POSTSC R IP T
A pu b l i cat i o n by the Po stg ra d uate Stud e nt s’ Ass oc iat ion of UWA.
EDITORIAL Hello fellow postgraduates! What a year 2014 has been and how did it so fly fast …like a big jet plane! This year’s Postscript was centred on Science and Futurism. This theme may have been a wee bit influenced by our ‘science heavy’ committee. Nevertheless, all postgraduates’ studies seek to improve our future. For Postscript, we have a variety of articles from informative to inspiring and a few good laughs. As ever, Postscript is our way of sharing a variety of postgraduate experiences with all of you. In the past, I have seen some talks by the inspirational Professor Robyn Owens. This year, David (PSA president) had the chance to interview her for Postscript. For best article, I chose the entry which I felt captured an experience most postgraduate go through and included tips on how to make the most of these. The writer really deserved this acknowledgement for their contribution of stressing the importance of the right networks and how they can really jump start your career beyond postgraduate studies. Something we can all relate to in one way or another. I would like to acknowledge the support of Postscript committee - David, Kristin, Aaron and John and the Guild Design team for helping construct this Postscript. For me, it was a true privilege to have the opportunity to help edit and produce this Postscript for 2014. I truly wish you all the best for all your promising futures! Julie-Ann De Bond
CONTENTS President’s Report 4 Past President’s Report 5 Research Services 6 Event Photos 8 Committee Photos 11 Desk Pranks 12 Ways PSA can help you: Funding 13 Interview with Robyn Owens 13 Life as a Postgraduate - Research 14 Life as a Postgraduate - Coursework 16 Photo Submission 19 Editor’s Choice Award - Networking at Conferences 20 Introduction to Amatuer Astronomy 22 Poetry - The Words of the Order of the Postgraduates 24 Getting to Know You 26
PRESIDENT’S REPORT G’day postgrads! Welcome to Postscript 2014 – I can’t believe it’s already this time. At the risk of sounding cliché, it feels like only yesterday that I was discussing the possibility of evening running for a position in the PSA! If there is one thing I’ve taken to heart from my time with the PSA, it’s this: postgrads are all the same. It doesn’t matter whether you’re doing a Masters of Clinical Audiology, or a PhD in medieval weaponry; whether you do 100% coursework, or can’t even remember the last time you sat an exam; or if you’ve been at the university for six months or six years! We are all at university, doing the same thing – a professional degree, working towards a qualification in a specialised field. We all have our undergraduate degrees and we’ve all spent years at university already. We aren’t working towards a broad education – we have that. We are delving deeper into our own specialised little corner of the world. 2014 has been a crazy year for postgrads. We have seen the university take away from its research students the Safety Net Top-Up Scholarship. Our HECS debts have been threatened by government legislation to increase the interest rate. Even the PSA logo has changed from the tree, to the tree but stuck inside a hexagon! Like I said, crazy year. I’m sure many of you will have seen friends graduate and escape the university, and I’m sure many more of you will have made friends just arriving at the university! The circles of friends, peers, and officemates we have are constantly in flux. Whilst the PSA does many great things for postgrads, I personally feel that Connect is among the most important. Come the first Thursday of every month, from 5-6pm you can be guaranteed to find a group of postgrads conglomerating around the sweet potato wedges at Uni Club. It has been especially heartwarming to see attendance at Connects grow throughout the year, despite that damnable gold coin donation we forced on you! It has been a genuine privilege to serve the postgraduate students of UWA this year. Though I am looking forward to returning to my poor and neglected PhD, I will miss it. Conjuring up and executing events for postgrads, yelling at university executives for doing and saying stupid things, and getting to penetrate your inbox each week with our newsletter. May your graduation be soon and painless! David Raithel
PAST PRESIDENT’S REPORT Annyeonghaseyo Postgrads! (Hello in Korean) I both can, and cannot believe it has almost been a year since I was your President, and backed myself into a corner of having to come up with a new greeting every week! It has been a busy year for me (although not as busy as last year). I have been working on my PhD, tutored for the first time, been doing some research assistant work, competed in the 3 Minute Thesis Competition; been to a couple of conferences already; and at the moment am writing this report from a hotel room in Daegu, South Korea at a conference, before heading off to Queenstown for another conference in a fortnight! David has done an amazing job this year as your PSA President. I think a special shout-out also needs to go to Peter, Kristin as well as the rest of the committee. Some of the new projects that the PSA has implemented this year are awesome (board games night, shut-up-and-write sessions every Friday, STIR). It has been really great to see new faces at Connects, and see new people starting to get involved in the PSA. This year’s committee have had to deal with the worrying news that University fee structures will be changing; resulting in Professional Masters students potentially having to pay exorbitant amounts for their education, while HDR students may have to start paying fees, and have their scholarships reduced. David and the 2014 committee have done a great job representing postgraduates on these issues to both the university, and to the Federal government through CAPA (Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations); while at the same time still providing amazing services and social events to postgraduates. I’m pretty sure every Past Presidents Report mentions/encourages/insists/pleads this; but if you want these services, representation and events to continue, or even to see new ones, you need to get involved. This PSA can’t run itself! It needs postgrads to be active and involved! The more of you who are the better! So for the very very last time…… That’s All Folks, Gemma Bothe
MESSAGE FROM THE DEPUTY VICE-CHANCELLOR RESEARCH Postgraduate research students are valued members of the UWA research community.
when your research path is difficult it can still be exciting, and full of potential! About the Office of Research Enterprise
It is the aim of the University, through the Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research, to provide students with topquality training that will not only serve you well when undertaking research anywhere in the world, but to provide you with transferable skills that you can utilize in non-research focused employment streams. In addition to the Office of Research Enterprise, the DVCR portfolio includes the Graduate Research School, the Institute of Advanced Studies, and UWA’s Research Institutes. The DVCR portfolio offers a range of services and training experiences for postgraduate students that are designed to help you complete your thesis, develop generic skills, and provide you with an introduction to the post-PhD research world. While you are studying at UWA, I would encourage you to make use of our services including: participating in master classes; attending short courses and workshops; and engaging in multi-disciplinary discussions and collaborations. I also recommend that you become involved in the PSA by attending as many postgraduate events as possible, and meeting with your fellow postgrads to discuss your work and your experiences. Finally, you should take stock every once and a while to remind yourself that even
In early 2014, UWA’s Research Services was rebranded and we are now known as the Office of Research Enterprise (ORE). ORE has five key areas that provide services to the UWA research community, including graduate research students: The Graduate Research and Scholarships teams are responsible for the administration of your candidature from application to award, as well as scholarships. Through the Graduate Education Officers, the team offers a variety of workshops and training events for postgraduate students, designed to help you with completing your thesis and developing the generic skills required for post-thesis employment. If you have any questions or issues regarding your candidature or scholarship, the GRSO should be your first port of call. Research Grants comprises two teams – the Grants Team and the Finance Team. The office is responsible for administering research grants, research contracts and postdoctoral fellowships. This includes both pre and post-award management of external and internal research funding. The teams will assist you with the preparation of applications including advice on project costs through to facilitating submission and contractual arrangements once the funding has been
approved. The teams also facilitate the financial administration from award of funding through to reporting, audit and completion of the project. Research Integrity comprises Human Ethics, Animal Ethics, and Biosafety. Research Integrity also deals with issues relating to research misconduct. If your research involves human participants or patients, animals or biological hazards, the staff in Research Integrity can help you. They will answer your general queries and advise on ethics applications, amendments to approvals and completion of progress reports. Research Development and Innovation comprises two groups. Research Development Advisers provide strategic advice to researchers on issues related to external research funding. They also assist with the establishment of strategic research collaborations within and external to UWA and facilitate cross-disciplinary communication. The Innovation group works closely with UWA researchers to maximise the impact of their research through technology transfer. The group provides opportunities for industry to develop products from, or invest in, UWA research.
Research Data includes the Research Systems Unit, who are responsible for the maintenance and enhancement of key research systems, and the Research Assessment Unit, who handle the collection and processing of publication data, which includes the ERA exercise, as well as the analysis of research data for both reporting and strategic purposes. You can find out more about the ORE and the services we offer on our new website: www.research.uwa.edu.au Don’t forget to follow us on twitter @UWAResearch
EVENT PHOTOS
The photos below are from various events this year including Quiz Nights, Connect Events and more! Visit our Facebook page to find out more about the events we hold at www.facebook.com/uwapsa.
EVENT PHOTOS
2014 PSA COMMITTEE EXECUTIVE
PRESIDENT DAVID RAITHEL
SECRETARY KRISTIN MARIE BARRY
VICE PRESIDENT RESEARCH PETER DERBYSHIRE
VICE PRESIDENT COURSEWORK AARON FORDHAM
TREASURER DANIEL OGBURN
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT GEMMA BOTHE
OFFICE BEARERS
MEDIA OFFICER JULIE-ANN DE BOND
EQUITY OFFICER AMARDEEP KAUR
INTERNATIONAL OFFICER HAMMAD KHAN
OFF CAMPUS OFFICER ANITA WILLIAMS
FACULTY REPRESENTATIVES
ALVA JENNIFER SCOTT
BUSINESS THOMAS BARRATT
LAW STEPHANIE PRICE
SCIENCE JOHN KODATH GEORGE
ORDINARY COMMITTEE MEMBERS
OCM ELLIOT SMITH
OCM ASHWIN THIRUPATHY
EDUCATION KHEANG THIDA
CHEEKY DESK PRANKS by David Raithel
When someone pranks your desk....
The most important thing to remember is retaliation should both escalate and send a message.
WAYS PSA CAN HELP YOU: FUNDING The 2014 PSA Committee reviewed the Awards and Grants which resulted in an increase in the number and value of each of the 4 award categories. This year we had three rounds of awards.
THE SMALL GRANTS ARE FOR UWA POSTGRADUATES WHO ARE INTERESTED IN FACILITATING A NEW EVENT OR SERVICE TO FILL A GAP PERCEIVED BY POSTGRADUATES. The award categories are as follows: 1. PSA Conference Travel Awards The Conference Travel Awards are given by PSA as part of the committee’s mandate to provide services and support to UWA postgraduate students. Awards up to $900 are provided to enrolled UWA postgraduates so as to enable them to subsidize their cost of attending conferences for presenting their work or research. Up to 5 awards were made available in each of the three rounds. 2. PSA Small Grants The Small Grants are for UWA postgraduates who are interested in facilitating a new event or service to fill a gap perceived by postgraduates. Grants are only for applications that demonstrate that the desired event or service is not already covered by the University, Student Guild or PSA. Two awards were available per round and are valued up to $350.
3. PSA Fieldwork/ Data Collection Awards This award is aimed at supporting UWA postgraduates for the fieldwork or data collection vital for their studies. There is a preference for applicants travelling within Western Australia, though applications for interstate and international travel are also eligible. Financial need must be demonstrated in the application and in addition, all relevant approvals including ethics, travel and fieldwork must be completed. These awards may be given conditional on these approvals. Three awards are available in this category per round for the value up to $900 each. 4. PSA Leadership Award This award is to recognise one exceptional and high achieving postgraduate per year. Self-nominations are not accepted. There is a small bursary of $250 (higher than last year) associated with this award, a certificate, and public recognition through the postgraduate community, PSA website, and potentially other UWA channels.
AN INTERVIEW WITH DR ROBYN OWENS: DEPUTY VICE-CHANCELLOR OF RESEARCH I shared a coffee with the Deputy ViceChancellor of Research, Dr. Robyn Owens (RO) earlier this year, and took the opportunity to ask some hard-hitting questions of her. I present to you the abridged and paraphrased transcript. DR: If you had the chance to redesign the Australian PhD experience from the ground up, what would be different (and what would you keep the same)? RO: What I would really like to do is put a curriculum around the PhD. I think the PhD at the moment is very much a master/apprenticeship role. Supervisors try to create a “mini me”, which is great if you’ve got a good supervisor. DR: How do you feel, philosophically, about the idea of a thesis by publication? RO: We’re using the word thesis in two separate ways. One is thesis as a sustained argument, and the other is thesis which is the written body of work which gets examined. Thesis as the written body of work that gets examined, as a collection of publications, great! I think that in most of our disciplines, apart from the humanities and a couple of related areas, it’s absolutely the way to go. When you are a practising researcher, that’s exactly what you will be doing – writing papers. You will likely never write 150 pages again in your life. But the thesis as a sustained argument, I think it’s very important. DR: Negative results, whilst still research, don’t get published. Replication of other results too, almost never gets published.
Do you think publications are the best measure of research? RO: Publications, initially, are about communicating your ideas to other researchers. It is a pity that negative results and replication of other results is not published as much as they should be. PhD theses remain probably the most important avenue for the publication of negative results. A PhD is the place where people can explore, in depth and at length, topics that as a run-inthe-mill researcher where your job is to pump papers out is a lot harder to do. I think it’s really excellent that PhD’s can include this sort of thing. DR: You’ve spent the latter part of your career at UWA, and you started off here. What was it that brought you back, and what is it about this place that has kept you here? RO: I certainly have been away from UWA. I did my doctorate at Oxford, and I worked in Paris for 3 years at the University of Paris. I came back to UWA for family reasons, early on. I have subsequently worked at Berkeley, and then came back again. Fundamentally, I really believe UWA is a great university, and before all this fanaticism about ranking and measuring universities came about, I was confident UWA was a great university. We have had a long history of producing great graduates that can go anywhere overseas and are incredibly well respected. I think the mark of a great university is great graduates.
DR: If you didn’t study maths as an undergrad, what would you have done instead? RO: I’m a first in family person for university. Nobody in my family had any idea what university was going to hold or what mathematics was about. Interestingly, when I finished school (with pretty good grades) I didn’t know what I wanted to do. Like most kids nowadays, medicine is always held out as the high profile thing that you go out and enrol in, but I didn’t really want to do it. I went to career counselling like all school kids do, and they basically were pretty unhelpful – they said I could do anything I wanted, but I shouldn’t do engineering. I decided to enrol in science because it was what I was good at, without any particular passion for anything at all. In my first year at university I decided chemistry was too smelly, physics was too messy, and mathematics was absolutely really beautiful. Even though I was enrolled in a science degree, I dropped physics and chemistry, and took up music – doing mathematics and music. DR: What sort of music? RO: All the way through school I learned and played piano. I enjoyed music at university because I enjoyed all the musicology and history of music. When I moved away I discovered piano wasn’t very portable so I took up flute for a while. For about the last ten years I’ve been playing classical guitar, Spanish guitar – acoustic guitar basically. DR: I know Alan Dench has a Martin in his office. RO: Alan has a guitar, and Peter Davies (who is the Pro Vice-Chancellor of Research) is also a guitarist. Alan is more
of a jazz improviser guitarist, and Peter is more of a rock band kind of guitarist. It wasn’t until near the end of the interview however that I was able to ask the really hard hitting questions. DR: Do you prefer sweet pies or savoury pies? RO: Probably more savoury than sweet. It’s interesting that you mention that, because I’ve just had my genome sequenced (for fun, and for science!) and they seemed to have identified quite a few genes associated with taste. So it wasn’t surprising to discover that I like savoury things. DR: It’s a Sunday afternoon, the long dark teatime of the soul is well and truly setting in. You get a drink, and read a good book. What are you drinking, and what are you reading? RO: If it’s winter, I’m drinking a glass of red wine, and I’m definitely reading fiction and literature. I read a lot, not so much on a Sunday afternoon because I’m catching up with work! But I try to read every night before I go to bed. DR: Probably the most important question I’m going to ask: chocolate or vanilla milkshake? RO: Vanilla. I’m not a chocolate person at all really. I’ll eat a choc bomb at the movies, but it’s always a vanilla choc bomb. I suppose if you’re going to take anything from this interview, it’s that Robyn Owens is wrong about milkshakes.
LIFE AS A POSTGRADUATE: RESEARCH by Sophie Richard, PhD candidate in Linguistics
Just hang on to that feeling “You should receive notice of the results of your application by March 11th, 2013.” I had been through and through the website, the documentation, the emails, but all that was left to do at the time was wait. And so I did. Longer than I had wished for. English might not be my native language, but I happen to be a linguist. I pay attention to words, and I had definitely paid careful attention to those ones! It was written “by March 11th”. Fascinating how a tiny word can trigger such an important difference in interpretation. Two weeks prior to the 11th, I was already on the alert, checking my inbox and the status of my application on the dedicated website. Nothing. One week. Nothing. March 11th. Nothing. I had not been sleeping for days. My heart kept pounding in my chest. I needed to know. I wrote a hasty email enquiring about the results. Now I just had to wait a little longer – hopefully not much longer. “Congratulations” The word jumped at me. A whirlwind in my mind and a few tears misting over my eyes. I had made it! The anxiety of the past months vanished in an instant. A new world was opening to me. My life was taking on a new path. I could not have been happier. This is how the French student from Paris that I was got accepted to write her PhD thesis in Linguistics at UWA.
WHEN YOU’RE TOLD THAT WEEKS OF RESEARCH ARE GOING DOWN THE TRASH (THAT’S OBVIOUSLY NOT WHAT YOU’RE TOLD BUT THAT IS CERTAINLY HOW IT FEELS), YOU CANNOT HELP BUT FEEL DESPONDENT – AND WHO WOULD BLAME YOU? I think it is fair to say that everyone begins their PhD optimistic, hopeful and ready to turn their field of research upside down (or at least to contribute a little something –let’s be modest here)! Importantly, we are all aware that there will be ups and downs, fits and starts, but the excitement of our research project prevails. It’s only when that first bump on the road crosses your path that you are reminded that the ride is not going to be smooth all the way. The first bump happened to me just a few months after I had officially enrolled. I had to change topics. I knew it was for the best and that I’d be thankful for the change later on. But let’s face it, when you’re told that weeks of research are going down the trash (that’s obviously not what you’re told but that is certainly how it feels), you cannot help but feel despondent – and who would blame you? After a while though, what had seemed like a mountain to climb was no longer on my mind… Until another bump came
up. I’m right in the middle of that one. I have been trialling my data collection instruments and the verdict is harsh but irrevocable: they do not work. Months of thinking, designing and careful planning gone down the drain. Time for Plan B. And there’s actually no time for it. I’m already behind. If I hope to be done in three years time, I should currently be collecting all my Perth speakers’ stories. That’s not happening. And so, as my people would say: “c’est la merde”. The fact is, however, that those bumps along the road are exactly the reason why we are doing what we are doing. We, postgrads in our different fields, have undertaken to answer a question that no
one else has ever tackled before – and there might be an obvious reason for that: it’s not an easy one to solve! PhD is not for the fearful. But remember “when the going gets tough, the tough get going”. And it might help to hang onto something positive, like the fantastic feeling you had when you learnt that your application was successful, to help carrying you through the less than joyful times. Personally, I just close my eyes and hang on to that feeling. It reminds me of how much I had worked to get in this position. It reminds me of how much I had wanted this. And it reminds me of how lucky I am.
LIFE AS A POSTGRADUATE: COURSEWORK by Aaron Fordham I have been asked to write an article on the life of a postgraduate course work student. However, it should go without saying, this will drastically vary from student to student. Students returning after many years in the workforce will have a completely different experience than students coming straight from their undergraduate degree.
on a Sunday. Try to imagine a weekday. Needless to say, we crave for holidays. If we’re not studying, we feel extremely guilty.
So let’s go back to basics and ask ourselves, what are some reasons individuals undertake a postgraduate coursework degree?
VERY REWARDING. WE LOVE
• • • • •
Become qualified Gain a better understanding about a specific field Not quite ready to start a PhD Become more mature Become a better writer
All these reasons are valid and by no means represent a comprehensive list. No matter the background of postgraduate students, there are similarities. For example, we have reduced social lives compared to undergraduates or those in the workforce. Weekends? What weekends? I cannot remember a time where I had a weekend free. Usually I am in the Science library postgraduate study room. I often see familiar faces from the time it opens until it closes. Come exam time, we usually struggle finding a place to study
BEING A POSTGRADUATE COURSEWORK STUDENT IS NOT ALL STRESSFUL. IT’S WHAT WE STUDY SO WE ARE DEDICATED.
The life of a postgraduate coursework student is very busy. We are not the type of students to leave assignments to the last minute. We have been there and done that during our undergraduate. We know how to study. We know how to prioritize our time. We try to be productive. Of course sometimes things fall off the radar but for the most part, this is all true. Being a postgraduate coursework student is not all stressful. It’s very rewarding. We love what we study so we are dedicated. The Postgraduate Students’ Association actively enhances our experiences at university by organising many social events to keep us sane. As a postgraduate coursework student, we should all take advantage of these events. Sometimes they’re events where we don’t have to feel old.
LATE NIGHT THESIS STUDY Photo submission by Patricia Alessi
Year 2 of PhD. Progress: riveting. The subject (cat) in the photo is named Sonnenbrandt, and he lives in Highgate, WA with his owner Patricia Alessi, a second-year PhD Candidate at the UWA School of Music and the ARC Centre for the History of Emotions, 1100-1800.
EDITOR’S CHOICE AWARD: NETWORKING AT CONFERENCES by Theresa Miller
The paper was written, the flight was booked and I had selected a suitably professional outfit to wear. I was about to leave the safe space of UWA for my first international conference and I was anxious to make a good impression. From the presentation side of things, I felt reasonably comfortable but as many people had told me conferences are less about delivering a polished paper and more about the networking opportunities they provide.
IF A PRESENTER’S PAPER RESONATES STRONGLY WITH YOU IN SOME WAY, THEN TELL THEM. IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION, BUT ARE TOO NERVOUS TO ASK IT IN QUESTION TIME, SEEK THE PRESENTER OUT IN THEIR BREAK. IF THEIR PRESENTATION IS GROUNDED IN THE AMERICAN, BRITISH, CANADIAN (FILL IN COUNTRY OF CHOICE) CONTEXT BUT ALSO HAS A RELEVANCE WITHIN AUSTRALIA TELL THEM AND TELL THEM HOW.
At the end of the day, my paper would only occupy 20 minutes of a two day conference. Yet networking is not something that comes naturally to me. The thought of going up and speaking to the academics whose work I was engaging with in my research filled me with dread. What would I say, why would they possibly want to speak to me, a lowly PhD student from the antipodes and how could I avoid looking like the imposter that I felt? Speaking to friends about this, I discovered that many had the same feelings but many also had some good suggestions on how to survive, and even thrive, in the networking arena. So in the spirit of collegial support, I share them with you now in the hope that fellow ‘networkaphobes’ will likewise benefit from them as I did. Seek out the Conference Organiser(s) and thank them. This person is already familiar with your name as they will have read all the abstracts submitted and planned the programme. Introducing yourself to them and telling them how you are looking forward to the programme (or enjoying it) takes the focus off you and does not require you to offer any strikingly intelligent comments about their work. Speak to the other presenters about their presentations.
If a presenter’s paper resonates strongly with you in some way, then tell them. If you have a question, but are too nervous to ask it in question time, seek the presenter out in their break. If their presentation is grounded in the American, British, Canadian (fill in country of choice) context but also has a relevance within Australia tell them and tell them how. When I approached one of the key note speakers – a highly influential scholar in my field from America, to tell him how strongly his paper also applied to an Australian context, we went on to have a great chat about his trip to Fremantle and how he would love to be invited back to speak in WA some time. ‘I must introduce myself, my supervisor would kill me if I came all this way and didn’t say hello’. I cannot remember who suggested this one to me, but thank you. It worked really well to cut through the academic hierarchy. At the international conference I attended, one of the key note speakers was like academic royalty (or rock star depending on your views on the monarchy). One of her essays in now standard reading in undergraduate courses and her body of work is highly influential in a number of fields. How was a first year PhD candidate to approach someone like this? Well this line broke the ice, generated a smile and gave me the opportunity to follow up with step number two.
Finally, seek comments on your paper. Ask one of the other presenters in your session for feedback on your paper. This not only gives you a reason to speak to someone but it is also a good way to get additional thoughts on your work from someone in the field. Your supervisor may be an expert in one aspect of your work but not another so seeking feedback is a smart, proactive and highly regarded thing to do. The lecturer I approached for feedback generously gave up her tea break to talk with me and sought me out several times the following day to see how I was getting on. She even asked me if I had spoken to everyone I planned to speak to or if I needed any introductions. These suggestions may seem obvious to many of you but I know I am not alone in having doubts about the quality of my work and anxieties about going up to strangers and starting conversations. If you do not believe me, google ‘Imposter Syndrome’; it is more common then you may realise. So give some or all go when you are next at a conference and standing alone in the corner with your cup of tea. Who knows the person you speak to may be feeling just as out of place as you. Good Luck and Enjoy!
INTRODUCTION TO AMATEUR ASTRONOMY by Aaron Fordham Have you ever wanted to get involved in Astronomy? Well there is more to astronomy than looking through the telescope. Although telescopes make a great addition to the arsenal, they can get quite expensive. Good news is you do not need one to enjoy the stars. There are many different ways to get involved. Just by going outside, staring at the stars, the moon or even the sun (do not look directly at the sun!), you are already enjoying the wonders of space. Here I will outline different ways to enjoy astronomy without a telescope and relatively low cost.
IF IT IS A FULL MOON, TRY AND DIFFERENTIATE THE LIGHTER AND DARKER REGIONS. THE DARKER REGIONS ARE CALLED LUNAR MARIA AND COVER 16% OF THE SURFACE. THEY ARE LESS REFLECTIVE THAN THE HIGHLANDS AND THUS APPEAR DARKER.
The best place to start is to download star maps on your smartphone and learn your constellations. Google sky map is free and compatible on any smartphone. Alternatively, if you do not want to do download an app, there are star chart books. The Astronomy
Australia 2014 is packed with information on science, astronomical events and star maps red light torches are absolutely essential to protect your vision when examining star chart books at night. Now you are equipped to go outside during a clear night sky and find constellations. Arguably, the most important constellation seen from Australia and the Southern Hemisphere is the South Cross and Pointers in constellation, Centaurus. These allow you to determine south via the south celestial pole (Fig. 1). The visible constellations depend upon the time of year. In winter, it is best to see Scorpius and Sagittarius (centre of the Milky Way galaxy). In summer, Orion is fairly popular and with an average pair of binoculars, you can see the Orion Nebular. The moon is always fantastic for viewing. What is the moon phase tonight? This knowledge always impresses people. If it is a full moon, try and differentiate the lighter and darker regions. The darker regions are called lunar maria and cover 16% of the surface. They are less reflective than the highlands and thus appear darker. There is always something happening above our heads. The International Space Station (ISS) orbits Earth frequently, every 90 minutes, appearing as a fast moving bright object. ISS Spotter app provides alerts on when the ISS will fly over your head in your location. If you have never seen
the ISS, I highly recommend taking 10 minutes to view it. Another thing that happens are meteor showers. The best way to view meteor showers is by going to dark skies, approximately 20 km away from populated areas. Meteor showers get their name from the constellation they radiate from. It is important to remember that not all constellations are visible in the southern hemisphere. Therefore, it is essential to do research beforehand to ensure a great experience. I would highly recommend joining an astronomical society such as the West
Australian Astronomical Society. By joining, you get the benefit of being invited to private viewing nights that are often for members only. Furthermore, members have a large wealth of experience and knowledge. They are helpful for any questions you may have. Lastly, this article will not be complete without mentioning the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) in Western Australia. There are always some lectures aimed towards the public with information about the SKA. These are generally hosted by astronomical societies.
THE WORDS OF THE ORDER OF THE POSTGRADUATES by Peter Derbyshire
Debt gathers, and now my Postgrad begins. It shall not end until my submission. I shall take no partner, (seriously who has time to date) hold no lands, (as if you can afford land on this stipend) parent no children. (not enough energy at the end of the day for all that) I shall wear no crowns and win no glory. (that is for our supervisors) I shall live and sleep in my office. I am the fluorescent light bulb in the darkness. I am the watcher in the labs. I am the student that hides from realms of normal people. I pledge my life and sanity to academia, for this night and all the nights to come. And as always beware the white walkers (or your supervisor)
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Getting to know you, getti
So what does the postgraduate Enrolled across postgrad degrees in 2014 there are 5,960 coffee-fuelled students But this breaks down into
22 doing PhD by 169 completing Graduate Coursework Certificates
414 in Graduate Diplomas
2,621 Masters by coursework
Gender breakdown 51.8% of research students are female
54.1% of coursework Postgraduates make up are too!
23.1%
There are 91 interstate HDR...
7 ladies from NT 6 guys from NT
of UWA students
NSW send the most HDR: 32 total
...and 222 coursework
VIC send the most coursework: 26 total
(all information sourced from the Uni Stats website: www.stats.uwa.edu.au)
ing to know all about you!
There are...
e population at UWA look like?
There are 11 fulltime HDR students who are 21 years old
There are 3 coursework students who are just 19!
There are 124 HDR students 55 years or older 50 cross-institutional
218 Masters by Research
1,754 PhD by Research
Money wise...
1,233 HDR have Commonwealth support
And 30 lovely postgrads in Albany.
1615 coursework students
540 on-shore international HDR
1484 Domestic
843 on-shore international coursework
We come from around the world... 183 from Europe!
Most of our international students are from Asia and enrolled in coursework - 1044 students!
78 postgrads from North America
44 postgrads from South America 76 from Africa
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