No Images? Click here Hi there, Science Festival is coming up in two weeks. Check out below for a list of highlights and see the full program here. Events are filling up quickly so don’t forget to register for events so you don’t miss out! This edition also contains fantastic scholarship opportunities, jobs and careers events, and plenty of workshops, competitions and networking events to get involved in. You also may have heard the news that results from the Respect. Now. Always. national student survey have been released and revealed evidence of unacceptable sexual assault and harrassment in Australian Universities. Sexual harassment and sexual assault are always unacceptable, at the University and anywhere else and are never the fault or responsibility of the victim. Everyone has the right to feel safe. Please remember that the Safer Community Program can be contacted by email at safer-community@unimelb.edu.au or by calling 9035 8675. You can also visit their website for information, including about how to report any incidents to Victoria Police. We also recommend that all students download the free UniSafe App which you can download via the App Store and Google Play. Be safe, and happy reading! IN THIS ISSUE
Science FestivalScience Festival is on soon!The University of Melbourne Science Festival is on Mon 14 Aug - Fri 18 Aug. For a whole week there will be free workshops, activities, live demonstrations, trivia, movie screenings, public lectures and a whole lot more happening all over campus. Some highlights this year include:
Science Festival is a celebration of scientific knowledge, innovation and progress. Students, staff and the general public are invited to get involved and enjoy the fun side of science. The full program is now online. Check the website for more information. Scholarship OpportunitiesUnited Nations Climate Change Conference - Applications Now OpenWe are offering an exclusive scholarship to participate in the United Nations Climate Change Conference Semester two program. The scholarship is available for The UNFCCC COP23 Climate Talks (Bonn, Mon 13 Nov - Fri 17 Nov). Graduate students from the Faculty of Science will represent Australia as part of an exclusive youth delegation. Along with young people from across the country, scholarship recipients will have the opportunity to engage closely with issues related to climate change, renewable energy, green economies and diplomatic negotiations. The Global Voices program also includes private meetings with policy experts and world leaders, and attendance at round table discussions and panel events. The scholarship place is fully funded by the University of Melbourne’s Faculty of Science and includes all domestic and international flights, accommodation, breakfasts, visas, most transfers, insurance, and registration fees (you will need to cover the cost of some meals and transfers). Prior to applying we suggest you read the 'Our Program' section of the website for more information. Submit your applications here. Applications close Fri 25 Aug. Rhodes Scholarship 2018
If so, then you have the qualities of a Rhodes Scholar! Successful candidates will receive assistance with their travelling expenses to the UK, as well as a monthly allowance to contribute towards their living expenses whilst in Oxford. In addition, all University tuition fees are paid on the scholar's behalf by the Rhodes Trust. For more information go here. Applications close Thurs 14 Sept. Top JobsDigital Engineering Graduate, ArupTo find out more and to apply go here. Financial Modelling Analyst, Parity Analytic Solutions - VICTo find out more and apply go here. Technical Officer (Regional Agronomy), TO2 or TO3, Goondiwindi (2 positions), Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF (ASQ)) - QLDTo find out more and to apply go here. PhD Research Internship, GrunbioticsTo find out more and to apply here. EventsBlood and StigmaThis discussion brings together experts from different backgrounds. Professor Nick Haslam will look at the psychology of HIV-related stigma whilst Dr Jenny Anderson will talk about the realities of researching HIV in the lab, and Brent Allan, CEO of Living Positive, who has experienced first-hand HIV-related stigma. Tues 8 Aug 6.00pm. Register here. Researcher@Library Week 2017 (21- 25 August 2017)A week of workshops, exhibitions, seminars, tours, an ePoster competition for graduate researchers, and a Wikipedia edit-a-thon. Discover services and tools to support research practice, learn tips to effectively communicate research to wider audiences, and explore the University's unique research collections. More information and registration go here. Welcome Event for new Chinese Graduate StudentsThe Graduate Student Association and Australia China Business Council invites registrations from new Chinese Graduate students to this event which is free and includes free entry to the MCG Museum and an AFL match. A great way to begin to develop relationships that might be useful to you during your studies or after Graduation, both here in Australia and in China. More information and registrations here. Thu 10 Aug, 5.00pm, Sidney Myer Asia Centre. IT Employer Talks on Campus in AugustCISSA is hosting the Employer Talks with Ernst & Young, Telstra and Deloitte on Aug 8, 9 and 10 right here on campus. If you are interested in finding out more about working for these great companies, more information is available on the CISSA website. Women in Science and Engineering Networking DinnerIntroduce yourself to influential people, gain insight into your career and explore graduate opportunities and internships over a two course sit-down dinner and drinks. Free for Students! Tickets to be released on Thurs Aug 10 at www.wiseunimelb.com. Event details: Wed 20 Sept, 6.30pm, St Andrew’s Conservatory, Fitzroy. Research OpportunitiesGraduate Researchers OrientationOrientation Day for Graduate Researchers provides a welcome to all graduate researchers (PhD, Professional Doctorate, Masters by Research or MPhil candidates) who are new to the University of Melbourne or a graduate research degree on Thurs 28 Sept, 9:00am–2:00pm. To register and for more information go here. Three Minute Thesis Competition (3MT®)Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) is a research communication competition where PhD students have three minutes to present a compelling oration on their thesis and its significance. Due to high demand, we have opened one more heat for this year's Three Minute Thesis competition on Wed 9 Aug, 10.30am-12.30pm. To take part, just go to our website and sign up there. Congratulations to the two Science students, Julia McCoey and Thiripura Vino, who have made it through to the Semi Finals already and best of luck to any Science students yet to participate! Researcher @ Library Week ePoster Competition - Submissions Closing Sun 13 Aug!The 2017 Researcher@Library Week ePoster Competition gives graduate research students an opportunity to build their communication skills and pitch their research to a wide audience. Students who enter will be in the running to win $1,000, $500 or $250 cash cards. Entries are now open and ePoster submissions are due by Sun 13 Aug. The winners will be announced by the judges at the ePoster Awards event on Wed 23 Aug, 4:00pm - 5:00pm. More information available here. GSA Support for Graduate Researchers- Reading Group Grants: Apply NowGSA is now providing reading group grants at the University of Melbourne. To qualify, groups need: At least six graduate student members; and the support of their faculty/department of GSA-affiliated graduate group. The grant is for $200 and supports reading groups in costs associated with facilitating the academic or extracurricular reading. To access a grant the reading group will need to fill out an online form. For more information please click here. Statistics for Research Workers course using SPSSDo you need to understand statistical ideas and methods to carry out your research? Our practical and comprehensive six day course will provide you with the skills you need. Topics include: estimation, hypothesis testing, sample size calculations, ANOVA, regression, inference based on the normal distribution, experimental design and analysis of proportions and more. Wed 15 - Wed 22 Nov. More info here. Apply now for International Student of the Year - ResearchThe Victorian International Education Awards are an initiative of the Victorian Government to support the international education sector, promote best practice in the sector and raise awareness of its benefits to the broader community. For International Student of the Year – Research the recipient will receive up to $10,000 to contribute to their study at an educational institution in Victoria. Applications close Wed 23 Aug. For more information visit the Study Melbourne website. Other OpportunitiesYour Wellbeing is important to us!The Faculty of Science is keen to foster and sustain student mental wellbeing. By participating in the 2017 Student Wellbeing and Course Experience survey, and answering questions about your university experience and general wellbeing, you will help us to better understand students’ mental health needs and design strategies to better support student wellbeing. And you could win one of 150 Coles-Myer vouchers worth $150! The survey is anonymous and will be open until Sun 20 Aug. For more information and to participate in the survey go here. TOM:Melbourne Makeathon 2017 - Call out to Uni Melb StudentsTOM:Tikkun Olam Makers is a global movement bringing together people with disabilities and Makers to develop open source assistive technology to address everyday challenges. TOM:Melbourne 2017 is happening from Fri 1 Dec - Sun 3 Dec and during the 72-hour makeathon we will develop hardware and software product prototypes designed to meet needs that people with disabilities identify are important to them. Get involved by registering as a ‘Maker’ if you are interested in designing, developing or engineering solutions to real problems. More information here. Science Internship Subjects – Information Session this FridayAre you interested in undertaking an internship related to your current field of study? The Science and Technology Internship subjects will enable you to gain real experience working in a science or technology related workplace. Come along to a brief info session this Fri 4 Aug to find out more. UniMelb StartUp '17 CompetitionUniMelb StartUp '17 Pitch Competition is back and it is bigger than ever! Form a team and pitch your best start-up idea for a chance to win up to $6k in seed money as well as be in the running for a one-month Entrepreneurship Program at Landing Pad in San Francisco (part of Rocketspace, birthplace of Spotify) valued at $32k! Register your interest, to attend a Mixer Night or Preparatory Seminar here. Applications close Sun 10 Sept but there is plenty to do before then! Indo-Pacific Cyber 9/12 Student ChallengeThe Cyber 9/12 Student Challenge is a one-of-a-kind competition designed to provide students across academic disciplines with a deeper understanding of the policy challenges associated with cyber crisis and conflict. Part interactive learning experience and part competitive scenario exercise, it challenges teams to respond to a realistic, evolving cyber attack and analyze the threat it poses to national, international, and private sector interests. Graduate and undergraduate students from any university are invited to apply to compete in teams of four. There are no requirements for team composition based on academic majors, education levels, or nationalities of team members. Click here to register! AND’s Stepping Into Internship ProgramStepping Into is a paid internship program designed specifically for university students with disability, who want to gain some paid hands-on work experience in their chosen field of study. The Australian Network on Disability (AND) program runs in the Winter and Summer university semester breaks. Applications for the Summer program are now open. Apply here. Climate KIC Australia’s ClimateLaunchpad Competition- Entries Close August 10!Calling all climate visionaries! Does your cleantech solution need wings? If you are thinking about, or about to launch your green business, applications are now open for Climate KIC Australia's Climate Launchpad. The Climate Launchpad is open to anyone with an innovative green idea, whether it's fully fledged or sketched onto a napkin. Applications are now open and submissions close Aug 10 Midnight AEST. Climate-KIC Australia will provide travel scholarships for those selected to attend bootcamps outside of host cities. For more information and to apply click here. ServicesMelbourne Engagement Lab - Less is MoreIn the creation of good prose the editing is as important as, or possibly even more important than, the writing. In fact, effective editing can make the difference between good writing and truly great writing. This workshop will show you how to keep your word count down and make your writing better. Thurs 10 Aug, 10:00am–12:00pm. For more information and to register, go here. Make Experience MatterExperience outside the classroom is essential for building your skills and employability to contribute to your degree, career and life. Your experience starts here, so get involved now! To get the ball rolling, simply:
Find out more. Enhance your Academic SkillsMake this a great semester – boost your academic skills! The Academic Skills Hub has information and wide range of resources on: Study skills, Research skills, Academic writing, Referencing and Exams. To self-enrol in the community: Mid-Week Mindfulness SessionsMindfulness is paying attention to the present moment with an attitude of openness, curiosity and acceptance. Come along to an introductory ‘drop-in’ mindfulness session to find out more about it and some guided mindfulness exercises. ALL WELCOME. Wednesday lunchtimes during Semester, 1.15pm-2.00pm, Dulcie Hollyock Room, Baillieu Library. Sci-Comm 101Each newsletter we feature tips from our very own science communication extraordinaire in the School of BioSciences, Dr Jen Martin. Follow Jen on Twitter @scidocmartin or check out her blog, Espresso Science. Tip #6 – Listen to your WritingOne of the best ways to ensure your writing reads well is to listen to it. This is a great way to notice missing (or misplaced) punctuation, sentences that are too long and awkward phrases. Of course you can simply read your own writing aloud but there are also plenty of good free text-to-speech tools to do it for you. This can be a better option because when you read your own writing you are less likely to notice problems. Listening to what you’ve written should be a key part of your editing process. CongratulationsPhD SubmissionThe following students submitted their PhD theses in July. Congratulations on the culmination of your hard work!
Science in the MediaPhoton Teleportation: Less ‘Beam Me Up’, More 007The recent beaming of light particles between Earth and a satellite is a significant development in the mind-boggling field of quantum physics, but unless you have a laser telescope handy its practical applications are limited. Read about it here. Laureate Fellowship for researcher striving to stop mosquito borne diseaseThe University of Melbourne’s Professor Geoff McFadden is one of only 17 world-class researchers from around Australia to be awarded a five-year Laureate Fellowship, the most prestigious of all ARC awards granted each year. Find out more about his exciting research here. Tiny SkyHopper CubeSat to search for answers to big questions in astronomyResearchers are working to design, build and launch into space a small but powerful ‘fast-response infrared telescope’, a nano-satellite known generically as a CubeSat. Find out what it can do here. To stay up to date between editions please like our Science at Melbourne and the Science Student News pages on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter. Until next time we are truly yours, Science News |