Staff Notices: 19 - 23 May 2008

Table of Contents

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

Uni in the News

Gene breakthrough to help women

Scientists have discovered a mutant gene linked to a rare condition that causes epilepsy and mental retardation in women, thanks to research led by Dr Leanne Dibbens and Associate Professor Jozef Gecz, from the Women's and Children's Hospital and the Discipline of Paediatrics, University of Adelaide. Their work has, for the first time, linked a large family of genes known as protocadherins with a condition known as "epilepsy and mental retardation limited to females" (EFMR), which is found only in particular families. Since EFMR combines the relatively common ailments of epilepsy and mental retardation, the research has implications for millions of sufferers worldwide. The study, published in the journal Nature Genetics, shows that although men carry the mutated or 'bad' gene they remain unaffected by the condition.

Source: The Australian (12 May 2008)
Uni full story: Mutant gene causes epilepsy, intellectual disability in women

General Information for Staff

Review of Computer Science and related programs

Members of the University community are invited to contribute to the Review of the Computer Science and related programs offered by the Faculty of Engineering, Computer and Mathematical Sciences.

The University is currently undertaking a Review of the Computer Science and related programs. Staff, students and members of the community are invited to make a submission to the review on matters relevant to the Terms of Reference, which are available on the Quality and Reviews website at: www.adelaide.edu.au/pvclq/reviews/current/.

For further information please contact Wayne Pritchard, Manager, Quality & Reviews on 8303 5902.

The deadline for submissions is 5:00pm, Thursday 5 June 2008. All submissions remain confidential.

Draft Policies/Procedures for Consultation

IT Acceptable Use and Security Policy
IT Security Procedures
Access and Accounts Procedures

http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/drafts/ [UA Staff only]

Farewell to ARI's Dr Elaine Stead

After 5 years with ARI, Elaine is moving to Brisbane to take up an opportunity with venture capital company, CM Capital. This is a great opportunity for Elaine and we wish her all the best. She has made an outstanding contribution to ARI and the work of the Health Sciences Faculty, and will be sorely missed. To mark her departure ARI would like to invite the staff she's worked with to join us for drinks and nibbles in the ARI Boardroom, Level 7, 115 Grenfell St, 4:00-5:00pm on Thursday 22 May. This will also be a great opportunity to meet new members of the team including Contract Services Manager Greg Macpherson and Commercial Development Manager for the Health Sciences Faculty, Dr Justin Dibbens. No RSVP is required. We hope to see you there.

Emeritus Professor Gwendoline Fay Gale AO
13 June 1932 - 3 May 2008

A celebration of Fay's life and achievements will be held at the Wesley Uniting Church, corner of Fullarton Road and Grenfell Street, Kent Town, at 1:00pm on Wednesday 4 June 2008.

For catering purposes, please RSVP to: rsvp@faygale.com if you'd like to join the family afterwards for refreshments.

University to host major student conference

In July 2008, the University of Adelaide will host the Asia-Pacific Model United Nations Conference (AMUNC) - the largest internationally-focused student conference in Australia, and the largest model UN conference in the Asia-Pacific region.

AMUNC 6-11 July provides a platform for tertiary students to discuss global issues, engage in intellectual discourse and cultural exchange, and garner a unique perspective of world politics. It is expected to be a memorable, educational and exciting event that will have a strong impact on participants, many of whom are likely to be the leaders of tomorrow.

The Vice-Chancellor & President has endorsed the objectives of the conference and the efforts of the organising team and urges all areas within the University to help in any way they can to provide a welcoming environment for all delegates.

This support might include:

• Provision of delegate scholarships at a School level
• Free access to on-campus spaces and equipment
• Provision of University merchandise, such as pens and note pads
• Donations to offset printing costs
• Cooperation on a logistical level.

The conference secretariat is based in the Faculty of the Professions. For further information, contact Dr Cullen Habel, phone 8303 4763.

Conference web site: www.amunc.net

Vacant Positions

www.adelaide.edu.au/jobs/

Events

Mid-Year Entry Information Evening

Date/Time: Tuesday 27 May, 7:00pm-8:30pm
Venue: Napier 102, North Terrace Campus
All welcome.

Staff members and current postgraduates should encourage other parents and secondary students to Register online.
At our Mid-Year Entry Information Night, prospective students can:

• find out more about career options, future trends in the job market and upgrading qualifications to get the desired job.
• obtain individual program advice from University staff and get one's questions answered about admission, scholarships and finance.

Further information: www.adelaide.edu.au/infonight/

Global Eyes talk by Vibeke Sorenson

The series of industry talks that SIGGRAPH Asia has lined up in cities in Asia and Australia are designed for practitioners, creators, and researchers across the field of computer graphics.

An Evening with Vibeke Sorensen
Date/Time: Thursday 29 May 2008, 5:30pm for 6:00pm start
Venue: Flentje Theatre, Level 3 Architecture Building, University of Adelaide

In her talk "Global Eyes" Vibeke Sorensen will discuss several transdisciplinary and transcultural media projects and their relationship to visual culture.

Download: Global Eyes flyer.
To be added to the SIGGRAPH Asia mailing list in order to receive further information about SIGGRAPH Asia and related pre-events, email: siggraph_asia@koelnmesse.com.sg.
Enquiries: Dr Dean Bruton - Director: Master of Design in Digital Media, on 8303 4038.

2008 SA Short Animation Festival

Call for entries for the South Australian Short Animation Festival (SASAF) awards
$1200 prize awards include: School of Architecture, Landscape Architecture and Urban Design's Virtual Built Environment Prize $200; Jury Prize $200; Audience Prize $200; MRC Best Emerging Animator Prize $200; IDrawFast Architectural Animation Prize $100; StormFX Best FX Prize $300.

Competition Entry Fee: $10
Deadline for all entries: 10 June 2008

The judges' picks will be screened at the Best of the Awards public screening before the Awards Presentation.
Date: Thursday 19 June 2008
Venue: Flentje Theatre, Level 3 Architecture Building
Tickets at the door: $10; $9 concession.

The SASAF awards will be presented in partnership with the University of Adelaide, a key centre for animation and digital media production in SA and other major industry partners. Now in their second year, the awards recognize excellence and outstanding achievement in our State's digital media community.

Download: competition flyer.
RSVP for seating by 18 June 2008 to: Dr Dean Bruton on 8303 4038.

Law 125 Prestigious Speaker Series

To Commemorate its 125th Anniversary the Law School of the University of Adelaide is pleased to announce two Public Lectures on consecutive days:

The Mystery of Global Governance
Speaker: Professor David Kennedy, Brown University and Harvard Law School, USA
Date/Time: Wednesday 28 May 2008, 1:00pm
Download: Kennedy flyer

Mapping Imperial Legal Connections: Toward a Comparative Historical Sociology of Colonial Law
Speaker: Professor Russell Smandych, University of Manitoba, Canada
Date/Time: Thursday 29 May 2008, 1:00pm
Download: Smandych flyer.

Venue for both lectures: Moot Court Room, Law School (Ligertwood Building)
No RSVP is required. Enquiries: Dr Paul Babie.

Ethics Centre of SA - Central Seminar Series

Exclusions from research: when is sex-specific research appropriate?
Presented by: Associate Professor Wendy Rogers, Department of Medical Education, Flinders University

Date/Time: Tuesday 10 June 2008, 3:30-4:30pm
Venue: Scots Centre (next to Scots Church), cnr North Tce and Pulteney St.
FREE public seminar. All welcome.

Inclusion in research is a question of both scientific validity of research results and just distribution of the benefits of medical research within a community. Inappropriate exclusions from research can therefore be regulated as a matter of science or a matter of ethics. In this paper we examine the definitions of appropriate/fair inclusion in the Australian and US regulatory systems and discuss the processes for interpreting and implementing these normative standards. In the second part of the paper, we present original results from the first study of sex-specific research in Australia.

Download: attached flyer
Please RSVP to the Centre Coordinator, Vicki Hattam on 8302 4817.

Principles of a Modern Federal Community

A significant interdisciplinary conference hosted by the University of Adelaide
Schools of Economics, Law, History and Politics.
Organising Committee: Professor Christopher Findlay (Economics), Dr Clem Macintyre (History & Politics), Professor John Williams (Law), Jim Hancock (SACES). Administrator: Merrilee Pillion (Economics)

Two-day conference: 26 - 27 May 2008
Venue: Art Gallery of SA

Recent events in Australia highlight the continuing shifts in relationships between the Commonwealth and State governments, and the design and evolution of those relationships will be one of the most important policy issues over the next 5 years. This conference will explore the emerging debates relating to key policy questions that require a coordinated response from Australian Governments.

Presentations will encourage the interchange between theoretical and applied policy perspectives and will include significant speakers, the University of Adelaide's Professor Cliff Walsh and Professor Jonathan Pincus.

Download: Conference flyer.
Further details, programs and registration at: www.adelaide.edu.au/fiscalfederalism/

Streetcar proves a hit

There's just this week left to catch the University of Adelaide Theatre Guild's production of A Streetcar Named Desire in the Little Theatre. Performances have booked fast but there are still seats available.

Brian Godfrey in the Adelaide Theatre Guide says:
"Lovers of fine theatre, don't just have the desire; grab a streetcar or any mode of transport and rush to this excellent production of a classic."

To reserve your seat, contact Melanie Hibberd on 8303 5999.
For more information about the play, see the latest Adelaidean: www.adelaide.edu.au/adelaidean/issues/25661/news25700.html

4th Annual HDA Oration

Work + Life Balance? How Changing Patterns of Work affect Health and Wellbeing in Australia
Date/Time: Thursday 12 June 2008, 5:15pm for 5:30pm start
Venue: State Library of South Australia, Institute Building Lecture Theatre
(Corner Kintore Ave and North Terrace)

Professor Barbara Pocock will be presented with the Healthy Development Adelaide Award for 2008.

RSVP for seating by 6 June to: Anne Jurisevic on 8303 8222.

Download: HDA Oration.
Further details: www.adelaide.edu.au/hda/events/

School of Mathematical Sciences Colloquium Series

Puzzle-based learning: Introduction to mathematics
Speaker: Professor Zbigniew Michalewicz
Date/Time: Friday 23 May, 3:10pm
Venue: LG29, Napier Building
All welcome.

Abstract: The talk addresses a gap in the educational curriculum for 1st year students by proposing a new course that aims at getting students to think about how to frame and solve unstructured problems. The idea is to increase the student's mathematical awareness and problem-solving skills by discussing a variety of puzzles. The talk makes an argument that this approach - called Puzzle-Based Learning - is very beneficial for introducing mathematics, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.

Visit: www.maths.adelaide.edu.au/news/
Enquiries: Jonathan Tuke.

Training & Development Opportunities

Coaching for Improved Work Outcomes - 5 & 6 June - Executive Education Unit

If you are a middle to senior level manager or professional, you will appreciate the value of coaching to assist in motivating and developing your team to achieve personal and organisational success.

Coaching for Improved Work Outcomes will provide you with the framework and hands-on practice necessary to realise your coaching potential and to create a supportive "coaching culture" within your team.

10% discount for University of Adelaide staff.
For further information, please contact: Mary Quinless, Executive Education Unit on 8303 3268.

Planning and Development Review

As part of the University of Adelaide's staff development program, the CLPD is running a training session for staff in Planning and Development Review (PDR). The PDR process provides a framework for discussion between managers/supervisors and staff members. Staff on continuing and fixed-term contracts of 12 months or more should attend training.

Date/Time: Wednesday 4 June, 9:00am-12:00pm
Venue: CLPD, Level 2, Schulz Building West

For more information and to enrol please visit the Planning and Development Review webpage.

SCoPE Wine and Cheese Seminar

SCoPE, established in 2007, aims to promote an active community of educators interested in exploring situational learning, with a particular emphasis on online role-play and scenario-based learning. Seminars will continue to be run throughout 2008 to introduce as well as implement the concepts and skills and to keep the networks going.

Date/Time: Wednesday 4 June 2008, 4:00pm-5:30pm
Venue: CLPD, Level 2, Schulz Building West

For further information on the seminar visit the Situational Learning website or email Judi Baron.

Postgraduate Coursework Student Development Seminars

Seminars designed to help postgraduate (PG) coursework and honours students develop their academic writing skills. These seminars are open to all students at the University of Adelaide.

Time: 4:00pm-6:00pm
Venue: CLPD, Level 2, Schulz Building West

Visit the LLS web site for further information on academic development seminars and resources, or email the CLPD.

Writing a Research Report for Students

Seminars designed to help students develop research report writing skills. These seminars are open to all students at the University of Adelaide.

Time: 1:10pm-2:00pm
Venue: CLPD, Level 2, Schulz Building West

Visit the LLS web site for further information on academic development seminars and resources, or email the CLPD.

Organisational & Professional Development Workshops

University Policy Management
Date: Wednesday 21 May, 2:30pm-4:30pm
Venue: CLPD, Level 2, Schulz Building West
For more information and to enrol, visit the University Management Practices webpage.

Building Resilience
Date: Wednesday 28 May & Wednesday 11 June, 9:00am-1:00pm
Venue: WP Rogers Room, Union Building

Managing Inappropriate and Difficult Behaviour in the Workplace
Date: Thursday 5 June, 9:00am-1:00pm
Venue: Margaret Murray Room, Union Building
For more information and to enrol please visit the Development Workshops & Seminars webpage.

Professional & Continuing Education

Upcoming PCE courses include:

Creatively Managing Conflict
Wednesday 28 May

Negotiation Skills
Friday 30 May

Handling Difficult Conversations Well
Tuesday 3 June

Working with Asian Names
Friday 6 June

5% discount for University of Adelaide staff.

For further information or to enrol please email Jo Carrick 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.