On this page:
- 1. Professor Chris Stringer: ‘Origin of our species, Neanderthals and the Early Human Occupation of Britain and Europe’, February
- 2. Prime Minister’s Science Prizes announced for 2011
- 3. FUSIONZ website for science, technology, humanities jobs
- 4. Speaking tour by Jonathan Watts: ‘Let’s learn environmental lessons from China’, March/April
- 5. Registration now available for National Landcare and Catchment Management Conference, 29 February -1 March 2012
- 6. “Sea-Level Rise: Meeting the Challenge” – New Zealand Climate Change Centre Conference 10-11 May 2012, Wellington
- 7. Our Changing World, Thursday 9.00 pm, Radio New Zealand National
- 8. Follow the Royal Society of New Zealand on Facebook and Twitter
1. Professor Chris Stringer: ‘Origin of our species, Neanderthals and the Early Human Occupation of Britain and Europe’, February
Professor Chris Stringer answers some of the big questions: How can we define modern humans, and how can we recognise our beginnings in the fossil and archaeological record? How can we accurately date fossils, including ones beyond the range of radiocarbon dating? Has human evolution stopped, or are we still evolving? What can we expect from future research on our origins?
Professor Chris Stringer is in New Zealand by invitation of the Allan Wilson Centre for Molecular Ecology and Evolution. The Centre is interested in these and other questions about human migration and the origin, evolution and identity of New Zealand people, plants and animals.
Professor Stringer’s public talks are supported by the Royal Society of New Zealand. Details for booking tickets will be available in January on the Royal Society of New Zealand website.
Auckland, 6.00 pm 22 February, Auckland Museum Events Centre
Christchurch, 6.30 pm 23 February, Central Lecture Block, University of Canterbury
Dunedin, 6.00 pm 24 February, St David’s Lecture Theatre, University of Otago
Wellington, 5.30 pm for 6.00 pm start, 25 February, Embassy Theatre, Courtenay Place ($15 including glass of wine, $10 for students and Royal Society members)
2. Prime Minister’s Science Prizes announced for 2011
The winners of the 2011 round of the Prime Minister’s Science Prizes were announced last week.
To find out more about the 2011 Prize winners, view their profile:
- The Prime Minister’s Science Prize is awarded to an individual or team who has made a transformative discovery or achievement that has had a significant impact on New Zealand or internationally: NIWA – Otago University Chemical and Physical Oceanography team led by Professor Philip Boyd.
- The Prime Minister’s MacDiarmid Emerging Scientist Prize is awarded to an emerging scientist who is carrying out leading edge science: Dr Rob McKay, Victoria University of Wellington
- The Prime Minister’s Science Teacher Prize goes to a science teacher for outstanding achievement in teaching Science: Dr Angela Sharples, Rotorua Boys’ High School
- The Prime Minister’s Future Scientist Prize is awarded to a secondary school student for outstanding achievement in carrying out a practical and innovative research or technology project: Nuan-Ting Huang, Diocesan School for Girls
- The Prime Minister’s Science Media Communication Prize is awarded to a practising scientist who is an effective communicator, to further develop their knowledge of science media communication: Dr Mark Quigley, University of Canterbury
3. FUSIONZ website for science, technology, humanities jobs
This week, Fusionz has 6 vacancies for jobs. The latest jobs are:
- Quantitative Scientist: Dragonfly Science, Wellington
- Post-Doctoral Fellow/Research Fellow – Physical Chemist: The University of Auckland
- 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
- Chief Executive: Cawthron Institute, Nelson
For more information and to list your vacancy – http://fusionz.royalsociety.org.nz/
4. Speaking tour by Jonathan Watts: ‘Let’s learn environmental lessons from China’, March/April
China faces major environmental challenges with fossil fuel pollution, water shortages and deforestation tied to its extraordinary economic growth. New Zealand is torn by coal mining debates and must deal with inland water pollution and loss of native forests.
Jonathan Watts, Guardian Asia correspondent and author of ‘When a Billion Chinese Jump’, will visit New Zealand in March/April 2012 for a national speaking tour. He will talk about the dramatic impact of people and industry on China’s environment and the lessons – and opportunities – for New Zealand.
Jonathan’s New Zealand tour has been organised and paid for by commercial cleaning franchise Paramount Services, which is striving to create more environmentally responsible and sustainable workplaces. For example, Paramount has a goal of Zero Waste to Landfill from client sites.
The ticket price of $35 (incl.GST) for all events includes beer, wine or non-alcoholic drink and canapes.
Auckland – Thursday, 29March, 6 pm, Westpac on Takutai, Level 9, 16 Takutai Square, Britomart, Auckland.
Taupo – Friday, 30March, 5.30 pm, NZ Clean Energy Centre, 223 State Highway 5.
Wellington – Monday, 2April, 5.30 pm, The Theatrette, Massey University, Museum Building, Buckle Street.
Christchurch – Wednesday, 4 April, 5.30 pm, Balmerino Room, Riccarton Park, Function Centre, 165 Racecourse Road, Upper Riccarton.
Tickets can be purchased through www.eventfinder.co.nz Proceeds will go to the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand.
5. Registration now available for National Landcare and Catchment Management Conference, 29 February -1 March 2012
NZ Landcare Trust will host a two day conference at the Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts, University of Waikato Campus, Hamilton. A secure online registration facility is available, with early bird discount in place until the end of January.
The innovative programme explores issues that are of interest to community volunteers and scientists alike. Members of the science community will find many sessions useful including workshops such as ‘A New Future for Landcare? Collaborative Partnerships with Local Government, Agribusiness and Science.’
In addition the viability of institutional partnerships will be explored along with commercial opportunities associated with sustainable land and water management. Landcare and catchment management will also be considered at an international level with several speakers offering this wider perspective.
If you are interested in community involvement with land and water management you should attend this conference. Find out more about the conference at http://www.landcare.org.nz/Conference register at http://www.landcare.org.nz/What-s-On?eventID=3
6. “Sea-Level Rise: Meeting the Challenge” – New Zealand Climate Change Centre Conference 10-11 May 2012, Wellington
Demand for science-based advice to assist coastal planning for sea-level rise due to climate change is growing. In light of this the New Zealand Climate Change Centre (NZCCC) invites you to attend a conference focussing on sea-level rise and addressing associated coastal planning challenges.
The conference will include keynote speakers from overseas and New Zealand as well as case study examples illustrating how sea-level rise projections have been incorporated into coastal planning. The conference will provide ample opportunity for interaction between attendees through panel and breakout group discussions.
Further information, including details of how to register will be made available from late February 2012 but in the meantime, please save 10-11 May 2012 in your diary for the NZCCC Conference 2012 “Sea-Level Rise: Meeting the Challenge.”
Contact Richard Nottage (NZCCC) for additional information or to note your interest in the conference: r.nottage@nzclimatechangecentre.org (04 386 0327) or visit www.nzclimatechangecentre.org/events
7. 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 Tel (04) 474 1910.
The winner of this year’s Prime Minister’s Science prize is the team from the Centre for Chemical and Physical Oceanography, a joint venture between NIWA and the University of Otago. Alison Ballance talks with three members of the team about their work and the value of inter-disciplinary ocean research.
The winner of the Prime Minister’s Future Scientist Prize is Nuan-Ting Huang, a final-year student at Auckland’s Diocesan School, who investigated the effects of high-level concentration on pupil size and whether certain mental tasks contribute to the development of short-sightedness.
Alan Cooper is a Kiwi who directs the Australian Centre for Ancient DNA at the University of Adelaide. Alison Ballance caught up with him at the recent Geosciences Society Conference to find out about one of his recent research successes – recreating mammoth haemoglobin using ancient DNA preserved in 40,000 year old bones.
Michael Corballis, Professor Emeritus of psychology at the University of Auckland, has two new books out this year, in both of which he explores the intricacies of the human mind. He tells Veronika Meduna what he believes is the essence of being human.
To mark the International Year of Chemistry, knitters from throughout New Zealand, and some from overseas, joined forces to produce a woollen version of the periodic table of elements.
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
8. 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.
