Kia ora from Royal Society Te Apārangi | Issue #1214
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New expert advice factsheet on radiation
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Radiation is ever-present in our daily lives — in both natural and generated forms. Scientists have identified various risks and benefits from the use of, and exposure to, different kinds of radiation. This knowledge allows us to safely use radiation while mitigating the possible risks to our health and wellbeing, for example in communication technologies, and medical diagnostics and treatment. This factsheet discusses the radiation we encounter in our everyday lives and explains how we harness it safely. We have selected examples to illustrate where radiation – from radio waves to gamma rays – may be commonly encountered.
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Professor Gillian Dobbie of the University of Auckland has been appointed Chair of the Marsden Fund Council by the Minister for Research, Science and Innovation. The Council comprises eminent researchers who assess funding applications for Te Pūtea Rangahau a Marsden. In the 2022 year the Fund invested $77.391 million in support of 113 research projects. Professor Dobbie has convened the Council’s Mathematical and Information Sciences panel since 2015. She succeeds Professor David Bilkey, who has chaired the Council since 2018.
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The United Nations Water Conference will take place from 22-24 March 2023. The conference will be organised around plenaries and interactive dialogues on 5 themes:
- Water for Health
- Water for Sustainable Development
- Water for Climate
- Water for Cooperation
- Water Action Decade.
The International Science Council is seeking nominations of experts to form a group of around 10 individuals to support the development of an ISC white paper addressing the conference themes. In addition, experts may also be invited to make contributions to the preparatory process of the conference upon request by the United Nations.
As the ISC member, nominations must be endorsed and submitted by Royal Society Te Apārangi. Please use website form and nominate by 12 December.
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Applications and nominations for the Science Teaching Leadership Programme 2023 are now live, tono mai and apply now!
The Science Teaching Leadership Programme supports the Government’s strategic direction for Science in Society by providing opportunities for primary and intermediate schools and secondary science departments to enhance the teaching of science within their school communities.
We are accepting applications for the second cohort starting in Term 3, 2023.
Read more and apply now.
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He pitopito kōrero | News bulletin
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Te Ara Paerangi Future Pathways White Paper released
This week, MBIE released the Te Ara Paerangi Future Pathways White Paper, which outlines the Government’s vision for reforming the research, science and innovation system. The White Paper includes key policy directions and provides a roadmap to implement the reform programme.
@Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
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Science New Zealand 2022 Awards
This year's annual awards celebrated 24 awardees across three award categories - Early Career Researcher, Individual / Lifetime Achievement and Team. A Supreme Award winner was chosen from the 24 awardees: AgResearch’s Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Inventory Development Team, which has improved the accuracy of calculating greenhouse emissions from New Zealand farms.
@Science New Zealand
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2023 Unlocking Curious Minds Funding Announcements
Unlocking Curious Minds supports quality and inspirational science and technology education projects that grow wider participation in science and technology in Aotearoa New Zealand. Overall, the funded proposals from the 2023 round had strong themes of environmental and climate science and the integration of mātauranga Māori.
@Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
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Planning for Aotearoa's genomic medicine future
If the future of healthcare is personalised genomic medicine, how can we ensure that genomic data can be used to reduce health inequities, rather than double down on them? For Associate Professor Phillip Wilcox from the University of Otago, empowering Māori to develop and lead indigenous genomic databases and genomic research can go some way to achieving this.
Claire Concannon @Our Changing World, RNZ
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COP15: A global summit to safeguard nature - Expert Reaction
Governments from around the world will convene in Montreal this week for the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP15) from 7 – 19 December 2022 to agree to a new set of goals for nature over the next decade through the Convention on Biological Diversity post-2020 framework process. The SMC asked experts to comment.
@SMC
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Ngā take o te wā | Events
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9 Tihema December, Wellington & online
Inclusion in disaster risk reduction. A Café des Idées with Crystal Fa’asolo and Loïc Le Dé
Listen to Crystal Fa’asolo and Loïc Le Dé as they share their knowledge and experience in disaster management in Aotearoa New Zealand and the Pacific islands. Crystal’s presentation will delve into the importance of using Pasifika methodologies such as talanoa and talanga within disaster studies. Loïc,will focus on inclusion through participatory approaches and tools for disaster risk reduction by drawing upon recent work in the region. In English - some French may occur!
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13 Tihema December, Wellington and online
New data and evidence on the organisation of science
A free Motu Public Policy Seminar with presentation by Julia Lane and panel discussion with Isabelle Sin, Meghan Stephens and Gary Dunnet on how we can use new types of data to understand the structure of research organisations – and bias against women in science. Study of the new data show the common measures of scientific productivity (like publications and patents) may incorrectly measure the productivity of marginalised groups.
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Ngā whiwhinga | Opportunities
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The MacDiarmid Institute is delighted to announce the continued funding of its Discovery Scholarship Programme, to support Māori and Pacific Island students studying in the physical sciences, chemical/materials engineering, Māori sciences or sciences related to sustainable innovation. The scholarships will pay university fees up to $8,000 for the 2023 academic year, and a one-off cash award of up to $3,000. The Institute welcomes applications from all Māori and Pacific Island students from all backgrounds and abilities, and will award a number of scholarships at each year of undergraduate study, Honours/PgDipSci, and Masters study.
Applications close 5pm 18 December 2022.
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Mō Te Apārangi | About Us
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Royal Society Te Apārangi supports New Zealanders to explore, discover and share knowledge. Our varied programmes provide support and opportunities for researchers, teachers and school students, together with those who are simply curious about the world. To learn more visit royalsociety.org.nz
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