Staff Notices: 8 - 12 December 2008

Table of Contents

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

Inside Adelaide dates
The final edition of Inside Adelaide for 2008 will appear in the week commencing 15 December. The first issue for 2009 will appear in the week commencing 19 January.

Uni in the News

Fat boomers cost Australia - study

Obese baby boomers are costing Australia almost $4 billion a year, University of Adelaide demographer Professor Graeme Hugo said. Professor Hugo will lead a $641,000 project to develop strategies to address the obesity problem, focusing on improving diets and increasing physical activity levels. Among boomers, 72 per cent of men and 58 per cent of women are overweight. "The unprecedented high levels of obesity among Australian baby boomers is an issue of national importance. "Moreover, the window of opportunity to intervene and reduce obesity among this group before they enter retirement is rapidly closing," he said.
The three-year project is funded by the ARC, with partners being the University, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, WorkCover SA, Council on the Ageing and SA Health.

Sources: Herald Sun (2 December 2008)
Uni full story: Experts warn of "fat, middle-aged workforce"

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General Information for Staff

New academic leadership positions

The recommendations of the Working Party on Postgraduate Coursework Programs have been endorsed by Academic Board and approved by the Vice-Chancellor & President on behalf of Council for implementation. In order to expand the University's involvement in this area and to facilitate the implementation of the recommendations, the Vice-Chancellor & President has approved the establishment of the position of Dean of Postgraduate Coursework Studies in the Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic).

The Vice-Chancellor & President has also approved the establishment of the position of Academic Director - Singapore Campus to provide enhanced academic oversight of the University's growing academic activities at this campus.

I am pleased to announce that Professor Iain Reid has been appointed to both positions, dividing his time equally between both roles. Iain has been seconded from his position in the School of Chemistry and Physics for a period of two years. He will take up his new roles in January 2009. Iain has had broad leadership roles in the University, most recently as Acting Executive Dean, Faculty of Sciences, and Acting Head, School of Veterinary Sciences. He was also convener of the Working Party on Postgraduate Coursework Programs.

Professor Fred McDougall
Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)

Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy

Assessment is a core academic activity and an essential component of the learning process. Its main purposes are to encourage student learning, to make judgements about student achievements, and to monitor the effectiveness of the learning environment. This policy sets out the principles which underpin the University of Adelaide's approach to assessment, and the mandatory procedures which ensure that the principles are implemented.

http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/700

Upgrade of Exhibition Steps - Early 2009

Infrastructure Branch has recently received engineering advice that it is necessary to temporarily close the Exhibition Steps until upgrade works have been completed. The steps are situated between the Napier Building and the Engineering South Building - map ref H11.

A project has commenced to carry out the necessary upgrade and work is planned to proceed early in 2009.

Unfortunately, the closure of the steps will result in some disruption to pedestrian traffic in the precinct. We regret any inconvenience that students, staff or visitors may experience as a result of the closure.

Attached is a brief article that provides further detail on the steps and the project.

Season for giving

The gift of education takes on a festive theme at the University this month. Staff and students are being encouraged to donate an educational gift for underprivileged children. A Christmas tree 'with a difference' - created by local artist Hans Kreiner - will be erected in the foyer of the Mitchell Building on Wednesday 10 December, and will be open for public viewing. Donations of books, puzzles or other educational toys in support of The Smith Family are welcome. The tree will become part of the University's Art Collection.

South Australia Illustrated Gift Cards

The Friends of the University of Adelaide Library and the University of Adelaide's Art & Heritage Collections have produced an elegantly presented folio of eight gift cards, two each of four illustrations from George French Angas' South Australia Illustrated.

Proceeds from the sale of the Gift Cards will be used to promote and support the cultural collections of the University. The cost of a set of eight cards is $20, GST inclusive.

Cards may be purchased by cash at the Barr Smith Library Services desk on Level 3 South, or you can use the order form on the Library website.

Adelaide onLION

Staff are invited to join Adelaide onLION, the University's exclusive online community - it's fun, it's free, and it's a fantastic opportunity to engage with the wider alumni community! Visit: www.alumni.adelaide.edu.au/adelaideonlion

Vacant Positions

www.adelaide.edu.au/jobs/

Events

Law 125 Prestigious Speakers Series

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

"The Golden Metwand": The Measure of Justice in Shakespeare's Measure for Measure
Speaker: Professor John V. Orth, William Rand Kenan, Jr. Professor of Law, University of North Carolina, USA
Date/Time: Monday 15 December 2008, 1:00pm
Venue: Moot Court Room, Law School (Ligertwood Building)

Topic: Measure for Measure, one of Shakespeare's "problem plays," is a dark comedy depicting Duke Vincentio's effort to restore respect for the law after a period of lax enforcement. Peopled with a wide variety of law-enforcers and law-breakers, the play implicates numerous legal issues and has consequently attracted the attention of lawyers and judges. In the eighteenth century Sir William Blackstone contributed notes on the play, while in the twentieth century judges have quoted from it in their judicial opinions. Like all good legal dramas, Measure for Measure ends with a trial scene, but - as we would expect from Shakespeare - one with an unusual twist. When charges of corruption are brought against Angelo, the deputy appointed to enforce the law, the Duke orders an immediate trial: Come, cousin Angelo / In this I'll be impartial; be you judge / Of your own cause. When the deputy's guilt is disclosed, the Duke commands that he suffer the punishment he intended for others -- measure for measure. By ordering Angelo to be the judge of his own cause, the Duke is inviting the deputy to measure out his own punishment. And Shakespeare is forcing us all to confront the difficulty of doing earthly justice.

Download: Orth flyer.
No RSVP is required. Further enquiries: Dr Paul Babie.

Annual Radio Adelaide Fundraising Sale

Radio Adelaide is having its giant, annual CD, Book and Computer Sale on Friday 12 December, from 10:00am-4:00pm.
There'll be bargains galore including new & used CDs, albums, books, computers and IT equipment. This is one of Radio Adelaide's major fundraising events of the year, and it's a great chance to pick up bargains and maybe even some cheap Christmas presents. Be sure to tell your friends and family about it.

It's open to the public for one day only! No pre-sales or phone sales.

Radio Adelaide
228 North Terrace, Adelaide

Ethics Centre of SA & The Wark seminar

Ethics & Nanotechnology at the Interface
Presenters: Emeritus Professor Robert Crotty, Director, Ethics Centre of South Australia
Laureate Professor John Ralston, Director, Ian Wark Research Institute
Guest presenter: Professor John Weckert, Centre for Applied Philosophy & Public Ethics

Date/Time: Friday 12 December, 3:00pm-5:00pm
Venue: Bradley Forum, Hawke Building, City West Campus, UniSA
All welcome (Sciences academic staff in particular)

Download: attached flyer
Please RSVP via email to Vicki Hattam.

Australian Microbeam Analysis Society Symposium - AMAS X

Adelaide Microscopy users, and those interested in microscopy and microanalysis, will have an opportunity to hear the best of Australia's talent in the field, and noted international invited speakers, when Adelaide Microscopy hosts the tenth biennial Australian Microbeam Analysis Society symposium - AMAS X, from 11-13 February 2009 at the University of Adelaide. The pre-symposium workshops, on 9 & 10 February, will cover a range of microanalytical techniques, and present a chance to learn from the best in the science.

For details and updates, visit the symposium website at: www.microscopy.org.au/amas/Adelaide2009/.
Registration deadline is 31 December 2008.

Training & Development Opportunities

Teaching Fellowships offered by the Australian Learning and Teaching Council

Expressions of Interest (EoI) are being sought for ALTC Teaching Fellowships to be submitted by close of business Monday, 15 December 2008. Applicants who are outstanding scholars in their fields and who have identified an educational issue of relevance generally or in their discipline will be favoured.

For more detailed information about the Fellowships, refer to the ALTC Fellowships website. If you have further questions about the Fellowships or the EoI, contact the Teaching Awards and Grants Support Office in the Centre for Learning and Professional Development on phone 34721 or email Barbara Brougham.

EoI requirements: no more than three A4 pages stating which Fellowship you are interested in and outlining your proposed activities as a National Teaching Fellow or Teaching Fellow, along with your CV highlighting relevant experience and expertise. Email your EoI to Barbara Brougham.

Want to know more about ePortfolios?

This session on PebblePad, a purpose-built ePortfolio system, will be of interest to staff who are wishing to prepare teaching portfolios for tenure and promotion, or who are applying for learning and teaching prizes and awards. The system can also be used for supporting research students, undergraduate student learning portfolios, and students on placements or projects.

Thursday 11 December
9:30am-10:30am Presentation
11:00am-1:00pm Workshop (limited to 30 places)

Venue: Physics Building, North Terrace Campus

Email Irene Lee, Centre for Learning and Professional Development, or phone 8303 7026 to register your interest to attend the presentation, the workshop or both. You can download the session flyer from the CLPD website.

Apply for a Graduate Certificate in Higher Education

Late applications are now being accepted.
The full fees will be reduced for up to 15 University of Adelaide staff enrolling in 2009.
For application forms and further information, visit the Grad. Cert. in Higher Education webpage.

Apply for a Graduate Certificate in Online Learning

Late applications are now being accepted.
The full fees will be waived for up to 5 University of Adelaide staff enrolling in 2009.
For application forms and further information, visit the Grad. Cert. in Online Learning webpage.

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.

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.

Training for Managers & Supervisors of Academic Staff
Friday 12 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.

• Tuesday 16 December, 9:00am-1:00pm
• Wednesday 17 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.

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 our website: www.adelaide.edu.au/elc/courses/engprof/ or phone PCE on 8303 4777.

Intensive Language Courses

Intensive courses begin in January and are delivered for 10 weeks in two weekly evening sessions of three hours each. The course is designed for beginners who wish to learn a language in a short period of time for business, personal interest or travel.

Languages offered:

Italian
French
German
Chinese (Mandarin)
Japanese
Spanish

For further information or to enrol please email Rupert Irudayaraj or phone 8303 4777, or visit our website: 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.