AMOS Adelaide 2011 Student Essay Prize

By Kate | Published: November 28, 2011

Read more at the Enironment Insitute

“The Australian Meteorological & Oceanographic Society (AMOS) is an independent Australian society that supports and fosters interest in meteorology, oceanography and other related sciences. This is done by providing a forum for people with a common interest, and by publishing relevant material. The Society helps all those with an interest in the environment including research workers and professionals, those whose work is affected by, and affects, the atmosphere and oceans, and those who simply want to keep up with new findings.

The South Australian branch of AMOS is seeking essays on any topic of climate, atmospheric or oceanographic science for the 2011 Student Essay Prize of AMOS South Australia. The winner will receive $500 and the essay will be presented to the SA-AMOS members at the annual general meeting late in 2011. Hurry, applications close Friday 2nd December!
To find out more, download the pdf flyer: AMOS Student Prize 2011

AMOS invites those interested to attend their AGM on Wednesday 7th December in North Adelaide. More information: AMOS Adelaide AGM Flyer…”

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Marine forests dropping off the edge

By Kate | Published: November 28, 2011

Read more at ConservationBytes

“This is probably a little late in terms of breaking news, but it’s good fodder for a blog post nonetheless.

I’ve done several posts now on the value (and threats) of marine macroalgae (seaweeds) – the last one hinted that a major paper was imminent regarding the fate of one of the world’s most important centres of macroalgae diversity in response to our rapidly changing climate: southern Australia.

Well, that paper has now come out in the eminent journal Current Biology headed by that crazy Aussie-Viking phycologist, Dr. Thomas Wernberg (byline here: Thomas was just awarded an Australian Research Council Future Fellowship and deserves many congratulations – not least for which the audacity to wear yellow budgie smugglers in public).

Entitled simply “Seaweed communities in retreat from ocean warming“, the short paper belies a hell of a lot of work examining over 60 years of herbarium records indicating MASSIVE shifts in the macroalgae community southwards on both the east and west coasts of Australia (see some media spots here). What do I mean by ‘massive’? Well, about 300 species on average (52 examined in most detail) shifted about 200 km south on the east coast (where warming has been most pronounced), and about 50 km south on the west coast…”

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Research Week 28 Oct – 4 Nov 2011

By Kate | Published: October 5, 2011

Read more at the Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing

“This week long event gives attendees the opportunity to view a variety of hands-on workshops and seminars that show case the real life relevance and problem solving of the major challenges that the world faces today. This is your opportunity to discover what today’s innovative research is all about and what the real life impacts might look like tomorrow. Prof Monro will be presenting a 3 minute snapshot of her current research at Meet the Researchers on Wednesday 2nd November at 5:30pm, along with 9 other University researchers, followed by an opportunity to talk with them over tea and coffee.

Further information on Research Week and register for events that interest you….”

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Debate @ The Waite, 3rd November 2011

By Kate | Published: October 5, 2011

Read more at The Waite Research Institute

“Come and see two teams debate the topic:

“Agriculture should be exempt from greenhouse gas reduction schemes”

Ensuring that Australia’s agricultural industries remain profitable and productive while reducing greenhouse gas emissions is a major challenge.

About 20% of the total greenhouse gas emissions globally come from agriculture. Agricultural emissions are mainly methane and nitrous oxide which are much more potent that carbon dioxide. This means agriculture potentially contributes more to greenhouse gas emissions than other industries. In Australia, livestock is our third largest source of emissions, equal to transport, and make up about 70% of those from agriculture.
Reducing emissions from agriculture could contribute significantly to decreasing greenhouse gas emissions. Does agriculture have an obligation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions? If other sectors are included in reduction schemes such as the ‘carbon tax’, shouldn’t agriculture be included too? Could there be new business opportunities for rural communities with schemes to offset greenhouse gas emissions? What are the consequences for the environment if agricultural emissions are not reduced?
On the other hand, agriculture is based on variable and interacting biological systems. Is it even possible to monitor its greenhouse gas emissions accurately? Do we have enough knowledge now to reduce emissions from agriculture? Would reduction schemes decrease Australia’s international competiveness in food and fibre production, along with our export earnings? What would be the likely impact on the profitability of Australian farms?

Will you be for or against?

Affirmative Team
Prof Phil Hynd, Deputy Head, Animal and Veterinary Sciences, University of Adelaide
Dr Murray Unkovich, Lecturer in Soil Science, University of Adelaide
Mick Keogh, Executive Director, Australian Farm Institute

Negative Team
Prof Mike Young, Executive Director, The Environment Institute, University of Adelaide
Prof Wayne Meyer, Chair of Natural Resource Science, University of Adelaide
Prof Tony Peacock, Chief Executive, Cooperative Research Centres Association

Moderator
Ian Doyle, President, Rural Media SA

When: Thursday 3rd November, 6.00 pm – 8.30 pm
Where: Lirra Lirra Cafe, Waite Campus, The University of Adelaide, Waite Rd, Urrbrae

Finger food provided. A cash bar will be open throughout the event

Admission free. Bookings essential

Register online at eventbrite or call 83036729

Download flyer …”

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Crush 2011! Key wine industry facts presented by Prof. Kym Anderson

By Kate | Published: October 5, 2011

Read more at Wine 2030

“Professor Kym Anderson of Wine2030 and the Wine Economics Research Centre gave a fascinating and informative presentation at the plenary session of the Crush 2011: The Grape and Wine Science Symposium in Adelaide, entitled ‘Wine’s globalization: New opportunities, new challenges for Australia’.

The Crush 2011 symposium, organised by the Wine Innovation Cluster, brought together top wine and grape researchers from all over Australia and overseas, from universities, research institutes, industry and government to present the latest cutting edge research, to network and to foster future collaborative opportunities. The University of Adelaide had a strong attendance, as did the Australian Wine Research Institute (AWRI), Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), the University of South Australia, Grape and Wine Research and Development Corporation (GWRDC), South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI), and other universities and institutions around Australia and overseas. Inspiring talks were provided in the plenary session at the National Wine Centre by GWRDC Chairman Rory McEwen, Kym Anderson, John Brooks of Zork, Mark Thomas of CSIRO Plant Industry, Keren Bindon of AWRI and Rebekah Richardson of Pernod-Ricard Pacific…”

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2011 Postgraduate Symposium

By Kate | Published: October 5, 2011

Read more at Blog about Science at Adelaide

“The 4th Annual Postgraduate Symposium occurs next Wednesday and Thursday (October 5-6).   The School of Agriculture, Food and Wine expects all students (and supervisors) to attend where possible as this represents one of the many training opportunities the School provides for our Postgraduates.

The program is filled with many interesting topics and offers a unique opportunity for all mid-candidature students to explain their work and for the entire School to hear about the broad range of ground-breaking research going on here at the moment.

The venue this year will be the ‘Charles Hawker Centre Auditorium’ and both morning/afternoon teas and lunch will be provided by various sponsors.

The program starts both mornings at 9am and finishes at 5pm. There will be sponsored prizes and a social event immediately following the Symposium on Thursday 6th October.

For further information about the Timetable go to:  2011 Postgraduate Symposium…”

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How climate change may degrade marine ecosystems

By Kate | Published: October 5, 2011

Read more at The Environment Institute

“With research into the effects of climate change rapidly advancing it is appropriate to reflect on both the achievements and future directions of this research. An international team of researchers, lead by the Environment Institute’s Bayden Russell and Sean Connell, has done just that.

Their findings, published this month, outline the necessary steps to improve our understanding of the how climate change may degrade marine ecosystems and what (if any) actions we may be able to take to ameliorate these impacts.

Using kelp forests in South Australia as a case-study, they further highlight the necessity of targeting species which maintain ecosystem functioning in future research into the impacts of climate change.

To read the full journal, click here…”

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Issues Paper – Assisting Regions and Communities to Cope With Structural Change

By Kate | Published: October 5, 2011

Read more at The South Australian Centre for Economic Studies

“A new Economic Issues paper – Assisting Regions and Communities to Cope with Structural Change: Context, Objectives, Principles and Good Practice – was recently distributed to Corporate Members.

This paper is the final of three papers on regional issues with earlier papers exploring first, Re-Thinking the Approach to Regional Development in South Australia (EIP No. 28) and second, the “rejuventation” of the Provincial Cities following a protracted period of decline through the 1990s (EIP No. 29).

In this paper, Emeritus Professor Cliff Walsh and Associate Professor Michael O’Neil consider structural change and the adjustment pressures that regions experience. The principal purpose of the paper is to develop:

  • an overarching framework within which structural adjustment issues can be appropriately considered;
  • a statement of general principles of guiding whether, when and how it is appropriate for government to assist regions to cope with structural adjustment pressures, whatever their source; and
  • a set of good-practice principles to appropriately shape the practical design and implementation of regional structural adjustment assistance where it is offered…”
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Have your say! Australian wine industry survey for English/Chinese dictionary

By Kate | Published: September 23, 2011

Read more at Wine 2030

“The Wine Science and Business Group of the University of Adelaide is producing an English/Chinese (Mandarin) dictionary with a particular emphasis on wine. This project is being led by Dr Sue Bastian and the project team is keen to use this opportunity to consolidate Australia’s position in the Chinese wine market.

As part of the research proposal, we are running a survey of the Australian wine industry to seek your views on the format of the dictionary and the range of terms that might be included.

The following link will take you directly to the survey:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/MSTYFMJ

We would really appreciate you, or someone in your company, taking the time to complete the survey, which should take about 15 minutes. The data from the survey will ensure that we meet the needs of the industry in a market that offers enormous potential to Australian wine producers.

If you have any questions about the survey, please do not hesitate to contact the Project Manager, Trent Johnson (trent.johnson@adelaide.edu.au or 0413 193 330), School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, the University of Adelaide.

We look forward to a positive response from industry and would like to thank those who have already provided their responses…”

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Postdoctoral Study Opportunities – 2 positions available

By Kate | Published: September 23, 2011

Read more at The Australian Centre for Visual Techonologies

“Hosted at the University of Adelaide, a leading Go8 University, the Australian Centre for Visual Technologies focuses on Computer Vision, Computer Graphics, and Image Processing.  As part of the expansion of this, Australia’s leading research group in the area, the centre is seeking applications for two postdoctoral positions.

The Centre is supported by direct research-excellence investment from the University of Adelaide, generates over $2 million annually in research income, and has received significant direct research funding from a diverse range of clients.

Two opportunities exist for highly motivated and talented individuals to undertake research on separate Australian Research Council funded projects.

Position 1 (Job Ref: 16972)

Added Depth: Automated high level image interpretation

Led by Prof Anton van den Hengel, the successful applicant will work on learning priors from large image sets which might aid the process of automated image interpretation. The position is initially for 2 years and is available immediately.

Applicants should have a PhD in a relevant discipline, with a strong background in computer vision, in particular image-based modelling, machine learning or probabilistic graphical models. Strong coding and mathematical skills are also required.

Salary: (Level B) $80,602 to $92,256 negotiable, dependent on experience and qualifications.

Interested applicants should contact Professor Anton van den Hengel, Director of the Australian Centre for Visual Technologies, at anton.vandenhengel@adelaide.edu.au

Position 2 (Job Ref: 16973)

Computer vision from a Multi-Structure Analysis Framework

Applicants should have a PhD in Computer Science, Mathematics, Statistics or a related area. Experience in computer vision research and/or robust statistics will be an advantage. The position is for two years and available immediately.

Salary: (Level A-B) $68,751 to $83,511 negotiable, dependent on experience and qualifications.

Interested applicants should contact Professor David Suter, Head of the School of Computer Science, at dsuter@cs.adelaide.edu.au

Applications for both positions close Friday 14 October 2011…”

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