Conference Programme

The 2009 Annual Antarctic Conference has the theme of 'Sustaining the Gains of the International Polar Year' and is kindly hosted by the University of Auckland.

This three-day conference will be full of oral and poster presentations from events that Antarctica New Zealand has supported in recent years, other Antarctic-related areas, Antarctica New Zealand staff, and some special invited visitors. The main conference is preceded by a half day of workshops for all who are interested in attending. The all important conference Icebreaker and Dinner will of course be highlights of the event!

Final Conference Schedule can be downloaded HERE

Workshops
Latitudinal Gradient Project (LGP) Workshop (1 July 9 - 10.30am): The LGP has just completed its sixth operational season, and it's time to get the community together again to share and discuss results, future plans and opportunities. This workshop will include short (3 minute) presentations from researchers contributing to the LGP and a presentation on where the LGP is going. We are also delighted to have Dr Martin Riddle, Environmental Protection and Change Programme Leader at the Australian Antarctic Division, contributing to this workhop. There will be time for discussion and information sharing. This workshop is open to those wanting to share their LGP work in a specific LGP forum and anyone interested in learning more about the LGP. It is sponsored by the SCAR programme Evolution and Biology in the Antarctic.

Taking your research further - communicating science to the wider public (1 July 11am - 12.30pm): Do you wish to be more effective communicating your research?  Would you like to learn about easy ways to engage the wider public in your science?  This workshop will address these questions through a panel discussion with members of the scientific community as well as education and outreach experts.  The panel discussion will expose you to a breadth of outreach opportunities and ideas on how to share your research and experiences of Antarctica more effectively with the general public.  The workshop will provide you with the opportunity to network with, and learn from, science communicators (media, teachers, educators etc.) and other scientists with a lot of outreach experience.  This workshop is run by the Association of Polar Early Career Scientists and sponsored by the Royal Society of New Zealand.

Proposal Writing Workshop (3 July 3.30 - 5pm): This workshop is being held in response to requests from the community asking for assistance with how to write proposals for submission through the FRST portal system. The workshop will be held by a FRST representative and will go over the key points of what is looked for in a FRST proposal and explain some of the terminology used. All are welcome to attend, but this is particularly focused towards those intending to apply in the upcoming joint FRST/Antarctica New Zealand Bidding Round.

Oral and Poster Sessions
Antarctica New Zealand supported events and groups with interests related to Antarctica and Antarctic research are invited to present their work as an oral or poster presentation.  Posters will be available for viewing throughout the conference, and dedicated poster viewing sessions will be preceded by brief introductions to the posters. Registrants will be notified in early June if they have been accepted to present their oral or poster presentations. For submission specifications click HERE. [Deadline for abstract submission closed]

Social Functions
Icebreaker and Scholarship Award ceremony, Wednesday 1 July, 5.35 - 7.00pm, Downstairs foyer of Owen G. Glenn Building, University of Auckland - Sponsored by the Antarctic Attraction. All conference delegates are invited to this function. Attendance is included in the conference registration fee.

Pre-Dinner Drinks and Dinner, 6.15pm, Kelly Tarlton's Antarctic Encounter and Underwater World
We invite conference delegates and any others interested, to attend pre-dinner drinks exploring the Antarctic Encounter and Underwater World followed by a three-course meal in Stingray Bay. Tickets for the evening are $60 and can be purchased through the registration process (see below). Free return transport between the University of Auckland and Kelly Tarlton's will be provided.

Student Travel Grants
The University of Auckland's Faculty of Science is generously sponsoring travel and accommodation grants for students coming from out of Auckland who wish to attend and present at the conference. Through the registration process, students will be asked to submit a title and abstract for their presentation, travel and accommodation cost details, their degree and institute and amount requested. Awarded grant amounts will be relayed to the applicants in early June.

Student Registration Fees
The Ministry of Fisheries and the University of Auckland have generously provided sponsorship to cover the student registration fee for all students who register by May 29th.

Registration has now closed.

Accommodation
You will be able to book hotel accommodation through the registration process for the Copthorne Hotel, 150 Anzac Avenue. This is approximately 7 minutes walk from the conference venue (Owen G. Glenn Building on Grafton Road). Room rates (inclusive of GST) are:

$121 - Room Only
$135 - Single Room & Breakfast
$145 - Double Room & Breakfast
$149 - Twin Room and Breakfast

If you are sharing a double or twin room with another conference registrant, please give the name of this registrant in the 'speical requirements' box in the accommodation booking section. If you would like to split the room payment with this person,  state this in the same box too. The conference organisers will sort this out once the registration has been submitted.

Backpacker Accommodation is available at Base Backpackers, Cnr Queen and Darby Streets. Ranging from small dormitory accommodation at $29, Standard single and double rooms for $72 and Ensuite rooms for $92. To book at Base Backpackers, please contact them directly on (09) 358 4877.

Related Information:
Conference Venue Map
Travel Options from Auckland Airport

Many thanks to our Sponsors: