-- Main.warwooca - 02 Aug 2019
We have arranged afterhours access to these rooms for those studying Masters and PhD, so outside of these bookings if the room is not in use outside office hours - it is availiable for you. The room requires swipecard entry after hours, so dont forget your card if you leave the room while working. If you would like additional bookings for group work outside of these times, you will still need to let Caitlin know so a booking can be made for you in the ECS system.
Equipment such as whiteboard markers, erasers etc. can be made availiable for use when these collaborative bookings take place. Please email Caitlin if you require some equipment for group work or pop down to the office to collect equipment as you need it.
These bookings are currently a trial to see how everyone make use of this space. We can adjust the timings and days of the bookings upon review at the conclusion of second semester semester.
Summer 2019
Application deadline: 25 July 2019
Results: 15 August 2019
All currently enrolled master’s and doctoral candidates are eligible to apply, as are academics in the first five years of their employment. Applicants are required to submit a completed application form along with their CV through the application portal by the relevant deadline. For more information visit this page.
June 2019
Postgraduate Meeting
Our next Postgraduate Meeting is due to take place at 1pm on the 28th of June in CO431. Once completed Minutes will be included here. The agenda can be found here.Collaborative Spaces
As you guys have requested a group work an collaborative space, the office will start block booking time slots in CO431 exclusively for postgraduate work. These booking are to allow postgraduates to have a space where they can undertake collaborative, discussion or group based work without disturbing those doing individual study in the shared spaces. The block bookings will start on the first week of second semester and are as follows:| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Saturday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5pm onwards | 3pm-5pm | 5pm onwards | 3pm-5pm | 2pm-6pm |
Three Minute Thesis
PGSA will be running their Three Minute Thesis Competition next month. This competition requires competitors to explain their thesis to a non-expert audience in three minutes with no notes and using only one powerpoint slide. There are a range of prizes availiable to competitors: - 1st Place: $3 000 - 2nd Place: $1 000 - 3rd Place: $500 - Research & Sustainability Award: $500 - Victoria International Award: $250 - Graduate Women of Wellington Prize: $250 - Honours Prize: $250 - Peoples Choice: $100 VicBooks voucher The competition is availiable to all Honours, Masters and Doctoral students. However, there are specific heats for each Faculty. The Science Faculty heats are running on the 15th July and 17th July, with the final running on the 25th July. If you are interested in competing please register here.Thesis Students Page
We have set up a landing page for each of you to add you study details and your interests. This page is for your benefit to apply for scholarships, jobs and conferences as you need to - it will serve as a good background to your academic life. You should be able to edit your own page and add photos etc as you wish. Just scroll to the bottom and hit edit on your profile. The pages can be found at this link here or from the SMS department homepage > About Us > Thesis Students. Alternatively, send through a small blurb, details on publications/collaborations, and your interests to Caitlin. If anyone is having trouble editing their page, email Caitlin to get it sorted.Women of Influence Award
Nominations have opened for the Westpac & Stuff Women of Influence Award. The Women of Influence programme recognises and celebrates women from all specialities and walks of life who are making a difference in our everyday lives. These awards are to focused on showcasing the work and contributions of women from around the country. There are a variety of awards categories from Innovation, Science & Health, to Business, Arts & Culture and even Rural focused awards. If you know a woman doing important and inspiring work, nominations are now open. Nominations close on the 15th of July. If you would like more information or are interested in making a nomination - please check out their website.Maths & Stat Judge Needed
The NIWA Science and Technology Fair is looking for a judge to select this years VUW SMS prize. The prize goes to the most imaginative and effective project incorporating mathematics and statistics. The fair organisers have requested a PhD student judges this prize. Judging will take place on the Thursday 29th August. If you are interested, please let Caitlin know.Workspace Evaluations
A second round of workspace evaluations is being organised. If you would like a workspace evaluation or need a follow up evaluation, please let Caitlin know.Postgraduate Outting
As a whole, SMS recognises this has been a challenging year for everyone due to changes and constraints we all have to work with now. We appreciate the open dialogue we have been able to have with each other and hope we can continue to be candid with each other, while working towards a space where everyone can work effectively. As part of our appreciation for you guys being open with us and for your patience while everything is being resolved, we would like to organise an outting for you guys. It would be great to get some ideas on activities you would be interested in doing so Caitlin can get the ball rolling in making this outting happen. Please let Caitlin know if you have any ideas or preferences.Research Page Revamp - Interviewees needed
As mentioned in our last meeting and newsletter, the SMS research page is being revamped. We have decided to split the research page into out departments specialities so we can showcase our work to interested parties more effectively. These categories are: - Statistics and Probability - Logic and Algebra - Geometry and Analysis - Applied Mathematics - Data Science The department would like to showcase your work as postgraduates. We would like to interview some of you on your projects and interests. If you are interested in being interviewed or have a suggestion of a good representative student in any of these areas, please let Caitlin know.Upcoming Conferences
Oceania Ecosystem Services Forum 2019 (2-6 September - Rydges Latimer, Christchurch)
Hosted by Scion, OESF 2019, this conference aims to bring together a range of people with the aspiration of managing, restoring and creating healthy communities and ecosystems for a resiliant future. This conference has a focus on identifying, measuring, valuing anf making decisions about ecosystem services. Speakers will cover a range of topics including best practices for ecosystem service science, planning, governance, valuation, accounting and management. For more information see their page here: www.oceaniaesforum.comScholarship Opportunities
Rutherford Foundation PhD and Postdoctoral funding opportunities
Applications for Rutherford scholarships are now open and will be closing on 1 August 2019. For more information see: https://royalsociety.org.nz/whats-happening/opportunities/rutherford-foundation-phd-and-postdoctoral-funding-opportunitiesRHT Bates Postgraduate Scholarship
This scholarship is aimed at helping students specialising in Physical Sciences (including Mathematics) cover PhD costs and fees. Established in memory of Professor Richard Bates FRSNZ, the scholarship does give preference to those with studies related to image and information processing but is availiable to a wide range of specialities. Students are required to be engaging in postgraduate studies at Hons or Masters level at the time of application and must have complete PhD enrolment to receive the scholarship. This scholarship is not limited to New Zealanders so anyone with an interest can apply. For more information, check out the Royal Societies page here.Fulbright New Zealand General Graduate Awards
This scholarship enables students to undertake graduate studies and research at US institutions. Approximately eight awards are granted annually, valued up to $40 000 (plus travel) for one year of study. If students are undertaking a multi-year PhD or Masters, there is the opportunity to apply for additional funding. This award is applicable to any field of study as long as it is not covered by another field specific Fulbright Scholarship. This award is particularly useful for students who are currently undertaking postgraduate study but would have their research supplemented by a year of study in America as it does not require full admission into the institution of interest - only a letter of invitation is required. Applicants must have 480 points including their undergraduate degree and not yet hold a PhD, applications from students with 360 points will be considered with support from their host institution. This award requires a minimum study period of six months at your chosen host institution and you must meet citizenship requirements outlined on their page. Applications close on the 1st of August. For more information see here.Fulbright Science and Innovation Graduate Award
This scholarship is offered in partnership with the New Zealand Ministry of Business and Innovation & Employment. This scholarship enables students to undertake graduate studies and research at US institutions. Approximately eight awards are granted annually, valued up to $40 000 (plus travel) for one year of study. If students are undertaking a multi-year PhD or Masters, there is the opportunity to apply for additional funding. Awards are targeted at projects that support the economic, social, environmental and cultural needs of New Zealand particularly those focusing on current and emerging industry, social and environmental sectors. This award is particularly useful for students who are currently undertaking postgraduate study but would have their research supplemented by a year of study in America as it does not require full admission into the institution of interest - only a letter of invitation is required. Applicants must have 480 points including their undergraduate degree and not yet hold a PhD, applications from students with 360 points will be considered with support from their host institution. This award requires a minimum study period of six months at your chosen host institution and you must meet citizenship requirements outlined on their page. Applications close on the 1st of August. For more information, check out their page here.Fulbright-EQC Graduate Award in Natural Disaster Research
This award may be particularly applicable to those participating in modelling and statistical research (although any connection may be considered if relevant). The award is aimed at supporting research projects that are investigating natural diusasters, their hazards, their impact, societies vulnerability, mitigation and management measures. This scholarship enables students to undertake graduate studies and research at US institutions. Approximately eight awards are granted annually, valued up to $40 000 (plus travel) for one year of study. If students are undertaking a multi-year PhD or Masters, there is the opportunity to apply for additional funding. Applicants must have 480 points including their undergraduate degree and not yet hold a PhD, applications from students with 360 points will be considered with support from their host institution. This award requires a minimum study period of six months at your chosen host institution and you must meet citizenship requirements outlined on their page. Applications close on the 1st of August. For more information check out their website.GWNZ Fellowship
This is an award of up to $30 000 to help women participating in Postgraduate study or research. Applications close on the 31st of July. For more information check out the application criteria here.GWNZ Masters By Thesis Scholarship
This award was established by the Graduate Women New Zealand Wellington Branch to encourage female participation in graduate studies. The successful applicant will receive $4000. Applications close 31 October. Check out their page here.Ngarimu VC & 28th Maori Battalion Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship is aimed at supporting the success of exceptional Maori students in tertiary study, continuing the legacy of Second Lieutenant Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa Ngarimu and the 28th (Maori) Battalion. Ngarimu was the platoon leader of C company in the 28th battalion during the Second World War, his platoon was involved in heavy fighting in Greece, Crete, Libya and Tunisia. Ngarimu was describes as "displaying courage and leadership of the highest order" by the Commander of his unit - Lieutenant Colonel Charles Bennett. Unfortunately, Ngarimu was killed during battle but was awarded a Victoria Cross for his bravery, determination and outstanding leadership to his men in the face of adversity. This scholarship is availiable to students who are of Maori descent, enrolled in tertiary education and are able to describe the Nga Ahuatanga charactistics they possess that are similar to thise identified within the Ngarimu and the Maori Battalion. There are scholarships availiable to Masters students ($15 000 per year for 2 years) and Doctoral students ($25 000 per year for 2 years). Applications are now open but close on the 9th September. More information can be found here.Rutherford Post-doc Fellowships
For those of you nearing the end of your PhDs, the Research Office is starting to release some information on upcoming Rutherford Fellowships for Postdocs. The closing date for applications has not been announced yet but Ivy has suggested it is usually towards the end of July/ early August. Applicants must have had their PhD conferred no more than 4 years prior to the closing date, expemtions in applications can be sought if the applicants PhD has been submitted prior to the closing date but is still under examination (this will need to be requested through the Royal Society - so let us know if you ASAP). Applicants must be an NZ citizen, NZ resident visa holder or have resided in NZ for at least 2 years continuously before their application. Successful applicant will receive $75k towards their salary and $10k towards research costs. If you would like more information, check it out here. Alternatively, as the closing dates are announced, more detail will be advertised by the Research Office and in Victoria newsletters.Laura Bassi Scholarship
The Laura Bassi Scholarship, which will award a total of $8,000 thrice per annum, was established by Editing Press in 2018 with the aim of providing editorial assistance to postgraduates and junior academics whose research focuses on neglected topics of study, broadly construed. The scholarships are open to every discipline and the next round of funding will be awarded in July:Summer 2019
Application deadline: 25 July 2019
Results: 15 August 2019
All currently enrolled master’s and doctoral candidates are eligible to apply, as are academics in the first five years of their employment. Applicants are required to submit a completed application form along with their CV through the application portal by the relevant deadline. For more information visit this page.