The Royal Society of Tasmania

The advancement of knowledge

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From spiny ant-eater to promiscuous spiky baby killer: an incomplete natural history of echidnas – December 3 2013

Christmas Lecture and Dinner

Associate Professor Stewart Nicol will present “From spiny ant-eater to promiscuous spiky baby killer: an incomplete natural history of echidnas.”

Biography

Associate Professor Stewart Nicol is an Honorary Research Associate with the School of Zoology at the University of Tasmania. After many years in the School of the Medicine, which included a period as Deputy Head of School and Associate Head of Medical Sciences, he transferred to the School of Zoology at the beginning of 2007. Although he formally retired at the end of 2012, he continues with an active research program: Stewart is a world-renowned expert on the biology of the monotremes (the platypus and echidnas).

Tuesday December 3, CSIRO Theatrette, Castray Esplanade, Hobart at 6.00pm

The lecture starts at 6.00 pm followed by a buffet dinner in the CSIRO canteen at 7.30pm.  Guests may attend the lecture only at no charge, however for security reasons registration is required.  The cost of the dinner is $35.00 payable by Monday 18th November.  Please contact the office for further details

 

 

 

Delving into the Soil Carbon Black Box – November 24th 2013

Dr Leigh Sparrow, Senior Research Fellow in Soil Science, Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture, UTAS

will present  Delving into the Soil Carbon Black Box in the Meeting Room, QVMAG at Inveresk, 2.00 pm Sunday November 24th 2013

Abstract

By virtue of its cool temperate climate, Tasmania’s soils generally have high concentrations of carbon. Intensive farming, especially frequent cropping, causes carbon concentrations to decrease. Dr Sparrow will outline the principles which govern the amount of carbon expected for any particular combination of soil, climate and farming system, and show how these apply to current Tasmanian situations. The data provide cause for concern about sustainable farming and carbon sequestration in soil, but there is also some good news.

Biography

Dr Sparrow is a Senior Research Fellow in Soil Science with the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture, University of Tasmania. With a background in soil fertility, Dr Sparrow’s early career focused on soil testing and fertiliser management, but he has also studied heavy metal contamination, irrigation management and soil-borne diseases. His recent research includes modelling and measuring changes in soil carbon in different farming systems, with the aim of assessing the capacity of the soil to sustain agriculture. Implications for carbon storage in soil have also been evaluated.

Admission: $5 General Public, $3 Friends of the Museum, $2 Students
Free for members of the Royal Society of Tasmania

To assist us with the organization of this event
RSVP by Thursday 21st November 2013:
Email bookings@qvmag.tas.gov.au or telephone 6323 3798

 

The Long Road Back from the Edge of Extinction – the Tasmanian Railway dilemma.

Robin Walpole
Chief Engineer,
Tasrail, Launceston, Tasmania

will present

The Long Road Back from the Edge of Extinction – the Tasmanian Railway dilemma.

in the Meeting Room, QVMAG at Inveresk
2.00 pm Sunday October 27th 2013
Admission: $5 General Public, $3 Friends of the Museum, $2 Students
Free for members of the Royal Society of Tasmania

To assist us with the organization of this event
RSVP by Thursday 24th October 2013:
Email bookings@qvmag.tas.gov.au or telephone 6323 3798

Tasmanian Railways have had a chequered history. This illustrated talk will shed some light on the historical context of the third failure of Tasmanian railways and the challenges of its survival in today’s context. It will discuss the conditions that led to the railway’s failure, the concept of The Owner of Last Resort, the gradual reconstruction process, and some of the challenges in overcoming past compromises. Many interesting photographs will accompany this enlightening journey into Tasrail’s history.

Robin Walpole is currently the Chief Engineer of Tasrail and brings to the position extensive experience in railway infrastructure throughout Australia, SE Asia and Africa. Prior to coming to Tasrail he was working on the rehabilitation of Third World narrow gauge railways in Africa.

Doctoral Award 2013

We are pleased to announce that nominations are now sought for the DOCTORAL (PHD) AWARD, 2013

The Royal Society of Tasmania has instituted an annual award for a recently-graduated doctoral (PhD) academic, who has made significant advances in the course of his/her doctoral research.

• The Award shall be in any field – sciences, medicine, arts or humanities – within the purview of the Society.
• The Award shall be made no more than three years after graduation (PhD degree).
• The work must have been largely carried out in Tasmania or under the aegis of a Tasmanian-based organisation.
The value of the award is $1000.

The Conditions of the award are:

• The Award shall be made no more than three years after graduation (PhD degree);
• To be awarded in any field – sciences, medicine, arts or humanities – within the purview of the Society;
• The Award to be for work leading to significant advances based on the PhD research as evidenced by published or in press peer-reviewed papers in the national/international literature;
• The work to have been carried out largely in Tasmania or under the aegis of a Tasmanian-based organisation;
• The nationality of the recipient is not to be considered in making the Award; that is the Award is not restricted to Australian nationals;
• The nominee is developing a career in the field of study;
• The award is to be available annually, but will not be awarded if there is no candidate of sufficient quality;
• Expressions of interest are to be sought widely from all relevant institutions on an annual basis, and must include a nomination from the candidates supervisor or Head of Department;
• The recipient will be encouraged to address the Society;
• The value of the Award shall be $2000.

Nomination Process

All applications must include:

1. A letter of nomination from the candidate’s PhD supervisor or Head of Department. Nominations will not be considered without this document.
2. The letter of nomination (1) must include a statement of the new and original contribution to the field of research.
3. A full academic CV including the date of PhD graduation – which must have been after 15 November, 2010.
4. An abstract (not more than one page) of the PhD study, including the thesis title.
5. One copy of each relevant published or in press paper on which the nomination is based.
6. A copy of the candidate’s PhD thesis – this will be returned.

Note: Candidates may not nominate themselves.

Applications should be address to:

Dr John Thorne
The Convener, Honours Committee
The Royal Society of Tasmania
GPO BOX 1166
HOBART TASMANIA 7001

Applications must be received no later than 15th November 2013

 

Science Education in Tasmania – a teacher’s perspective – 22 September, 2013

Science Education in Tasmania – a teacher’s perspective.

Presentation by Jane Hall-Dadson
QVMAG – Inveresk
Sunday 22 September at 2.00 pm

 

Jane Hall-Dadson  Advanced Skills Teacher, Mathematics Learning Area,  Launceston College, Tasmania  will present 

Science Education in Tasmania – a teacher’s perspective.

in the Meeting Room, QVMAG at Inveresk at 2.00 pm Sunday September 22nd 2013  

Admission: $5 General Public, $3 Friends of the Museum, $2 Students

Free for members of the Royal Society of Tasmania 

To assist us with the organization of this event

RSVP by Thursday 19th September 2013:

Email  bookings@qvmag.tas.gov.au  or  telephone  6323 3798

Good teaching requires a solid curriculum, engaging activities with relevance to real life and passionate, well- trained teachers, Jane Hall-Dadson says.

Ms Hall-Dadson will outline the recent history of changes in Tasmania’s Science curriculum, showing how students learn scientific concepts, develop scientific skills and understand applications of science in the real world citing innovative programs and inspiring student work.

She will also discuss strategies to enhance uptake of Science subjects beyond grade 10 . 

Jane Hall-Dadson began her career as a Medical Laboratory Scientist, working in private pathology, mainly in Medical Microbiology and Haematology/Serology. She completed teacher training  and became a Secondary Science & Mathematics teacher in 1997.

Her work has been recognised in numerous awards including a series of TSTS ANZAAS Science Teacher Awards, the Australian Academy of Science Teacher Award  and  the 2010 Australian Museum Eureka Prize for Science Teaching. Ms Hall- Dadson is Vice-president of the Science Teachers Association of Tasmania and represents Tasmania on the Council of the Australian Science Teachers Association.

Announcement of Awards for 2013

The Royal Society of Tasmania proudly announces that nominations are now being called for:  The Royal Society of Tasmania Medal  The Clive Lord Memorial Medal, and  The M  R  Banks Medal.

 

  • The Royal Society of Tasmania Medal  was established in 1927. It  is awarded to a scholar for substantial original research in any subject within the Society’s purview. A significant part of the research shall have been conducted while the recipient was a resident of Tasmania. The recipient must have been, in the view of the Council, an active member of the Society for at least five years. The awardee will deliver “The Royal Society of Tasmania Medal Lecture”.
  • The purpose of the  M R Banks Medal, established March 1997, is to recognise outstanding achievement by a scholar in mid-career, no more than 45 years of age.

The conditions of the award are:

  1. The scholar to be recognized must be no more than 45 years of age at the date of the Award, and should have achieved a PhD or appropriate higher qualification.
  2. The award may be made in any field within the purview of the Society.
  3. The work to have been largely carried out in Tasmania or under the aegis of a Tasmanian-based organization.
  4. The recipient shall be in mid-career, rapidly developing a standing in his/her field and be winning international recognition from peers.
  5. The award is to be known as the MR Banks Medal, to honour Dr M R Banks’ contribution to science and The Royal Society of Tasmania.
  6. The award to be made every one to three years.
  7. The recipient of the medal shall address the Society by delivering the M R Banks Lecture to members, after the conferring of the medal.
  • The Clive Lord Memorial Medal , Established July 1930.  A lecturer will be selected to deliver the Clive Lord Memorial Lecture,  the recipient being a scholar distinguished for research in Tasmanian Science or History.  A memorial medal will be presented.

Procedure for Nomination for the Clive Lord Memorial Medal 

The first page of the nomination should list:

  •  The name of the medal.
  •  The name of the candidate and contact address.
  •  The name of the proposer and contact address.

This should be followed by a description of the candidate’s achievements relevant to the Clive Lord Medal.  It should be no longer than one page and should be written concisely and in language that is widely understood outside the candidate’s field of research.  The candidate’s contributions to science, history or other field of learning, industry or society should be clearly stated.

A full curriculum vitae should be provided in confidence.  It should include the candidate’s date of birth, the date of receipt of degrees, and a full list of significant published works.  Where the candidate’s standing relies on co-authored papers, the candidate’s role in those significant papers should be indicated.

The Honours Committee of the Royal Society of Tasmania has limited ability to seek additional information and therefore depends on the nomination papers to provide a full and fair account of the candidate’s suitability, taking into account the criteria of the particular medal.

Applications should be addressed to the:

Dr John G. Thorne,
Convener, Honours Committee
The Royal Society of Tasmania
GPO Box 1166
HOBART TASMANIA 7001

Nominations must be received no later than August 31 2013.  

Procedure for nomination for MR Banks Medal

The first page of the nomination should list

  • The name of the medal
  • The name of the proposer and contact address
  • The name of the candidate and contact address

No self nominations are allowed

 The description of the candidate’s achievements relevant to the Medal should follow.  It should be no more than one page and should be written concisely and in language that is widely understood outside the candidate’s field of research.  The candidate’s research or other scholarly contributions to science, history or other field of learning, industry or society should be clearly stated.

A full curriculum vitae should be provided by the nominee to the nominator for the Honours Committee, in confidence.  It should include the candidate’s date of birth, the date of receipt of degrees, and a full list of published works.  The most significant publications should be highlighted (for example by asterisks).  Where the candidate’s standing relies on many co-authored papers, the candidate’s role in those significant publications should be indicated.

The Honours Committee of the Royal Society of Tasmania has limited ability to seek additional information and therefore depends on the nomination papers to provide a full and fair account of the candidate’s suitability, taking into account the criteria for the Medal.

Nominations should be sent to:

Dr John G. Thorne,
Convener, Honours Committee
The Royal Society of Tasmania
GPO Box 1166
HOBART TASMANIA 7001

Nominations must be received no later than August 31, 2013  

Procedure for nomination for The Royal Society Medal

The first page of the nomination should list

  • The name of the medal
  • The name of the proposer and contact address
  • The name of the candidate and contact address

No self nominations are allowed 

The description of the candidate’s achievements relevant to The Royal Society Medal should follow.  It should be no more than one page and should be written concisely and in language that is widey understood outside the candidate’s field of research.  The candidate’s research or other scholarly contributions to science, history or other field of learning, industry or society should be clearly stated.

A full curriculum vitae should be provided by the nominee to the nominator for the Honours Committee, in confidence.  It should include the candidate’s date of birth, the date of receipt of degrees, and a full list of published works.  The most significant publications should be highlighted (for example by asterisks).  Where the candidate’s standing relies on many co-authored papers, the candidate’s role in those significant publications should be indicated.

The Honours Committee of the Royal Society of Tasmania has limited ability to seek additional information and therefore depends on the nomination papers to provide a full and fair account of the candidate’s suitability, taking into account the criteria for the Medal.

Nominations should be sent to:

Dr John G. Thorne,
Convener, Honours Committee
The Royal Society of Tasmania
GPO Box 1166
HOBART TASMANIA 7001

Nominations must be received no later than August 31, 2013 

 

 

Advance Notice: The Royal Society has an Annual Doctoral Award and nominations for this award will be called on October 1.

Fish Health and Seafood (National Science Week special event) – 11 August 2013

The RST Northern Chapter has organized a special event for National Science Week to highlight work currently being carried out by scientists in Tasmania.

Fish Health and Seafood

Fish Health and Seafood will presented by three speakers from the National Centre for Marine Conservation and Resource Sustainability, University of Tasmania, Launceston in the:

Meeting Room, QVMAG at Inveresk at 2pm Sunday 11 August 2013

RSVP bookings@qvmag.tas.gov.au

see attachment below for further details

RST NatSciWk Lecture

Winter Lecture Series-Future proofing the food supply: food security and food innovation in Tasmania

Presentation by Chair: The Hon. Michael Field AC,

Sir Stanley Burbury Theatre, University of Tasmania, Sandy Bay

Tuesday, 16th July 2013 Commencing 7.30 pm until 9.00pm

Session Two: Food from the sea: the changing marine environment.

 

About the Speaker

1. Professor Colin Buxton, Director – Fisheries, Aquaculture and Coasts Centre, Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania. 2. Professor Chris Carter, Aquaculture Program Leader, Fisheries, Aquaculture and Coasts Centre, Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania. Chris Carter has worked in aquaculture research since his PhD on grass carp at London University and a Research Fellowship on salmon nutrition at Aberdeen University. His research ranges from understanding the nutritional physiology of aquatic animals to improving aquafeeds through ingredient development and better understanding nutrient requirements. He is currently Professor of Aquaculture Nutrition at IMAS having previously been Professor of Aquaculture and Head, School of Aquaculture, and the Aquaculture Program Leader for TAFI. 3. Dr Gretta Peclis a Fulbright Fellow and a Senior Research Fellow leading several projects within the Estuaries and Coasts Program at the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies. Her current research activity spans a range of topics including assessing population and fishery responses to climate change, developing and evaluating management adaptation options for fisheries, and on using citizen science approaches for ecological monitoring and engagement (e.g. www.REDMAP.org.au). She is one of several researchers building a virtual network connecting researchers from rapidly warming regions (Global Marine Hotspots Network) and the lead convenor of an international conference Species on the move: detection, impacts, prediction and adaptation planned for Hobart in February 2016.

 

Brief Abstract of the Talk

1. Sustainable marine fisheries. 2. Sustainable marine aquaculture. In the last 50 years marine aquaculture has evolved from small scale commercial experiments to be a mature industry supplying millions of people with seafood. Global aquaculture production comes from fresh and marine waters, it encompasses over 200 species, and production continues to increase at an incredible rate of around 10% per annum. This presentation aims to examine aspects of Tasmanian aquaculture and relate these to the future of national and global aquaculture. Emphasis will be on developing feeds and ingredients for sustainable aquaculture. 3. Our changing marine environment: Redmap and the contributions of citizen science. Over the next century, marine ecosystems off the coast of south-eastern Australia are expected to exhibit some of the largest climate-driven changes in the Southern Hemisphere, impacting both fisheries and conservation management. Major distributional shifts in marine species have already been recorded for several dozen taxa. Even though shifts in species distributions are one of the major responses to climate change recorded here (and globally), monitoring for species range-shifts at the necessary temporal and spatial scales is very challenging. However, observations made by the countless men and women spending time in their environment are rarely recorded, though the potential coverage is vast. As a function of the digital age, advances in our technological capacity have also radically improved the precision and accuracy with which many types of community reported information can now be recorded. REDMAP (Range Extension Database and Mapping project) is an online database and mapping resource allowing members of the public to submit and access observational data (including photographs) of marine species occurring outside their known distribution (i.e. species that may be undergoing range shifts).

BUXTON_Roy Soc Tas July 2013

Redmap Royal Society July 2013

Carter 2013 RST Sustainable Marine Aquaculture Public