Executive Dean’s Message - August 2022
Dear colleagues,
A huge thank you to the more than 200 amazing staff and students who contributed to the Faculty of Science’s contribution to TSXPO, UQ Open Day (St Lucia) and UQ Open Day (Gatton). UQ welcomed almost 20,000 Open Day visitors at St Lucia and more than 1,300 at Gatton, with the UQ Open Day app being downloaded over 7,600 times. Thank you all so much!
Events and activities in August
I was delighted to attend the official launch of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Plant Success in Nature and Agriculture on 11 August, with VIP guests including Judi Zielke, the CEO of the Australian Research Council, and Deborah Terry AO, our VC. If you have a moment, please watch the launch event or watch a video introduction to the Centre.
This month we also celebrated National Science Week 2022. Many staff and students participated in numerous associated events, including Teresa Ubide (SEES) who was interviewed about her amazing volcano work. You can check out a full list of activities on the National Science Week website.
Other highlights included catching up with colleagues at the UQ emeritus professors’ lunch. Twenty-five emeritus professors from the Faculty of Science attended, including Michael Drinkwater, our previous Associate Dean Academic and Neal Menzies, our departing Head of School of Agriculture and Food Science. Congratulations to both on their prestigious appointments.
It was also delightful to attend a luncheon with a number of secondary school principals from across South-East Queensland, to contribute to the Academic Board Review of the School of Mathematics and Physics, to attend school meetings for SAFS, SEES and BIOL, and to be one of the many people wearing it purple on 26 August.
Congratulations
Neal Menzies (SAFS) for being appointed as an emeritus professor of The University of Queensland.
Ben Pope (SMP) for being awarded a Young Tall Poppy award for his research in stellar and exoplanetary science.
Lauren Hall (SEES), who won the People's Choice Award for her presentation at the recent Queensland Young Planners Innovation Showcase.
Congratulations also to the following lead recipients of 2022 ARC Linkage Grants from the Faculty of Science: Arkady Federov (SMP), Robyn Cave (SAFS) and Jody Hobson-Peters (SCMB).
And congratulations to the School of Mathematics and Physics for the very positive outcomes of their review, including many well-deserved commendations and excellent recommendations that will further strengthen teaching, research and engagement in the School.
Vale
I was sad to hear of the recent passing of Emeritus Professor Brian Shanley. Brian joined the Department of Biochemistry in 1980 and was Head of Department from 1986 to 1992, before retiring in 1994. His research was in medicinal biochemistry, with a focus on the biomedical/neurological effects of alcohol abuse. He was an active and effective proponent of teaching development, leading to the introduction of case-based CAL tutorials for medical students. He also held an appointment as Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, playing a major role in gaining approval for the graduate medical course.
Other news
The Australian Research Council is about to launch the much-anticipated ARC Industry Fellowship Scheme. This follows the announcement of the University Research Commercialisation Action Plan, a $2.2 billion investment to place university innovation and industry collaboration front and centre of Australia’s economic recovery. There are three levels of fellowships: Early Career Industry Fellowships, Mid-Career Industry Fellowships and Industry Laureate Fellowships. Details, including funding rules, the application process and deadlines will be communicated as soon as they are available.
As announced by the Vice-Chancellor on 22 August, the second annual UQ Pulse Survey is now open. I strongly encourage you to participate in the process so that we can make informed decisions on strategies to improve our workplace culture and continue to build our values-led institution.
As outlined in the 16 August message from the Vice-Chancellor, a proposed revision to our Flexible Work Policy is now available for your review and feedback. If you would like to contribute to this process, please respond by Friday 2 September.
As you will be aware, we are embarking on a new annual appraisal process, referred to as the Annual Performance and Development (APD) process. This year’s process will open in Workday on 4 October and needs to be completed by 31 March 2023. There will be a number of communications and presentations about this over the coming weeks, or view this online video module.
Upcoming events and activities
The Australian Jobs and Skills Summit will be held between 1-2 September, with a focus on skills and training, employment and productivity, and the workforce of the future. You can find the agenda online. Outcomes will be shared in due course.
UQ Research and Innovation Week runs from 12-16 September. View the schedule for more information on events and activities.
This year’s Australian Conference on Science and Mathematics Education will be held in Perth and online from the 28-30 September. Registration is currently open until 12 September.
Other celebrations and cultural events this month include the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival, the Nayrouz (Coptic New Year), Australian Citizenship Day, the commencement of Oktoberfest, Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year), and the Navaratri Festival.
Have a great month!
Kind regards,
Professor Melissa Brown
Executive Dean - Faculty of Science