Division of Environmental and Life Sciences

News From the Dean
The weekly update from the Dean of Division, Prof Liz Deane

Macquarie Part of $50million Climate Change Consortium
Funding pledged for research into climate change adaptation

Opportunities
- Job Opportunity: ever wanted to work at "the Dish" (aka: Parkes Observatory)?
- Australian Science Festival Looking for Environmentally Themed Presentations aimed at School Children
- Three

Events
- Biological Sciences Seminar this Wednesday
- Author Talk: Alex Miller and Anita Heiss on "Landscape of Farewell"
- Round Table Discussion: "When the China Bubble Bursts..."
- Australian Museum Seminar: "Global Politics - is this the twenty-first century or are we back in late antiquity?"
- ELS Seminar Series

News from the Dean

Dear Colleagues

Thank you to the general staff who once again put in a superhuman effort to make our end-of-semester BBQ go off smoothly - they even managed to hold off the rain!

Below is a list of our ELS Mug winners - just recognition for all! We still have a few left and will be looking out for deserving cases before the ELS demise in 2008.

Congratulations to Danny Wong who was successful in gaining an Australia-China Fund Scientific and Technological Co-Operation grant - this will support a Visiting Fellow to come and work with Danny in CBMS in 2008.

A couple of opportunities:-

•  The Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters has called for nominations for the Kavli Prize 2008 for outstanding scientific contributions in the fields of nanoscience, neuroscience and astrophysics. The closing date is 15 December 2007. The nomination letter should contain a CV, a description of the candidates work and names of distinguished specialists. Send to The Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters, Drammensveien 78, NO-0271 Oslo, Norway or by online submission form:- http://www.kavliprize.no .

•  3-year full-time Research Studentships in Sustainability and Education of Sustainability to the value of £12,500 pa plus tuition fees. Details from http://jobs.ac.uk/jobfiles/QL227.html . Enquiries to Professor Daniella Tilbury via email: dtilbury@glos.ac.uk at The Sustainability Institute at the University of Gloucestershire .

Don't forget the Division Exam Meeting coming up on Wednesday 5 December at 2:00 pm in E6A room 102.

Till next week

Liz

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Macquarie University part of $50 million climate change consortium

As a final show of common sense, former Federal Environment Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, pledged $50 million over the next five years to fund a Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility.

The facility will utilise the expertise of researchers from Macquarie University and seven other Australian universities. The facility will be based at Griffith University.

The consortium’s other members are Murdoch University, Queensland University of Technology, the University of Newcastle, University of Southern Queensland, James Cook University and the University of the Sunshine Coast.

The collective expertise of these institutions spans the full range of disciplines driving the national adaptation agenda, including climatology, hydrology, ecology and conservation biology, statistics, engineering, psychology, urban planning, architecture, law and policy, community development and social research.

The consortium’s first project will be to develop adaptation plans in such areas as human settlements, agriculture, forestry and fisheries, water, health, biodiversity and emergency services, and disaster management.

Macquarie University is well known for the quality of its climate change research and was awarded a position on the consortium as a result. As part of the consortium Macquarie will be collaborating with other Australian universities on projects which focus on finding solutions of global significance. This collaborative research will further strengthen Macquarie University’s position as a leader in climate change research.

This story adapted from one appearing recently in Macquarie University News.

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Opportunities

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Australian Science Festival Looking for Environmentally Themed Presentations aimed at School Children

The Australian Science Festival is currently investigating possibilities for the 2008 Education Program, and as such are particularly looking for environmentally-themed shows/ presentations and workshops (aimed predominantly at school-aged audiences). If there is a show/workshop that you would recommend, we would love to hear from you.

Please contact Angie Carter at Angie.Carter@asflimited.com.au or on 02 6205 0638

The Australian Science Festival will be held from 16 - 24 August, 2008.

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Visitor Centres Manager
Australia Telescope National Facility - Parkes
Position Reference: 2007/1286

Enhance the public's interaction with science through the CSIRO Australia Telescope National Facility Visitors Centres located in Parkes and Narrabri. This opportunity for a 'green change' to the attractive rural lifestyle at Parkes is combined with the opportunity to work in the stimulating science and technology environment experienced at the ATNF. In addition to its high scientific profile, 'The Dish' is a key tourist attraction and the science centre attracts around 140,000 visitors a year. While it's anticipated the appointee will be based at the Parkes Observatory, regular travel to Sydney and Narrabri is entailed.

$75K - $81K plus Generous Superannuation Closing Date: 2 Dec 2007. For more info:
https://recruitment.csiro.au/asp/job_details.asp?RefNo=2007%2F1286

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Events

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Biological Sciences Seminar

"EVOLUTION OF SPIDERS ON THE REMOTE ISLANDS OF OCEANIA : CONNECTIONS, CONTIGUITIES, AND CONVERGENCES"

Dr. Rosie Gillespie, University of California at Berkeley

Wednesday 28 November 1 pm, Block E8A room 290 (Biology tearoom)

Summary: Oceanic islands have played a key role in the integration of phylogenetics and evolutionary biology into studies of community composition. I will discuss research on the formation of spider communities on remote high islands of the Pacific (the Hawaiian Islands and French Polynesia in particular), and examine (1) the effect of island age and ecological precedence on community composition; (2) the relative roles of dispersal and evolution in the origin of species; and (3) the importance of phylogenetic affinity versus convergent evolution in the formation of similar communities.

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Alex Miller and Anita Heiss: Landscape of Farewell

Tuesday 27 November 2007

In this beautifully calibrated novel, a retired German academic makes a life-changing trip to the outback, that teaches him the profound importance of truth-telling in reconciliation with his own and his country's past. Alex talks with Token Koori poet, novelist and editor Anita Heiss.

Time: 6:30pm-8:00pm Nov 27 Cost: $10/$7 conc. gleeclub welcome

Venue: Gleebooks, 49 Glebe Point Rd , Glebe

Bookings: Gleebooks www.gleebooks.com.au/events/ or phone 02 9660 2333

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The End of Antiquity: Dark Ages or New World Order?

Tuesday 27 November 2007

Mass economic migration, superpower confrontation, culture wars, changing information technology, rogue states and East-West divisions - is this the twenty-first century or are we back in late antiquity? We consider world historical events, including the fall of Rome and little known individuals such as Attila the Hun.

Time: 6:30pm-8:15pm Nov 27 Cost: $20/$15 Members

Venue: Australian Museum, William Street entrance, 6 College Street , Sydney

Bookings: Australian Museum www.amonline.net.au/members or phone 02 9320 6225

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The China Bubble

Wednesday 28 November 2007

A panel of distinguished speakers including Professor Economics Anis Chowdhury, Editor Asia Pacific Journal, Assoc. Professor Economics Dr Steve Keen, Centre for Policy Devt, Mark Lennon, Asst. Sectretary, Trades and Labour Council, discuss the Australian implications, should that bubble burst. Questions welcome from the floor.

Time: 7:00pm-9:30pm Nov 28 Cost: $20 per person (incl. Supper)

Venue: The Jubilee Room, Parliament House Sydney , Macquarie St. , Sydney

Bookings: Fellowship of the Round Table www.fortaustralia.com
or phone 0404 457453

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ELS Seminar Series

Departments in ELS host seminars covering a wide range of topics associated with ongoing research projects and other areas of interest. The seminars are delivered by academics, research staff, and students from within the Division, as well as guest speakers from other institutions and industry. Details of times, dates, locations and topics of seminars to be held over the next few weeks are listed here.

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Snippets

Jade reveals Asia's jewel trade history
One of the world's largest jewel trading arenas that operated thousands of years ago has been uncovered through analysis of jade jewellery.

Old mattresses may cause asthma
Research has found children who sleep on an old mattress during their first year of life have a higher risk of developing breathing disorders, such as asthma.

Tai Chi keeps inactive elderly fit
Elderly that are unwilling or unable to participate in activity can achieve the fitness benefits of exercise from a short Tai Chi course, new research has shown.

Welfare spending reaches $90 billion
Welfare expenditure, including disability pension, increased from $86 billion in 2004-05 to $90 billion last year, according to a new study.

High gout risk inherited from ancestors
High rates of gout among Maori and Pacific Island men may have a genetic basis going back thousands of years, new research has shown.

Child workers need cultural training
Child safety officers need cultural training in order to better protect Australian children that come from culturally diverse families, according to new research.

Bees and ants make quality silk
Research has revealed that silk production is not exclusive to silkworm and spiders; bees and ants also make strong silk that is used for a wide range of tasks.

Antioxidant rich prawns go to waste
Scientists have developed an efficient technique for extracting the powerful antioxidant from prawn shells, which usually go to waste.

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