Alert Newsletter 727

Posted: Thu, 26 Jul 2012 under Alert Newsletter, News

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1. Congratulations to our Fellows

This week congratulations are in order for three Royal Society of New Zealand Fellows. 

Professor Peter Schwerdtfeger, Centre for Theoretical Chemistry and Physics (CTCP) The New Zealand Institute for Advanced Study (NZIAS), Massey University Auckland, has been elected into the International Academy of Quantum Molecular Science and is the first from New Zealand.  

The Academy is composed of persons chosen amongst the scientists of all countries for the value of their scientific work, their role as pioneer or leader of a school, and their contribution to the advancement of quantum molecular sciences. There are about 100 members, including some Nobel Prize winners.

Archaeologist, Professor Charles Higham, University of Otago, has been awarded the Grahame Clark medal for 2012 by the British Academy, the national academy for the humanities and social sciences, which awards the medal every two years.

The medal recognises his excavation work in Southeast Asia where he has sought to understand the origins of civilisations over two decades, in particular, Angkor. 

Professor Alan Musgrave, a leading philosopher and historian of science, is the latest recipient of the University of Otago’s highest research honour, the Distinguished Research Medal.

The University awards the medal for outstanding scholarly achievement, including the discovery and dissemination of new knowledge, the development of innovative technology, or the development of concepts that lead to significant advances.

Professor Musgrave’s chief interests are the theory of knowledge and the history and philosophy of science. He has been a steadfast and influential defender of the theses of scientific rationality and scientific realism against competing schools of thought, such as post-structuralism.

2. Talking Heads ‘Paradise Regained’ – Dame Anne Salmond

The 2012 Talking Heads series continues on Radio New Zealand National on Sunday 29 July at 4pm, repeated 9pm Tuesday 31 July.

This week the lecture is from Dame Anne Salmond FRSNZ, Professor of Maori Studies, The University of Auckland.  

This talk explores the possibility of a new Enlightenment that recaptures the wide-ranging curiosity of the early scientists that arrived in New Zealand, while transcending ‘Western’ modernity by drawing upon other intellectual traditions.  This includes the relational thinking characteristic of Maori and other Pacific life worlds, opening up new futures.

If you missed the first lecture of the series from Professor Sir Peter Gluckman, Prime Minister’s Science Advisor, on how science can help New Zealand make faster progress towards greater prosperity, listen on-line.

3. Entries open for Manhire Prize for Creative Science Writing, closes 5 October

Entries are now open for the Royal Society of New Zealand Manhire Prize for Creative Science Writing.

The inspiration this year is ‘the Transit of Venus – one day in 1769 the future of Aotearoa arrived quite unexpectedly, from the East, and in a form undreamt of. Just as it had some six centuries before. What future is on the horizon now?’

Entries from 1,000 – 2,500 words in the fiction or creative non-fiction categories are sought by 5 October 2012.

For more information, visit the webpage.

4. IPCC Climate Change Mitigation Assessment – Expert Review of First Order Draft

The first-order draft of the Working Group III volume of the IPCC’s Fifth Assessment Report is undergoing global expert review from 20 July – 14 September 2012.

The Working Group III report contains 16 chapters related to mitigation of climate change. These chapters fall under the following four broad headings:

  • Introduction
  • Framing Issues
  • Pathways for Mitigating Climate Change
  • Assessment of Policies, Institutions and Finance.

Interested experts are invited to submit review comments on this first-order draft, which will assist the author teams to identify and correct any errors and to make sure that the report is comprehensive and balanced in its treatment of available published scientific information and uncertainties.

Interested experts are invited to register at: www.ipcc-wg3.de/ar5review/registration/

Once registered, they will be sent details on how to access the draft and submit review comments.

Please note that the assessment is still in draft form and has not been accepted or approved by the Panel. The WGIII First Order Draft is provided for the sole purpose of review; thus reviewers must preserve confidentiality of the chapters at all times and should not distribute them.  The chapter authors will produce a revised draft following the review period, taking into account the full range of comments they receive. This “Second Order Draft” will then undergo a further round of Government and Expert review.

5. Branch event: ‘Energy in NZ: The Past, the Present, and the Future’, 8 August, Christchurch

The Canterbury Branch of the Royal Society of New Zealand hosts a talk by Emeritus Professor Arthur Williamson, rescheduled from June, when it was cancelled due to snow.

The lecture will look at three aspects of New Zealand’s activity in the energy field:

  1. the past – what was done during the oil crises of the 1970s
  2. the current situation looking at our energy demand
  3. the future in terms of what we might do to achieve energy independence and sustainability of supply covering both energy sources and some energy use technologies.

Details: 7:30pm Wednesday 8 August, E9 Lecture Theatre, University of Canterbury. All welcome.

6. Branch event: ‘Crop Circles – the Astronomical Connection’, 2 August, Nelson

The Nelson Science Society Astronomy Section presents Barry Korcheski on ‘Crop Circles – The Astronomical Connection.’

Barry Korcheski is an avid amateur astronomer and has taken courses in astronomy at the University of Toronto and cosmology at Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada.  Barry has been based in Nelson for over 10 years and keeps in touch with the latest developments in astronomy, cosmology and astrophysics.  Barry has been fascinated by the ever increasing number and complexity of crop circles and how they relate to astronomy.  

Details: 7.30pm Thursday 2 August, Cawthron building on Milton St.

7. FUSIONZ website for science, technology, humanities jobs

This week, Fusionz has 1 vacancies for jobs. The latest jobs are:

  • Lecturer/Senior Lecturer in Physiology (2 Confirmation-Path positions) University of Otago, Dunedin

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

8. Research management workshops, 13 – 14 August, Hamilton

Registrations are open until 6 August for RaDMAN’s ‘Research Grantsmanship’ and ’Financial Management of Research’ workshops in Hamilton on 13 and 14 August respectively. The venue will be the new Claudelands Event Centre.

Offered publicly for the first time in New Zealand, the grantsmanship workshop covers the development of strategies for funding research projects and programmes, best practice in grant writing skills and submission and review processes in competitive grants.

The financial management workshop explores best practice in the budgeting, monitoring, reporting and risk management of research projects and programmes.

The programme will suit research advisors and support staff, mid-career researchers, research administrators, research project and programme managers, unit and cost centre managers, consultants, grants officers and financial administrators. These roles may be at central, departmental or divisional level in research-intensive organisations or research sponsoring agencies.

Subject matter experts will be contributing to each event, including:

  • Dr Lora Hagemann (AgResearch’s Science Strategist and Business Manager (Government) for many years)
  • Mark Loeffen (Managing Director, Mark Loefffen & Associates)
  • Dr Greg Pringle (Director, R&D Management Pty Ltd)

Registration can be made for either or both of these workshops. For those wishing to register for both, the second workshop is offered at half price. Please note that numbers are limited – registrations will be confirmed on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. Register at www.researchmanagement.co.nz/research/events.php

9. Todd Foundation Post-Graduate Scholsarship in Energy Research, closes 1 September

The Todd Foundation’s post-graduate scholarship in Energy Research is open for applications from PhD candidates.  The scholarship is administered by Universities NZ.

  • Value: $25,000 per year for up to three years. Additionally $3,000 is available for attendance at an appropriate conference and co-tenure is considered
  • Purpose: Energy Research towards a doctoral degree at a NZ University or approved NZ research institute 
  • Eligibility: NZ citizens or permanent residents with an appropriate honours or master’s degree and a demonstrated capacity for research
  • Dates: Applications must be received by September 1 2012
  • Previous research funded:  Recipients of this scholarship have researched comparative energy policy, industrial heat exchanges, alternative means of butanol production, tide energy optimisation, wind turbine siting and electrocatalysts for hydrogen – electricity conversion. (See www.toddfoundation.org.nz/grant-recipients/recipients-of-todd-foundation-scholarships-and-awards/)
  • To apply: Full details and application process is available through Universities NZ at www.universitiesnz.ac.nz/scholarships/toddenergy

10. Panel discussion: ‘Women and the Media’, 21 August, Wellington

The Wellington Branch of the New Zealand Federation of Graduate Women hosts a panel discussion on ‘Women and the Media – have women attained parity in 21st century media?’

The panel will be lead by Linda Clark, former journalist and editor, and consists of:

  • Bernadette Courtney, Editor, Dominion Post
  • Alan Samson, Journalism Lecturer, Massey University
  • Dr Cathy Strong, Senior Lecturer, Massey University

Details: 5.30 for 6pm to 7pm, Tuesday 21 August, Victoria University, Pipitea Campus, Old Government Building, Lecture Theatre 3, refreshments available from 5.30 – entry by gold coin donation.

11. Lecture on effects of WWI and influenza epidemic on children, 16 August, Wellington

The Wellington Historical and Early Settlers’ Association hosts its 2012 guest lecture by Charlotte Bennett, the recipient of the Association’s James E Worsfold Scholarship at Victoria University of Wellington.

The title of Charlotte’s Lecture is ‘The Effects of World War I and the Influenza Epidemic on Children in Wellington’.

Details:12.15 pm (lunch) for 1.00 pm (lecture), Thursday 16 August, boardroom, Wellington Museum of City and Sea. RSVP to Fleur Morales at Victoria University, tel: 463-5871 or email fleur.morales@vuw.ac.nz by Monday 6 August.

12. Public discussion: ethical standards for the police and the public, 6 August, Wellington

The St Andrew’s Study Trust is hosting a ‘spirited conversation’ with Kim Workman on ‘Should police be subject to the same ethical standards as the general public?’

Kim Workman (of Ngati Kahungunu and Rangitaane descent) is a retired public servant, whose career spans roles in the Police, the Office of the Ombudsman, State Services Commission, Department of Maori Affairs, and Ministry of Health.

Details: 7pm – meal from 5.30pm, Monday 6 August, Thistle Inn (upstairs), 3 Mulgrave Street, Wellington. No charge for admission – donation/koha welcomed. Visit www.satrs.org.nz, email admin@satrs.org.nz, phone 04 472 9212, phone/txt 022 610 2910.

13. Australasia obesity conference, 18-20 October, Auckland

The Australian and New Zealand Obesity Society (ANZOS) will be holding their Annual Scientific Meeting at Auckland’s Rendezvous Hotel from 18-20 October 2012. This year’s Meeting theme is ‘For Our Children’s Children.’

The ANZOS Annual Scientific Meeting is designed to bring together clinicians, scientists, dieticians, researchers, psychologists, exercise physiologists, public health practitioners, guideline developers, students, educators, policy makers, administrators and patients to work toward an integrated approach to improve the management and prevention of obesity in Australasia.

Delegates will have a chance to engage in our comprehensive three-day programme that will include a mix of renowned keynote speakers, informative sessions and workshops, and a gala dinner. Early bird registration for the meeting is available until 31 August. For more information and to register please go to www.ANZOS2012.com.

As part of the meeting there will be a free public lecture on Thursday evening 18 October, 6 to 7pm.   The title is “For our children’s children: what is (y)our role”.  Speakers include Professors  Barbara Rolls, Wayne Cutfield, Jim Mann, and Jacqueline Rowarth and the lecture will be chaired by Dame Jenny Shipley. Reserve your place  for the public lecture. 

14. Our Changing World, Thursday 9.00 pm, Radio New Zealand National 101FM

Presented and produced by Alison Ballance, Ruth Beran and Veronika Meduna.

Veronika Meduna catches up with Philippa Howden-Chapman, the director of the New Zealand Centre for Sustainable Cities, who recently completed an evaluation of the $340m Heat Smart programme, which provides funding for insulation retrofits and heating.

Victoria University’s Natalie Plank is creating electronic biosensors out of nanomaterials, with the aim of creating them cheaply so they can be deployed in the field, and sensitive enough that they only respond to one particular gas molecule or biological analyte.

Plant & Food Research is leading a 6-year collaborative programme into ‘satiety’, to discover how naturally occurring phytochemicals and carbohydrates in plant foods can reduce appetite and keep people feeling fuller for longer. Alison Ballance finds out about cell-based assays into bitter compounds and their effect on cells lining the small intestine with John Ingram and Edward Walker, and then heads to the Human Nutrition Unit at the University of Auckland to meet Sally Poppitt, who is running a proof-of-concept clinical trial introducing carbohydrates directly into the ileum to see if that creates a feeling of fullness.

Two science and environment stories air during the week on Afternoons with Jim Mora at 3:35pm, Monday and Thursday. The complete programme is repeated at 1:10am on Sunday mornings.

Website for podcasts and live streams: http://radionz.co.nz/ourchangingworld
Contact: ourchangingworld@radionz.co.nz, 04 474 1910
Twitter: @RNZ_Science

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

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