Staff Notices: 10 - 14 November 2008

Table of Contents

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

Uni in the News

SA help in Tasmanian devil cancer fight

The Tasmanian devil could be extinct within the next 20 years unless a vaccine to stop infectious facial cancer is found, said University of Adelaide zoologist Dr Jeremy Austin. The three-year project involving the Tasmanian Government, Zoos SA and Dr Jeremy Austin of the Discipline of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, will establish a conservation program to fight the disease that is ravaging Australia's largest living marsupial carnivore. Using DNA screening technology, Dr Austin's team will analyse genetic material from devil populations to understand the origin, spread and impact of the facial tumour disease. The rare disease is one of only two known contagious cancers, which is spread between devils by biting. "We will be looking to develop rapid genetic testing techniques to pick devils that are resistant to the disease and can be used for breeding in captivity," he said.

Source: The Advertiser, ABC & Sky News (3 November 2008)
Uni full story: Project to save endangered Tassie devil

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General Information for Staff

Join Adelaide onLION!

Since its launch in July, more than 6700 alumni have joined Adelaide onLION, the University's online community for alumni. Now we're excited to roll it out to current staff members. Adelaide onLION gives you a unique opportunity to engage alumni like never before.

• Use the Career Centre to identify alumni who are willing to be mentors, participate in workshops and programs and offer internships
• Track alumni by a range of criteria, including industry or employer
• Create like-minded community groups

Plus you can create your own profile, stay in touch with latest news and events, network and get feedback via message boards and online chat, and much more.

Request an account now at: www.alumni.adelaide.edu.au/adelaideonlion.

Council Election Results

Election of One Postgraduate Student
Ms Ai Chen was declared elected for the term 6 March 2009 to 5 March 2010.

Election of Two Undergraduate Students
Ms Sophie Plagakis and Mr Sam Kirchner were declared elected for the term 6 March 2009 to 5 March 2010.

Election of Two Academic Staff Members
Dr Rod Crewther and Professor Valerie Linton were declared elected for the term 6 March 2009 to 5 March 2011.

The Declaration of Results and details of the vote in the above elections can be viewed at: www.adelaide.edu.au/governance/council/elections/.

Draft New/Revised Policies for Consultation

Fees for Award Programs and Courses Policy
Student Debtors Policy
The consultation period closes on 12 November 2008.

Student Loan Policy
This policy has been revised for improved clarity and conformity with the University Policy Framework; its content remains substantially the same as in the present policy.
The consultation period closes on 24 November 2008.

https://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/drafts/ [UA access only]

Christmas Close Down and Payroll Processing Arrangements 2008

In accordance with the usual practice the University will close down during the Christmas break from close of business Wednesday 24 December 2008 to Friday 2 January 2009. Staff not taking leave will return to work on Monday 5 January 2009.

Public Holidays
The public holidays to be observed during this period are Christmas Day (Thursday 25 December 2008), Proclamation Day (Friday 26 December 2008), University Holiday (Monday 29 December 2008) and New Years Day (Thursday 1 January 2009).

Annual Leave Deduction
Annual leave will be deducted from staff credits for Tuesday 30 December 2008, Wednesday 31 December 2008 and Friday 2 January 2009. Staff wishing to make alternative arrangements for these days must submit their request through their Head of School/Branch. All requests must reach Human Resources by Tuesday 9 December 2008.

Close Down Arrangements
Staff rostered for duty during the close down period, the usual conditions apply for the performance of this work as established by past custom and practice. Supervisors should forward notification of staff required to work to Employee Services by Tuesday 9 December 2008.

Payroll Processing Arrangements for End of Year 2008
All variations to payroll, overtime/shift loading and casual forms for payment on Friday 5 December 2008 must reach Human Resources by the usual deadline of 12:00noon, Tuesday 25 November 2008.

All variations to payroll, overtime/shift loading and casual forms for payment on Friday 19 December 2008 must reach Human Resources by 12:00noon, Friday 5 December 2008. Anticipation of casual hours up to and including Friday 5 December 2008 is allowed providing the School/Area takes responsibility for all monies paid.

Payroll Processing Arrangements for first pay in 2009
All variations to payroll, overtime/shift loading and casual forms for payment on Friday 2 January 2009 must reach Human Resources by 12:00noon, Monday 15 December 2008. Please note that this is before the Christmas Closedown and anticipation of casual hours up to and including 19 December 2008 is allowed providing the School/Area takes responsibility for all monies paid.

Trish Hughes
Director, Human Resources

Unexplained infertility and Traditional Chinese Medicine study

Are you:

• a woman between 25 and 40 years
• who has had difficulties becoming pregnant
• or has conceived but suffered miscarriage(s)
  AND
• is seeking - or has used in the past - Traditional Chinese Medicine therapy (e.g. herbal)?

We would like to invite you to take part in a one-hour interview as part of a research study involving women with unknown causes of infertility. Infertility is "unexplained", if no obvious physical, hormonal or immunological causes are known.

We would like to understand your reasons for choosing Traditional Chinese Medicine therapy, how you feel about your fertility, how you cope and what supports you have.

The study has been approved by the Human Ethics Committee at the University of Adelaide.
For further information, please contact: Dr Karin Ried, Discipline of General Practice, phone 8303 6281.

Are you preparing a Course Handbook for 2009?

Download 2009 information & contact details for Academic Learning and Language and the Maths Learning Service at CLPD, or request via email to Peter Murdoch.

Vacant Positions

www.adelaide.edu.au/jobs/

Events

School of Agriculture, Food & Wine Seminar Series
The Harold Woolhouse Lecture 2008

"Big pressure, small volume. Plant physiology at single cell resolution."
Speaker: Professor Deri Tomos, Professor of Physiological Biochemistry, Bangor University (UK)
Date/Time: Monday 17 November, 4:00pm
Venue: Plant Research Centre Auditorium, Waite Campus, University of Adelaide
All welcome.

Plants are (very) high pressure micro-machines with the individual cells acting as mechanical components. The cells also behave as an array of spatially distinct chemical factories processing both organic and inorganic solutes. Mechanics and biochemistry are interdependent and the familiar behaviour of crop and other plants is sum of this activity. Inserting a fine glass microcapillary into individual plant cells can be the first step to measuring a wide range of parameters at the elemental resolution of the individual cell. Examples of both mechanical (movement, expansion) and molecular (sugar metabolism) processes will be discussed.

The inaugural Harold Woolhouse Lecture is named in honour of the former Director of the Waite Agricultural Research Institute. Professor Harold Woolhouse was Director from 1990 to 1995 and was responsible for the co-location of SARDI and PIRSA on the Waite Campus. He also masterminded the merging of Roseworthy Agricultural College with the University of Adelaide.

Clem Macintyre: The Library of 10 Downing Street

The Book Collectors Society of SA and Friends of the University of Adelaide Library invite you to a FREE public talk with Dr Clem Macintyre.
Date/Time: Thursday 20 November 2008, 6:00pm for 6:30pm
Venue: Ira Raymond Exhibition Room, Barr Smith Library
Seating is limited.

Dr Clem Macintyre is Reader and Head of Politics at the University of Adelaide. The talk will focus upon the largely unknown collection of books held at 10 Downing Street's "Prime Minister's Library". The collection is made up of volumes donated by most members of the British Cabinet through the twentieth century.

Bookings by Tuesday 18 November to Robina Weir, phone 8303 4064
Full details are on the University Library website.

Adelaide Graduate Centre Seminar

Gender Differences in Early Post-PhD Employment in Australian Universities: Findings and steps forward
Speaker: A/Prof Maryanne Dever, Centre for Women's Studies & Gender Research, Monash University
Date/Time: Wednesday 26 November, 10:30am-12:00noon
Venue: AGC Seminar Room, Level 6, 115 Grenfell Street

The recently released report 'Gender Differences in Early Post-PhD Employment in Australian Universities' highlights how gender remains a key factor in shaping outcomes for early career academics in Australia. The presentation focuses on the persistent gender-pay gap, the critical role of supervisors in the provision of professional development opportunities, the clear gendered division of labour in our universities and the significant under-employment of women PhD graduates with family responsibilities. These findings suggest the need to rethink supervisor training and to consider how we prepare our potential future labour force for their professional careers.

Enquiries: Lea McBride
Adelaide Graduate Centre - Researcher Education & Development

Adelaide Law Masters - Information Evening

The University of Adelaide Law School is holding an information session for those interested in further study in law.
Date/Time: Thursday 27 November, 5:30pm
Venue: Moot Court, Ligertwood Building

The Law School offers a range of high quality Masters programs for both law and non-law graduates, with a strong commercial and international focus. In 2009 we will be offering more than 20 different courses, covering a wide variety of subjects. These can be studied either as part of a degree, or individually on a non-award basis. Further details at: www.law.adelaide.edu.au/degrees/.

Staff are urged to pass this information on to anyone who might be interested in the Adelaide Law Masters.
Download: attached flyer (pdf 48kB)

Professor Andrew Stewart
Director, Postgraduate Coursework Programs

Training & Development Opportunities

Requesting a Sessional Teacher Induction Program for your Faculty

2009 Sessional Teacher Induction programs can be provided within Faculties by CLPD. Full-day programs can now be scheduled during the three weeks from Monday 16 February to Friday 6 March, 2009. The program is suitable for groups of up to 30 sessional demonstrators and tutors.

Full-day programs typically consist of two 3-hour interactive, scenario-based sessions. The aims of the programs are for sessional staff:

• To develop an understanding of responsibilities of casual teaching staff
• To develop strategies for making the transition from "student" to "teaching staff"
• To gain some basic learning and teaching principles and strategies
• To gain strategies for small group learning - and small group management
• To cover basic learning and teaching principles of linking Objectives, Activities and Assessment, and maximising the value of student diversity.
• To focus on the importance of feedback for students (assessment) and for staff (evaluation).

Sessional staff coordinators can negotiate dates and Faculty or Discipline-specific programs. Email Ursula McGowan, phone 8303 5771.

Performance Excellence Implementation - Planning, Development and Review training

As part of the University of Adelaide's Performance Excellence project workshops are being held for managers and supervisors responsible for holding PDR conversations with staff.

Managers and supervisors are encouraged to attend one of the following training sessions. The sessions are designed to provide you with an overview of the changes to PDR, your responsibilities and preparing for PDR conversations.

Training for Managers & Supervisors of Academic Staff
Friday 5 December, 9:00am-1:00pm
Friday 12 December, 9:00am-1:00pm

Training for Managers & Supervisors of Professional Staff
Monday 8 December, 9:00am-1:00pm

Sessions for Staff: Changes to PDR
Academic and professional staff are encouraged to attend one of the following sessions. The sessions are designed to provide you with an overview of the changes to PDR, your responsibilities and preparing for PDR conversations.

• Wednesday 19 November, 9:00am-1:00pm
• Friday 28 November, 9:00am-1:00pm
• Monday 1 December, 9:00am-1:00pm
• Thursday 11 December, 9:00am-1:00pm

Venue: CLPD Seminar Room 2, Level 2, Schulz Building West

For further information and to enrol, visit the PDR website at: www.adelaide.edu.au/clpd/orgdev/pdr/, email Janet Hart or phone 8303 3130.

Teaching@University - Enrol Now for 2009

Enrolments are now being accepted for places in the 2009 Teaching@University courses.

Visit the Teaching@University website for further information or to download the brochure, which includes the application form.

Professional & Continuing Education

Upcoming Professional Development Courses

Developing a Marketing Plan
Thursday 13 November

Managing Stress in the Workplace
Tuesday 18 November

Practical Techniques in Project Management
Wednesday 19 November

Designing the Perfect Corporate Occasion
Friday 21 November

5% discount for University of Adelaide staff.

For further information or to enrol, please email Jo Carrick, 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 !mpact Awards

$30,000 prize money to fund further research
Join Adelaide's science and innovation community for the presentation of the Awards for Excellence in Research2Business Engagement. Significant contributors in the innovation space will also be recognised on the night with the presentation of ARI !mpact Accolades.

Date/Time: Thursday 27 November 2008, 7:00pm for 7:30pm
Venue: Adelaide Festival Centre
Tickets: $60 each or $480 for a table of 8 (inc. GST)
Dress: Black tie

For further information, visit: www.adelaide.edu.au/aripl.

ARI News

The latest commUNIcate RESEARCH news 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.