No. 78 March 2012

New Zealand Antarctic Research Institute progress

NZARI had it’s first Board meeting on the 5^th March. The Board discussed the makeup of the international science panel that will provide advice to the Board and provide guidance on the development of the science questions that NZARI will focus on.  NZARI will also shortly be running a process to appoint a Director.  This position will be advertised so those that are interested will have an opportunity to apply.  NZARI is continuing to actively pursue other avenues of funding.

Staff changes at Antarctica New Zealand 

I am sad to inform you that Shulamit Gordon has tendered her resignation from Antarctica New Zealand.  Her last day will be the 27th April.  Shulamit is heading overseas in mid-May.  Despite it being a very difficult year, including significant earthquake disruption and working across two teams (operations and science), Shulamit has continued to achieve at a high level.  I know Shulamit has worked closely with many of the recipients of this e-mail.

Shul has worked for Antarctica New Zealand now for over 11 years.  In that time she’s completed some really impressive international and national achievements including; delivering the Latitudinal Gradient Project, developing and delivering the annual Antarctic conference, coordinating the international groups Evolution and Biodiversity in Antarctica and the Standing Committee on Antarctic Data Management.  By doing this work and doing it well, Shul has gained immense respect from international and national Antarcticans alike. I often hear from international contacts how Shul managed to continue to keep projects moving – if Shul was involved things just got done.

I wish Shul all the best and will be very sad to see her go.

Antarctica New Zealand science conference

There was a strongly positive response to the suggestion in last month’s Science Update that Antarctica New Zealand was keen to organise a science conference later in the year.  Thank you to all those people that responded with ideas. Antarctica New Zealand will organise a substitute for the annual Antarctic conference in conjunction with the New Zealand ICEFEST Antarctic festival. ICEFEST will be held in Christchurch and will run from the 14^th September to the 14^th October 2012. It will be a celebration of everything Antarctic and will communicate a range of Antarctic topics including politics, arts, science, tourism resource use and protection.  At this stage we are planning to hold an Antarctic science event on the 4^th and 5^th of October and hope to use this opportunity to have scientists communicate with the public as part of ICEFEST.  We will communicate more details about the conference as they emerge.

SCAR Open Science Conference 2012

Registration and hotel bookings are now officially open for the SCAR Open Science Conference "Antarctic Science and Policy Advice in a Changing World". Additionally, a limited amount of subsidized housing for participants from developing economy countries and students is also now available. Please see: http://scar2012.geol.pdx.edu/register.php