Staff Notices: 17 - 21 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

Voter decline prompts study on compulsory voting

The high turnout in the latest United States presidential election looks like a temporary spike against a decline in voter participation around the world, an Australian academic says. Associate Professor Lisa Hill of the University of Adelaide is embarking on an ARC-funded study to determine if compulsory voting is the best way to ensure true democracy. Although Australia is the only English-speaking country in the world to compel its citizens to vote, a number of other established democracies have shown serious interest in the idea, including Britain. Dr Hill's two-year study will consider whether compulsory voting actually violated democratic principles, as claimed in some quarters, or offered a remedy to falling voter turnout. "This project is the first systematic assessment of compulsory voting from a practical, efficient, legal and constitutional viewpoint," she said.

Source: The West Australian (6 November 2008)
Uni full story: Should compulsory voting be adopted worldwide?

Want more Uni news coverage? Sign up for latest relevant Google Alerts.

General Information for Staff

Organisational & Professional Development (OPD) is moving

OPD is in its final stages of transition from the Centre for Learning & Professional Development (CLPD) to Organisational Development & Strategy, Human Resources Branch. Both Janet Hart and Jasmin Rieck will relocate to Grenfell Street by the end of 2008.

Staff can continue to contact the current phone and email. From 2009 the staff learning & development (L&D) curriculum will be available on the HR webpage, more detail will follow in December.

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

Draft Revised Policies for Consultation

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]

Join Adelaide onLION!

Request an account to the online community for alumni:
www.alumni.adelaide.edu.au/adelaideonlion

Vacant Positions

www.adelaide.edu.au/jobs/

Events

Adelaide Research & Innovation !mpact Awards

Presentation Dinner

Join Adelaide's science and innovation community at the presentation of the Awards for Excellence in Research2Business Engagement. $30,000 prize money will be awarded to 3 research groups to further their research, and others who make a key contribution to transferring knowledge and applying research to the benefit of the community will be acknowledged with an "!mpact Accolade".

"Scientists, economists, and other rent seeking creatures I have known: recollections of a dismal scientist"
Speaker: Dr Nicholas Gruen, Lateral Economics
Date/Time: Thursday 27 November 2008, 7:30pm
Venue: Adelaide Festival Centre
Cost: $60 per person, includes dinner and drinks

Brought to you by the University of Adelaide's commercialisation company, Adelaide Research & Innovation Pty Ltd. Proudly supported by DTED, DFEEST, ECIC, AusIndustry, Madderns Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys, Visage Audio Visual and Premium Wines Direct.

Further information at: www.adelaide.edu.au/aripl.

Research Tuesday with Professor Janet Hiller

"Widgets, gadgets and other health technologies: Using evidence, priorities and values to guide choices"
Date/Time: Tuesday 9 December, 5:30pm
Venue: Room 102, Napier Building
FREE Public Seminar.

Janet Hiller is Professor of Public Health and Deputy Head of the School of Population Health and Clinical Practice. She is Director of Adelaide Health Technology Assessment (AHTA).

All health care systems in the world "set priorities and make choices", but how do we inform policy makers about which health care interventions should be supported or promoted? Increasing use is being made of health technology assessment, which evaluates the safety, effectiveness, and social and ethical implications of different types of health care to guide decisions about health care policy and practice in Australia and elsewhere.

Bookings: research.tuesdays@adelaide.edu.au or phone 8303 3692.
Further details at: www.adelaide.edu.au/researchtuesdays/.

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, 6:30pm
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 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
Enrol online: www.adelaide.edu.au/graduatecentre/rep/staff/enrolment/

Law School - Postgraduate 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 offer 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/.

Download: attached flyer (pdf 48kB)

Training & Development Opportunities

Plan now for your Sessional Teacher Induction in early 2009

The CLPD can help you run your Faculty/Discipline based Sessional Teacher Induction program during the three weeks from Monday 16 February to Friday 6 March, 2009. The typical full-day program consists of two 3-hour interactive, scenario based sessions, and is suitable for groups of up to 30 sessional demonstrators and/or tutors.

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).

Email Ursula McGowan or phone 8303 5771, to plan the date/s for your Faculty or Discipline specific program, so that resources and facilities can be arranged.

Performance Excellence Website

The revised Performance Excellence website is now available for use.

Information is available on:

• developing Position Descriptions for professional staff
• guidelines, templates and supporting tools to assist managers and staff prepare for Planning, Development and Review (PDR) discussions
• the process for Reward and Recognition
• the procedure to managing Performance Improvement.

On the Performance Excellence website you will find a broad range of resources for staff and managers.

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 21 November, 9:00am-1:00pm
• Thursday 27 November, 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: www.adelaide.edu.au/clpd/orgdev/pdr/, email Janet Hart or phone 8303 3130.

Professional & Continuing Education

English for Professionals

English for Professionals is a part time intensive course run over 10 weeks for people of non-English speaking backgrounds who want a successful professional career in Australia. The course further develops English language proficiency in a business context and focuses on the skills and strategies required to advance in an Australian professional career.
For further information visit the ELC website: www.adelaide.edu.au/elc/courses/engprof/ or phone PCE on 8303 4777.

Upcoming Professional Development Courses

Practical Techniques in Project Management
Wednesday 19 November

Dealing with Difficult, Angry and Aggressive Customers
Wednesday 26 November

Essentials of NLP at Work
Thursday 27 November

5% discount for University of Adelaide staff.

For further information or to enrol, 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

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.