March 2013
He Kupu Whakamahara
Predicting rockfall hazards
A key moment with the PM Climbing above fear
UC Quake Centre launches
Chronicle 48 no.1
March 2013
Editor: Renee Jones 364 2987 ext 6072 S taff Writers: Kip Brook Renee Jones Sub–editor: Col Pearson Photos: Duncan Shaw–Brown Eve Welch
Artwork: Brian Carney
Printer: Toltech Print
D istribution: Canterbury Educational
Printing Services E–mail: communications@ canterbury.ac.nz Address: Communications and Stakeholder Relations, University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch.
Thanks to everyone else who’s played a part making this issue happen.
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The University of Canterbury will this month launch its new Quake Centre (UCQC) which will become the national hub to work with industry on joint venture earthquake engineering research projects. The centre will build on New Zealand’s established reputation for excellence and innovation in earthquake engineering. UCQC will be launched by Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee at the Westpac hub in Addington on 21 March. It will be the catalyst for a number of national and international industry and academic research and development partnerships relating to urban seismic risk Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Engineering) Professor Jan Evans-Freeman said. “This will be a world-class centre and we will liaise with similar organisations in California, Japan and Italy. They are PEER (Pacific Earthquake Engineering Centre) in California; EUCENTRE (European Centre for Training and Education in Earthquake Engineering) in Pavia, Italy, and DPRI (Disaster Prevention Research Institute) in Kyoto, Japan. “We want UCQC to grow and establish itself as one of the most recognised centres in earthquake engineering in the world. We
will be developing our existing international network so we can leverage on significant resources via bilateral collaboration on projects at an international level. “We aim to put our research and know-how into practice through effective technology transfer for the immediate benefit of the Christchurch rebuild. We will also help in assessing and retrofitting existing structures and infrastructure around the country. We have started managing earthquake engineering projects in collaboration with industry and government creating a fast-track system where resources, time, space and funds are defined. We are evaluating seismic risk to structures and lifelines both in Christchurch and places such as Wellington.” For communities to be resilient to earthquakes their infrastructure needs to be resilient and providing this flexibility is the responsibility of engineers. New Zealand is in urgent need of better engineering understanding, solutions and skills that will ensure that its communities are better prepared for a major earthquake, Professor Evans-Freeman said.
Letters to the Editor In 2013, the University will establish a number of new initiatives to enhance internal discussion of strategic matters and post-earthquake imperatives. As part of this, we are introducing a Letters to the Editor section in Chronicle. We are keen to hear from our readers on any topic of interest to the University or wider education sector. Letters to the editor should be short and sweet (150 words or less) and publication is at the editor’s discretion. Please submit your letter by email to communications@canterbury.ac.nz.
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Dragonflies help researchers discover new viruses.
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Predicting rockfalls on the Port Hills.
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Climbing above fear.
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Prime Minister John Key at UC.
Orientation at UC.
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Honorary doctorates for artist, judge and former Tongan PM Leading New Zealand artist Bill Culbert, Supreme Court Judge Sir William Young and former Tongan prime minister Dr Feleti Sevele (Lord Sevele of Vailahi) are to be awarded honorary doctorates by the University of Canterbury next month. Mr Culbert, who is one of New Zealand’s most celebrated sculptors, is the first person to be awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Fine Arts, which was added to the University’s suite of honorary doctorates in 2012. Accolades, both national and international, and recognition of Mr Culbert's artistic excellence are numerous as well as significant. He has been invited by Creative New Zealand to represent New Zealand as its artist at the 55th Venice Biennale in 2013. Jenny Harper, Director of the Christchurch Art Gallery and Commissioner for New Zealand at the 2013 Venice Biennale, said Mr Culbert “makes marvellous work, constantly reinvestigating how light works and refreshing how we think of it”. Culbert attended the School of Fine Arts at UC in the 1950s and his studio work is done in the south of France and in London, where he lives. Mr Culbert exhibits Bill Culbert
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worldwide, including frequently in New Zealand. His major sculptures in public spaces are found in far-flung places including London as well as New Zealand. His visions were sometimes captured in collaboration with noted New Zealand artist Ralph Hotere. Sir William Young is one of UC’s most outstanding graduates, being awarded the Law School’s gold medal as the top law student in his graduation year. He completed a PhD at Cambridge University and returned to enter legal practice in Christchurch and became a partner in his legal firm, then a barrister sole and Queen's Counsel. Sir William was appointed a Judge of the High Court in 1997 and rapidly progressed to the Court of Appeal. He was the Court of Appeal President from 2006 to 2010 before being elevated to the Supreme Court. Very few lawyers achieve such distinction. He is the principal author of the Institute
Dr Feleti Sevele
of Judicial Studies’ Criminal Jury Trials Bench Book. He also has a number of academic publications to his name. Dr Sevele, an arts graduate from UC, has achieved distinction in his home country and throughout the Pacific for his diverse activities in public service, business, community welfare and politics. In February 2006, Dr Sevele became Tonga’s first elected member of parliament to become prime minister and the first who was not a member of the royal family or any chiefly family. After the earthquake that struck Christchurch in September 2010, Dr Sevele reciprocated New Zealand's unfailing willingness to come to Tonga's assistance in times of natural disasters. During his last months as prime minister, he launched a public appeal in Tonga for donations to Christchurch. His government made a donation of NZ$500,000. Dr Sevele did not seek re-election in the 2010 election.
Sir William Young
Biologists putting dragonflies to work in virus discovery UC biological scientists are pioneering a groundbreaking technique that uses dragonflies to discover previously unknown viruses. Virologist Dr Arvind Varsani, who is working in partnership with biological scientists at the University of South Florida, USA (Dr Mya Breibart and Dr Karyna Rosario), said the team was leading the world in research that utilises dragonflies as a viral surveillance tool to unearth new viruses in New Zealand and overseas. “We started to analyse dragonflies because they eat a variety of insects being top-end insect predators. Many human, animal and plant viruses are transmitted by insects. Suggestions from UC's Dr Milen Marinov, a dragonfly expert, to investigate viruses in dragonflies led us to considering whether the same principles from ecology, where toxins in the ecosystem bio-accumulate in the top-end predator within that ecosystem, would hold true for bio-accumulation of viruses. In trying to address this academic question we soon began finding entire families of unknown viruses,” Dr Varsani said. “We are sampling and analysing dragonflies all over the world. We are doing it in New Zealand, we are doing it in the Pacific Islands, it’s happening in Africa, Europe, the Americas and the Caribbean. It’s a global initiative now and we are pretty much pioneering the entire field worldwide with one team based at the University of South Florida and one based here at UC,” he said. Dr Varsani and his team have used the technique to discover about 40 new viruses which potentially infect plants, insects and bacteria. He said he hoped to find viruses with the potential to infect humans using the method, which would enable them to forecast viral emergence. “We hope to discover viruses that are insect transmitted using dragonflies — our
Dr Arvind Varsani is using dragonflies to find new viruses.
natural surveillance tools. Dragonflies prey on insects smaller than them. For example, they could feed on blood sucking sandflies, hence sampling dragonflies in an ecosystem inhabited by sandflies, humans and animals could enable us to rapidly survey it for potentially harmful viruses,” he said. “From our research, it is clear that the global biodiversity of viruses is immensely underestimated. Our research is busy plugging major holes in viral biodiversity and, as it is, we only know about one per cent of all the viruses that are present on Earth. “As we collect more data on these unknown viruses we must categorise them and learn as much as we can. At the moment we know very little about some of these novel viruses so we can’t even assign them into proper viral taxonomic families in most cases. However, building a larger dataset through large-scale sampling will provide more resolution to enable proper classification and provide insight into the evolution of these viruses. Our current knowledge is based on complete genome sequencing of these viruses and the identification of the encoded homologous
viral proteins. We are very much in the infancy of understanding viral ecology and biodiversity.” Dr Varsani said they were also using the top-end predator principle to identify viruses in aquatic ecosystems by using natural concentrators such as bivalves. His group was also looking for viruses that potentially get concentrated and shed by browsers such as cows and sheep by sampling and analysing their faeces. Other pioneering work on similar lines involves other major players in freshwater ecosystems such as dragonfly larvae and blood worms, which was being undertaken by a larger team that included UC scientists Anisha Dayaram, Simona Kraberger, Alyssa Sikorski, Daisy Stainton, Laurel Julian, Allie Sikorski, Mark Galatowitsch, Dr Milen Marinov, Associate Professor Jon Harding, Dr Sharyn Goldstien, Dr Christopher Gomez and Dr Peyman Zawar-Reza. “Once we have identified new viruses in ecosystems, we can develop specific molecular probes to map their host network and their presence in other environments,” said Dr Varsani.
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PhD student Louise Vick is making a hazard map of rockfalls using 3D software technology.
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Predicting Port Hills’ rockfall could save lives Predicting the trajectory of rockfalls and boulders on the Port Hills in future earthquakes, and assessing the danger they pose to the public, is being investigated by UC researcher Louise Vick. Louise, an engineering geology PhD student, is using 3D software technology to create a detailed hazard map of rockfalls that could affect residential areas around the Port Hills in future earthquakes. The map could help save lives in the future. The research, which is funded by GNS Science and supervised by UC’s Professor Tim Davies, analyses rockfall data collected by Louise, GNS Science and the Christchurch City Council after the major Canterbury quakes. “The ultimate goal is a state-of-the-art detailed and fully defensible rockfall hazard map for the Port Hills, with the aim to inform planning decisions,” she said. “There will be 'zones' that reflect the 'level' of hazard in different places and the hazard of rockfall impact in that zone given an earthquake event. It will also display best and worst-case scenario options. The end point of the modelling will be a trajectory prediction, with a high level of certainty corresponding to the amount of detail that goes into 3D modelling.” Louise, who hopes to finish her research by December 2014, said the magnitude of a potential quake and various terrain factors could all be adjusted to predict different outcomes. “Basically, any parameter you can think of that may affect the boulder trajectory can be changed. The results of the simulation depend on the terrain type as well as size of the boulder and level of ground shaking experienced. All these little things work together in complicated numerical models to give you a simulation outcome. Hence, it takes a long time to develop an outcome you can be sure of. Luckily, the quality of our rockfall data here
in Christchurch is possibly the best in the world currently, and we are on the forefront of rockfall research here in New Zealand at the moment. “When I have rockfall simulations that match those events seen on the Port Hills in real life, I will know that I have chosen correct parameters. I can then simulate the outcome of future events with a high level of certainty,” she said. To accurately predict the way a rock will fall during an earthquake, Louise uses numerical software which simulates rockfall in three-dimensional space. “The programme I am currently using is a trial version developed by WSL Davos in Switzerland, with whom I have a close working relationship in order to collaborate on rockfall problems. I am also collaborating with research institutes in Italy and France in order to further rockfall modelling research.”
Louise said she was drawn to this research to make a valuable contribution to her community. “I believe that this is a very important piece of work, and key to further redzoning, remedial works and residential decisions. The current red-zone plan will be reviewed in five years’ time, where GNS have advised that detailed rockfall hazard analysis should be done,” she said. “I like the idea of doing something relevant, something that gives back to the community, and something that will make me employable when I finish my studies. So much of geology is taking from the environment. I like the idea of doing something that gives back and helps people. It is also great having my field area practically in my backyard.”
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(From left) Chancellor Dr John Wood, UC Art Collections Curator Lydia Baxendell and Vice-Chancellor Dr Rod Carr.
Alumna’s art works donated to UC collection Thirty-seven art works by well-known New Zealand artist Heather Masters have been donated to the University of Canterbury art collection by the Chancellor Dr John Wood and Vice-Chancellor Dr Rod Carr.
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With more than 5000 works, UC has the second largest tertiary art collection in New Zealand. UC has works in its collection including many by Masters’ contemporaries such as Chrystabel Aiken, Rita Angus, Ralph Hotere, Leo Bensemann, Ursula Bethell, Ivy Fife, Louise Henderson, James Johnstone, Ngarita Johnstone, Francis Shurrock, Olivia Spencer Bower, William Sutton, Doris Tutill, John Weeks and Toss Woollaston. In 2004–05, curator and writer Ann Calhoun included some of Masters' works in the Simplicity and Splendour exhibition at the Christchurch Art Gallery. Following the exhibition, Te Papa Museum bought 39 of Masters’ works, UC Art Collections Curator Lydia Baxendell said. “Our art, archive and rare book collections at UC’s Macmillan Brown Library are used regularly by teachers, students and external researchers. “We are unique at UC in the way we use art as a primary resource within the teaching programme. This includes hands-on tutorials, student-led exhibition projects, tours and one-on-one research inquiries. “With the Christchurch Art Gallery closed and the Canterbury Museum only recently open, it has meant that students
studying art history and fine arts have especially benefitted from access to a fantastic collection,” Ms Baxendell said. Born in Taihape in 1917, Masters studied art at UC from 1932 to early 1936. After graduating, she worked on design in Auckland and was former Auckland mayor Sir Dove-Meyer Robinson’s designer. “I am thrilled that art works by my mother have been donated to UC. It is like they have returned home to where they belong,” her daughter, Lyndsay Brock, said. Masters’ legacy is her perfect botanically based designs for friezes and wallpapers. At UC, when it was based at the Arts Centre, Masters took design, antique, life drawing, portraiture, line drawing, landscape and lettering. A selection of Masters’ works as well as art by some of her contemporaries and teachers will be exhibited publicly at the James Hight Library on campus until 27 March. Works include scenes depicting the Christchurch Arts Centre and Provincial Chambers, as well as wallpaper designs, calligraphy, portraiture and antiquity studies.
Anxiety levels in rock climbers assessed The psychological and physiological demands of rock climbing by elite level climbers has been analysed by Associate Professor Nick Draper (Sport and Physical Education). The study, which involved 15 rock climbers, aimed to discover how anxiety affects performance and whether elite climbers experienced different psychological effects during a climb than advanced and intermediate climbers. The results have been published in the latest Sports Technology journal, which dedicated an entire edition to the findings from the International Rock Climbing Research Congress held at UC. The congress was the world’s first rock climbing conference and was organised by Professor Draper with more than 30 delegates from across the world attending in December 2011. Professor Draper and two physical education PhD students, Tabitha Dickson
and Simon Fryer, wrote an article about their findings from the study. “Rock climbing is a growing area of research interest because it’s a popular sport and could become an Olympic sport. Coaches are interested in that and people want to understand the physiological and psychological aspects of the sport so they can train and coach athletes,” Professor Draper said. “During the study we looked at the psychological stresses someone perceives cognitively and somatically and also their feelings of self-confidence before they climb. Surprisingly, we discovered that there are no differences between the mind-set and psychological effects from elite to advanced and intermediate climbers. “This means that when climbers climb either using the top rope belay method or when lead climbing, which can be perceived as more dangerous, there are very few physiological or psychological differences regardless of the climber’s ability level. This suggests that climbers from intermediate level upwards have a ‘no fall mind-set’ – their faith in the safety mechanisms is
such that they are able to lock down anxiety to concentrate on the climb itself.” Techniques to examine the participants included heart rate monitors, gas analysers to examine expired oxygen and carbondioxide samples, blood tests to assess lactate and cortisol concentrations and psychological questionnaires. Professor Draper also recently co-authored a book with UC researcher Dr Helen Marshall for physical education students, Exercise Physiology for Health and Sports Performance. Professor Draper said the book used a new sports thematic approach to educate students on exercise physiology and incorporates cutting-edge research in the field. “The book also goes into more detail about the chemistry and biochemistry that affects exercise physiology than other books currently available,” he said. “I purposely designed it so it would work for our students and how the courses are set up. I am a great believer in the practical link to the theory and that’s something that we hope this book delivers.”
Associate Professor Nick Draper
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PM celebrates city’s sense of optimism during campus visit There is a real sense of optimism in Christchurch now, Prime Minister John Key said while visiting the University of Canterbury campus on the second anniversary of the 2011 earthquake. There was also greater expectation of what Christchurch would become, he told UC academics, senior management staff and students. “I think that there would have been more tears shed in Christchurch in the last two years than there has collectively been all around New Zealand, and I think that’s true, but I think what’s also true is that there is also a real sense of optimism in Christchurch now. While people are spending a day like today, which is so significant and poignant, to reflect on those that lost lives or who had their homes destroyed or were in some way injured as a result of the earthquake, there
10 Prime Minister John Key cooks up a storm with students
is also a great sense of expectation of what Christchurch is going to become,” he said. “I am absolutely convinced this will be the most liveable city in New Zealand once the rebuild has been completed. For obvious reasons we never get the chance to plan a city the way that we are now planning the new and modern Christchurch. This will be an incredible place to live.” The Prime Minister said UC was an integral part of Christchurch. “Canterbury University is a magnificent university. It is one of the gems in the crown of universities across New Zealand. You are extremely well known for a variety
of disciplines — obviously your engineering school is world class but so are all of the teaching faculties at the University,” he said. “I remember my time at UC extremely fondly and times like orientation week. In my time here during O-week we would have a champagne breakfast of beer and sausages then studied our butts off for six weeks before exams.” The Prime Minister said New Zealand needed students pouring out of institutions like UC into companies and organisations to help make New Zealand stronger. Earlier in his visit, he chatted freely with students during UCSA’s Clubs Day, signed
Canterbury College chair comes home to UC shirts and put his autograph on a playhouse to be auctioned on TradeMe for charity by UC’s Student Volunteer Army. Vice-Chancellor Dr Rod Carr addressed the Prime Minister and acknowledged his and the Government’s support since the earthquakes. “The University motto is about people who are prepared to make a difference and certainly the Prime Minister of New Zealand is somebody who does make a difference. Today is an opportunity to welcome the Prime Minister to campus, to acknowledge the support which the Government has provided and is continuing to offer to provide to the University as it recovers from the events of a couple of years ago,” he said. “UC is in its 140th year of providing higher education to the people of this community and wider New Zealand. We will be here in another 140 years’ time. We are proud of what we have done, we are proud of what we have become and we are confident about our future and the part we can play in building a great city on the Avon River.” Chancellor Dr John Wood said the Prime Minister was one of UC’s most renowned alumni and thanked him for taking the time to visit. “You are for us one of our most distinguished alumni and, better than that, you have maintained your interest in and support for the University over the years. That interest and support continued after you became Prime Minister. You are accessible to the University and its concerns. I would like to personally thank you for that,” he said.
A rare colonial chair that was originally bought by the University of Canterbury in the 19th century, when it was known as Canterbury College, has finally returned home after more than 40 years. The Canterbury College Hall Chair, believed to have been made about 1870, was purchased by UC at an Auckland auction last year and now resides in Okeover House. History PhD student William Cottrell, an expert in New Zealand colonial furniture, has done extensive research into the history of the Australian red cedar neo-gothic chair. He believes it was made in Christchurch and originally commissioned by Canterbury College, then based in the city at what is now the Arts Centre, to complement Benjamin Mountfort’s architectural themes. “We know from the provenance provided at the auction that it came from Canterbury College and my research agrees with this history. The style of the chair means it was probably used in a ceremonial role. It might have been in the chancellor’s office or on a stage. The chair was designed to be seen rather than sat in for extended periods,” he said. William said he thought the chair was probably lost during the move from the Arts Centre to the new Ilam campus in the 1960s and 1970s. “I would pick that it probably left at the
PhD student William Cottrell (left) and University Registrar Jeff Field.
point the University moved campus about 40 years ago. No one stole it or anything; I think it just got acquired by default and finally it turned up at the auction last year,” he said. “For us it’s a little bit of history retrieved. It’s a wonderful thing. I think it’s a fabulous piece of history returned. There is so much that has been lost in Christchurch since the quakes and here is this one thing that manages to fight its way through and come back.” University Registrar Jeff Field was delighted to regain a tangible piece of the University’s history linking it back to the University’s town site, now the Arts Centre of Christchurch. “Physical reminders of the 100 years we spent on that site are precious and help supplement the wider links we have through our special relationship with the Arts Centre. “Many thousands of students and staff from the 19th and 20th centuries will have viewed that chair and to have it come back home to the University is special.”
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Detecting tumours early UC researchers are working on new forms of tumour detection in the hope of reducing the annual cancer toll. The researchers are looking at early detection through the use of magnetic resonance elastography (MRE), which is a non-invasive medical imaging technique. Professor David Wall is studying ways of improving MRE to enhance the early detection of cancer. He is collaborating with PhD mechanical engineering student Andrei Petrov on an enhanced technique of characterising cancer tumours within the brain. “Cancer is a generic term for a large group of diseases that can affect any part of the body and it results in uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells. If the spread is not controlled, it can result in death. Early detection of tumours is, therefore, very important,” he said. “It is based on the basic idea of palpation which is used as part of a physical examination to determine size, shape, firmness or location. Palpation has been used by medical practitioners over the centuries to detect regions in soft tissue of varying stiffness.” He said palpation is used as a diagnostic method because the mechanical properties of tissues are often dramatically affected by the presence of disease processes. MRE uses mechanical shear waves to assess the stiffness of soft tissue and is used to diagnose liver disease by measuring liver stiffness and is under evaluation for early detection of breast tumours. Professor Wall and his team are investigating MRE to measure brain tissue stiffness as it may be related to diseases such as Alzheimer's, brain cancer and multiple sclerosis. MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is currently widely used for clinical diagnosis of cancer tumours, but it has limitations for diseases for which MRE is designed. Professor Wall is collaborating with Professor Elijah Van Houten of the L'Universite de Sherbrooke, Quebec, and Professor Peter Olsson of the Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg, Sweden, on the project. 12
Geology student with Olympic gold in his eyes UC student Zac Quickenden may thrive on the water competing as a sprint canoeist but the Youth Olympian wants to be just as adept in the laboratory. Zac is in his first year studying towards a Bachelor of Science majoring in geology, and he has already started the year on a high. Zac won silver and bronze in the Australian Youth Olympic Festival in Sydney in January, followed by winning gold last month at the ICF Oceania and New Zealand Canoe Sprint Championship in the K4, 1000m and 200m events, silver in the K2 1000m and 200m races, and bronze in the K1 1000m.
UC student Zac Quickenden.
While Zac will juggle study with 25 hours training a week for his sport, he said he was looking forward to the challenge. “The University is very accommodating with my sport and all my lecturers and course co-ordinators are willing to help me on things I need to catch up on,” he said. “It makes life a lot easier being able to watch lectures online and see all the notes so I can keep on top of things while I'm travelling.” Zac, who began canoeing through surf lifesaving about five years ago after his coach suggested it as a winter training sport, said his ultimate goal was to represent New Zealand at the Olympic Games and win gold. “I look up to anyone who has accomplished my goals of going to the Olympics and competed at a high level,” he said.
Chancellor Dr John Wood speaks to staff and students at the memorial service.
Quakes’ second anniversary marked at UC Hundreds of people gathered at the University of Canterbury to remember and pay tribute to those who died or were affected by the 22 February earthquake two years ago. Staff, students and the wider community came together for the University of Canterbury Students’ Association and the University of Canterbury service to reflect on the disaster and remember the 185 people who lost their lives. During the service there was one minute of silence at 12.51pm, the exact moment the devastating earthquake struck Christchurch. Chancellor Dr John Wood spoke during the service recalling the first memorial last year. “A year ago, at this place, still in the middle reaches of our grief, the University community came together to remember and pay tribute to those who lost their lives in the devastating earthquakes that struck our city on 22 February 2011,” he said. “Today, we are here again to remember them and all those whose lives were changed forever by the events of that dreadful day. We are here as a community that displayed courage in the face of adversity. A community that rolled up its sleeves and did what it could do to help those who needed it most. A community that was, and still is, determined not to be defined by those tragic events of two years ago today. We also believe that a vibrant
city needs a vibrant university, and we are committed to playing our role in the revitalisation of our region.” Dr Wood said that while the city rebuilt it was important to remember the events of two years ago, how far the city had come and those who were lost. “While the work of rebuilding continues across the city, and around us here on campus, as it has to do, today is also the time to pause and reflect: a time to pause and reflect on how far we have come as a community in these last two challenging years; the enduring importance to us along that journey, of family and friends, and complete strangers; the power of hopes and dreams to keep us moving forward; and, inevitably at a time like this, on the fragility of life,” he said. “This, I know, will be uppermost in the minds of those today — some of them living victims of what took place as they remember the mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, family and friends who, on 22 February 2011, said goodbye for the last time. Today we all remember them. May they rest in peace.” UCSA President Erin Jackson also addressed the crowd and said it was
important to remember but also look forward to regrowth, hope and optimism for the future. “Described as the ‘year of the rebuild’, 2013 is a pivotal year for Christchurch. A shared energy and enthusiasm for what is possible and what we can create is imperative as we move forward; for what is certain is that we will never look as we did early on the morning of 22 February, but we can shape what we look like moving forward,” she said. Reverend Tom Innes, Mitch Gingritch and Dr Bernard Walker, from the UC Ecumenical Chaplaincy team, also spoke and led a prayer. “We are also mindful that many who died were international students, so this day and time is being marked by people from all over the world. We are joined to those people too in our remembering,” Reverend Innes said. “And we cannot remember the Canterbury quakes without recalling the tsunami in Japan and the Pike River disaster here in New Zealand. We hold all these people, their friends and families, the people who loved and cared for them in our hearts today.” 13
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Korean sponsorship backs study of Antarctic seals and penguins The University of Canterbury is launching a new research project to study seals and penguins in the Antarctic following a sponsorship grant from Korea. UC’s Gateway Antarctica Director Professor Bryan Storey said the special project would be led by a new scientist to join Gateway Antarctica, Dr Regina Eisert. Funding for the five-year project has been provided by the United Nations Environment Programme through the National Committee for the Republic of Korea (ENEP NACOM Korea), who had representatives at UC for the official signing last month. The signing was also attended by Vice-Chancellor Dr Rod Carr, Gateway Antarctica staff and personnel from Antarctica New Zealand. “The sponsorship is really important to Gateway Antarctica. We would not have been able to start this new programme without this financial support. It is a
research area that we have been interested in for some time and it has only become possible through this sponsorship,” Professor Storey said. “The Antarctic is facing two big challenges—climate change and human exploitation of marine resources in the Southern Ocean. It is our mission to study how change will affect individual species and the ecosystem as a whole, and to train the next generation of Antarctic researchers. Without knowledge or skilled, dedicated people, we cannot protect Antarctic wildlife. “Our research project aims to address the impact of future change on seals, penguins, sea birds and whales, and how best to negate the effects of human activities such as fisheries. “Antarctic predators such as seals and penguins have special ecological significance. They function as sentinel species and have a disproportionate effect on ecosystem function. Yet our understanding of dependencies and vulnerability to change in Antarctica is severely limited by lack of data,” Professor Storey said.
Seals and penguins were ideal species to assess threats to the Antarctic because they seasonally congregate on and near Ross Island, where they are uniquely accessible and permit rigorous scientific study. The UC research team will study the seals which must raise their young to independence and complete an annual moult during the brief Antarctic summer. Because no instruments can be attached to seals during the moult, little is known about their behaviour during this period. UC scientists will monitor seals remotely from December to February by installing digital still cameras in the area. This postgraduate work will provide solid data on information that is currently not available. "Building on a long tradition of Antarctic research at UC, we also have access to unique historic samples of seals and penguins dating back 100 years,” he said. “Our research is dedicated to training the next generation of scientists and professionals and to instil a sense of excitement for the unique natural wonder that is Antarctica,” Professor Storey said.
(Front, from left) Secretary-General UNEP NACOM Korea, Dr Kim, Vice-Chancellor Dr Rod Carr. (Back, from left) Head of Team of Planning and Cooperation UNEP NACOM Korea, Mr Eui-young Ham, Gateway Antartica's Dr Regina Eisert and Gateway Antarctica Director Professor Bryan Storey.
UC students (from left) Shivani Makwana and Henrietta McNeill with the Ambassador of the EU to Australia and New Zealand, H.E. David Daly.
UC students bound for European Parliament Two University of Canterbury masters students have won a national competition to work in the European Parliament in Brussels for a three-month internship. Masters students Henrietta McNeill and Shivani Makwana, from UC’s National Centre for Research on Europe, will work alongside a member of the European Parliament in September after beating other applicants from universities across New Zealand. Professor Martin Holland said the internship, which is funded by the European Union Centres Network and awarded to two Kiwi university graduates every year, is an incredible opportunity. “As masters students writing EU-related theses, the experience of working in the Parliament will enhance their career opportunities both academically and in the government sector. Such practical experience will help distinguish Henrietta and Shivani from other similarly qualified graduates in the job market,” Professor Holland said.
“It allows for first-hand experience across a wide range of issues pertaining to European integration for example, the debt crisis, intervention in Mali, budget reform or free trade agreements. Henrietta and Shivani will also use their time in Brussels to conduct interviews and undertake research related to their MA theses,” he said. Henrietta, who visited her uncle in Brussels 10 years ago while he was on the same internship, said it represented an opportunity to be part of history should Britain take steps to move away from the European Union. “I'm very excited about winning this internship. It's a fantastic opportunity to expand on what I've learnt at university and see politics in practise. I'm hoping to learn the practical elements of the European Union and politics that cannot be studied in books. I'm really looking forward to seeing how the European Union and European Parliament work, and see some legislation being worked on that will affect 28 countries. This internship is one step closer to living my dreams,” she said. “I have been placed with a British Member of the European Parliament and to work with him in 2013 will be a once-in-a-
lifetime experience. The UK is considering steps away from the European Union; I feel like I am going to be part of either an important break in history or, more likely, an important integration for the European Union.” Shivani said the internship provided an opportunity to apply the knowledge she had learnt throughout her university career. “I am thoroughly excited. I think it is an invaluable experience to work for a Member of the European Parliament, and understand the political environment within one of the European Union's institutions. I applied to the internship as I thought it would be wonderful to understand the dynamics of the European Parliament and gain experience outside of an academic environment,” Shivani said. “I hope to sit in on some of the select committee meetings, particularly those which pertain to development aid as I am currently writing a thesis discussing the transparency and accountability of European Union overseas development assistance. I also wish to make the most of the knowledgeable people who will be around me.”
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International recognition for digital quake archive The University of Canterbury’s digital archive UC CEISMIC has won the inaugural international Digital Humanities Award for the best project for public audiences. UC CEISMIC is the Canterbury earthquakes digital archive that is designed to preserve the memories and experiences of people of the Canterbury region through digital material including images, video, audio and documents created as a result of the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes. The award, which is given in recognition of talent and expertise in the digital humanities community, is nominated and voted for by the public. UC CEISMIC won ahead of projects by the University of Buckingham, Trinity College Dublin, University of Munich and University College London. Associate Director of UC CEISMIC and digital humanities senior lecturer Dr James Smithies said winning the award was a huge honour for UC.
“It is a flattering indication of the impact UC CEISMIC has had not only in Christchurch and New Zealand, but internationally. Our team has created a model digital humanities project and shown that UC is leading the country in this exciting new discipline,” he said. “More importantly, the award shows the importance of cultural heritage preservation to the rebuild process. It's vitally important we safeguard Canterbury's digital heritage and continue to work with the community to build a resource for present and future generations. We're looking forward to being around to help Christchurch and New Zealand for many years to come. We expect to have 100,000 quake-related items available on CEISMIC by the end of this year.” It is the second gong for UC CEISMIC in recent months. The UC CEISMIC app, created by NV Interactive, was a winner in Microsoft’s Humanising Data competition in December. "We're very grateful to NV Interactive and Microsoft for seeing the value in the archive we're building, not only because the NV app is a fantastic product and we're looking forward to developing it more in the coming years, but because it tells us that our early
design decisions were correct. The UC CEISMIC archive was never meant to be a closed archive with only one website,” Dr Smithies said. “We designed it as a multi-channel environment, where open data allows the development of any number of websites and applications, providing numerous opportunities for the public and researchers to interact with and use the content. This app is hopefully only the first of several that make innovative use of UC CEISMIC content.” The inaugural international Digital Humanities Awards were overseen by an international committee comprising representatives from the University of Oxford, University of Melbourne, George Mason University, EHESS: École des Haute Études en Sciences Sociales (Lyon), and the International Institute for Digital Humanities (Tokyo). The UC CEISMIC consortium includes Archives New Zealand, Christchurch City Libraries, the Canterbury Museum, the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage, the National Library, New Zealand Film Archive, NZ on Screen, the Ngai Tahu Research Centre and Te Papa. DigitalNZ, a unit of the National Library, provides additional services.
(From left) Lucy-Jane Walsh, Paul Doughty, Dr James Smithies, Jennifer Middendorf, Associate Professor Paul Millar, Chris Thomson, Han Li.
Twenty-nine tonne monster to test city soils
Dr Dean Sutherland
Computers help autistic children Young children with autism, who do not speak, are able to communicate using tablet computers, a ground-breaking University of Canterbury study has discovered. Initial findings of a study of young children with autism have found they can request toys or snack food by using tablet computers. This is some of the first evidence from research using tablet computers to help engage and improve communication skills of children with autism. “This is an exciting finding that provides evidence to support the use of these devices but we have some way to go to fully complete this study," UC senior lecturer Dr Dean Sutherland said. “In this joint project with Wellingtonbased researchers we looked at supporting early communication skills of children from Wellington and Canterbury using tablet computers, pictures and sign language. Around 60 per cent of children in the study preferred to communicate with the computer tablets. “This is a new finding but it is important to note not all children preferred a tablet computer. So we need to be mindful that
some children will prefer other modes of communication. However, these initial findings clearly support the use of these devices with children who struggle to learn to speak," Dr Sutherland said. Further research will explore if children learn more advanced communication skills more quickly using their preferred method of communication. They are also seeking to confirm if the new approach supported the development of speech and whether the skills children learned in the study can be easily transferred to when communicating with other people such as different teachers. About 25 per cent of children with autism and related developmental disabilities fail to develop sufficient speech to meet their communication needs. Roughly one in 100 to 150 children each year are diagnosed with autism, which includes significant communication problems, in the first one to two years of their life. Based on international identification rates, New Zealand could have between 30,000 to 45,000 children and adults in New Zealand with autism. It is hoped that the final results of the project will lead to children learning important new communication skills and improving their quality of life.
Its name may conjure images of a ferocious prehistoric dinosaur but T-Rex is, in fact, the world’s largest seismic vibration truck and it’s coming to test the ground under Christchurch. In a collaborative research project between the University of Canterbury and the University of Texas, Austin, the 29-tonne truck will arrive in Christchurch this month to carry out tests. It will be the first time that it has operated outside of the USA. T-Rex will be used to determine the properties of soils from the ground surface to depths of 250 metres by applying small vibrations and recording them with an array of instruments. UC earthquake engineer Dr Brendon Bradley (Civil and Natural Resources Engineering) said an understanding of Christchurch’s soil properties at great depths was important because it impacted how seismic waves were amplified, reflected and refracted as they travelled up to the earth’s surface. “The ground motion recorded in the 22 February 2011 earthquake illustrated significant basin effects. These were caused by reverberations of the soft sedimentary soils that Christchurch is founded on. “Using state-of-the-art information on soil properties throughout Christchurch obtained by T-Rex and previous testing, we can begin to link cause and effect and better understand where such effects will occur elsewhere during future earthquakes worldwide,” Dr Bradley said. The testing will begin on 15 sites around Christchurch under the auspices of the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority and the Christchurch City Council. The public are invited to witness the testing during two days at QEII Park on 14 March and at Ilam Fields on 21 March. T-Rex will also make an appearance at the launch of UC’s Quake Centre on 21 March. 17
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UC rescue team better than ever The University’s Emergency Management Rescue Team is twice as strong with all its members becoming qualified USAR responders. Nine members of the University’s Emergency Management Rescue Team recently earned the Category 1R–USAR Responder (Orange Card) qualification, bringing the total number of qualified team members to 18. The training and subsequent qualification ensures team members are trained to a nationally recognised emergency response standard, enabling them to act as a self-sufficient team or to work in conjunction with professional emergency services in the event of natural disasters.
The UC team supports the University’s comprehensive capability to mitigate the effects of natural disasters, in particular by locating and extricating trapped people, providing emergency first aid, and evacuating victims to higher medical aid. The team works closely with UC Security and also provides support in security-based activations, such as building evacuations in the event of threats that may endanger staff, students or visitors. Members are volunteers from 16 UC departments and service areas including biological sciences, chemistry, civil and natural resources engineering, electrical and computer engineering, Property and Vehicles Services, Health Centre, Human Resources and Student Services. Michel Fivet (Human Resources) said he wanted to join the team to help in the event of an emergency.
“After the first and second earthquakes I felt quite useless and inadequate and I wasn’t able to assist really — that was the biggest motivator, that sense of helplessness,” he said. “The team environment is nice. We have a good mix of more experienced staff and some younger ones. The skills we learned are unique, from first aid to working in a dangerous environment, which I thought was interesting.” Meanwhile, team member Yvonne Grosch (National Centre for Research on Europe) has been involved in her local civil defence group since the September 2011 earthquake and wanted to join the University’s ranks. “I knew a lot of theory so it’s good to be able to put that into practise. The team is great and we have training regularly so we don’t forget anything,” she said.
Team members from (left to right, front to back) Hlekiwe Kachali, Sally Botur, Yvonne Grosch, Heather Dickie, Bruce Vincent, Gary Turner, Paul Cooper, Mark Andrews (Team Leader), Graeme Bull (Team Manager), Mark Warren (Team Leader), Graham Furniss, Laurie Anderson, Te Hurinui Clarke, Michel Fivet, Heather Thomas, Penny Goode, Bronwyn Sutton, Dave van Leeuwen.
What's on at UC? What if neuroscience could change education? Wednesday 13 March Undercroft 101, 6.30pm – 8pm What if Wednesdays are UC’s free public lecture series and are held on campus every Wednesday night. Come along and listen to Dr Anna Wilson discuss some of the latest findings from the new international field of "educational neuroscience", and their relevance to current and future educational practice. www.canterbury.ac.nz/wiw
Graduation ceremony for the Faculty of Engineering and Forestry Wednesday 17 April CBS Canterbury Arena, Addington 10am – 12pm www.canterbury.ac.nz/graduation
UC will once again be opening its doors for this fun, free and family-friendly event to give the people of Christchurch an opportunity to find out what goes on in the laboratories and other facilities at the Ilam campus. www.canterbury.ac.nz/community
CEO of CERA Roger Sutton will be speaking to students about the rebuild of Christchurch and how students can help towards the success of it all. Come along to this UCSA event to hear more! www.ucsa.org.nz/events
Engineering Careers Fair Thursday 9 and Friday 10 May NZi3, 69 Creyke Road, 3pm – 7pm Graduation ceremony for the Faculties of Humanities and Social Sciences, and Creative Arts Wednesday 17 April CBS Canterbury Arena, Addington 2pm – 4pm www.canterbury.ac.nz/graduation
The 2013 Hollywood blockbuster Lincoln reminds us that ending slavery was a complex process which took more than a stroke of the pen to accomplish. In this What if Wednesdays lecture Associate Professor Peter Field will explore Lincoln’s greatness, his movie facsimile, and the emancipation from bondage of several millions of Americans. www.canterbury.ac.nz/wiw
UC Information Day gives prospective students a chance to meet lecturers and attend introductory lectures, get in-depth information on subjects, qualifications and scholarships and experience tours of lecture theatres, labs, libraries, sports facilities and Halls of Residence. www.canterbury.ac.nz/infoday UC Community Open Day Saturday 27 April UC Ilam campus, 10am – 3pm
Christchurch rebuild talk with Roger Sutton Wednesday 20 March Undercroft 101, 1pm – 2pm
What if Abraham Lincoln had not freed the slaves? Wednesday 20 March Undercroft 101, 6.30pm – 8pm
UC Information Day Friday 26 April UC Ilam campus, 9am – 5pm
Graduation ceremony for the Faculties of Science and Education Friday 19 April CBS Canterbury Arena, Addington 10am – 12pm www.canterbury.ac.nz/graduation
Careers Fairs and employment events provide an opportunity to learn more about different industries and organisations, find out where your degree could take you and meet potential employers face to face. Come along to the Engineering Careers Fair and grasp this opportunity, as well as learn about summer internships, vacation work, final year and graduate positions and gather information about courses, degree and career choices. www.canterbury.ac.nz/careers
Graduation ceremony for the Faculties of Law and Commerce Friday 19 April CBS Canterbury Arena, Addington 2pm – 4pm www.canterbury.ac.nz/graduation
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UC Orientation 2013