Staff Notices: 25 - 29 February 2008

Table of Contents

• Uni in the News
• General Information for Staff
• Events
• Training and Development Opportunities
• Information for Researchers

Uni in the News

Link may explain high blood pressure in pregnancy

A research team from the Women's and Children's Hospital and the University of Adelaide have found a viral link that may help explain high blood pressure during pregnancy. They have discovered a possible link between exposure to viral infections, especially herpes, and pre-eclampsia and pre-term births. The research discovered the presence of viral nucleic acid in heel-prick blood samples from 1326 newborn babies, taken over a 10-year period. More than 400 of these babies were diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Professor Alastair MacLennan, leader of the research group, said this is an exciting finding and more studies will be needed.

Source: ABC (18 February 2008)
Uni full story: Herpes virus link to complications in pregnancy

General Information for Staff

Art & Heritage Collections - Cultural Illumination

there is no colour beyond black - by Siamak Fallah
Date/Time: Thursday 28 February, 4:30pm-6:00pm
Venue: Seminar Room, Barr Smith Library

Associate Professor Catherine Speck, School of History and Politics, will launch the Illumination and Mr Paul Duldig, Vice-President (Services & Resources), will launch Art & Heritage Collections 2008 public program.

Siamak Fallah is an Iranian-born Adelaide-based artist. His work since 2001 has explored issues pertaining to immigration and refugees. His own experience of these and ideas on how to negotiate them are visible in his work. 'there is no colour beyond black' will be handwritten on the walls of the exhibition space. The artist began work on Tuesday 19 February and he will be on site most of the days until the launch. You are invited to meet with the artist while he is working on the exhibition prior to the opening.

Viewing times during Barr Smith Library opening hours.
29 February - 30 March 2008
FREE. All welcome.

University of Adelaide Press

As of this year, the University has committed to the establishment of The University of Adelaide Press. During a trial period it plans to publish monographs by our own academic members in electronic format on the Barr Smith Library's digital database, supplemented with high-quality copies printed on demand.

The Vice-Chancellor's Office is a keen supporter of this proposal. An advisory board is yet to be set up to develop exact structures for the solicitation, marketing and funding of manuscripts. It is expected that a portion of the cost of publishing will be shared with a sponsoring agency (discipline, school, faculty, etc.).

The University Librarian Ray Choate and Dr John Emerson are interested in learning how much interest there is in the University community for such an undertaking. They are prepared to visit interested schools and disciplines in the next couple of months for discussions.

At the same time, it would be of considerable interest to know if there are already completed manuscripts available for consideration to be among the first publications.

Please email John Emerson or Ray Choate directly if you are interested in:

• joining a working party in setting up the Press;
• have unpublished manuscripts, or works in progress, which could be considered for publication.

Offshore Graduation Ceremonies April 2008

The University of Adelaide is holding its offshore graduation ceremonies in Singapore and Hong Kong.

Graduation ceremonies are an important event in the University's calendar and graduands and their families particularly value the involvement of academic staff in these celebrations. Any staff members who are travelling overseas at that time might like to consider arranging their itinerary in such a way as to include an offshore graduation ceremony. Further information is available from the Graduations Office and you may notify your intention to attend by email to: Sonia Osborne.

Records Management Office Weekly Closure

The Records Management Office advises that it will close every Wednesday at 3:30pm for staff meetings and professional development. If you have any urgent matters during this time, the office can be contacted on 0434 077 001. Email requests and enquiries can be sent to: records.management@adelaide.edu.au. New file requests and legal document forms are available at: www.adelaide.edu.au/records/rmo/forms/.

Self Defence courses for staff and students

Security Services runs FREE self defence courses for University staff and students, with the first course for 2008 starting in April.
Download the flyer for more information.

Individual schools and disciplines are welcome to make separate group bookings for staff. To find out about group bookings, please contact Voula De Leon in Security Services on ext 35990.

Tai Chi classes

Tai Chi is well known as a gentle form of exercise that helps tone and strengthen the body, improve flexibility and relax the mind - you focus on the next gentle turn or stretch. The Taoist Tai Chi Society of Australia is offering beginner's classes in Taoist Tai Chi internal arts and methods at 12:10pm-1:15pm on Thursdays in the Scots Church Hall, corner of North Terrace and Pulteney Street. Other classes are available in North Adelaide and Kurralta Park. More information at: http://taoist.org.au. Come and try it - the first class is obligation free. Wear flat shoes and loose comfortable clothes.

Publications for Health Sciences students

How Do I Do... more? - A Practical Skills Resource for health students in rural placement
CD published by the Spencer Gulf Rural Health School, 'How Do I Do... more?' was a multidisciplinary project completed by students from different health disciplines as part of the SGRHS Vocational Scholarship initiative.
Download the brochure

Rural Clinical Skills
Rural Clinical Skills OSCE DVD set includes procedures such as Cranial Nerves, Thyroid, Cardiology, Neurology and Gastrointestinal. The DVDs will be made available to the rural cohort, other students will be able to purchase the sets.
Download the brochure

Keeping Company an inter-cultural conversation
'Keeping Company an inter-cultural conversation' was written in partnership with traditional Aboriginal authors from central Australia. Christine Franks initiated the idea of the book to assist health professionals when planning to work in Aboriginal communities.
Download the brochure

Vacant Positions

www.adelaide.edu.au/jobs/

Events

Research Tuesday with Professor Gary Wittert

Obesity, Physical, Psychological and Sexual well-being: Implications for Ageing Men
Date: Tuesday 11 March, 5:30pm
Venue: Bonython Hall, North Terrace Campus
FREE public seminar.

Professor Gary Wittert is Mortlock Professor of Medicine and Head of the School of Medicine at the University of Adelaide, Senior Consultant Endocrinologist at the Royal Adelaide Hospital, and a member of the Hanson Research Institute and founding member of the Freemasons Foundation Centre for Men's Health. His research focuses on obesity and men's health.

Bookings: research.tuesdays@adelaide.edu.au or phone 8303 3692.
For further information, visit the Research Tuesdays website.

The Big F: Festival, Fringe, Womadelaide

The Big F
Weekdays 25 February - 14 March, 3:00pm-5:30pm

Tune into The Big F - for all the festivals ON AIR. Presented by Cath Kenneally and David Jobling and their review team, the interviews, news and reviews are guaranteed to be highly informative and entertaining. Listen up for giveaway prizes and tickets to must see events.
Check out the website for program details, reviews and podcasts at: www.radio.adelaide.edu.au.

Womadelaide 2008 LIVE! On Radio Adelaide 101.5fm
Bringing you 6 hours of non-stop Womadelaide direct from Botanic Park. Radio Adelaide delivers stage performances and interviews with artists from across the globe LIVE to you. Plus a real time blog with behind the scenes pictures and interviews. Go to: www.radio.adelaide.edu.au for full details and tune in from 5:30pm to 11:30pm on Saturday 8 March, LIVE on 101.5fm.

Designing Designers: The Evolution of an Architect

Exhibits will showcase student work from 1958 until the present as well as snapshots of their professional designs.

Date/Time: 25-29 February; 1, 3-8 & 10-14 March 2008, 9:00am-5:00pm
Venue: The Display Room, Hughes Plaza

This FREE Exhibition is part of the 50th Anniversary of the School of Architecture, Landscape Architecture & Urban Design series. The Exhibition is also a part of the official Fringe 2008 program. Further details at Adelaide Fringe Tix or in their Visual Arts guide.
Download the flyer.

American Journeys with Don Watson

The Friends of the University of Adelaide Library invite you to a FREE public talk by Don Watson.

Date/Time: Thursday 6 March, 6:00pm for 6:30pm
Venue: Bragg Lecture Theatre, North Terrace Campus
Seating is limited.

Australia's best-selling author Don Watson will talk about his recently published travel book, American journeys. The book investigates the meaning of the United States: its confidence, its religion, its heroes, its violence, and its material obsessions. The things that make America great are also its greatest flaws.

Bookings by Tuesday 4 March to Robina Weir, phone: 8303 4064

Full details are on the University Library web site.

Law 125 Prestigious Speaker Series

To Commemorate its 125th Anniversary the Law School of the University of Adelaide is pleased to announce a Public Lecture:

'Quo vadis Europe?: The EU Treaty Reforms, Human Rights, Rule of Law and Fight Against Terrorism'
Speaker: Professor Eibe Riedel, University of Mannheim (Germany)

Date/Time: Thursday 28 February 2008, 1:00pm
Venue: Law School (Ligertwood Building), Moot Court Room

Professor Riedel will describe the latest situation of the reform treaty, emphasising human rights and terrorism issues, including the relationship of the European Courts of Luxembourg and the Security Council Sanctions Committee, particularly the European Court of Human Rights position on these matters.
Download the flyer.

Ethics Centre of SA's Central Seminar Series 2008

You can't stop progress: the case of nanotechnology
Presented by: John Weckert, Research Fellow in Ethics
Date/Time: Tuesday 4 March, 3:30pm-4:30pm
Venue: Scots Centre (next to Scots Church), cnr North Terrace and Pulteney Street, Adelaide
Public Seminar. All welcome.

Download: flyer
Please RSVP to the Centre Coordinator, Vicki Hattam, or phone 8302 4817.

2008 the Year of the Rat - An insight into Chinese astrology and the year ahead

Jointly presented by PCE and the Confucius Institute this cultural awareness seminar offers you the chance to discover what is in store for the Year of the Rat, its significance, and the role of astrology in contemporary Chinese culture.

Date/Time: Wednesday 12 March 2008, 6:15pm - 8:15pm
Fee: $10.00

Further information at: www.adelaide.edu.au/pce/seminars.html

Training & Development Opportunities

Animal Ethics Course

The use of animals in science: ethical and practical considerations

Wednesday 5 March 2008
National Wine Centre of Australia

The Animal Ethics Committees of the University of Adelaide and the Institute of Medical and Veterinary Science hold a one day course for staff and honours/postgraduate students each year in March. There is no charge. We have extended the deadline for one more week so if you haven't already done so, please register at: www.adelaide.edu.au/ethics/animal/training/ by 29 February 2008.

Professional Management Program - Executive Education Unit

For middle to senior managers or professionals. This interactive program will help you to broaden and strengthen your management skills. It is presented over 12 months in 6 x 2 day modules.

The Professional Management Program is a non-award program, suitable for graduates and non-graduates and carries status of two courses in the Adelaide MBA.

5% discount for University of Adelaide staff.
For further information, please contact: Rosemary Tanner (phone 8303 4579).

Assessment Workshop

ERGA is pleased to announce that international curriculum design and assessment expert, Prof James Ware MA, MB, BCh, Leg Läk, Surg Spec, FRCS, DMSc, will be providing a workshop on Objective Structured Skills Examination (OSSE) for ERGA members and other interested staff.

Date/Time: Thursday 28 February, 1:00pm-3:00pm
Venue: CLPD, Level 2, Schulz Building, North Terrace Campus (map)

If you are interested in attending, please email Edward Palmer. Seating is limited.
Visit the ERGA website for further information.

Language and Learning Service Seminars for Students

The CLPD Language and Learning Service program for semester 1 includes details of student development seminars, online and print resources and opening times for The Writing Centre. Download the program, available on the LLS website.

Organisational & Professional Development Workshops

PDR Training for Staff
Date/Time: Monday 3 March, 9:00am-12:00noon
Venue: CLPD, Level 2, Schulz Building (enter via western end)
For more information and to enrol please visit the PDR webpage.

The Legal Aspect of Records Management and Communication
Date/Time: Wednesday 5 March, 10:00am-12:00noon
Venue: Hoods Room, Level 1, University Staff Club
For more information and to enrol please visit the University Management Practices webpage.

Contracts and the Tender Trap
Date/Time: Wednesday 12 March, 10:00am-12:00noon
Venue: Hoods Room, Level 1, University Staff Club
For more information and to enrol please visit the University Management Practices webpage.

Self-access Sessional Teaching Program

A self-access program for sessional staff. Go to the Sessional Teaching Program on the CLPD website.

The program includes sessional teaching modules which introduce some basic principles of learning, teaching, assessment and evaluation; additional resources providing for more in-depth information and details of access to a MyUni community discussion board.

Go to STP Resources, or for further information email Ursula McGowan, phone 8303 4745.

Professional & Continuing Education

Professional Development programs available in February:

Behavioural Interviewing for Staff Selection
Wednesday 27 February

Coaching Skills for Enhanced Performance
Thursday 28 February

5% discount for University of Adelaide staff.

For further information or to enrol please email Marziah Zarazillah or phone 8303 4777, or visit our website at: www.adelaide.edu.au/pce to view our extensive program offering.

Information for Researchers

Adelaide Research & Innovation

The latest 'commUNIcate RESEARCH' newsletter is available online.

Research Branch

See the Research Branch newsletter for the latest information on major grant rounds and information sessions, a selection of competitive grants and prizes now open for application and other research-related news.