Alert Newsletter 699

Posted: Thu, 15 Dec 2011 under Alert Newsletter

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1. Fellows appointed as Distinguished Professors

Ten Fellows of the Royal Society of New Zealand have been appointed as Distinguished Professors in the University of Auckland, effective from 1 January 2012. 

The new Distinguished Professors are:

  • Professor Bruce Baguley ONZM FRSNZ, Co-Director, Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre
  • Professor Debes Bhattacharyya FRSNZ, Dept of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering
  • Professor John Boys FRSNZ, Dept of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Faculty of Engineering
  • Professor Margaret Brimble MNZM FRSNZ, Dept of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Science
  • Professor Marston Conder FRSNZ, Dept of Mathematics, Faculty of Science
  • Professor Stephen Davies FRSNZ FNZAH, Dept of Philosophy, Faculty of Arts
  • Professor William Denny ONZM FRSNZ, Co-Director, Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre
  • Professor Richard Faull ONZM FRSNZ, Dept of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences
  • Professor Jane Harding ONZM FRSNZ, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research)
  • Professor Ian Reid FRSNZ, Acting Dean, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences 

Also appointed as Distinguished Professors are: 

  • Professor Roderick Ellis, Dept of Applied Language Studies and Linguistics, Faculty of Arts
  • Professor Peter Phillips, Dept of Economics, Faculty of Business and Economics
  • Professor Viviane Robinson, Dept of Teaching, Learning and Development, Faculty of Education

2. 2011 Prime Minister’s Science Prizes announcement, 16 December

The 2011 Prime Minister’s Science Prizes will be announced on Friday 16 December at an awards ceremony at the Royal NZ Yacht Squadron in Auckland. For photos and information on this year’s recipients please visit the website www.pmscienceprizes.org.nz/ on the afternoon of 16December.

3. Professor Robert Glennon visiting New Zealand in February 2012

Professor Robert Glennon, author and Professor of Public Law and Policy at the University of Arizona, is visiting New Zealand in February to raise public awareness on water related issues and give a view on the problems that have arisen in the US. 

He will be giving public lectures on:

  • Wednesday 1 February in Hamilton, Concert Chamber, Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts
  • Wednesday 8 February in Wellington, Rutherford House Lecture Theatre 1, Pipitea Campus, Bunny Street
  • Thursday 9 February in Christchurch, University of Canterbury (venue to be confirmed) 

More details will be available in Alert in the New Year.

4. 2012 Leonard Cockayne Memorial Lecture Tour

The Leonard Cockayne Memorial Lecturer for 2012 is Professor Kevin Gould, Professor of Plant Biology, School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington. His presentation is entitled: “Ever green but seeing red? Deciphering the palette of New Zealand’s flora”.

Here is the itinerary for lecture tour (times and venues will be advised in the New Year):

  • Hamilton: Wednesday, 7 March
  • Auckland: Thursday, 8 March
  • Nelson: Tuesday, 13 March
  • Otago: Thursday, 14 March
  • Wellington: Wednesday, 21 March
  • Hawke’s Bay: Thursday, 22 March
  • Rotorua: Tuesday, 27 March
  • Canterbury: Wednesday, 28 March 

Read more about the Leonard Cockayne Memorial Lecture.

5. 2012 R. H. T. Bates Postgraduate Scholarship

The 2012 R. H. T. Bates Postgraduate Scholarship has been awarded to Tim Angeli, a PhD candidate at the Auckland Bioengineering Institute, University of Auckland, whose research focuses on recording and imaging the bioelectrical activity of the small intestine.  The contractions of the small intestine are governed and coordinated by an underlying electrical activity.  Tim uses spatially dense arrays of hundreds of electrodes to simultaneously record this electrical activity from the small intestine in-vivo, in order to visualise and characterise the electrical activity in high spatiotemporal detail.  His research goal is to improve the knowledge and understanding of intestinal electrical activity in health and disease, with a future aim of providing therapeutic gain through improved diagnostic and treatment options for patients suffering from intestinal disorders. 

The scholarship, tenable at any New Zealand university for one year, is available to graduates who are registered for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Physical Sciences and Engineering. 

6. “Ever Wondered?” television series, snapshots from series two

In 2011 a second series of the television show “Ever Wondered?” was produced out of the partnership between TVNZ 7 and the Royal Society of New Zealand. The series showcased the work of New Zealand scientists and the direct relevance of their work to people’s lives. Watch the video which has excerpts from some of the 10 episodes produced.

7. ‘The Power of Open’ – Creative Commons Annual Campaign

The 2011 Creative Commons Annual Campaign is officially on. This campaign is important for Creative Commons as a global network (and ultimately for CC in NZ) and we encourage Aotearoa supporters to get involved. Check out what CC has in store for donators… 

Creative Commons is a project of the Royal Society of New Zealand. 

8. FUSIONZ website for science, technology, humanities jobs

This week, Fusionz has 5 vacancies for jobs. The latest jobs are:

  • Senior Scientist – Microbiologist: Institute of Environmental Science and Research Ltd, Christchurch
  • Landcare Research Senior Fellowship: Landcare Research, Christchurch
  • Ross Beever Memorial Fellowship: Landcare Research, Auckland
  • Academic Staff Member (Microbiology / Biochemistry / Food Technology ): Wintec, Hamilton
  • Chief Executive: Cawthron Institute, Nelson 

For more information and to list your vacancy – http://fusionz.royalsociety.org.nz/

9. SCANZ 2012 conference, 22-23 February 2012, Te Papa, Wellington

The theme of the 2012 Science Communicators of New Zealand (SCANZ) conference is ‘21st century communications for 21st century science’.

The conference will offer a mix of high quality presentations, workshops, panel discussions and networking opportunities to an expected 120+ journalists, communicators for science and innovation organisations, scientists, academics and students. 

Registration costs $240 for SCANZ members ($300 for non-members.) Full details of the conference programme will be available soon on at – www.scanz.co.nz/conference-2012.html

10. 13th Annual NZ Early Childhood Research Conference, 26 – 28 January 2012, Wellington

This inter-disciplinary conference focuses on New Zealand research in the early years of child development and learning, professional development and parent support.  Student discount is available.  A one-day registration option is available.  For more information and to register go to www.childforum.com

11. Earlybird registrations close Thursday 15 December at 5pm for the  
Asia Pacific Science Policy Studies Research Conference – Wellington 8-10 February  2012 

This conference, the first of its kind in New Zealand, explores how science policy is developed and implemented, and how scientific knowledge is used in the policy process and decision-making by governments and industry.  

The conference will consider the broad sweep of social research on the relationships between science (including social science) and policy decision-making for national wellbeing through science, technology and innovation. 

The programme offers a compelling line up of keynote addresses, contributed papers, events focused on indigenous contributions to science policy studies, and interactive  opportunities. Contributed papers from across the Asia-Pacific region have been accepted from multiple disciplines and paper sessions will be guided by knowledgeable chairs. Find out more at http://www.sps2012.org.nz/ Register at  www.sps2012.org.nz/registration.asp 

12. Tim Flannery giving Writers & Readers Week keynote address at Wellington Town Hall, Friday 9 March

Bookings are now open to hear internationally acclaimed scientist, explorer and environmentalist, Tim Flannery, opening Writers & Readers Week, 9 March 2012.

Few people are more passionate or knowledgeable about the natural world than 2007 Australian of the Year Tim Flannery.  He is chairman of the Copenhagen Climate Council and has written over a dozen books including his award-winning bestsellers The Future Eaters: An Ecological History of the Australasian Lands and People and The Weather Makers: The History and Future Impact of Climate Change.  His more recent Here On Earth: An Argument for Hope charts the history of life on our planet and is an extraordinary exploration of evolution and sustainability.  Tim Flannery’s session is hosted by David Young. 

When: Friday 9 March 6.30 – 7.30pm

Where: Wellington Town Hall

Tickets: $33 / Bookmark Pass & Friends $28 

Book in person at Ticketek outlets or online: www.ticketek.co.nz  or by phone: 0800 Ticketek (842 538). Booking fees may apply. For more information visit: http://festival.co.nz/writers-and-readers/town-hall-talks-tim-flannery/

13. ‘Here Comes the Sun’, Carter Observatory Wellington, summer schedule 

Children are invited to take part in a mystery summer trail at Carter Observatory these holidays, searching through the multi-media space galleries for the hidden Sun during 17 December to 29 January. While visiting they can board the new Tūhura Module to navigate to far away planets and explore what life would be like as an astronaut. Find out what astronauts eat and even how they wash their hair. 

Summer is celebrated with Sun-themed space activities during the week from 9 – 27 January. Families are also invited to the Solstice Celebration on the evening of 21 December where they can explore our local stars. Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve late nights at Carter Observatory also offer a special evening for families with the multi-media centre open until 9.30pm on these nights and if the weather is clear the telescope will be open for searching the stars. 

For more information please contact Carter Observatory on tel. 910 3140, or refer to www.carterobservatory.org

14. Our Changing World, Thursday 9.00 pm, Radio New Zealand National

Alison Ballance, Veronika Meduna and Ruth Beran http://radionz.co.nz/ourchangingworld email ourchangingworld@radionz.co.nz Ph (04) 474 1910. 

Natural history writer Neville Peat talks with Alison Ballance about seabird scientist Lance Richdale, who carried out pioneering long-term studies on royal albatrosses and yellow-eyed penguins on the Otago Peninsula in the 1930s and 1940s. 

More than 25 years ago ‘citizen scientist’ David Randle found a thriving population of peripatus, sometimes known as velvet worms, on his bush-covered Dunedin property, part of which is now needed for a road-widening project. Alison Ballance meets David and University of Otago ecologist Henrik Moller to hear about the values, benefits and challenges of urban conservation. 

At the Simulation Centre for Patient Safety, healthcare students and staff train on mannequins to learn a range of real-life skills. Ruth Beran goes to the University of Auckland’s Tamaki campus where Jane Torrie takes her on a tour. 

Shorter science, health and environment features also air during Afternoons with Jim Mora at 3.35 p.m., Monday to Thursday. The programme is repeated at 1.10 a.m. on Sunday mornings. 

You can download a podcast or listen to streaming audio of programmes you’ve missed in the complete programme archive at: http://radionz.co.nz/ourchangingworld

 15. Follow the Royal Society of New Zealand on Facebook and Twitter

Get timely updates from the Royal Society of New Zealand team via our Facebook and Twitter channels. 

 
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