Executive Dean’s Message - April 2022
Dear colleagues,
How lovely to have three long weekends and four four-day weeks in a row! I hope you have taken the opportunity to enjoy some downtime after a very challenging first few months of 2022.
This week, it was wonderful to have the opportunity to meet and thank the more than 30 staff who work on the Gatton campus for their heroic efforts through the recent floods in the Lockyer Valley. I was overwhelmed with the stories of dedication, resilience and kindness, and enjoyed catching up with many of these amazing people over afternoon tea. I am looking forward to celebrating the efforts of our St Lucia flood superheroes soon.
This week we also recognised World Day for Safety and Health at Work and Workers' Memorial Day. The day provides an opportunity to reflect on how to prevent occupational deaths, injuries, diseases and illnesses. It is also a day to remember those who have died from a work-related injury or illness.
I was delighted to launch our Science Connect program again this year on 12 April.
Science Connect is a career mentoring program that connects Faculty of Science students with UQ’s global community of alumni and professionals in the sciences. The program ran for the first time in 2021, with 27 students participating (21 undergraduate and six postgraduate), connected with one of 20 mentors from industry or academia.
Congratulations to Nigel Beebe (BIOL) for being awarded the 2021 NHMRC Marshall and Warren Innovation Award, recognising his outstanding work to eradicate disease-carrying mosquitoes from urban areas. More details in the story below.
Congratulations to James De Voss (SCMB) for being appointed as the next Head of the School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences. James will commence on Monday 23 May. Thanks to Paul Young for his outstanding leadership of SCMB over the last eight years!
I am pleased to announce the launch of the Australian Council of Deans of Science Teaching and Learning Grants. Funding between $5,000 and $10,000, and between $10,000 and $20,000, for small and large projects respectively, is available. Project proposals should align with one or more of the following themes:
- Teaching delivery and assessment post-pandemic;
- Improving employability outcomes of science graduates; and
- Innovative science curriculum design at degree or program level.
Guidelines and application forms can be found via this information page. Applications close 23 May.
There are lots of cultural and diversity celebrations and events in May. Starting with Buddha Day on 6 May, and including International Day Against LGBTQIA+ Discrimination on 17 May, World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development on 21 May, National Sorry Day, which acknowledges and raises awareness of the history and continued effect of the forced removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from their families, communities and culture, on 26 May, and National Reconciliation Week (27 May – 3 June). May is also Mental Health Awareness Month.
As you may have seen in yesterday’s message from the Vice-Chancellor, there have been some further changes to COVID-19 restrictions and quarantine. Guidance for staff and students has been updated accordingly.
I am looking forward to a busy month ahead with budget meetings with each of our schools and portfolios, and meetings with staff who are considering applying for promotion to professor. Always wonderful to spend time with colleagues!
Kind regards,
Professor Melissa Brown
Executive Dean - Faculty of Science