UQ Update

UQ Update 20 October 2008  

 Upcoming UQ Events

• Vice-Chancellor`s Melbourne Alumni reception (21-10-2008) 
• Global Village (22-10-2008)
• ACPACS Seminar: War, Democracy and Popular Culture in Athens (22-10-2008)
• EMSAH Research Seminar: The rough and the beautiful in `Catherine Carmichael`: class and gender in Anthony Trollope`s colonial aesthetic. Presented by A/P Helen Blythe, New Mexico Highlands University, USA (23-10-2008)
• Hispanic Cultural Celebration (24-10-2008)
• 7 Deadly Sins (24-10-2008)
• SBS Faculty Awards for Excellence in Teaching 2008 (27-10-2008)
• Does SoTL Matter? An international panel discussion on the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning. (Panel Discussion) (27-10-2008)
• "What Travels? The Social Life of Classroom Inquiry and Innovation” (28-10-2008)
• UQ Events. To list your event, click on "Add Event" and sign in.

UQ in the media

• $60m given for research
• Pakistan`s finest excel at our unis
• Letters: The real issue needs to be addressed
• Sign in to the UQ Mediaclips site for more media clips.

Material for UQ Update

News for UQ Update should be forwarded to update@uq.edu.au by Friday morning for the following Monday's bulletin. Inquiries can be directed to OMC on 3365 1120. Items should be no longer than seven lines. Thank you.

UQ Update archive

Go to the archive section if you would like to see previous versions of UQ Update.

Other campus news

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The latest

Next week is Teaching and Learning Week

UQ Teaching and Learning Week will be held from October 27 to 31. Program highlights include a keynote address on October 28 by special guest, Dr Mary Taylor Huber, Senior Scholar of the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement for Teaching, USA. This presentation looks at what we can do to expand and enrich the social life of our classroom inquiries and innovations. The program of events is available at the Teaching and Learning Week website. Register online for workshops, showcases and seminars.

Success in national grant schemes

UQ researchers received $43 million in Australian Research Council funding and $31 million in National Health and Medical Research Council funding this week, confirming the University’s position as one of the top research universities in the nation.

Top national prize for Ian Frazer

Congratulations to UQ's cervical cancer vaccine co-creator Professor Ian Frazer Director of the Diamantina Institute for Cancer, Immunology & Metabolic Medicine, who has won the 2008 Prime Minister's Prize for Science. Story

Graduate attributes – nothing to do with me!

Dr Clair Hughes (TEDI) and internationally acknowledged leader in graduate attributes Associate Professor Simon Barrie (University of Sydney) will conduct a session for all academics — coordinators and other curriculum leaders, lecturers and other teachers — at the Sir James Foots Building (#47A), Room 141 on Wednesday, October 29 at 10am to 11.10am. Details: online.

Sustainable UQ: Creating a Climate for Change

A public forum on this topic will be held on Wednesday, October 29, at 1pm–3pm at the Abel Smith Theatre, St Lucia. This forum has been organised by the National Tertiary Education Union, Students & Staff Climate for Change group, and the UQ Students Union Environment Collective. Speakers include Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Greenfield; Professor Ove Hoegh-Guldberg of the Centre for Marine Studies; Professor Ockie Bosch of the School of Natural & Rural Systems Management; and Professor Hugh Possingham of the Australian Environmental Decision Analysis Centre. Refreshments to follow. RSVP: Jane O’Sullivan.

Are you planning to bid for a conference?

The Smart Planners seminar is run by the Brisbane Convention Bureau for all UQ academic and general staff involved in bidding for, planning and organising national and international conferences. It will be held on Thursday, October 23 from 1pm to 3pm at the UQ Centre Lecture Theatre. Much useful information and advice will be available. Refreshments will be provided and registration is necessary. Register online.

Applications close November 30 for BEL Postgraduate coursework scholarships

The BEL Faculty is offering Commonwealth Supported Postgraduate Scholarships to general staff employed in full-time continuing appointment/s for at least two years. Applicants must apply separately for admission to one of the Faculty's postgraduate coursework programs and provide evidence they have been admitted to a relevant program. Applications for a first semester 2009 start should be submitted by November 30. For details and application forms, contact Allanah Bigg or phone ext. 69061.

Diversity discussion this week

Staff are invited to A Conversation between Dr Jackie Huggins AM and Ms Mary Graham on Wednesday, October 22, from 4–5.30pm at the Kathleen Room, Staff and Graduates Club, St Lucia. Following her contribution to the Diversity Week panel discussion with Phillip Adams, Mary Graham has returned to speak further on the topic The Spirit of Diversity. Ms Mary Graham is a Kombu-merri woman and affiliated with the Waka Waka group. She has lectured on Aboriginal history, politics and comparative philosophy at UQ. Dr Jackie Huggins is an author, acknowledged national leader, previous UQ Alumnus of the Year and Deputy Director of the UQ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit. There will be time for questions and discussion from the floor. Food and cocktails will be served after the event. RSVP essential.

UQ continues success as a top water saver

This week is National Water Week and Property and Facilities division reminds staff and students that Brisbane remains on high level water restrictions with water management remaining a top priority for The University of Queensland. The University continues to improve its efficiency with an average of a 40 percent reduction in consumption at St Lucia Campus for July & August (compared to the previous year). That equates to a 63 percent reduction in water consumption for July & August from 2004 to 2008. Further information on water management at UQ is online.

Are you an international academic staff member new to UQ or Australia?

Are you interested in sharing the story of your experiences at an Australian university? Would you like the opportunity to improve the experiences of new international academic staff of the future? TEDI academics, Dr Wendy Green and Dr Paula Myatt are currently researching the experiences of international academic staff new to UQ during the last two years. Their findings will inform the improvement of staff development and support offered to new international academics in the future. They ask that participants attend two discussion sessions, each lasting approximately two hours.

RSVP to Amy Uhlhorn. Please indicate which group you would prefer to join. Catering: morning or afternoon tea will be provided — please discuss any special dietary needs when you reply.

UQ academic to discuss Muslim online forums

Roxanne Marcotte is a Lecturer in Arabic and Islamic Studies in the School of History, Philosophy, Religion and Classics. She will present a public seminar for the Centre for Critical and Cultural Studies entitled: (New) Muslim Discourses Online? on Tuesday, October 21 in the SS&H Library conference room, Duhig Building, St Lucia at 2pm. This seminar will explore how Generation Y Muslims engage in online Muslim forums that transcend the local and reach out to the global, as members connect with global Islam(s). Details: Rebecca Ralph, phone ext. 67407.

Association events for October

The UQ Secretaries’ and Office Professionals’ Association is holding the following events and courses over the next few weeks: Details: Karen Hendrickson or phone ext. 67754

Enrol in staff development courses

Places are still available in the following staff development courses:

General Teaching & Learning:

• Senior First Aid Recertification on October 27.
• Self & Peer Assessment on October 24.
• Applying for Continuing Appointment and Promotion on October 30 (Sessions at Ipswich, Gatton & Herston).
• Applying for Mid-term or Final Review Continuing Appointment on October 31.

For details of all Staff Development Program courses, visit www.tedi.uq.edu.au/sdh/.

NMR education workshop in December

A workshop will be held to demonstrate the possibilities of solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) in Brisbane from December 13 to 17. It is aimed at non-specialists, solution-state NMR users and solid-state NMR beginners. The workshop includes three days of lectures on methods and applications by solid-state NMR experts from France and UQ, followed by two days hands-on on spectrometers. There are no registration fees. Details: online or contact Dr Marianne Gaborieau, Centre for Nutrition and Food Sciences.

Seminar: Innovation in mega projects: The case of London Heathrow’s Terminal 5

On Wednesday, October 22, UQ Business and Engineering Schools will present Dr Andy Davies from Imperial College Business School. Dr Andy Davies is a world-renowned scholar and expert in the management of projects and systems integration. He is currently conducting a major study of the development of Dongtan, the Chinese eco-city. Heathrow’s Terminal 5 was the largest and most complex construction project in Europe and was delivered on time and on budget. In this presentation, Andy Davies presents an analysis of the factors that led to the success of T5, and outlines its implications for other large-scale projects. The seminar will be held from 5pm—6pm at the Terrace Room, Level 6, General Purpose North (GPN4) Building (#No. 14), corner University Drive & Campbell Road, St Lucia. RSVP by 5pm, Tuesday, October 21 to Danielle Farah.

P&F Survey Competition closes Friday, October 24

Don't miss your last chance to enter the P&F Survey Competition. Prizes of double Gold Class movie vouchers will be randomly picked for three respondents. The survey competition closes on Friday. Details: online.

2009 diaries available from Property and Facilities Central Store

The Property and Facilities Central Store has just been supplied with diaries for 2009. These are available to be ordered from today, Monday October 13 through the Central Store. The 2009 diary order form is available online. These forms can be emailed through to store@pf.uq.edu.au or faxed to ext. 54669. Further enquiries, phone ext. 51231.

UQ Business School’s executive education courses for 2009

Please email your contact details including postal address to receive an Executive Education information pack in early 2009. Details: contact the Executive Education Team on ext. 67105 or 67115, email execed@business.uq.edu.au or visit www.business.uq.edu.au/execed.

Enrolments open for summer social sport

This summer get a team of 10 friends or co-workers together and take part in the best social sport competition in town. Enrolments close November 18. Details: visit www.uqsport.uq.edu.au/socialsport.

Lifestyle program summer 08

This summer, open your mind to something new, improve your fitness, dare to be a little adventurous or learn a new skill by enrolling in the UQ SPORT summer lifestyle program. Details: visit www.uqsport.uq.edu.au/lifestyle Enrolments now open. They close November 28.

What motivates you? New participants needed for online study

Adults aged 18-70 are needed for an online study of motivating behaviours. Eligible participants who complete a short online survey on their attitudes to a particular issue will receive a Birch, Carroll & Coyle movie voucher. Those who also complete two shorter follow-up surveys will receive additional vouchers. Details: online, or email Alison Pike. Note: People who have previously taken one or more motivating behaviour surveys are not eligible for this study.

Does breathing affect your balance? Participants sought with emphysema or COPD

People with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which is also known as emphysema, are invited to take part in a research study investigating hip muscle function and balance. Researchers in the Division of Physiotherapy hope to gain a better understanding of hip muscle function in this population to improve programs and care. Individuals must be able to travel to UQ’s St. Lucia campus. Travel compensation is provided ($30). Details: Megan Fisher or phone ext. 54587.

Volunteers sought for imaging study

The Centre for Magnetic Resonance requires healthy volunteers for an fMRI study. Participants should be right-handed, have English as your first language, normal vision, and not be colour blind. The task involves naming pictures while undergoing an MRI scan for 20 minutes. Volunteers will receive $30 contribution towards travel expenses. Scans will be conducted at the Wesley Hospital. Details: Julia Hocking or phone ext. 54240.

Participants sought for short survey on perceptions of child witnesses

The School of Psychology seeks participants for a short survey of social attitudes about child witnesses in cases of sexual abuse. For details, contact the researcher by email at juryresearch@psy.uq.edu.au or complete the survey online.

People with Parkinson Disease invited to participate

The Division of Physiotherapy and the Princess Alexandra Hospital seeks people with Parkinson Disease to participate in a study of dual task training while walking. The research involves one 2-hour session at the Princess Alexandra Hospital. Participants will receive an electronic assessment of their walking and an individual training session with a physiotherapist. Participants will be reimbursed for taxi travel or parking costs incurred in order to participate. Details: Robyn Lamont or phone 0418 784 464 or 3240 2405.