June 16, 2005

Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research visits UNSW@ADFA On Friday 10 th June 2005, UNSW@ADFA hosted a visit by the new Deputy Vice Chancellor Research, Professor Les Field. During his first visit to our campus, Prof Field took time out from a busy schedule of meetings to address staff attending Academic Board. In his Academic Board address, Prof Field told his audience that not only was he a researcher but he was also a ‘manager of research' and he believed that the right environment needed to be created for research to take place. Prof Field believes that to make a difference in research, you need to be an active participant and contribute to the process by which policies and infrastructure affect the quality of research outcomes. He makes the point that, “creativity needs to be nurtured and allowed to expand”, and went on to say that “we need to strategically manage the resources, so that future researchers are not stifled”. Prof Field moved on to discuss four main issues that he believed faced UNSW researchers. Where do we fit in the national context? UNSW was roughly positioned within the GO8 at the number four spot sitting below Melbourne, Sydney and ANU. Prof Field indicated that he was more than happy to “disrupt the pecking order and move UNSW up the ladder”. Prof Field said that “to be competitive, UNSW needs to be recognised as a serious player” in the research stakes. What's happening around UNSW? The second issue raised in Prof Field's address, was the need for researchers to have a greater awareness of risk management especially associated with reputation. He also discussed the need for and ramifications of the introduction of the Graduate Research School . Prof Field announced that Margaret Harding, currently Professor of Chemistry at the University of Sydney , had been appointed as the Dean of the Graduate Research School . UNSW in the International Arena Prof Field pointed out that an alliance with GO8 Universities, Melbourne and Queensland , would open up many opportunities for UNSW. There would be benefits in terms of funding and cooperation including technology transfer, commercialisation and the seed funding of research, through the Melbourne and Queensland Universities' initiative called UNISEED. It was noted that ANU and Sydney already had formed a separate alliance. The development of UNSWASIA based in Singapore was well advanced with a student intake scheduled for 2006. The position of President was to be advertised shortly. Prof Field pointed out that this research-intensive campus of UNSW would have a major impact on the overall research output of UNSW. In addition, he saw great opportunities for student and staff exchange and collaboration. National and Government Issues UNSW had made submissions to the Government in relation to the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS), although it was noted that guidelines had not been supplied by the proponents of the NCRIS. This led Prof Field into discussion relating to the Diversity in Tertiary Education proposal by the Minister for Education and finished with his views on the Research Quality Framework and possible impacts on UNSW. He noted that that the non GO8 institutions were looking at qualitative factors to support funding initiatives verses the GO8 stance on using quantitative measures. In conclusion, Prof Field said that he believed that UNSW@ADFA had increased its research profile over the last five years and was keen to further develop and strengthen the links to the Kensington campus. He finished his address by answering a range of questions from the floor. For more information contact: Mike Palmer-Allen m.palmer-allen@adfa.edu.au 02 6268 8760

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RESEARCH OFFICE REPORT

Naval History and Maritime Strategy: the work of the Osborne Fellow

Dr John Reeve, the Osborne Fellow in Naval History within the School of Humanities and Social Sciences (H&SS) has pursued notable research in recent years in the areas of naval history and maritime strategy.

A specialist in early modern history as well as in contemporary maritime strategic affairs, his major project is a study of the relationship between early modern British diplomacy and military strategy. This study has been supported by an Australian Research Council Large Grant and a visiting fellowship at Cambridge University . Dr Reeve's recent publications include many essays and three books (co-edited with Dr David Stevens of the RAN's Sea Power Centre) published by Allen and Unwin: Southern Trident: Strategy, History and the Rise of Australian Naval Power (2001), The Face of Naval Battle: The Human Experience of Modern War at Sea (2003), and Navy and the Nation: The Influence of the Navy on Modern Australia (2005). Dr Reeve's extended introductory chapter in The Face of Naval Battle was described as ‘masterful' by the US Naval War College Review , and the book is being adopted as a textbook in war studies at King's College, London.

Dr Reeve's research is linked to his undergraduate and postgraduate teaching in naval history and strategic studies, and to his work with the RAN in the areas of strategic policy and naval history. He assisted the Navy during the Defence 2000 white paper exercise, and appeared as an expert witness before the Parliamentary Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade during its recent inquiry into Australia 's maritime strategy. He is involved in the organization of the biennial King-Hall Naval History Conferences, held in Canberra , which have become significant international meetings for naval historians. Dr Reeve is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and a member of the International Institute for Strategic Studies.

Thanks to the work of Mr Christopher Dawkins of the ADFA Library, support funds provided by the Navy have enabled the collection in naval areas to grow into a very significant teaching and scholarly resource.

… and another coup for the Chemists (although the Research Office wishes they'd stop burning holes in emeralds! We actually like those gems.) A paper by Brendan Hayward (honours student 2005 in PEMS/Chemistry; winner of the University medal) and Associate Professor Hans Riesen (PEMS) has been selected as a "hot article" by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) journal PCCP, the leading European journal in the field of physical chemistry and chemical physics".

The paper, titled "Side-hole to anti-hole conversion in time-resolved transient spectral hole-burning of emerald", is featured/promoted on the website http://www.rsc.org/Publishing/Journals/CP/Hotindex.asp and will be freely downloadable (as a pdf file) for six weeks to all readers of PCCP."

CALL FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST: FUNDING FOR ENERGY –RELATED PROJECTS AT UNSW

The Energy Research Development and Information Centre (ERDIC) seeks expressions of interest from UNSW researchers for funding of energy-related projects. It is anticipated that up to four projects will be supported, to a value of $2500 each. These funds have been made available as a result of the impending closure of ERDIC.

Expressions of interest should be sent by email to Tony Owen (a.owen@unsw.edu.au), Director, ERDIC, to arrive on or before 22 July 2005 . Only one application per individual will be accepted. Provide a brief outline of the intended project (including up to three references), together with a budget. Please limit your EOI to one page.

The successful applicants will be announced in mid-August, and funds will be dispensed shortly afterwards.

Endeavour Scholarships Program

Endeavour Programme scholarships/awards are available to both international students/scholars coming to Australia and for Australians going abroad. The postgraduate student and postdoctoral fellow awards available under the Endeavour Programme, include:

For incoming international students and scholars -

Endeavour Asia Awards (for postgraduate study and research) Endeavour Japan Awards (for postgraduate study research)

Endeavour Europe Awards (for postgraduate study and research)

Endeavour Research Fellowships (for postgraduate and postdoctoral research)

Endeavour AusAID Iraq Research Fellowships (for postgraduate and postdoctoral research)

Endeavour Australia Cheung Kong Awards (for postgraduate and postdoctoral research)

Endeavour Turkey Awards (for postgraduate study/research and postdoctoral research)

For outgoing Australian scholars - Endeavour Australia Cheung Kong Awards (for postgraduate and postdoctoral research) and Endeavour Turkey Awards (for postgraduate study/research and postdoctoral research)

Further information about the Endeavour Programme is available on the DEST website at:

http://www.dest.gov.au/sectors/international_education/programmes_funding/programme_

categories/international_scholarships_exchanges/default.htm

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Staff Bulletins

If you have something you would like to contribute, please download and complete the submission form and email the information to newsletter@adfa.edu.au.

ADFA Library - Extended Opening Hours During the June/July Examination Period

During the examination period the Academy Library will extend its opening hours on the following weekends: 18-19 June and 25-26 June 2005

The Library will be open for an additional three hours each day on Saturday and Sunday, and will be open from 10.00am to 5.00pm.

Normal library services and facilities such as the use of the collections, computer access, photocopying, use of study facilities, and borrowing facilities will be available and also normal client services support from the Service desk.

Jan Gordon, Manager, Academy Library

 

Upgrade to the Control Systems in Teaching Venues - 20 June

Starting next week (20 June), the upgrade to the control systems in the teaching venues will commence.

The new system will incorporate a touch panel controller, a computer and in the tiered theatres a document camera.

During this teaching break it is proposed to upgrade LT1,2 and 3 in LT South and LT4, 5, 6, 9 and 10 in LT North.

Training sessions for staff will be run during the latter part of the week prior to the commencement of Session 2. More details of the training will be sent out later.

Ray Draper
Senior Venue and Technical Support officer Educational Technology Services

 

UNSW International Fellowships Program

Professor Joseph Lai, associate Dean (Research) would like to draw the attention of both academic and general staff to the 2005 UNSW International Fellowships Program: http://www.unsw.edu.au/international/int/intfellowprog.html

Please note that, for the first time, the Gordon J Samuels Fellowships will be offered for research projects in selected institutions in North America .

Professor Lai encourages you to alert staff, both academic and general, to the opportunities these Fellowships provide. All Fellowships have a common closing date of July 8 2005.

For further information and answers to any questions you may have concerning these Fellowships please contact Anne Robertson, International Alliances Officer, Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International and Development) on 02 9385 2784.

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Classifieds

If you have something you would like to contribute, please download and complete the submission form and email the information to newsletter@adfa.edu.au

FOR SALE

Camry CSI wagon 1998 model. Auto, air-conditioned, cd player, very well maintained, with log books. $10,000.00 ono. Phone 0404 091 491.

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Free Community Lectures

PEMS - Physics Seminar - 17 June

Friday 17 June at 11.10 am in P25, PEMS South (Building 26)

Honours Students Daniel Tucker, Ilana Napier, Banchachit Saensunon will present 15 minute Mid-term Honours Seminars

For details go to http://www.unsw.adfa.edu.au/pems/news/phys_disc_sem.html

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Issues in the Selection and Welding of Constructional Steels
Tuesday 21 June 2005

The speaker will examine AS1554.1 showing extracts required in the spirit and operation of this Australian Standard. Real case studies with legal issues will be presented to allow design engineers to understand the responsibilities embodied and likewise for the steelwork fabricator providing the product. An overview is given of important criteria in the selection of steels for welded fabrication – strength, toughness and weldability.
The case studies explore these difficulties encountered in steel fabrication. Specifying and fabricating correctly and thoroughly reduces potential risk as revealed in these case studies for all parties delivering the welded solution.

Speaker:
Dr Stephen Yeomans is an Associate Professor, School of Aerospace, Civil and Mechanical Engineering at the University of New South Wales campus of the Australian Defence Force
Academy in Canberra, ACT. He is Convenor, WTIA Technical and Research Panel 3 -Aluminium, Titanium and Magnesium Alloys and also Chair, Standards Australia Committee WD/3/3 responsible for the revision of AS/NZS 1665 -Welding of Aluminium.

Date: Tuesday 21 June 2005
Venue: Deakin Room
Deakin Sports and Social Club Grose Street, Deakin ACT
Time: 5:30pm refreshments and finger food
6:00 - 7:30pm presentation
Cost: Free
RSVP: Thursday 16 June 2005

Further Information:
Scott Munter, ASI National Manager – Engineering & Construction
Email: scottm@steel.org.au Tel: (02) 9929 6307
Web: www.steel.org.au
Note:Attendance may be credited towards Engineers Australia Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements. (Engineers Australia members are required to undertake a minimum 150 hours of equivalent CPD every three years).

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Important Dates

2005 University Lecture - Speaker Reverend Tim Costello AO, CEO World Vision Australia		1 September 2005
UNSW@ADFA Degree Conferral Ceremonies		7 December 2005
ADFA Graduation Parade		8 December 2005

 

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If you have something you would like to contribute, please download and complete the submission form and email the information to: Email: newsletter@adfa.edu.au

 

Contact Us

Office of the Rector
Phone: 02 6268 8701
Email: newsletter@adfa.edu.au

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