of technical workshops available to you when you join us at the 2019 Esri Ocean and Atmospheric GIS Forum, on the Esri campus in Redlands, California. With the help of professional instruction at each of these half-day sessions, you will discover and adopt new ways of finding solutions and advanced workflows. There is a $25 fee for each workshop. Space is limited.

Here are the technical workshops available to you on November 7:

• Insights for ArcGIS with Ocean Data
  Insights allows you to quickly discover the secrets your data holds and find answers using exploratory analysis.
• Field Operations and Story Maps
  Get an introduction to several field apps, including Survey123 for ArcGIS, Collector for ArcGIS, and ArcGIS QuickCapture. Learn how the new ArcGIS StoryMaps tools and technology combine maps, photos, text, and other media in a single interactive application.
• Web AppBuilder for ArcGIS and Configurable Apps
  Learn how to create and publish web apps quickly—no coding required. Discover why configurable apps are the fastest and easiest way to go from a map to a shareable app.
• Using Drone2Map for ArcGIS
  Join Esri Drone2Map product team members as they detail the workflows for producing 2D and 3D data products from drone imagery.
• ArcGIS Pro Basics for Science
  Designed for existing ArcMap users, you will learn the basic operational, analytical, and workflow features of ArcGIS Pro.

Advanced Analytical Workflows for Ocean and Atmospheric Science
Join us to discover the latest in scientific applications for ocean GIS. Learn about new, advanced analytical workflows and multidimensional data and geoprocessing tools.

Please click here to learn more.

 

Geosciences 2019: Reporting World-Class Research Results

The annual conference this year is in Hamilton with earlybird registration and abstract submission currently open (deadline 30th September).

Click here to see more information.

 

Health and Safety

Please send Blair any H&S matters you would like raised at the next School committee meeting.

A brief reminder of the requirements for field work, driving and lab access below.

Field work

Field activity is any work carried out for the purpose of teaching, research or representing the University off-site, where facility for health and safety is not managed by another host institution.

Any time you wish to undertake field work you need to complete a Field Activity Plan, have this signed off by your supervisor, and signed off by Blair, before you undertake the work.

If you are unsure if your work requires a field activity plan then please ask Blair first.

Driving assessments and ENV vehicles 

You will need to undergo a driving assessment if you wish to drive any of the School vehicles.  Assessments are booked through Blair and there is no cost to you.

The use of private vehicles for University work is only approved in exceptional circumstances.  The School has a fleet of vehicles to use which includes 2x Utes, 1x Van and 1x 7 Seater SUV.

All of the vehicles have automatic transmissions and can be booked through https://carscience.fos.auckland.ac.nz Vehicles have fuel cards and are billed against the charge code you supply when making the booking.

Lab access

Standard building access to our spaces is Monday-Friday between 7.30am and 6.00pm.

The labs will all be locked and you will need a key or swipe permission to access them.  Blair sign’s off the access forms, so if you need approval contact him.

Inductions for the labs are held regularly, below is a list of the general induction dates for this year and the Technician who is taking it.  If you wish to attend then please let the Technician know in advance.

October 9 – David

November 13 – Neville

December 11 – Natalia

 

Electrons are go!

In the basement of 302 one of the most exciting #unboxing events of 2019 is going on.  Engineers from JEOL Ltd are unpacking and constructing our new JOEL JXA7530F, Hyper Probe, Field-Emission Electron Microanalyser/Microprobe (or “the probe”). On site currently is Masaya Kurobe and two of his colleagues will arrive next week to continue. This is quite the logistical undertaking, with the construction and commissioning of our new instrument set to take at least 7 weeks in the best-case scenario. This is the only Hyper Probe in the country and one of only a few in Australasia. Once we are up and running, with this instrument we will be able to analyse the chemistry of almost any solid-state material over areas as small as only tens of nm². If you were wondering how many square nanometres might fit on the head of a pin – its 5,026,560,000…

The instrument uses a very stable beam of electrons from its field-emission source and then accelerates and focuses them down a magnetic tunnel/tower on to a solid sample under high vacuum. By precisely measuring the energy of the beam impacting on the sample and then detecting the characteristic energy and wavelength of X-Ray radiation given off by the “excited” solid, we can non-destructively determine its chemical composition. With the configuration we ordered, including the most advanced and sensitive large-crystal detectors in the spectrometers, we can examine elements between Be and Pu on the periodic table, with precisions down to 10 ppm, depending on the phase. We can also use this instrument to make high-resolution chemical maps samples and detect processes such as chemical diffusion, pivotal to studies of many geological and geochemical processes.

Currently Blair Sowman is rushing about figuring out logistics of this enterprise, juggling contractors, deliveries, cooling water, gas, power, UPS and all the other myriad of things that makes an instrument of this scale and complexity function. In the meantime, Shane Cronin is trying not to hop about too excitedly, while he scours the world for a range of standard materials to enable us to quantitatively investigate problems from age-dating of volcanic rocks through to tracking down rare earth elements in ores and compositions of stalactites, teeth, ceramics and metals. With a new technician to run this on the way, the School of Environment geosciences group are in for a sudden electron-jolt into a new era of science and discovery…

 

Windows 7 to 10 upgrade coming soon

We have been notified there are a number of computers in our faculty that are currently running Windows 7 operating system. While some of these machines are due to be replaced there are others that need to be upgraded to Windows 10.

As Microsoft will cease to support Windows 7 in the coming months it is necessary that these machines are upgraded to Windows 10 at the earliest. The upgrade to Windows 10 will also better protect the University network from cyber security threats.

If your computer is one of the machines that needs to be upgraded, you will be informed by email and will be able to start the upgrade yourself.

IMPORTANT: Standard devices connected to your computer such as regular printers, USB memory sticks and headsets should not be affected by the upgrade. However if you have any specialist or non-standard devices connected, the technology team need to know, to ensure there are no compatibility issues with Windows 10

If you are using a non-standard device connected to your computer please complete the following survey

Windows7 to 10 upgrade survey

If the upgrade is not completed and no further information is received from you, the computer will be automatically upgraded to Windows 10.

For further information please visit: Windows 7 to 10 Upgrade project site

Business Transformation Office

 

Important reminder from Facilities

Please hand back all keys to the Facilities team when you have finished your studies or no longer use the lab or office.

It is important that we remove your name from the key or keys that are assigned to you. This is a security and safety measures that we take to ensure that only people with permission can enter into a lab or room. Returning the keys for reuse also keeps us in line with the University’s sustainability commitments.

The Facilities team is located in building 302 level 6 reception.

We thank you for your cooperation.

 

Improvements to the Travel Purchase Order Request Process

The Shared Transaction Centre (STC), Procurement and Central Finance team have implemented some changes to improve the travel purchase order process.

Following are the main changes:

For staff:

• New digital PO Travel request form
• New Orbit email with improved messaging and a link straight to the new digital form located on the intranet portal page
• New Orbit Confirmation document replacing the preliminary itinerary which will be used to attach to the new Travel PO request form
• Prior approval must be obtained from your line manager before booking travel by completing the Faculty of Science staff travel approval request form
• Automatic production of Purchase Orders, as no secondary approval required

A reminder of the process:

1. Prior to booking travel, continue to obtain approval from your line manager as per current process
2. If travel is funded by your research grant, you will also need to obtain prior approval from your Research Programme Coordinator (RPC) as you will need to enter their Username on the approval form
3. Book your travel using the Orbit Travel Portal or an Orbit Travel Consultant (details on the Travel and accommodation page on the Staff Intranet)
4. Orbit will send you an email containing a link to the new digital Purchase Order Request form as well as an order confirmation document
5. From the Order Confirmation, check all travel itinerary details are correct including the name on the travel booking matches the name on the passport
6. Open the link received on the email with your order confirmation document. Complete the digital Purchase Order Request form and attach your order confirmation document (no other documentation required)
7. Press submit. Once submitted your request goes directly to the Shared Transaction Centre for processing. No further approvals are required
8. If any changes to your travel are needed, contact Orbit as you currently would and repeat step 6 and 7 above.

If you have any queries or would like your GSC to raise the Travel PO please contact your GSC. For more information on the changes and updates visit the intranet.

For students:

• New digital PO Travel request form
• New Orbit email with improved messaging and a link straight to the new digital form located on the intranet portal page
• New Orbit Confirmation document replacing the preliminary itinerary which will be used to attach to the new Travel PO request form
• Prior approval must be obtained from your Supervisor before booking travel by completing the Faculty of Science student travel approval request form
• Automatic production of Purchase Orders, as no secondary approval required

A reminder of the process:

1. Prior to booking travel, continue to obtain approval from your Supervisor as per current process
2. Book your travel using the Orbit Travel Portal or an Orbit Travel Consultant (details on the Travel and accommodation page on the Staff Intranet)
3. Orbit will send you an email containing a link to the new digital Purchase Order Request form as well as an order confirmation document
4. From the Order Confirmation, check all travel itinerary details are correct including the name on the travel booking matches the name on the passport
5. Open the link received on the email with your order confirmation document. Complete the digital Purchase Order Request form and attach your order confirmation document (no other documentation required)
6. Press submit. Once submitted your request goes directly to the Shared Transaction Centre for processing.

7. If any changes to your travel are needed, contact Orbit as you currently would and repeat step 5 and 6 above.

If you have any queries please contact your Group Services Administrator (GSA).

 

Reminder of Earth Science Bickie briefing

Earth Science Bickie briefing every Thursday morning at 10.30am in the Level 6 break out space. All post grads and staff welcome.

 

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Rangahau – Research

Want to get top-quality funded PhD students? China Scholarship Council (CSC) recruiting fairs

The University of Auckland will once again be sending some representatives to the China Scholarship Council (CSC) recruiting fairs in China in October this year. I am writing to ask whether you would like your current research projects to be included in the material we are preparing for the CSC fairs.

If you are interested in this opportunity, please send the following information to  sciencephdforms@auckland.ac.nz by 25^th September.

-The name of the researcher or researchers associated with the project, their email addresses, and Department/School

-A name for the project and a short paragraph about the project

Format:

• 2-3 projects per page
• No pictures
• Max 4 projects per main supervisor

It is possible to advertise more than one project per supervisor. Projects do not need to have student stipends associated with them – stipends and fees are paid by the scholarship.

Research Contract Financial statements

You may have noticed that you have stopped receiving monthly BAR reports – financial details for your research contracts can now be viewed in the Strategic Management Reports (SMR).   These allow you to see all your contracts, view expenses and commitments for each project, and download a full transaction list. Balances and transactions for your RDA and HOD accounts can also be found on SMR.

Career Tools have put together a short (20 min) online course:  Research Funding Dashboards for Researchers, but if you would like any training in using SMR, please contact your RPC – Kelly Kilpin, Ivana Mlinac or Amy Weir .  If there is enough interest, we will look to organise a training session.

Interesting Library Resources for ENV – Oxford Bibliographies

The Oxford Bibliographies are a really useful resource for researchers who are moving into a new area of study, or new cross-disciplinary collaboration. They can be particularly valuable for PhD candidates and post-graduate students embarking on their research projects.

The Bibliographies are written by experts in the field and are an excellent introduction and research guide, combining aspects of annotated bibliographies and encyclopedia. In the bibliographies, experts not only list the articles and other resources they consider essential to the field, but describe why they are relevant.

I have found them not only useful as introductions to research fields, but also to research methodologies or frameworks.

Examples include two written by our own researchers

–       Sediment Budgets and Sediment Delivery Ratios in River Systems

–       Sediment Regime and River Morphodynamics

(by Jon Tunnicliffe and Gary Brierley)

As well as popular research theories and methodologies e.g.

–       Actor-Network Theory (ANT)

Te Tumu Herenga – Libraries and Learning Services subscribe to both the Geography and Environmental Science bibliography collections, but other collections of interest we can access include Anthropology, Communication, International Law, International Relations, Political Science, Public Health, Sociology, and Social Work.

 

Meetings, seminars and events

MBIE Endeavour Fund Roadshow Series 2020

The MBIE roadshow will be in Auckland on 15 and 16 October with the presentation at the University of Auckland on October 16^th from 9-11:00am

This is your opportunity to find out what you need to know before applying for funding.  Come a long and learn more about the Endeavour Fund including:

• Feedback from 2019 round
• Impact categories (Protect and Add Value & Transform)
• Investment signals
• Assessment process
• Eligibility criteria
• Funding available

There is no charge for the Roadshows, but places are limited so you must register here

 

School of Environment Research Awards Function

12 November, 11-1 pm, 302-140

Please book your calendar to attend the School of Environment Research Awards Function. A great opportunity to learn about the work and achievements of our colleagues and students. More information will follow soon.

Contact: melanie.kah@auckland.ac.nz

 

Funding Opportunities

The Deep South: Domains – Request for proposals

The mission of the Deep South Challenge: Changing with our Climate (Te Kōmata o Te Tonga) is to enable New Zealanders to anticipate adapt, manage risk, and thrive in a changing climate. A high level of engagement with communities, iwi/hapu and other stakeholders will be expected. The foci of the work will cover four domains; Māori, Communities; Infrastructure, and National Economy

There are two separate request for proposals running: one for Māori, and another for Communities, Infrastructure and National Economy Domains. However, research that addresses the objectives of both RfPs in one proposal is also welcomed.

Māori Domain – We are looking for research projects that will contribute substantive and transformative outcomes for Māori and for wider Aotearoa New Zealand. These must fit within the Challenge’s mission, to enable New Zealanders to anticipate adapt, manage risk, and thrive in a changing climate.

Communities, Infrastructure and National Economy Domains –We are calling for research that focuses on: making and improving projections of New Zealand’s future climate; the impacts and implications of climate change for Aotearoa New Zealand; and enabling adaptation to climate change.  Research proposals should address the research themes of multiple impacts, effective adaptation, water and land and the economy.

The full details for the request for proposals can be found on the Deep South website.

Closes: 5pm Monday 30 October

 

New PhD Students

Yitong Zhao joined the School of Environment in September as a PhD student working with Sam Trowsdale on the Chinese Sponge City programme.

 

New publications

1.	Mineralisation and release of 14C-graphene oxide (GO) in soils	Navarro, D.A., Kah, M., Losic, D., Kookana, R.S., McLaughlin, M.J.	2020	Chemosphere, 238, art. no. 124558.
2.	Directional multi-scale analysis and simulation of urban expansion in Auckland, New Zealand using logistic cellular automata	Xu, T., Gao, J.	2019	Computers, Environment and Urban Systems, 78, art. no. 101390.
3.	Engineering characteristics of soils prone to rainfall-induced slope failure in viti Levu, Fiji	Ram, A.R., Brook, M.S., Cronin, S.J.	2019	Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology, 52(3), pp. 336-345.
4.	Effects of mis-alignment between dispersal traits and landscape structure on dispersal success in fragmented landscapes	Atkins, J.L., Perry, G.L.W., Dennis, T.E.	2019	Royal Society Open Science, 6(1), art. no. 181702.
5.	Neoliberal social housing policies, market logics and social rented housing reforms in New Zealand	Murphy, L.	2019	International Journal of Housing Policy.
6.	Introduction to Special Issue on Gas Hydrate in Porous Media: Linking Laboratory and Field-Scale Phenomena	Ruppel, C.D., Lee, J.Y., Pecher, I.	2019	Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth.
7.	Feminist geographies in Aotearoa New Zealand: cultural, social and political moments	Adams-Hutcheson, G., Bartos, A.E., Dombroski, K., Le Heron, E., Underhill-Sem, Y.	2019	Gender, Place and Culture, 26(7-9), pp. 1182-1197.

 

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Ako – Teaching and Learning

Majors and Modules Week

In the week of 23-27 September (teaching week 8) the Science Centre will be inviting undergraduate students for a ‘check-up’ on their programmes – to check that they are on track for their intended major and whether they have considered any of the new Modules.

The School of Environment’s Advisors will be standing by to support this and Stage I lecturers will be asked to display a slide advertising this in classes.

 

School of Environment Teaching and Learning Showcase and Inaugural Ako Awards

Date: Friday 15 November

Time: 11am -1 pm

Venue: 302-551

Please book your calendar to attend the School of Environment Teaching and Learning Showcase. The event will include short presentations from staff on innovative teaching and learning. The Showcase will also include the Inaugural Ako Awards which acknowledges teaching excellence within the School. The event will include lunch! More information will follow soon.

Contact: m.wall@auckland.ac.nz

 

 

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Classifieds

Job vacancy:

Ten Sixty Four Gold, operating in Central Queensland, is exploring for predominantly Intrusion-Related Gold Systems.  Ten Sixty is very small and just getting started having picked up ground, done some initial desktop work to find overlooked potential, and an initial field recce of some of these targets. Now they are planning some initial soil programs, which is where a grad student comes in. There is field and desktop work until the end of the year, and probably more work after that for the right person. The reason they are keen for a grad instead of a fieldy is to train them up in the GIS and data stuff. The project geologist is after someone who’s fit and keen and ready to learn. This is a really good opportunity for someone to get a kick start at learning the trade.

If you are interested, send your CV to Mike Carswell (mcarswell@vitrinite.com.au).

 

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Copy deadline for next edition of P-cubed: Friday 12:00 27th September, to Farnaz: f.sheikh@auckland.ac.nz

HeadSup

Malo e lelei!

It is Tongan Language week next week. If you would like to know more please check out this website.

Many thanks to those who helped out at last Saturday’s Open Day: giving the presentations for our subject majors, and attending the desk and advising prospective students and their parents. At the risk of overlooking somebody may I say thanks on behalf of the School to Nick (R), Joe, Jenny (S), JC, Martin, Sam, Evan, Siła and Juan, plus a small army of enthusiastic postgraduate students. Many thanks for giving up your weekend – it is greatly appreciated.

There was a good turnout for the Cumberland lecture on 22 August. Kennedy Warne gave us a fascinating and provocative lecture pondering the legal rights of rivers, parks and places. Thanks to Gretel for organising this and to Dan Hikuroa for giving a response. It was a great event and sets the bar high for our season of special, invited lectures – see the advice on the Bartrum Lecture below.

I am writing this on JR’s behalf while she enjoys a short break. One other thing from her was to remind staff to get cracking” if you are planning to prepare an MBIE or Smart Ideas proposal.

 

Mālō ‘aupito, David

 

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Whakawhanaungatanga – communities

School of Environment 2019 Spring Graduation Lunch

Staff are cordially invited to attend the School of Environment Graduation Lunch on Tuesday 24 September. We’d love you to come by and celebrate with your colleagues and students. Please register for the event here by Wednesday 11 September for catering purpose.

Event Date: Tuesday 24 September 2019

Time: 1-2pm

Location: Level 6 Breakout Space, Building 302

Vice-Chancellor’s Lecture Series 2019

Hosted by Te Ao Mārama – Centre for Fundamental Inquiry, this year’s series of three evening lectures and a panel discussion is themed ‘Perspectives on Life in the Universe’.

Are we alone? Is there life elsewhere? How did life begin? Explore the Biggest Questions of all with world-leading scientists in the 2019 University of Auckland Vice Chancellor’s Lecture Series. Hear about how new developments in astrobiology, astrophysics and fundamental science are expanding our understanding of the origin and evolution of the Universe, from the Solar System to ‘exoplanet’ worlds so far away they almost defy imagination. Come join us for these fascinating lectures and a panel discussion hosted by Radio New Zealand’s Kim Hill on the latest thinking about alien life and how we might find it.

All events :  6pm in the Fisher and Paykel Appliances Auditorium

Sir Owen G Glenn Building, 12 Grafton Road, Auckland

 

• Lecture 1   Thursday 5 September

Discoveries of Extra-Solar Planets and the Search for Evidence of Extraterrestrial Life

Professor David Bennett

•  Panel discussion   Tuesday 10 September

Fundamental Questions on Life in the Universe

Chaired by Kim Hill, Radio New Zealand

Panellists :  Professor Maria-Paz Zorzano Astrobiology Center of the National Institute of Aerospace Technology (INTA), Spain, and Luleå University of Technology, Norway;  Dr Heather Hendrickson, Massey University; Dr Dan Hikuroa, University of Auckland;  Professor Kathy Campbell, University of Auckland

• Lecture 2  Wednesday 11 September

Searching for Alien Life in the Solar System

Professor Maria-Paz Zorzano

• Lecture 3 Friday 13 September

Letting Life Happen: from Particles to People

Professor Richard Easther, University of Auckland

Click here for more information and here to see the poster.

 

2019 BARTRUM LECTURE

Unearthing the past to foretell the future: Coastal environments, sea-level rise and the Anthropocene

Colin D. Woodroffe – School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences, University of Wollongong, Australia

Location: MLT3 (303-101)
Date: Monday, September 23
Time: 5 pm, with drinks and nibbles to follow in 302 6th floor break out space

About the lecturer

Professor Colin Woodroffe is a coastal geomorphologist with research interests in the morphology, stratigraphy and sedimentary dynamics of coasts. He is Chair of the International Geographical Union’s Commission on Coastal Systems. He was a Lead Author on Chapter 6, Coasts and low-lying areas (working group 2) of the Fourth Assessment report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in 2007, for which the IPCC was jointly awarded the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize (together with Al Gore). He has served on the Scientific Steering Committee of the Land-Ocean Interactions in the Coastal Zone (LOICZ) core project of IGBP.

Click here for more information.

 

GRADUATION CEREMONIES – Spring 2019

The 2019 Spring Graduation ceremonies will take place at the Aotea Centre on Tuesday 24 September.  The ceremonies will be preceded by a street procession, when members of Council, staff and graduands, will walk from the Pavilion at Old Government House to the venue.

Assembly for Council and staff for the street procession is at 9am in the members’ lounge of Old Government House.  The street procession departs from Bowen Avenue via the University gates at 9.30am.  Regalia must be worn during the procession.  Any changes regarding the procession will be communicated to all staff and students at the earliest possible time. You are invited to take refreshments in the Waitākere Rooms before the ceremony.  To participate in the graduation ceremonies you will need to register your attendance online.  Click here to log in and complete the registration form. Please note: if you do not register, there will be no available seating for you on stage.  You must register by 6 September.

Each faculty has an assigned ‘agent’ to help you if you have trouble registering – for example you cannot register from outside the university.  Please contact the agent for Faculty of Science: Brittany Bennenbroek:b.bennenbroek@auckland.ac.nz. Instructions for staff participating are available on the Graduation section of the staff intranet

• 9:30am – Procession (assemble at 9:00am)
• 10:30am – Faculty of Science Graduation Ceremony

 

Māori Graduation Celebration Spring 2019

All Spring Māori Graduates, their Whānau, and all staff are invited to share in the success of our Māori tauira by attendng our Spring Māori Graduation Celebration.

To RSVP, please email Sarai McKay (sarai.mckay@auckland.ac.nz ).

Travel Insurance revoked for travel to Hong Kong

We have been notified by our travel insurance provider Allianz that they have revoked comprehensive travel insurance cover for travel to Hong Kong due to current unrest in that location.

This notification affects all travellers covered under the University Travel insurance policy (including staff, students, consultants, contractors, visitors) who booked their travel after 6th August 2019 and have Hong Kong as a final and/or transit destination.  This is applicable for both University and UniServices activities.

All affected travellers will be contacted by Orbit to discuss their itineraries and work through appropriate measures to either re-route or cancel.   We have posted this information on the staff intranet and I will also include it in my update next week.

If you have any questions regarding this information, please contact the Risk Office at riskoffice@auckland.ac.nz.

Risk Office| Finance

 

PG Exposure competition deadline has been extended

The School of Graduate Studies has advised that the deadline for registrations for the 2019 postgraduate Exposure competition has been extended.

Exposure, the University’s biggest postgrad research expo and competition is now accepting registrations until 2 September! Huge prizes are available, plus the opportunity to polish your academic presentation skills, build valuable networks and gain exposure for your research.

Click here for more details.

 

Women in Earth and Environmental Science Australasia Database (WOMEESA)

WOMEESA are developing a database of women who work in Earth, Environmental and Atmospheric Science in Australasia. The aim of the database is to provide a resource for people who are looking for women in our disciplines to speak at conferences, apply for jobs, work with media outlets on science stories etc. If you would like to be included in the database please take a few minutes to fill out your details in our form.

Why are we doing this? Have you had the experience of turning up to a conference and finding that there are very few (or no) women speakers? Or have you noticed that most of the new hires within your organisation are men. When we’ve asked conference organisers or management why there is such a huge gender imbalance they have said that they had tried but they simply could not find the women. We want to eliminate this excuse and make an online, searchable database where every woman working in our discipline can easily be found.

In this initial stage we are collecting responses from women to populate the database. After this we will create the online database that will be searchable by location, discipline, and keyword. Once this database is implemented you will be able to log on and update your details as required (we will let all participants know once this has been implemented). Finally, we will publicise this database widely, to media organisations, to science communicators, and to every EAE organisation in Australasia, to ensure that everyone knows where to find us.

The WOMEESA committee

 

Important reminder from Facilities

Please hand back all keys to the Facilities team when you have finished your studies or no longer use the lab or office.

It is important that we remove your name from the key or keys that are assigned to you. This is a security and safety measures that we take to ensure that only people with permission can enter into a lab or room. Returning the keys for reuse also keeps us in line with the University’s sustainability commitments.

The Facilities team is located in building 302 level 6 reception.

We thank you for your cooperation.

 

Volcanology, Geochemistry, & Petrology Research Group

The volcanology, geochemistry, & petrology research group (VGP) meets every other week during the semester. We have a great line up for the second half of the semester including two recently finished students Ben Simons and Alex Davidson and four current students Jeff Lang, Daniel Bertin, Alec Wild, and Kate Cocker. We will also be hosting two (maybe three!) out of town guests.

Our next meeting will be on 19 September from 12 to 1 in 302-130. For more information, please see our website: vgp.blogs.auckland.ac.nz See you soon!

 

Improvements to the Travel Purchase Order Request Process

The Shared Transaction Centre (STC), Procurement and Central Finance team have implemented some changes to improve the travel purchase order process.

Following are the main changes:

For staff:

• New digital PO Travel request form
• New Orbit email with improved messaging and a link straight to the new digital form located on the intranet portal page
• New Orbit Confirmation document replacing the preliminary itinerary which will be used to attach to the new Travel PO request form
• Prior approval must be obtained from your line manager before booking travel by completing the Faculty of Science staff travel approval request form
• Automatic production of Purchase Orders, as no secondary approval required

A reminder of the process:

1. Prior to booking travel, continue to obtain approval from your line manager as per current process
2. If travel is funded by your research grant, you will also need to obtain prior approval from your Research Programme Coordinator (RPC) as you will need to enter their Username on the approval form
3. Book your travel using the Orbit Travel Portal or an Orbit Travel Consultant (details on the Travel and accommodation page on the Staff Intranet)
4. Orbit will send you an email containing a link to the new digital Purchase Order Request form as well as an order confirmation document
5. From the Order Confirmation, check all travel itinerary details are correct including the name on the travel booking matches the name on the passport
6. Open the link received on the email with your order confirmation document. Complete the digital Purchase Order Request form and attach your order confirmation document (no other documentation required)
7. Press submit. Once submitted your request goes directly to the Shared Transaction Centre for processing. No further approvals are required
8. If any changes to your travel are needed, contact Orbit as you currently would and repeat step 6 and 7 above.

If you have any queries or would like your GSC to raise the Travel PO please contact your GSC. For more information on the changes and updates visit the intranet.

For students:

• New digital PO Travel request form
• New Orbit email with improved messaging and a link straight to the new digital form located on the intranet portal page
• New Orbit Confirmation document replacing the preliminary itinerary which will be used to attach to the new Travel PO request form
• Prior approval must be obtained from your Supervisor before booking travel by completing the Faculty of Science student travel approval request form
• Automatic production of Purchase Orders, as no secondary approval required

A reminder of the process:

1. Prior to booking travel, continue to obtain approval from your Supervisor as per current process
2. Book your travel using the Orbit Travel Portal or an Orbit Travel Consultant (details on the Travel and accommodation page on the Staff Intranet)
3. Orbit will send you an email containing a link to the new digital Purchase Order Request form as well as an order confirmation document
4. From the Order Confirmation, check all travel itinerary details are correct including the name on the travel booking matches the name on the passport
5. Open the link received on the email with your order confirmation document. Complete the digital Purchase Order Request form and attach your order confirmation document (no other documentation required)
6. Press submit. Once submitted your request goes directly to the Shared Transaction Centre for processing.

7. If any changes to your travel are needed, contact Orbit as you currently would and repeat step 5 and 6 above.

If you have any queries please contact your Group Services Administrator (GSA).

 

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Rangahau – Research

Redesigning the research section of the website 

The Faculty is migrating the research section of the website to a new site and the website is being redesigned. It is also a good opportunity for us to check that we still identify ourselves with the present structure and to request changes. The new pages have been prepared and follow the existing division into researcher areas. Please check this file and get back to Giovanni (g.coco@auckland.ac.nz) for requests of change (which will then need to be discussed). Please check that the key research projects listed on each page are still valid.

If you wanted to see how the website will look like, feel free to check the maths research section https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/science/about-the-faculty/department-of-mathematics/mathematics-research.html. They have less pages than SoE but the layout is essentially the same and the links go to similar places; find a supervisor goes to Findathesis, Take 10 goes to Take 10 etc…

Please send your comments and requests for change by September 10 (hard deadline).

 

FindaThesis

For those of you looking for a nice way to spend your break- consider creating or updating your FindaThesis page. It has been pointed out that only 2 staff members are currently on FindaThesis. FindaThesis is a centralized searchable database for students to find Masters and PhD supervisors/projects. The FindaThesis website was introduced in 2015 to centralise project searches for prospective students who do not always know which academic unit a topic or project can be found in. FindaThesis is particularly useful for international students as it is much easier to direct these prospective students (and agents) to a single, central webpage to view opportunities and projects.

Students coming to the FindaThesis website can browse projects or supervisors in their subject, can search for projects or supervisors using keywords, or can search for specific supervisors by name.

To get access to FindaThesis please submit a request form:

https://www.forms.auckland.ac.nz/en/staff/school-of-graduate-studies/findathesis-access-request.html

Click here to see Staff User Guide and here to see Setting Up Finda Thesis.

 

Meetings, seminars and events

Postgraduate Research Showcase: Save the Date – October 3^rd

The annual Postgraduate Research Showcase is on October 3^rd in the Fale. This is an important event for our postgraduate students, please try to make the time to attend. This is an all day event with oral presentations by PhD students across all disciplines during the day and posters by our Honours and Masters students at midday. Tea and Lunch are provided with drinks and nibbles back at the 6^th floor of 302 following the event. A full schedule is coming shortly.

PhD students, if you are in your 3^rd or 2^nd year (priority to 3^rd year students), please send Michael Rowe (michael.rowe@auckland.ac.nz) a title by September 6^th and he will get you into the schedule.

 

Vision Mātauranga Workshops  

These sessions are provided by Kaiarahi Geremy Hema from UniServices and will cover:

• What VM seeks to achieve (beyond the words of the policy, advancement and protection of Mātauranga Māori)
• Engagement best practice
• Iwi expectations

The 2 hour programme will include:

• A one hour presentation
• 30 minutes Q&A
• Time to meet and greet other colleagues and the UniServices team
• There will be time at the end of these sessions to meet other researchers and university staff
• Refreshment will be provided

Please register for a session on one of the links below:

• Wednesday 4 September
• Friday 4 October
• Friday 8 November

 

Commercialisation Workshops

UniServices are hosting interactive half-day workshops, developed to help you transform your idea into a new and exciting venture. Bring along your research idea and UniServices advisors will help you develop the value proposition and commercialisation strategy.

Why should you come?

• You will learn what UniServices Commercialisation, Return on Science and The University of Auckland Inventors Fund can do for you.
• You will have the opportunity to talk to well-networked industry advisors and gain their insight on the opportunities for your idea.
• We will help you develop a business plan.
• We will work with you to identify the potential commercial value, intellectual property protection, research impact, target customers, and funding sources available to progress your ideas.
• You will receive a professional review of your idea from UniServices

Click here for more information and to register.

• Friday 6 September
• Friday 22 November

 

Dendroprovenancing in New Zealand: can we identify the forest areas where kauri was sourced from?

Gretel Boswijk and Anthony Fowler

Tuesday 17 September

Building 302, Room 551, Ontology Lab – 4.00pm to 5.30pm

Click here to see NZGS newsletter for more details.

ENV Staff Research Forum – Philanthropic Funding: how does it work?

Thursday 26 September 2019 12.00-2.00 pm 

OGH, Federation of Graduate Women’s Suite (lunch provided at 1pm in the VC’s Suite)

Please come and join the second Research Forum of the School of Environment.

The Rangahau committee will host a 2-hour Strategic Research Forum on Thursday 26 September. We have invited two speakers to discuss philanthropic funding opportunities and how to shape research funding proposals.

• Kim Collins, Project Manager for Gulf Innovation Fund Together (GIFT), Foundation North.  Originally from Palmerston North, Kim attended secondary school in Auckland and has been a resident of Waiheke Island since 2004. Her academic background is in psychology and sociology where she developed an interest in supporting and inspiring positive community change. Through roles in Local Government and the not for profit sector Kim has over 15 years’ experience in grant making and working with community organisations. Through her work at Foundation North Kim has developed a strong passion for the environment and wants to help create a better planet for future generations.
• Anastasia Papadakis, Development Manager, Alumni Relations and Development. Anastasia is based in the Faculty of Science and plays a bridging role in profiling the University of Auckland to philanthropic funders and ensuring that Faculty of Science researchers are aware of philanthropic priorities and research opportunities. Anastasia plans to focus the presentation on the importance of pitching research ideas to donors interests.

Please RSVP here for catering purposes by Friday 13 September. Please send your apologies to Samantha (Samantha.huang@auckland.ac.nz).

 

MBIE Endeavour Fund Roadshow Series 2020

The MBIE roadshow will be in Auckland on 15 and 16 October with the presentation at the University of Auckland on October 16^th from 9-11:00am

This is your opportunity to find out what you need to know before applying for funding.  Come a long and learn more about the Endeavour Fund including:

• Feedback from 2019 round
• Impact categories (Protect and Add Value & Transform)
• Investment signals
• Assessment process
• Eligibility criteria
• Funding available

There is no charge for the Roadshows, but places are limited so you must register here

 

School of Environment Research Awards Function

12 November, 11-1 pm, 302-140

Please book your calendar to attend the School of Environment Research Awards Function. A great opportunity to learn about the work and achievements of our colleagues and students. More information will follow soon.

Contact: melanie.kah@auckland.ac.nz

 

Funding Opportunities

WUN RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT FUND (RDF)

The RDF provides grants of up to £10,000, for one year, to augment institutional funds in fostering research collaborations among academic staff (faculty members) at partner universities.  The RDF supports work across four WUN Global Challenges that lie at the heart of their mission:  Responding to Climate Change, Public Health (non-communicable diseases), Global Higher Education and Research, and Understanding Cultures.

Grants from the RDF are intended to help stimulate larger collaborative projects that will strengthen WUN and make the collaborating partners competitive for major awards.  Funds may be used to support such things as exploratory research initiatives, planning workshops, faculty exchanges and the formation of collaborative networks.

Further information (guidelines/proposal form/application process) can be located on the Networks-related funding page

Closing date: Monday 2 September – noon

 

Pacific Development and Conservation Trust

The trust supports sustainable development and supports grants for a range of conservation, cultural heritage, development and goodwill projects and activities in the Pacific.

The objectives of the Trust shall be to encourage and promote:

• the enhancement protection and conservation of the physical environment of the Pacific and of its natural and historic resources;
• the peaceful economic, physical, and social, development of the Pacific and of its peoples;
• the peaceful conservation and development of the cultural heritage of the peoples of the Pacific;
• peace understanding and good-will between the peoples of the Pacific.

Further information can be found here.

Grants range from $2,000 – $50,000

Application deadline:  5pm, Monday 16 September 2019

 

Auckland Museum Future Tāmaki Research Partnerships

Auckland Museum is looking for research partnerships to collaborate in the development of research-driven participatory visitor experiences that are focused on engaging the public in relevant science, research and technology for Future Tāmaki, an exhibition about the future of Tāmaki Makaurau.

Auckland Museum wants to work with researchers to develop a range of opportunities to facilitate public engagement with current research in Future Tāmaki. We are looking for research topics that are relevant to the future of Auckland, and that will make compelling, interesting, and provocative experiences for visitors to the Museum. The intent of the EOI process is to identify research topics that have potential for public engagement and dialogue. We are not looking for comprehensive or fully resolved solutions. The researchers with the successful proposals will work alongside the Auckland Museum project team to develop the research partnership elements of the exhibition.

Please see the documentation – an information pack and the EoI form. Note that the deadline for submission is 30^th September 2019.

If you have any questions, please do get in touch with myself.

Faith Welch  |  faith.welch@auckland.ac.nz

Office of Research Strategy and Integrity

 

Dumont d’Urville’s call for applications

Dumont d’Urville’s call for applications for projects starting in 2020 is now open until October 17, 2019. The programme aims at fostering new partnerships between France and New Zealand, and developing science and technology exchanges between research laboratories of excellence. Follow link here for more info.

To apply for Dumont D’Urville project funding, applicants need to apply via the RSNZ under the Catalyst seeding process.

RSNZ Catalyst Leaders and Catalyst Seeding

This Catalyst Leaders round is to support excellent PhD students and/or young researchers to attend the HOPE meetings with Nobel Laureates in Japan in 2020.

The Catalyst Seeding round funds new small and medium pre-research strategic partnerships that cannot be supported through other means under three programmes:

• Seeding General ($80,000 in total for up to two years);
• Dumont d’Urville NZ-France Science & Technology Support Programme ($80,000 in total for up to two years);
• NZ – Japan Joint Research Project ($ 30,000 per year for up to two years)

Application due to Research Programme Coordinator and Funds & Submissions by 5pm Tuesday 8 October 2019.

Information on Catalyst Funds and Leaders guidelines and  Seeding guidelines here.

 

New publications

Emma Sharp has an updated publication

Sharp EL (2019) (ed) Editorial: The Role of Reflexivity in Care-full Food Systems Transformations. Policy Futures in Education – Special Issue: Eating in the Anthropocene.

 

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Ako – Teaching and Learning

 

Talking Teaching Submission deadline extended to 25 August 

Talking Teaching is run by the Ako Aotearoa Tertairy Teaching Excellence Academy. The conference showcases excellent teaching practice from teachers across the tertiary sector.  It will be held in Auckland this year at Unitec, on Non 28 & 29, with the conference dinner at our Fale.  It is very reasonably priced at $250.00.

The theme this year is:  Diverse Learners, Inclusive Teaching.

Registrations are open now and abstract submissions is extended to Aug 25. All presentation formats are accepted – see their huge range of suggestions when you enter the website.

Very worthwhile for getting great teaching tips and ideas and networking with innovative tertiary teachers.

Click here for more information.

 

The flipped classroom:  How flipping good is it really?

Date: Wednesday 2^nd October

Time: 10-12

Venue: 302-140

The Ako Innovation Committee invites you to its latest workshop:   The flipped classroom:  How flipping good is it really?

Join our flipped classroom to explore the do’s, don’ts and challenges of the flipped classroom.   We use a flipped environment to learn how to flip a classroom and to explore:

How can we rethink space and time in our classrooms?

Do flipped classrooms lead to better learning outcomes?

Do students like flipped classrooms?

What are the challenges of implementing a flipped classroom?

 

 

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Classifieds

Job vacancy:

Geology/Geophysics Internship with Todd Energy

EnergyTodd Energy is offering the opportunity for a Geology and/or Geophysics student to join our Exploration team in our New Plymouth office for an internship position over the 2019/2020 summer holidays. The position is suitable for a post-graduate student or MSc student with high academic achievements. The position runs from November-February for approximately 12 weeks (start and finish dates negotiable) and offers students the chance to gain professional experience within the geoscience department of a large New Zealand based Energy Company.

Please email your CV, academic transcript and a covering letter to Sheree Long at EnergySkills NZ sheree.long@energyskills.co.nz  by 10 September 2019.

Click here for more information.

 

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Copy deadline for next edition of P-cubed: Friday 12:00 13th September, to Samantha: samantha.huang@auckland.ac.nz

HeadSup

Kia ora

It was with sadness that many of us heard the news late last week about the passing of Warren Moran. Warren played a pivotal role in Geography at UOA and will be remembered at this week’s Cumberland lecture. David Skinner also died last week. Dave completed his MSc in the Geology Department in the early 1960s, focusing on the Coromandel, and had a long career with GNS Science. He was quite a character and well know to many of us. Farewell Warren and Dave.

Please have a careful look at the many activities listed in this week’s  p-cubed and be sure to enter them into your calendar. There is a lot going on over the next few months. Highlights will be the next Research Forum, the ENV Research Awards ceremony and the PG Research Showcase (if you are a PG student I would love to see your poster in the showcase). The Ako Innovation seminar looks great – if you want to build up your teaching portfolio add this one to your diary.

Don’t forget two great activities this week – the Cumberland Lecture on Thursday (with drinks and nibbles) and the newly resurrected and refreshed ENV Seminar Series. Let’s get behind these events and help make them a success.

I’m pleased to advise that Professor Mark Costello has joined the School for the remainder of the year. Mark has worked in the Institute of Marine Sciences and is an expert in biogeography. Welcome Mark!

We had some wonderful news from the speleothem researchers this week, who have been enjoying the ‘Summer School on Speleothem Science’ in Romania. Sneha Suresh won the student poster session. Sneha’s PhD is on ‘Opening nature’s vaults: speleothem archives of volcanic eruptions and earthquakes’. Well done!

In the last couple of weeks, Karen, Meg and I visited the Ministry for the Environment and showcased what we do. As a result of that, Charlotte Wood from MfE has offered to talk through the work their science capability and culture team are about to kick off. This is a great chance to better understand opportunities for stronger engagement with MfE. Topics to be discussed include: co-development of science outputs; science engagement; 1- and 5-year priorities; possible joint/split appointments and secondments; and internships. The date/time of this presentation is yet to be finalised. If you would like to attend please let Samantha know by the end of the week.

Lastly – thanks to all who contributed content and comment on the 3-year School strategic plan. The submitted version can be found here.

Ngā mihi – JR

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Whakawhanaungatanga – communities

VALE Warren Moran, Professor Emeritus, School of Environment.

Warren was a giant of Geography within the New Zealand and international geographical communities. He served as Head of Department and went on to become Dean of Arts. Warren was personally instrumental in enabling and shaping the careers of a number of colleagues still working within the School and was a friend of many. As Dean of Arts he fought hard for the discipline and was an influential force within the wider university, for which he was always a fierce champion.

An influential rural geographer locally and internationally, Warren recently authored the most authoritative book yet on the New Zealand wine industry. Beyond  New Zealand, Warren served as Vice-President of the International Geographical Union.

Warren’s funeral will take place on: Tuesday 20^th August 2pm, at St Patricks Cathedral, 43 Wyndham St, Auckland CBD.

GRADUATION CEREMONIES – Spring 2019

The 2019 Spring Graduation ceremonies will take place at the Aotea Centre on Tuesday 24 September.  The ceremonies will be preceded by a street procession, when members of Council, staff and graduands, will walk from the Pavilion at Old Government House to the venue.

Assembly for Council and staff for the street procession is at 9am in the members’ lounge of Old Government House.  The street procession departs from Bowen Avenue via the University gates at 9.30am.  Regalia must be worn during the procession.  Any changes regarding the procession will be communicated to all staff and students at the earliest possible time. You are invited to take refreshments in the Waitākere Rooms before the ceremony.  To participate in the graduation ceremonies you will need to register your attendance online.  Click here to log in and complete the registration form. Please note: if you do not register, there will be no available seating for you on stage.  You must register by 6 September.

Each faculty has an assigned ‘agent’ to help you if you have trouble registering – for example you cannot register from outside the university.  Please contact the agent for Faculty of Science: Brittany Bennenbroek:b.bennenbroek@auckland.ac.nz. Instructions for staff participating are available on the Graduation section of the staff intranet

• 9:30am – Procession (assemble at 9:00am)
• 10:30am – Faculty of Science Graduation Ceremony

Staff: is your web profile up to date?

This is the central staff intranet link to editing your profile: https://www.staff.auckland.ac.nz/en/university-directory-help/editing-my-profile.html

You can edit your University Directory Profile to ensure it provides those who access it with a rich source of information about your professional or research activities. Profile changes will only appear after they have been through a review and approval moderation workflow.

If people have any issues with editing their profile they should talk to Cate Hennessy (c.hennessy@auckland.ac.nz) or Kate Pitcher.

Palaeomolecular Lab Open Day

On Tuesday (20^th Aug), we’re inviting members of the Faculty of Science to come over to the Faculty of Arts and visit our Palaeomolecular Lab. In this lab, we work with ancient bone samples to analyse isotopes and ancient DNA for anthropology research.

All staff, postgraduates and final year undergraduates are welcome to stop by any time between 11am and 3pm on Tuesday for a short tour. If you’re interested in hearing more about the research going on over here in Anthropology, it would be great to see you there (Lab 311, Level 3, Social Sciences Building 201E).

Dr Natalie Remedios
Anthropology, Faculty of Arts

Click here to see the poster.

 

School of Environment Cumberland Lecture 2019 

Place as person, landscape as identity: ancestral connection and modern legislation – Kennedy Warne

In 1972, in a landmark essay, US legal scholar Christopher Stone asked, “Should trees have standing?” What would it mean, he asked, to conceive of the natural world from a nonhuman perspective? Could we imagine a world in which trees—and rivers, mountains, glaciers, and more—possessed innate existence rights enshrined in law? Almost 50 years later, New Zealand has led the world in granting legal personhood to a river, Whanganui, a former national park, Te Urewera, and, soon, a mountain, Taranaki. At the heart of these legislative decisions is not just the issue of rights for nature, but a recognition of longstanding connectivity between land and indigenous people and of a worldview that espouses unity and reciprocity between the human and nonhuman realms. Writer, editor and broadcaster Kennedy Warne discusses the geographical implications of the Whanganui River and Te Urewera decisions and reflects on his own evolving conversation with landscape. The talk will include a response from Daniel Hikuroa, a senior lecturer in Māori studies at the University of Auckland.

5pm Thursday 22 August

Lecture theatre PLT2

Ground Floor, Building 303

38 Princes Street

Refreshments will follow the lecture in the Building 302 Level 6 Breakout Space

Space is limited so please register at kennedywarne.eventbrite.co.nz

Enquiries to Gretel Boswijk   g.boswijk@auckland.ac.nz . Click  here to see the poster.

 

Te Ao Mārama Brown Bag  – with Sarah Kessans

Reaching for the Stars via Biochemistry – Tuesday 27 August, 12:00 – 13:00

Enquiries: Kathy Campbell (ka.campbell@auckland.ac.nz )

 

Research Collaboration Tools – Workshop & eResearch Community Meeting

Lunch and learn: Collaborate using Dropbox. 12-1pm, Wednesday 28^th August

501.010, Grafton Campus.

CeR and Dropbox will talk about UoA’s institutional Dropbox and demonstrate Dropbox features/tools integration with many familiar communication and collaboration tools.
Bring your lunch, have a cupcake and ask questions.

Booking link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lunch-and-learn-collaborate-using-with-dropbox-tickets-68742020233

Collaboration tools. 3-5pm, Wednesday 28^th August

Federation of Graduate Women’s Suite, Old Government House, City Campus.

– How do you build successful collaborations and what tools do you use? – group discussion

– Spotlight on Dropbox Papers – demonstration from Dropbox

– Social and networking with drinks and nibbles

Booking link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/eresearch-community-meeting-collaboration-tools-tickets-68744698243

Centre for eResearch

Introductory R Workshop Information: September 2nd & 3rd

The third Introductory R Workshop for 2019 is being run on September 2^nd and 3^rd. This will be led by Daniel Barnett, Chris Triggs, and Avinesh Pillai, from the Statistical Consultancy Centre.

The workshop will be limited to approximately 20 participants. Therefore if you would like to attend please let me know sooner rather than later.

As per our previous Introductory R workshops, the cost is $300 for UoA students and staff; you can pay using your PRESS account, research grant, or other UoA account. You can also opt to use a debit/credit card (however we would have to also add GST, sorry). The payment authorisation form for UoA participants paying from a UoA account is attached.

The cost for non-UoA attendees is $500 + GST, and if you contact me I will let you know re payment options (card payment is preferred).

We will be sending out a pre-workshop information email, 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 190.

Time and schedule: The  approximate schedule for both days is attached (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. There are cafes handy 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 re how to do this in our pre-workshop information email.

Access to computers and 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 September, and look forward to seeing you there.

Rosemary K. Barraclough, PhD

Statistics Consulting Centre, Department of Statistics

Click here to see the timetable and here for payment details.

 

AUGA Field Trip

AUGA’s second field trip of the year is an overnight stay in Coromandel to explore the Waihi Gold Mine.

When: 13th–14thSeptember
Where: Waihi Township
To find out more and for Sign Up, please visit here.

 

Kupe Leadership Scholarship

Up to 20 Scholarships will be awarded annually, for a period of up to one year.

Applications open 1 July 2019 and close 23 August 2019.

Value:
Up to $24,100 each. The Scholarship will comprise either a fortnightly stipend of up to $22,000 or a fortnightly stipend of up to $10,000 plus accommodation in a single studio room at 55 Symonds Street (accommodation costs will be paid directly to the relevant Halls of Residence).

The scholarship also includes a personal mentor connected to the scholarship recipient’s area of interest and a comprehensive Leadership Development programme undertaken with all of the Kupe Leadership Scholars.

Eligibility criteria:

• Need to be enrolled full-time for a full 2020 academic year in a postgraduate diploma, honours degree or masters degree at the University of Auckland.
  • Students enrolled in either year of a two-year masters degree may also be considered for the Scholarship. Students enrolled in an 180 point masters degree may be considered for the Scholarship for the full calendar year of their degree.
  • See sample 2018 regs: https://cdn.auckland.ac.nz/assets/Scholarships/regulations/kupe-leadership-scholarship.pdf   2019 regs will be online soon
• GPA/GPE of at least 7.00 (6.50 for Māori or Pacific applicants)
• Applicants must be New Zealand citizens or permanent residents and must have resided in New Zealand for at least five years in the ten years preceding the year of application.

Selection is based on the above PLUS demonstrated leadership potential as evidenced by a CV, a personal statement, references, and an interview.

For more information visit: https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/study/scholarships-and-awards/scholarship-types/postgraduate-scholarships/kupe-leadership-scholarships.html

 

BLAKE Ambassador Applications are now open

Since 2007 BLAKE (formally The Sir Peter Blake Trust), in partnership with Antarctica New Zealand, NIWA, Tara Expeditions Foundation and the Department of Conservation – has provided opportunities for young New Zealanders (18 – 25 years) to work on projects in Antarctica, the Southern, Southwest Pacific and Atlantic Oceans and New Zealand through the BLAKE Ambassador Programme. These BLAKE Ambassadors have worked alongside teams of scientists, conservationists, engineers and conservators on environmental and heritage restoration projects to advance our understanding and address some of the big environmental questions and challenges facing society.

This year there will be 10 BLAKE Ambassador Awards in partnership with Antarctica New Zealand, GNS Science, NIWA, and the Department of Conservation.

The DOC Kākāpō Supplementary Feeding Programme on Whenua Hou / Codfish Island and Takahē Feedout Project – Burwood may be of particular interest to some of your students or staff.

OR

The NIWA marine and aquaculture programmes may be of particular interest to some of your students or staff.

OR

The BLAKE Antarctica New Zealand / GNS Ambassador – Environment and Climate and NIWA atmosphere and climate programmes may be of particular interest to the earth science scientists.

Details and how to apply can be found here: https://blakenz.org/blake-ambassador-programme

Applications close 30 August, 2019.

 

APRU New York Times Competition

Dear PG students,

I am writing to invite you to participate in the annual Asia-Pacific Case Competition hosted by APRU and The New York Times, with the opportunity to be published in The New York Times International Edition and read by an audience of global thought leaders.

For this competition, teams will be asked to write an 800-word policy brief to a leader in your economy (government, philanthropy, business, NGO etc.)  discussing the threats to health from air pollution. What are the solutions you promote? What are the resources necessary? What are the ways that this solution will make an impact? Using resources from The New York Times and beyond, describe the ways that air pollution threatens a healthy economy and promote a solution that would advance the third United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG), focused exclusively on health: “Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.”

All entries will be judged by The New York Times awarding-winning newsroom and professional judges from the Association of Pacific Rim Universities, with the winning entry published in The New York Times International, Asia Pacific Edition.

The winning team will also receive a NYT- APRU trophy and  NYT gifts with their work being showcased across various APRU platforms including at events, publications and the website. All participants will receive a 4-week digital subscription to the New York Times. The winners will be announced at the APRU Global Health Conference, The University of Hong Kong, November 17-20, 2019.

Find out more information about this competition: https://www.apru-nytimeschallenge.com/ . 

Competition Details:

Topic:  Global Health: Air Pollution in the Asia- Pacific

Submission deadline: 23 September 2019
All entries must be submitted via email to: submission@apru.org
Website: www.apru-nytimeschallenge.com/

Below, is the link of the winners from last year:

https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/news/2018/10/11/nothing-artificial-about-the-intelligence-of-kiwi-students.html

Should you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact me (taylor.sutherland@auckland.ac.nz).

Yours sincerely,

Taylor Sutherland
International Networks Administrator

 

Prime Ministers in Conversation

On Tuesday 8^th October, from 4.30pm, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will be in conversation with the Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte at the Fale – they will be discussing “Climate change in transition”.

We have been asked to select a number of students to be in the audience, so if you have a passion for this topic and have an interest in the Netherlands as well as NZ, please send us an email and include a question you might like to ask. Reply emails should be sent to PPI@auckland.ac.nz with “PMs in Conversation” in the subject line by 9am on Wednesday morning (21^st August). Please only respond if you are committed to attending as places are limited.

Public Policy Institute

 

Network Change Outage to B301 All Levels on Thursday 22nd August at 19:00

Connect IT will be making network configuration changes on staff PC’s and Laptops next week.

Affected areas: Building B301 All Levels – Thursday 22^nd August starting at 19:00

Impact to you: Network (wired) services will be changing in Building 301 all levels on Thursday 22^nd August at 19:00.

There will be a brief network outage of approximately 60 seconds. After this, computers will need to be restarted.

Wireless network access will still be available, however

• You should turn your PC or Laptop off before you leave work on the day of the change.
• If you have any problems connecting to the network the following day, please first restart your PC/laptop
• If the problem continues please log a call with Staff Service Centre
• The Connect IT support team will be on standby the following day from 8:00am until 10:00am to resolve any issues
• If you have problems using RDP to access your PC remotely from outside the office, you will need to log a ticket with Staff Service Centre to confirm you are using your computer host name, not its IP address

Level 1 Assistance Space will be closed in the afternoon of Friday 30 August for the Open Day

Level 1 Assistance Space will be closed in the afternoon of Friday 30 August. The Faculty Marketing will access the space to set up for the Open Day.

 

Reminder of Earth Science Bickie Briefing

Earth Science Bickie briefing every Thursday morning at 10.30am in the Level 6 break out space. All post grads and staff welcome.

 

Blair Sowman is on Leave

Our Technical Manager -Blair Sowman is on leave, returning 30 August. Please contact Natalia Abrego (n.abrego@auckland.ac.nz) for laboratory access. Please contact the relevant School technician for other matters, otherwise he will respond when he returns. For urgent matters contact David Jenkinson d.jenkinson@auckland.ac.nz

 

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Rangahau – Research

Staff: find research students via ‘FindaThesis’

FindaThesis is the University’s research project database. It is used by prospective research students who want to search for research projects they can join of for potential supervisors without needing to know which faculty their research interest comes under. So far in 2019 (June), the tool has attracted an averate of 5650 users and 13,800 unique page views per month.

Find out more about how you can get set up in FindaThesis here.

Meetings, seminars and events

ENV Seminar Series – Your attendance will be greatly appreciated! 

Join us on Wednesday the 21^st of August  from 2pm  to 3pm in the Old Government House to learn about the fantastic research your colleagues do. All staff members and students from the School of Environment are warmly invited to attend this first (after a long break) School of Environment Seminar Series. We will run the seminars every three months and every time we will have  three presenters from different disciplines from the School of Environment. In the upcoming event we will have three presenters:

What happens to contaminants after they are released into the environment? – Melanie Kah

Melanie will give an overview of her research interests into the fate of contaminants in the environment. We will look at a range of contaminants (e.g. hydrocarbons, pharmaceuticals, pesticides) and how they interact with surfaces, including soil, biochar and nanomaterials. While understanding these interactions is essential in the context of risk assessment, the knowledge can also be used to develop innovative mitigation and remediation strategies. To illustrate this with a case study, we will talk about nanopesticides (e.g. novel pesticides associated with nanoparticles) and discuss the new risks and benefits associated with the introduction of these novel products in agriculture.

From movement data to understanding human mobility – Katarzyna Sila-Nowicka

Human mobility is vital for understanding expansion processes in urban areas, the establishment of transportation services and the spatial distribution of facilities. Until recently, exploring human mobility in detail was challenging because personal trip data collection methods consisted of expensive and time consuming methods. The development of sensors such as GPS trackers or other wearable devices equipped with various sensors that capture movement data in real-time and at detailed spatial and temporal scales has transformed our ability to collect mobility data. However, even though GPS trackers record an individual’s location and movement very accurately, they do not record essential characteristics of travel behaviour such as travel mode or trip purpose. What can be done to enhance raw movement trajectories in order to uncover these mobility characteristics?

Understanding Mt. Taranaki’s most recent eruption – Geoff Lerner

While Mt. Taranaki has been frequently active over the last 1000 years, it has not erupted in New Zealand’s written history. Knowing when a volcano last erupted has implications for the understanding of both its past and future activity. By determining the age of Taranaki’s most recent eruption and putting this event in the context of the style and frequency of eruptions Taranaki has exhibited in the last millennium, it is possible to gain insight into what possible future activity at the volcano might look like.

Research Experience Awards 2019

Proposals are sought from School of Environment staff and PhD students for the 2019 “Research Experience Awards”.  These awards are targeted at providing top-performing undergraduate Stage 2 and 3 students with one week’s (40 hours) research experience working closely with a member of staff or PhD student.

The aim is to encourage successful students to consider postgraduate study at UoA. Award recipients can assist with field work, lab work, or other research activities that are related to PhD or staff research. By taking on a student the host agrees to comply with all relevant OSH and university regulations. Students will be required to write a short one-page reflection after their research experience.

You are invited to email proposed research experience topics and a short paragraph outlining the type of work involved by Friday 30th August to Lorna Strachan l.strachan@auckland.ac.nz. Projects will be advertised to students on Monday 16^th September with a closing date of Friday 27^th September for applications. You may request a particular student, and this will be taken into consideration, however we cannot guarantee that they will be successful.

Value of Award: A one-week research experience will be valued at $800. PhD students hosting students will receive a $200 top up to their PRESS account, to defray any costs associated with hosting the student.

Procedure: PhD students and staff are invited to put forward 1 potential project. These will be advertised on the internet, and to all students in stage 2 and 3. Applicants will include their top two project preferences, selected from the list of available projects on the internet. A small subcommittee comprising a representative from the Research and PG committees will match students with staff and PhD students, taking into consideration any staff requests. The GPA of students may be taken into consideration if there are a large number of applications. Successful students will receive the payment associated with the award up front in the form of a tax-free stipend, to avoid complicated accounting procedures (e.g. split payments).

Timeframe: Work will be completed in Quarter 4, 2019 Each award recipient is expected to work for one week (~40 hours). This can be spread over the quarter, or be a one week block of work, depending on the task.

Number of Awards: Between 6-8 awards (depending on number of applications received and proposed PhD supervisors).

We look forward to receiving your topic by Friday 30^th August

The Research Committee

 

Poster Competition for the FoS Postgraduate Research Showcase

The 2019 Faculty of Science Postgraduate Research Showcase is coming up on 2-18 September 2019.

If you want to share your research with other scientists consider entering into this poster competition! As in previous years, there are significant prizes up for grabs, and the 20 best posters from Science will be entered into the 2019 PGSA Exposure poster competition (7-11 October) where you will be eligible to win further prizes.  The Faculty of Science Postgraduate Research Showcase will use the same judging criteria for posters as Exposure.

I will give a short presentation on tips for preparing your posters and will try to answer your Q&A regarding this competition on Monday Aug 19th, 11-11:30 in Room 302-G20.

There will be more information on poster preparation circulated soon, but the main dates are below.

Wednesday 28 August, 12pm |	CAI printing deadline
Thursday 29 August, 4pm |	Online registration and poster submission closes (posters should be submitted to the Science Student Centre)
09 – 16 September | Judging	Judging
Wednesday 18 September 4-6pm |	Prize giving function

Eligibility and rules: same as exposure (Exposure Eligibility and rules)

If you are a research masters or doctoral candidate and you have NOT submitted your thesis (including soft-bound), you are eligible to enter. Please click here to see more details.

Best,

Ludmila Adam

 

ENV Staff Research Forum – Philanthropic Funding: how does it work?

Thursday 26 September 2019 12.00-2.00 pm 

OGH, Federation of Graduate Women’s Suite (lunch provided at 1pm in the VC’s Suite)

Please come and join the second Research Forum of the School of Environment.

The Rangahau committee will host a 2-hour Strategic Research Forum on Thursday 26 September. We have invited two speakers to discuss philanthropic funding opportunities and how to shape research funding proposals.

• Kim Collins, Project Manager for Gulf Innovation Fund Together (GIFT), Foundation North.  Originally from Palmerston North, Kim attended secondary school in Auckland and has been a resident of Waiheke Island since 2004. Her academic background is in psychology and sociology where she developed an interest in supporting and inspiring positive community change. Through roles in Local Government and the not for profit sector Kim has over 15 years’ experience in grant making and working with community organisations. Through her work at Foundation North Kim has developed a strong passion for the environment and wants to help create a better planet for future generations.
• Anastasia Papadakis, Development Manager, Alumni Relations and Development. Anastasia is based in the Faculty of Science and plays a bridging role in profiling the University of Auckland to philanthropic funders and ensuring that Faculty of Science researchers are aware of philanthropic priorities and research opportunities. Anastasia plans to focus the presentation on the importance of pitching research ideas to donors interests.

Please RSVP here for catering purposes by Friday 13 September. Please send your apologies to Samantha (Samantha.huang@auckland.ac.nz).

 

School of Environment Research Awards Function

12 November, 11-1 pm, 302-140

Please book your calendar to attend the School of Environment Research Awards Function. A great opportunity to learn about the work and achievements of our colleagues and students. More information will follow soon.

Contact: melanie.kah@auckland.ac.nz

U21 Early Career Researcher Workshop – Water in Society

19-22 November 2019, Lund University, Sweden

The 2019 workshop theme ‘Water in Society’, aims to deepen participants’ understanding of how research impacts on water and sustainability through cross-disciplinary knowledge exchange, skills-sharing and networking. In order to achieve this, the three-day programme will include small group workshops, poster sessions by ECRs, talks by established researchers, and sessions with international and interdisciplinary perspectives on ‘Water in Society’

For further information please contact: internationalnetworks@auckland.ac.nz

 

Funding Opportunities

WUN RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT FUND (RDF)

The RDF provides grants of up to £10,000, for one year, to augment institutional funds in fostering research collaborations among academic staff (faculty members) at partner universities.  The RDF supports work across four WUN Global Challenges that lie at the heart of their mission:  Responding to Climate Change, Public Health (non-communicable diseases), Global Higher Education and Research, and Understanding Cultures.

Grants from the RDF are intended to help stimulate larger collaborative projects that will strengthen WUN and make the collaborating partners competitive for major awards.  Funds may be used to support such things as exploratory research initiatives, planning workshops, faculty exchanges and the formation of collaborative networks.

Further information (guidelines/proposal form/application process) can be located on the Networks-related funding page

Closing date: Monday 2 September – noon

 

New publications

1. Mark Costello has published papers in Science and Trends in Ecology and Evolution that argue (1) that it is unhelpful and counterproductive to exaggerate the biodiversity crisis as the recent IPBES assessment has done (click here to read the paper) and (2) that, despite hundreds of papers on the topic, that spatial connectivity is not something that conservation scientists need to worry in planning Marine Reserve networks (click here to read the paper).
2. Diego M Guido, Kathleen A Campbell, Frédéric Foucher and Frances Westall. (2019) Life is everywhere in sinters: examples from Jurassic hot-spring environments of Argentine Patagonia. Click here to read the paper.

 

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Ako – Teaching and Learning

Ako Innovation Teaching & Learning Seminar: Using LEGO to encourage collaboration in an educational environment

Friday 23rd August  ·  11-12pm  ·  Building 302, Room 551 (Ontology Lab)

In this interactive talk, Dr Ksenia Chmutina will reflect on her experience of using LEGO for teaching disaster risk reduction to a group of UG architecture and civil engineering students. The ‘Disaster Risk Reduction is Child’s Play’ project aimed at enhancing collaboration among students who would not traditionally work together in an educational environment – but are highly likely to collaborate in industry. Using LEGO and other modular toys has helped to encourage the dialogue among the students and between the students and staff in a problem-based context, and provided solutions to the challenges that multi-disciplinary group work usually faces.

From the learning perspective, the use of LEGO helped the students to define design as the process of investigating a problem and proposing creative responses through the application of modular models and to apply engineering and architectural knowledge as well as creativity and intuition. We have however discovered that architecture students, who are used to hands-on work, are much more willing to engage with using LEGO; civil engineering students did not feel as comfortable and required more encouragement. This reflected the challenge of the multi-stakeholder collaboration and highlighted that LEGO can help building the bridges between disciplines.

Dr Ksenia Chmutina

Senior Lecturer in Sustainable and Resilient Urbanism

School of Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering

Loughborough University, UK

 

Enquiries: Mel Wall m.wall@auckland.ac.nz

 

Talking Teaching Submission deadline extended to 25 August 

Talking Teaching is run by the Ako Aotearoa Tertairy Teaching Excellence Academy. The conference showcases excellent teaching practice from teachers across the tertiary sector.  It will be held in Auckland this year at Unitec, on Non 28 & 29, with the conference dinner at our Fale.  It is very reasonably priced at $250.00.

The theme this year is:  Diverse Learners, Inclusive Teaching.

Registrations are open now and abstract submissions is extended to Aug 25. All presentation formats are accepted – see their huge range of suggestions when you enter the website.

Very worthwhile for getting great teaching tips and ideas and networking with innovative tertiary teachers.

Click here for more information.

 

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Classifieds

Job vacancy:

Geography Technician

The School is seeking a Geography Technician to provide technical support to the maintenance and ongoing development of the School of Environment’s Geographical Information Systems (GIS) platforms and associated spatial data management.

This position will also support Human Geography research and teaching activities (including field trips) and provide more general technical support to the School’s Geography facilities including the ongoing functionality of the GeoComputation lab.

Click here to see the advert.

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Copy deadline for next edition of P-cubed: Friday 12:00 30th August, to Samantha: samantha.huang@auckland.ac.nz

HeadSup

Kia orana kōtou,

Great to see so many excellent activities going on in the School. We are trying to get a better system happening in p-cubed so you can click on a calendar entry for an event and get it into your e-calendar. Please bear with us this week while we are in transition – you will need to capture the things you want to do from the posts below.

Two events driven by our PG students are coming up – the Annual Ball, and a newbie, the Film Competition, which hopefully will become a regular event. There are some great prizes so take time to show your creative side and help us show the world what we do. Big ups to our PG geniuses for thinking of this one!

Also on the horizon – the Cumberland Lecture. Kennedy Warne, founding editor of NZ Geographic, will be speaking on a brilliant topic: Place as person, Landscape as identity. This one will be a highlight so don’t miss it.

The 3-year strategic plan is now in rough draft form – you can read it here. We still need to wordsmith it and catch a few omissions/updates. Thanks everyone who has contributed at short notice so far.

If you would like to comment on the draft strategic plan or make suggestions for changes, please send comments to me by email OR feel free to drop-in to the Level 6 common space for a conversation 12-1pm this Tuesday or 12.30-1.30 this Thursday. All feedback on this draft must be in by the end of this week.

Have a great couple of weeks.

Ngā mihi – JR

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Whakawhanaungatanga – communities

Cook Islands Language Week

Click on this link to find out more about Cook Islands Language Week Sunday 4 August – Saturday 10 August 2019

https://www.mpp.govt.nz/language-culture-and-identity/pacific-language-weeks/cook-islands-language-week/

Helpful Resources

We encourage you to speak, use, teach and learn Te Reo Māori Kuki Airani (Cook Islands Language), below are some helpful resources and links:

• 2019 Cook Islands Language Week poster
• 2019 Events Calendar
• Cook Islands Language fact sheet
• Cook Islands Language Educational Resource
• Pacific Language cards (includes all 7 Pacific Languages from our series)

Some more links:

https://my.christchurchcitylibraries.com/cook-islands-language-week/

https://www.mpp.govt.nz/assets/Uploads/Cook-Islands.pdf

The School of Environment Film Competition

For further information please see here.

Engagement Expo

The science student engagement expo on Thursday 18 July was attended by AUGA, where new students starting this semester were invited to join various clubs. We [AUGA] took this opportunity to show off some of the highlights from the past year, and to tease a few of the exciting events we have planned over the coming semester!

Here is a picture of AUGA member Thomas who spent the time talking to the new students

The School of Environment Ball

Save the date – the School of Environment Ball will be held on Saturday 12^th October. We have a team of students and staff working on planning this year’s ball. If you want to be involved please contact Joe on j.fagan@auckland.ac.nz

Cumberland Lecture

Place as person, landscape as identity: Traditional connection and modern legislation: 22 August, 5 pm, PLT2/303-G02

Kennedy Warne, founding editor of New Zealand Geographic, discusses the Whanganui River and Te Urewera legislation granting those geographical entities legal personhood, and reflects on his own evolving conversation with landscape. This will be a great seminar for everyone in the School – all welcome, bring a friend.

 

Safe Travel

We have been made aware of a recent legislative change which appears to raise the potential risk of working in Indonesia. The two links below highlight the issue. If you are aware of any researchers in your faculty who work in Indonesia, could you pass this information on to them. The provisions appear quite onerous and if we get this wrong quite punitive. It may be necessary to seek advice from our legal people before undertaking work there.

https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2019/07/16/house-passes-bill-imposing-criminal-charges-on-foreign-researchers-into-law.html

https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2019/07/indonesia-s-strict-new-biopiracy-rules-could-stifle-international-research

Space survey

This is to advise that Property Services’ Semester 2, 2019 room usage survey will be undertaken on 12-16 Aug for the City Campus. The following room types will be included in the survey:

• Flat-floored and tiered general teaching rooms,
• Meeting rooms of greater than 15 sq mtrs and other selected meeting rooms,
• Specialist teaching rooms with reasonable access,
• Student computer rooms,
• Drawing laboratories, music rooms and other studio spaces,
• Postgraduate offices and similar postgraduate facilities.

 The method of surveying will remain the same as for previous years with surveyors visiting each room on their list each hour between 8.00 am and 6.00 pm, Monday to Friday.

 As usual the surveyors will be provided with a name tag that they must wear at all times and will carry a letter confirming that they are undertaking the survey

New Hire – Senior Technician, Geochemistry

We are happy to announce that we have appointed a new Senior Technician to run our Electron Microprobe Facility.

David Adams will be migrating from Denver where he has been working with USGS; prior to that Macquarie University and the University of Western Australia.  David has extensive experience with running an Electron Microprobe (EPMA) laboratory, LA-ICP-MS, XRF and XRD.  His main role will be to oversee the installation of the new EPMA and to run the facility once established.  He will also be the Schools contact point for iLab, and a backup operator for the ICP-MS.

He tells me that he is looking forward to working with researchers and students again.

David will be joining the Technical team in September.

If you have any questions send Blair an email.

The 2019 Faculty of Science Postgraduate Research Showcase

The 2019 Faculty of Science Postgraduate Research Showcase is coming up on 2-18 September 2019.

Students who are currently enrolled in postgraduate study are eligible to enter their academic posters into this competition. As in previous years, there are significant prizes up for grabs, and the 20 best posters from Science will be entered into the 2019 PGSA Exposure poster competition (7-11 October) where they will be eligible to win further prizes. The Faculty of Science Postgraduate Research Showcase will use the same judging criteria for posters as Exposure.

The deadline for students to have registered online and submitted their posters to the Science Student Centre will be Thursday 29 August 4.00pm

In the coming week, we will send more information about how students can register and submit their posters, as well as providing details for workshops run by The Exposure Committee on creating engaging academic posters.

August Talatalanoa

We would like to invite you to attend the next Talatalanoa, held in the City Campus.

This session will present some of the amazing work that is going on in our facilities and an opportunity to Talanoa about key issues and concerns.

It is a great way to share and learn from each other – everyone is welcome!

Date: Thursday 8 August, 10am-11.30am

Room: Clock Tower 32 (105-032), Auckland Campus

For further information please see here.

Light refreshment will be provided . Please RSVP to Sonia at s.fonua@auckland.ac.nz

 

Travel Improvements Update – What you need to know?

As part of STC’s ongoing efforts to streamline the travel bookings and ensure efficiency,  we are pleased to advise that the travel booking and approval process has been under review, with a view to improve the user experience.  The aim is to reduce administrative re-work, delays and incurred costs when ticketing deadlines are missed, caused by late approvals. This review was triggered, following the ongoing negative feedback received from our customers.

SLT has agreed to rely on, and capture employee declarations that pre-approval has been confirmed before a purchase order is raised, thus allowing us to remove the secondary approval on Travel purchase orders and still be able to identify approvers of each travel requisition.

We have collaboratively worked with the Business Transformation Office on this improvement initiative and have engaged stakeholders across the organisation, creating awareness of the impending Travel improvements for the user’s experience of booking travel.

What you need to know and how will this impact you once we go live:

As part of the process improvements we have increased the PeopleSoft workflow approval limit to $15K.  Proof of pre-approved travel will be captured when submitting a request for travel to STC on the new AEM form by capturing the traveller’s line manager or DFA.  With no secondary approval required, we expect to see an immediate decrease in missed ticketing deadlines and administrative rework.  However, any travel above $15K will still require PeopleSoft secondary approval by the Delegated Financial Authority (DFA).

Through our stakeholder engagement across Group Services teams within Faculties and the DFF/DFO Cop Groups, we have instructed staff to ensure they have their localised approval processes ready, emphasing the need to enter the correct cost centre/project code on the PO form.   This will minimise the need for journal corrections.

All travellers/travel arrangers will notice the following process improvements for when they request a Travel PO to submit to STC:

• New digital PO Travel request form
• New Orbit email with improved messaging and a link straight to the new digital form located on the intranet portal page
• New Orbit Confirmation document replacing the preliminary itinerary which will be used to attach to the new Travel PO request form
• Increasing the PeopleSoft workflow secondary approval limit to $15K.  Any travel above $15K will still require PeopleSoft secondary approval
• Orbit will change the way they work moving forward, streamlining the amount of manual data input required at their end

What we would like you to do:

• We would like you and your Finance teams to continue to review your financial reporting for spikes in ‘travel associated costs’. Transaction reports can be made available to support the investigation, including reports from our vendor – Orbit
• The compliance team will increase background checks and the reporting will be enhanced to provide improved detective controls
• Travellers booking travel will need to obtain approval from their line manager or DFA upfront and capture this within your localised processes as this will be required on the PO form. There will be no need for approval attachments
• Emphasise the need to enter correct cost centres within your local process to minimise the need for journal corrections
• The only attachment required to submit a travel request to STC will be the new order confirmation that will replace the preliminary itinerary.

What next?

We have an indicative date (end of August 19) of when the changes will be implemented there will be communications going out prior to going live through a number of different channels.For any questions, do not hesitate to call STC and please note this communication is only intended for the Finance and Accounting Community.

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Rangahau – Research

New Research Programme Coordinator

Dr Kelly Kilpin will be starting as the new Research Programme Coordinator in the School of Environment on 5 August.  Kelly has a PhD in chemistry and has held postdoc positions at Otago University and at Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne in Switzerland.  She moved into research project management in 2014 managing large research grants at the University of Southampton.  Since Kelly returned to New Zealand this year, she has been working as a technical assistant at Massey University’s Albany campus.  Kelly is looking forward to joining the University of Auckland and assisting the School with its research support needs.

Researchers with queries in relation to National Science Challenge projects can continue to contact Amy Weir amy.weir@auckland.ac.nz.

Geology and Geophysics researchers, please contact Ivana Mlinac i.mlinac@auckland.ac.nz.

Research:

MBIE annual reports due in the MBIE Portal by 30 August

RSNZ Marsden rebuttals expected 14 – 28 August

Meetings, seminars and events

Are you having trouble finding the time or motivation to write?

Come and join us for some “Shut up and write” sessions at Te Tumu Herenga – Libraries and Learning services.

Our new “Shut up and write” workshops are scheduled fortnightly on a Tuesday morning in Kate Edger Information Commons, and provide a great opportunity to focus on those writing goals you need to get done, in the company of other folk doing the same thing.
Bring your keep cup for the tea/coffee breaks during the sessions.

The sessions are aimed at PhD students, but staff and other post-grad students are welcome as well.
You can book online at the workshops page.
(if the sessions look full, please do join the waitlist, as there tend to be spaces that open up closer to the dates)

A few days on Great Mercury Island- a recent research trip by Paul Augustinus

For further reading please see here.

Volcanology, Geochemistry, & Petrology Research Group

The volcanology, geochemistry, & petrology research group (VGP) meets every other week during the semester. Our next meeting will be on 8 August from 12 to 1 in 302-130. (Note the time and location change from last semester!) Phil will be giving a talk entitled “Mantle influence on magmatism at arc volcanoes: can we see it,” and Ian will be presenting after. For more information, please see our website: vgp.blogs.auckland.ac.nz See you soon!

Disaster Prevention and Management Seminar Series

The Disaster Prevention and Management Seminar Series would like to welcome your attendance on the 19th of August, 1 to 4 pm, in the Ontology Lab (302-551) of the University of Auckland city campus (map attached here).

Ksenia Chmutina (Loughborough University), Loïc Le Dé (Auckland University of Technology), Jake Rom Cadag (University of the Philippines Diliman), and Anthony Gampell (The University of Auckland) will be presenting alternative approaches to participatory mapping for disaster risk reduction. This seminar will include hands-on and playful activities for everyone to experience these creative ways of mapping disaster risk.

Details of the seminar can be found here. 

Green Building Certification and the Sustainable City

Arnaud Besse-Ciller (PhD Proposal)

Date/time: Tuesday 6 August,  12:00pm

Location: B302-130

For further information please see here.

Do we under-estimate the social complexity of pest eradications on habited offshore islands?  Learning from national and international eradication cases.

Speaker: Marie McEntee

Date/time: Tuesday 20^th August, from 4.00pm to 5.30pm.

Location: Ontology (302-551)

For further reading please see the NZGS Auck_newsletter August 2019.

A quantitative analysis of the characteristics of the urban boundary layer in an area of complex coastal terrain: Implications for air pollution

Hannah Marley (PhD Proposal)

Date/time: Tuesday 6 August, 1:00pm

Location: Room 302-130

For further information please see here.

Funding Opportunities

RSNZ Catalyst Leaders and Catalyst Seeding

This Catalyst Leaders round is to support excellent PhD students and/or young researchers to attend the HOPE meetings with Nobel Laureates in Japan in 2020.

The Catalyst Seeding round funds new small and medium pre-research strategic partnerships that cannot be supported through other means under three programmes:

• Seeding General ($80,000 in total for up to two years);
• Dumont d’Urville NZ-France Science & Technology Support Programme ($80,000 in total for up to two years);
• NZ – Japan Joint Research Project ($ 30,000 per year for up to two years)

Application due to Research Programme Coordinator and Funds & Submissions by 5pm Tuesday 8 October 2019.

Information on Catalyst Funds and Leaders guidelines and  Seeding guidelines here.

Whaitaketia o Rangahau ki te Ao Māori – Assessing research relevant to Māori

He whakatauki: “Mā te rongo, ka mōhio; mā te mōhio, ka mārama; mā te mārama, ka mātau; mā te mātau, ka ora”

“Through resonance comes cognisance, through cognisance comes understanding, through understanding comes knowledge, through knowledge comes life and well-being”

The purpose of the WORK dens are to provide a ‘think tank’ opportunity for researchers. Please view this as a time to express where your research will be a feature. An opportunity to discuss your idea(s) with Vision Mātauranga advisors and work together to identify ways in how Vision Mātauranga can benefit from your idea(s).

The WORK dens will be held on Thursday 8^th August 10am-12pm and Friday 9^th August 1pm-3pm. Each session will last 30 minutes and will be an informal discussion. You are welcome to bring other members of your team to your session.

To ensure the time is useful for all involved, you will need to prepare a brief outline of your idea. Your outline should show (or say) how your idea will benefit or contribute to Māori. The outline should be at a minimum a paragraph long, with a maximum of half a page.

This is an opportunity for you to safely ‘test the waters’ with your understanding/knowledge of Vision Mātauranga. If you are interested click here to pick a day and time.

Any questions feel free to email us on vmresponsiveness.science@auckland.ac.nz

MBIE Unlocking Curious Minds

Unlocking Curious Minds is a contestable fund that supports innovative, quality projects which provide more New Zealanders with opportunities to learn about and engage with science and technology.

Registration due in the MBIE Portal by 12 noon Thursday 15 August 2019.  If you do not register your project by this date, you cannot start or submit a proposal.

Application due to Research Programme Coordinator and Funds & Submissions by 5pm Tuesday 3 September 2019.

Information and guidelines: Unlocking Curious Minds

New publications

1. Robin Kearns has recently published, with R Foley (Ireland), B Wheeler (England) and T Kistemann (Germany) Blue Space, Health and  Wellbeing: Hydrophilia Unbounded  (Routledge: London & New York)https://www.routledge.com/Blue-Space-Health-and-Wellbeing-Hydrophilia-Unbounded/Foley-Kearns-Kistemann-Wheeler/p/book/9780815359142
2. Itrax μ‐XRF core scanning for rapid tephrostratigraphic analysis: a case study from the Auckland Volcanic Field maar lakes
   Leonie Peti, Patricia S. Gadd, Jenni L. Hopkins, Paul C. Augustinus
   Journal of Quaternary Science. https://doi.org/10.1002/jqs.3133
   https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jqs.3133
3. Coote, A., Shane, P., Fu, B. 2019. Olivine phenocryst origins and mantle magma sources for monogenetic basalt volcanoes in northern New Zealand from textural, geochemical and d18O isotope data. Lithos 344-345, 232-246, doi.org/10.1016/j.lithos.2019.06.026
4. Boswijk, G., Fowler, A. 2019. Dendroprovenancing: A preliminary assessment of potential to geo-locate kauri timbers in northern New Zealand. Dendrochronologia 57, 125611, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dendro.2019.125611.
5. Bertin, D., Lindsay, J.M., Becerril, L., Cronin, S.J. & Bertin, L.J. MatHaz: a Matlab code to assist with probabilistic spatio-temporal volcanic hazard assessment in distributed volcanic fields. Journal of Applied Volcanology 8:4.https://rdcu.be/bKV2v

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Ako – Teaching and Learning

Māori and Pacific – Future of Tech Event

Discover where your degree and your cultural perspective can take you in the STEM industry!

Date/time: Thursday 15 August, 5-8pm

Location: Unleash Space, Faculty of Engineering Building, Room 402-433

Book your place on the event page on MyCDES

Talofa lava, Bula Vinaka, Fakaalofa lahi atu, Fakatalofa atu, Kia orana, Mālō e lelei, Mālō nī, Kia orana and warm Pacific greetings to you all.

The CDES team would like to invite you all to our very first Māori and Pacific STEM event! This is a fantastic opportunity to hear about the range of career pathways across different organisations and understand the realities of work-life in the STEM industry! You will hear from a diverse panel of Māori and Pacific speakers who will share their career journey and the challenges they face in the STEM industry, followed by networking.

Come and hear from Air New Zealand, Microsoft, Xero, Fisher & Paykel Healthcare, Suncorp NZ, rhipe and Watercare!

If you have any questions about this event, please email Pepe Afeaki: p.afeaki@auckland.ac.nz

Ako Innovation Teaching & Learning Seminar:
Using LEGO to encourage collaboration in an educational environment

Date/time: Friday 23rd August · 11-12pm

Location: Building 302, Room 551 (Ontology Lab)

In this interactive talk, Dr Ksenia Chmutina will reflect on her experience of using LEGO for teaching disaster risk reduction to a group of UG architecture and civil engineering students. The ‘Disaster Risk Reduction is Child’s Play’ project aimed at enhancing collaboration among students who would not traditionally work together in an educational environment – but are highly likely to collaborate in industry. Using LEGO and other modular toys has helped to encourage the dialogue among the students and between the students and staff in a problem-based context, and provided solutions to the challenges that multi-disciplinary group work usually faces.

From the learning perspective, the use of LEGO helped the students to define design as the process of investigating a problem and proposing creative responses through the application of modular models and to apply engineering and architectural knowledge as well as creativity and intuition. We have however discovered that architecture students, who are used to hands-on work, are much more willing to engage with using LEGO; civil engineering students did not feel as comfortable and required more encouragement. This reflected the challenge of the multi-stakeholder collaboration and highlighted that LEGO can help building the bridges between discipline

Dr Ksenia Chmutina Senior Lecturer in Sustainable and Resilient Urbanism, School of Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering, Loughborough University, UK

Enquiries: Mel Wall m.wall@auckland.ac.nz

Secondary School Unit Standards for Earth and Space Science

Martin has kindly placed a load of resources for high school Earth and space sciences here:

S:\env\Share\Secondary School Unit Standards Earth and Space Science

Included are exemplars of student work, unit standards, scholarship exam etc. This is a good place to look if you want to understand the educational context of this discipline.

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Classifieds

Job vacancy: Research Assistant for natural hazard research projects (Jan Lindsay)

I am seeking a full-time Research Assistant to work with me on a number of major research projects. The position is for 1 year, starting ASAP, with the possibility of renewal. The successful candidate will become part of the project management teams of both the Determining Volcanic Risk in Auckland (DEVORA) project and the Urban Theme of the Resilience to Natures Challenges National Science Challenge. They will also assist me with tasks related to the International Working Group on Volcanic Hazard Maps. I would also be open to two people sharing this role at 0.5 FTE each.

Main tasks would fall in the areas of communication and outreach (including website maintenance), database management, organisation of meetings and workshops, research and field assistance, and project management support. The candidate(s) should ideally have a bachelors or a postgraduate degree in a relevant field (e.g. Earth Sciences, Geography, Environmental Science, Communication) and some research experience. Candidates should have excellent organisational and oral and written communication skills, and ideally a good understanding of the natural hazard risk research environment in New Zealand. Project management, science communication and stakeholder engagement experience would be desirable, as would experience with Vision Mātauranga and engaging with Māori.

For more information please visit https://drive.google.com/open?id=1CfT6W8qwpfU4Z6qSnam8U9gJm4bBifZc

Or email Jan Lindsay j.lindsay@auckland.ac.nz

Please apply by emailing a Cover letter and CV to Jan Lindsay by Monday 19^th August.

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Copy deadline for next edition of P-cubed: Friday 12:00 16th August, to Samantha: samantha.huang@auckland.ac.nz