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ISSUE 13 15 July 2011 OTAGO BULLETIN FORTNIGHTLY NEWSLETTER FOR UNIVERSITY STAFF AND POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS Photo: Sharron Bennett Photo: The winners of this year’s University of Otago Award for Exceptional Performance by General Staff, the Physics Mechanical Workshop team, Peter Stroud (left) and Richard Sparrow. General staff winners crucial to Physics’ success Without Peter Stroud and Richard Sparrow, Otago’s Not only are they extraordinarily capable and fast, Professor Department of Physics might not be performing so consistently Ballagh says, they are also a dream to work with. They are well on the world stage. invariably helpful, cheerful and inventive. Nothing is ever too Mr Stroud and Mr Sparrow, who make up the Department’s much trouble, and they get through an incredible amount of work. Mechanical Workshop team, have been named the winners of The two men say they are “rapt” to receive the award and the the University’s 2011 Award for Exceptional Performance by recognition for their work. General Staff. Mr Stroud, the Department’s Chief Technical Officer, has been The pair is responsible for manufacturing critical components with Physics for 26 years, while Mr Sparrow, the Department’s of the equipment required by the Department’s research groups Mechanical Technician, has been at the University 22 years and – equipment precise enough, for example, to manipulate and with Physics for five. photograph a single atom. “The work is always interesting,” Mr Sparrow says. Head of Department Professor Rob Ballagh, says they are “When you work with highly motivated researchers it makes invaluable. “The Physics Department has been very successful in you motivated to do your best,” adds Mr Stroud. winning large external research grants for almost 20 years, and They received their awards at a ceremony in the Clocktower we couldn’t deliver on those grants without the contributions of Building last week. these two guys.” ABOUT THE Pleasing response to Energy Challenge BULLETIN University Energy Challenge Coordinator any new energy saving ideas back to Mr Mason. Mark Mason is so far pleased at the support If staff or students want to become a key from staff to a call to reduce the amount of contact for the energy savings campaign in In this issue energy the University uses. their building, or they have an idea that will The Energy Challenge was launched last help save energy, they can send an email month to help the University save power. to [email protected] at the Energy 2 News Challenge. 13 General Notices for all Staff At the rate energy costs are increasing, it 14 Dunedin is likely that if unchecked, the University’s Mr Mason says the next step for the 22 Auckland annual energy bill will total around $12 Energy Challenge is to launch a website for 22 Wellington million by 2015. It was $6 million last year. information, and to start putting up monthly 23 Christchurch Mr Mason says staff feedback on the campaign Energy Reports. 23 Postgraduate Notices so far has been positive. “I’ve had some questions about energy Energy Tip: misconceptions which I’ve been happy to Use Daylight. Re-arranging office and Next Issue: answer,” he says. “We have also had some key contacts come forward, but more would workplace layouts to maximise natural Friday 29 July. The deadline for light, making sure windows are clean notices and advertisements is be great.” and blinds opened. Research shows that midday, Friday 22 July. The The “key contacts” will form a network across Bulletin is published fortnightly. people are more productive and learn campus, keeping their colleagues informed better in naturally-lit environments. Advertising: about how the campaign is going, and feeding Go to www.otago.ac.nz/news/ bulletin/ fill in the details in the template and submit. The impact of a university education Advertising in classifieds is free to staff and postgraduate students only. Otago students will be part of a world first group headquartered at Otago. It will be led by longitudinal study which aims to determine Centre Co-Director Professor Richie Poulton To Electronically Subscribe: the ongoing impact of a university education and has been commissioned by Universities on graduates’ lives. New Zealand, with main funding support Go to: http://lists.otago.ac.nz/list- info/otago-bulletin, enter email ad- Two thousand of Otago’s 2011 final from the Tertiary Education Commission. dress and then click on subscribe. year students (both postgraduate and Professor Poulton says the survey will provide Website: undergraduate) will be selected to take the most detailed picture to date of what actually part in the survey in September, along with happens to graduates after they leave university. The Bulletin can be viewed at www.otago.ac.nz/news/bulletin/ 12,000 students from New Zealand’s other “We will learn a great deal about how their universities. The same individuals will be lives unfold,” Professor Poulton says. “For Copyright: approached for follow-up surveys two, five instance, how careers develop, the university- We welcome reprinting if and 10 years later. related influences which have the greatest permission is sought. Contact the Editor. The Graduate Longitudinal Study New impact on employment success, when they Zealand survey will be carried out by the begin to have families, where they live, the Printed By: internationally-respected National Centre state of their finances, their health and their Taieri Print. for Lifecourse Research – a multi-university social relationships.” The Bulletin is produced by: Marketing and Communications, iTunes U – pick of the month University of Otago, Scott/Shand House, Health Sciences Lectures: Winter Lecture Series – 90 St David Street, Dunedin Professor Richard Edwards: 2010: Achieving a tobacco- free New Zealand by 2020 – why it must happen and how to achieve it. With winter now well and truly here I thought it fitting that this month’s featured iTunes U item comes from the 2010 Winter Lecture Series. In his lecture Professor Richard Edwards discusses what steps could be taken to effectively eliminate smoking for our society by 2020 while discussing the health, ethical and moral reasons why he believes this should occur. On the face of it, banning a product that 750,000 New Zealanders partake in seems to be radical, however, after Contact details listening to Professor Edward’s lecture about the effects of tobacco on the New Zealand population, perhaps it is time Editor: Lisa Dick and Jo Register to get radical? Ph: 03 479 4378 Email: [email protected] ITS Teaching and Learning Facilities Manager Emerson Pratt Address: PO Box 56, Dunedin www.otago.ac.nz/itunesu 2 WHAT’S NEW Defibrillators In January this year the Bulletin up and ready featured a story about the University’s acquisition of 25 new defibrillators. The devices have arrived and have been distributed to all campuses. University Health and Safety Advisor Nevan Trotter is encouraging as many staff members as possible to familiarise themselves with the locations. “Please read the notice in this Bulletin, and make a mental note of where the defibrillators are in your area. We have made them plain to see and easy to access.” Dame Jane Goodall meets postgraduate students and frogs in a Zoology He emphasises that the devices are laboratory during her recent visit. very simple to use. Locations of the new defibrillators are Goodall visit impresses on page 14 of this Bulletin. Dame Jane Goodall’s recent campus visit proved a great success and she is very keen to return to the University soon, according to Disability A new location will make Disability Zoology’s Dr Phil Bishop. shift Information and Support both more accessible and more private for those The world-famous chimpanzee researcher and environmentalist’s seeking its services. whirlwind trip to Dunedin included visiting Dr Bishop’s frog laboratory and delivering a very well-received public lecture. Disability Information and Support moved to the West Lane entrance of During her laboratory visit she met postgraduate students the Information Services Building late engaged in frog research and was shown members of three of New last month. Zealand’s four native frog species; an Archey’s frog, a Maud Island frog and a Hochstetter’s. Head of the Service Donna-Rose McKay says the Service had outgrown At her public lecture in Castle 1, which was video-linked to its old space at 262 Leith. seven other lecture theatres, Dame Jane shared personal and professional reflections covering more than five decades with the “We are really excited to be here,” she enthralled audience. says. “Property Services did a wonderful job getting us here and on time.” A DVD of her lecture is available from the Department of Zoology for $20. All proceeds will be donated to Dame Jane’s Tchimpounga Ms McKay says students sometimes felt Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Centre. Those interested in obtaining a they did not have any anonymity when copy should email [email protected] visiting the old location, but that the ISB building has plenty of foot traffic and students will feel less conspicuous Politicians see heart of research entering their premises. Despite a minor heart-stopping moment during an event The new space is well designed and showcasing Otago’s research at Parliament last month, the event well laid out for those with disabilities. was extremely successful and a great experience for the presenters, says organiser and English Department Senior Lecturer Dr Jacob Property Services has launched a Edmond. Recycling hotline recycling hotline for those wishing to The event in Wellington on 21 June showcased the work of know more about the University’s researchers Jonathan Broadbent, Caroline Orchiston, Dione Healey, recycling services.