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Staff Notices: 7 - 11 September 2009
Table of Contents
- Uni in the News
- General Information for Staff
- Events
- Training and Development Opportunities
- Information for Researchers
Uni in the News
Hunt for proteins to switch off MS
Scientists hope new research into the causes of multiple sclerosis, focusing on proteins and the role they play in the development of the disease, will lead to more effective treatments and better diagnosis. Launched at the University of Adelaide, the research collaboration - consisting of three Group of Eight universities (Adelaide, Monash, Queensland) and WA's Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital - aims to discover the proteins that cause the debilitating disease, which affects about 20,000 Australians and costs the community about $2 billion a year. Lead investigator Professor Shaun McColl, Deputy Head of the School of Molecular & Biomedical Science, said there were currently no effective cures or therapies for multiple sclerosis, a disease that causes the body's own immune cells to attack the central nervous system. "With MS there are a number of major stages that occur in the disease, including activation and remission," Professor McColl said. At each of the major stages certain genes were activated, expressing proteins that researchers believe could have the effect of switching the disease on and off.
Source: The Australian (26 August 2009)
Uni full story: National search for proteins that cause MS
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General Information for Staff
Undergraduate Program Structures Review
The Undergraduate Program Structures Review Working Party is reviewing the University's undergraduate program structures and offerings in relation to how they impact on student learning, student satisfaction and how they support the development of graduate attributes and generic skills.
The Review Working Party has now produced an Issues Paper to encourage discussion and promote feedback from staff and students of the University.
Staff are invited to present their views on the issues and options discussed
in the Paper, either through an individual submission, or by contributing to
a School or Faculty submission.
Closing date for submissions is Wednesday 30 September 2009.
For full details visit: https://www.adelaide.edu.au/pvclq/reviews/current/ups_review/ [UA only].
The Advertiser – University of Adelaide lift-out, 5 September
On Saturday 5 September we published a 16-page insert in the statewide issue of The Advertiser. This publication was aimed at parents and influencers of SA school leavers. With SATAC's initial application deadline of late September, school leavers (who make up 79% of our student population) are seeking advice and guidance on which university to choose and which academic program is best for them. Positive reinforcement of our brand by parents and influences is therefore important for this group at this time.
Market research into the parents and influencers segment told us brand-barriers for some parents were the perception that we're "inaccessible", "unfriendly" and potentially 'not as market and job-relevant' as our competition. We sought to combat this negative perception by highlighting truths around our great student services team, our student assistance programs and industry links which secure graduate jobs.
Identified as important in the consideration set of parents was: quality infrastructure, student services and quality teaching. These aspects were addressed in the insert also.
All stories were told through real people.
For those staff who missed Saturday's The Advertiser, copies of the insert can be obtained by contacting Jason, Jit or Angela at the Prospective Students Office.
Virtual Tours – New online tour
The Marketing and Strategic Communications branch has launched a brand new interactive, online Virtual Tour of both the North Terrace Campus and The Village student accommodation.
The Virtual Tours showcase a selection of locations enabling prospective students to 'walk-through' the campus and accommodation to gain an accurate perspective of the campus grounds and facilities.
This will be particularly useful to international and outer-metro prospective students who can now experience our majestic campus through our website.
The tours are user-driven providing an interactive and engaging experience for our students and staff.
Apple on Campus launches!
Apple on Campus is an exciting program agreed between the University of Adelaide and Apple! Current staff and students are entitled to get up to 12% off RRP of a Mac! By registering with Adelaide onLION, you can access your special discounts, available to you 24/7, along with additional promotions in accessories and software!
For further details visit: www.alumni.adelaide.edu.au/apple to access your Apple on Campus on-line store.
Data storage - quotas increase to 50Gb for researchers and academics, 5Gb for Staff and Students.
An important Technology initiative for 2009 involves increasing personal file storage quotas for staff and students. The new quotas will provide 5Gb for general staff and students; and 50Gb for academics and people with research roles.
Most of the transition work will be performed by Technology Services after hours to minimise disruption to staff and students, in a staged rollout across the University. Staff and students will receive emails informing them when work affecting them is planned, and of any actions that they may need to take.
Please visit the Storage System website to keep up to date with the latest information at: www.adelaide.edu.au/its/projects/infrastructure/storage/.
Professor Roger Byard wins triple Awards
Forensic pathologist Professor Roger Byard from the Discipline of Pathology has been awarded three of the five National Institute of Forensic Science (NIFS) awards for South Australia in 2008.
NIFS Director Alistair Ross visited Adelaide last week to present the following awards to Professor Byard: Best Literature Review for his paper on Down Syndrome Fatalities; Best Chapter in a Book for an article on 'Fatal Sexual Abuse in Childhood in: Essentials of Autopsy Practice: Topical Developments, Trends and Advances'; and Best Case Study on the identification of submerged skeletonised remains.
University of Adelaide staff Lisa Yelland, Amy Salter (Public Health) and Jason White (Pharmacology) were also highly commended for Best Technical Article.
Dr Jill Thomas on board to New York
Senior lecturer in the Business School, Dr Jill Thomas, has become the first Australian to be elected to the Board of Directors of the Family Firm Institute (FFI), the premier international body representing family-run enterprises. Based in the United States, the FFI was founded in 1986 and provides education and network opportunities for family enterprises.
Dr Thomas specialises in family-owned businesses and currently teaches the University's leadership course in the MBA programs in Adelaide and Singapore. She will attend her first board meeting in New York on 26 September 2009.
University Awards for Teaching deadline this Friday
Applications for the 2009 Teaching Awards are due by Friday 11 September.
Submission details for all awards can be found on the Teaching Awards and Grants website.
Young Investigator Award – Semi-Finals
Co-sponsored by the University of Adelaide Faculty of Health Sciences
All staff and students are invited to attend the Scientific Presentations by the eight semi-finalists of this year's Young Investigator Award.
Now in its 10th year, the Young Investigator Award rewards excellence in South Australia's young researchers in both science and their ability to communicate and 'sell' that science.
Date/Time: Friday 11 September 2009, 11:00am - 3:00pm
Venue: Queen Victoria Lecture Theatre, Women's & Children's Hospital, North Adelaide
FREE. All welcome.
RSVP essential on 8161 8447 or to: events@cywhs.sa.gov.au with session you will attend:
'Session 1: A Woman's Health and Pregnancy' or 'Session 2: Prevention of Common Childhood Diseases'.
For further information visit: www.cywhs.sa.gov.au/yia or download: YIA flyer.
Student Grievance Resolution Process
A Web-based Student Grievance Resolution Process is being developed, to replace the current Student Complaints Policy and Fair Treatment Procedures for Students. It will enable students and staff easily to identify the 4 stages in resolving a grievance, and be taken step by step through the process.
The stages are:
Stage 1: informal discussion
Stage 2: formal review
Stage 3: appeal (to the University's Student Grievance and Appeal Committee)
Stage 4: external review or appeal.
The process does not differ significantly from the current process as set out in the Student Complaints Policy, which by and large has worked well over the years, supported by the Student Policy and Appeals Office. It is more the presentation that has changed.
The process has been designed to be consistent with the principles of Procedural Fairness and the University's legal obligations. The emphasis is on informal resolution as soon as the grievance arises (Stage 1). Where this does not work, more formal procedures are implemented. As each stage becomes more formal, so too do the procedures.
While the process has a student focus, it is designed also to be the main reference point for staff who are asked to deal with a grievance. It sets out the timelines in which staff must respond to Stage 1 or Stage 2 grievances. It also sets out the Rights and Responsibilities of both staff and students for each stage of the grievance process.
The draft is available at: https://www.adelaide.edu.au/student/grievance/ [UA staff only].
Consultation period ends 21 September. Feedback and responses can be directed to Dr Peter Backhouse, Coordinator, Student Policy and Appeals or comments can be made to: policies@adelaide.edu.au.
Tips for TRIMinising
Did you know there are many useful keyboard shortcuts available in TRIM?
Ctrl+F displays the "Records Find" window
Alt+Enter displays the Properties of the selected record
F3 adds records to your Work Tray
F4 adds records to your Favourites
F5 refreshes your TRIM screen
F7 refines a search
For a full listing of Shortcuts in TRIM please refer to TRIM Information Sheet TRIM Shortcuts D2009/7678 or at: https://www.adelaide.edu.au/records/trim/manuals/ [UA only].
For further assistance: TRIM Helpdesk, phone 35334.
Watch Live Racing: The Vice-Chancellor's Cup
Come out and support the showdown of Faculties!
This Friday 1:10pm, North Terrace grounds
The Adelaide University Sports Association (AUSA) is hosting Inter-Faculty Active Recreation (IFAR) Week from 7 - 11 September.
The Vice-Chancellor's Cup footrace aims to bring the University community together, to promote a healthy rivalry within the Uni and to consequently generate an interest in recreation and fitness.
There may be some noise at the event on the Barr Smith Lawns between 11:00am and 2:00pm each day. There will be walkway restrictions around campus during the VC's Cup running race. Bunting will be erected in the affected areas, however this will only restrict access during the race (1:10pm to 1:30pm). A Rock Climbing Wall will also be erected on the Barr Smith Lawns on Wednesday 9 September.
For further information on the week visit: www.theblacks.com.au or contact Leah McLean on 8313 6958 or Caitlin Stanley on 8313 1031.
Bike Maintenance Courses
In the lead up to National Ride to Work Day 2009, the University's environmental management program, Sustainable Adelaide, will be subsidising a series of Bike Maintenance Courses to be run by BicycleSA.
Learn to maintain your bike with a basic course, or build your bike maintenance skills with an intermediate course. The courses will run twice daily, between Tuesday 29 September and Thursday 1 October 2009.
As well as being good fun, cycling is a fantastic way to improve health and wellbeing, reduce carbon emissions, save money and beat traffic congestion. To find out more information and register your interest for a bike maintenance course, visit the Sustainable Adelaide website.
Please be quick as classes will fill up quickly!
Vacant Positions
Events
Live Music Fest 09
Tune into 101.5fm
7 - 12 September 2009, 8:00am - 11:00pm
For six days Radio Adelaide transforms the station into a huge music festival, with more than 80 performances by some 400 musicians, performing classical, hip hop, jazz and rock. There's well known local and national artists and new bands from Adelaide's rich local music scene.
Visit the Radio Adelaide website.
2009 James Crawford Biennial Lecture
The Common Law and International Law
A Dynamic Contemporary Dialogue
Presented by The Hon. Michael Kirby AC CMG, former Justice of the High Court of Australia
Date/Time: Wednesday 14 October 2009, 7:00pm
Venue: Lecture Theatre 102, Napier Building, The University of Adelaide
The Hon. Michael Kirby AC CMG was appointed as a Justice of the High Court of Australia in February 1996 retiring on 2 February 2009. In addition to his distinguished career at the national level, for many years he has enjoyed a high profile at the international level and has served as an ambassador for Australia through his contributions to the International Commission of Jurists, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the International Labour Organization, the World Health Organization and the United Nations.
For further information: Professor Judith Gardam, Law School, phone 8303 5554.
Download: Law flyer.
Research Tuesdays
Ethics for Everyone
The ethical requirements that apply to groups, and what they mean for us as individuals
Presented by Professor Garrett Cullity, Hughes Professor of Philosophy
Date/Time: Tuesday 8 September 2009, 5:30pm
Venue: Lecture Theatre G04, Napier Building, North Terrace Campus
FREE Public Seminar. All welcome.
Synopsis: Whoever we are, many of the ethical decisions we face apply to the actions we take as part of a group.
For example, we must consider the nature of our responsibilities to the environment, the underprivileged and groups previously wronged. There are even ethical components to the choice of products we buy.
So what determines whether our actions are right or wrong? Which groups, ethically speaking, do we actually belong to? And if a group is neglecting its responsibilities, how should we respond as individuals?
In this provocative presentation, the University of Adelaide's Professor Garrett Cullity tackles these challenging questions, examines the complex puzzles they give rise to and offers some answers.
Now all Adelaide OnLion members can register online - visit: www.alumni.adelaide.edu.au/researchtuesdaysseptember to secure your seat!
For further details visit: www.adelaide.edu.au/researchtuesdays/ or phone 8303 3692.
'Thinking about Asia' Workshop 3
Shanghai - City of Paradox
Speaker: Anne Warr, architect and writer of Shanghai Architecture
Date/Time: Friday 11 September 2009, 1:10pm - 2:30pm
Venue: Ligertwood Room 529, North Terrace Campus
FREE Public Workshop.
Shanghai is a trading city - exchanging commodities, cultures and dreams down the centuries. The exchange between China, at the centre of the world, and foreigners from the rest of the world, forms the essence of Shanghai, making it a city of multiple viewpoints and multiple stories. It is a city full of paradox.
Download: Asian Studies flyer.
Contact: Dr Shoko Yoneyama, Centre for Asian Studies, phone 8303 5187.
Distinguished Social Sciences Public Lecture Series
Research Assessment: Encouraging Excellence or Undermining Quality? Lessons from the British Experience
Speaker: Professor John Scott, The University of Plymouth (UK)
Date/Time: Tuesday 15 September 2009, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Venue: Napier LG23, Napier Building, University of Adelaide
Research Assessment, pioneered in the UK, has become a global trend, advocated by Governments as a means to improve the quality of research and encourage a framework of excellence. Funding decisions are increasingly tied to decisions made by assessment panels and to measures of performance. What are the consequences of this for academic careers and publication? The lecture will draw on experience from participation in two Research Assessment Exercises and participation in the planning of a new Research Excellence Framework to consider how academics in Britain and Australia should respond to these developments.
Download: Lecture flyer.
Contact: Catherine Strahle, School of Social Sciences, phone 8303 5731.
Concert in the Drawing Room, Urrbrae House, Waite Campus
Aleksandr Tsiboulski, classical guitarist
Winner of Tokyo, San Antonio and Dallas International Guitar Competitions, Australian-American Fulbright Scholar in the Visual and Performing Arts & 2004 South Australian Young Achiever of the Year in the Arts. Aleksandr is currently a PhD student at the Elder Conservatorium.
Date/Time: Wednesday 23 September 2009, 6:00pm
Tickets: $15. Pay at the door.
Seats limited. Bookings on 8303 6818. Enquiries: Dr Jennifer Gardner.
Download: Concert flyer.
Training & Development Opportunities
Take Control of Your Email
Do you spend too much of your precious time on email? Do you feel like email is controlling you, not you controlling it? We receive much of our work through email, so come along and experience first hand how you can save time and effort and get your email working for you. Those that have attended the course report they are saving 43 minutes per day. So give yourself the gift of time and book in.
Audience: All staff - why not book new staff into the course in their first week? It's free, but places are limited, so get in quick!
Date/Time: 4 sessions are offered each week - go to https://apps.adelaide.edu.au/training/ to book.
Lean Six Sigma - Executive Education Unit
Yellow Belt - 8/9 October
Green Belt - 23/25 November
If you are a middle to senior level manager, Lean Six Sigma will introduce you to the concepts, methodologies, tools and techniques by which business excellence can be maintained in your Faculty, School or Division. These methodologies are currently used by the University's Service Excellence Project Team.
The program is presented in a modular format to support varying needs in the implementation of improvement strategies. Lean Six Sigma will assist you in initiating and progressing improvement projects.
Discount: 10% for University of Adelaide staff
For further information: Amanda Bramwell, phone 8303 3268.
Association for Tertiary Education Management Inc - Professional Development Programs
Are you interested in furthering your career in the HE sector? If this sounds like you, then join us for our next ATEM professional development event:
'HE05 - HE07 Career Development' with keynote speaker Shard Lorenzo, HR Director, University of Queensland.
Date/Time: Friday 30 October 2009, 9:00am - 1:00pm
Venue: The Bradley Forum, UniSA City West campus, Level 5 Hawke Building, North Tce
Register here to be a part of this great event!
Online registration and payment now available!
Cost: $120 for members; $150 for non members; includes lunch.
For enquiries please contact Carol Sutherland, Conference Subcommittee, ATEM Central Region on 8302 0057.
You can reduce the cost of this event and other events throughout the year by becoming an ATEM member. JOIN HERE.
ERGA Conference 09: Final registrations due
Final date for registration for the 2009 ERGA Conference is Friday 18 September.
FREE Registration for all University of Adelaide staff.
Visit the ERGA website for further information.
Developing a Teaching Portfolio
In this practical, hands-on module staff are assisted in developing and maintaining an up-to-date Teaching Portfolio. Bring your draft portfolio.
Date/Time: Friday 18 September, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Venue: CLPD Seminar Room 2, Level 2, Schulz Building West
Visit the CLPD website for further information.
Cultural Awareness 3: internationalisation of the curriculum
An interactive session to support teaching staff in adjusting to the learning needs of students from different languages and cultures.
This module deals with the adjustments that students and staff from different cultures make to the learning expectations and teaching styles found in Australian universities. It identifies their continuing language learning needs and probes the implications for academic staff in their teaching and assessment practices.
Date/Time: Monday 21 September, 2:00pm - 5:00pm
Venue: CLPD, Level 2, Schulz Building West
Visit the CLPD website for further information and to book for sessions.
Spoken Language Strategies for NESB Lecturers
This is a course for lecturers from language backgrounds other than English, who may have concerns, or have had feedback, that their spoken English is difficult for students to understand.
Dates: Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday, 21, 22 & 23 September, 9:00am - 11:00am
Venue: CLPD, Level 2, Schulz Building West
Visit the CLPD website for further information.
For bookings email Ursula McGowan or phone 8303 5071.
Australian Learning and Teaching Council Grants
The Australian Learning and Teaching Council (ALTC) Grants Scheme funds three grant programs each year:
- Competitive Grants
- Leadership for Excellence in Learning and Teaching
- Priority Projects
In the last round of funding, the University of Adelaide was successful in attaining five grants, each worth more than $200,000, that will enable the staff involved to investigate issues in learning and teaching over the next two years.
The Grants Scheme for 2010 begins on 2 November 2009 with the first round of Competitive Grant applications due for submission.
If you want to know more about the ALTC Grants Scheme, email Barbara Brougham in the Teaching Awards and Grants Office, in the CLPD, or phone 0437 649 976.
Professional & Continuing Education (PCE)
Upcoming Professional Development Courses
Time Management
Thursday 10 September
Contract Management
Tuesday 15 September
Project Management
Wednesday 23 September
MS Project
Thursday 24 September
Publishing newsletters and enewsletters
Friday 25 September
Meeting the Challenge of Leadership and Development
Tuesday 13 October
Discount: 5% for University of Adelaide staff
You can now enrol and pay online! Visit our website and follow the easy steps.
www.adelaide.edu.au/pce
For further information visit our website, email Joanna Carrick or phone 8303 4777.
Information for Researchers
Attention: Academic and Research Staff
Higher Degree by Research Students
Group of Eight Librarians: Survey of information resources
I am pleased to invite you to participate in a cost-benefit study aimed at assessing the value for academic communities of information resources made available to them by the University of Adelaide.
The libraries of the Australian Group of Eight (Go8) universities (www.go8.edu.au) have commissioned Outsell, Inc (www.outsellinc.com) to carry out the online survey, which is being conducted at three universities - The University of Adelaide, The Australian National University and The University of Queensland.
In particular, the Go8 Librarians are interested in obtaining feedback from researchers and teachers concerning:
- the 'investment' in terms of money and time which researchers/teachers currently make in using information resources;
- the cost which researchers/teachers would have to incur in terms of direct financial cost and time spent if information resources were not made available free at the point of use by their universities;
- qualitative judgments of the benefit/value to researchers/teachers of the information resources.
I would be pleased if you would take a few moments from your busy research and teaching schedule to participate in this important survey - it should take you about 15 minutes to complete online. Your input and perspective as a researcher/teacher are extremely important in providing responses which will help to influence the future of information provision for research in the Go8 universities.
A summary of the aggregated results of the survey for each institution will be available to members of the research community (from December 2009).
The Library, with generous support from UniBooks, is making available ten book vouchers (value of $100 each) for a draw after the conclusion of the survey period. All respondents to the survey will be included in the draw - but the survey responses will remain anonymous.
Also, if you are prepared to be involved in a follow-up interview, or focus group, please indicate in the appropriate place on the survey.
For further information, or if you have difficulty accessing the survey, contact me directly at: ray.choate@adelaide.edu.au or if you have any concerns or questions about this online survey, you can also contact David Powell, Director & Senior Consultant, Outsell UK: dpowell@outsellinc.com.
To participate in the survey, please visit: www.digisurvey.com/adelaide
Thank you
Ray Choate, University Librarian
Adelaide Research & Innovation
The latest commUNIcate RESEARCH news is available online.
Research Branch
See the Research Branch Bulletin for the latest news on major grant rounds & information sessions, a selection of competitive grants, prizes & funding opportunities now open.
