News and Events

3/07/08

Dr Angela Harris from the University of Southampton will be presenting a seminar;

"Progress in optical remote sensing for the spatial assessment of carbon sequestration in boreal peatland environments"

The seminar will be held at 10am, Friday, 4th July in the Geosciences Conference Room (room 449) in the Madsen Building.

All are welcome to attend.

27/06/08

Dr Angela Harris from the Department of Geography, University of Southampton is currently visiting the School of Geosciences, for two weeks, as part of an EU funded Erasmus mundus teaching initiative in which The School of Geosciences is a partner. Angela’s research interests are in remote sensing of vegetation dynamics, hydrology, biogeography and environmental change. Her research focuses on the innovative application of remote sensing for monitoring the impact of environmental change on vegetation communities, and in improving our understanding of ecosystem physical processes, with a particular focus on boreal peatland environments.

02/06/08

From November 26-28, the School of Geosciences will host Agri food XV, the 2008 Annual Conference of the Agri-Food Research Network. This conference brings together a multi-disciplinary group of researchers interested in the ways that food and agriculture intersect with economies, culture, environment and society. The Keynote Speaker for Agri-Food XV is Professor Brian Ilbery, of the Countryside and Community Research Institute at the University of Gloucestershire, UK. Professor Ilbery is a rural/agricultural geographer whose research interests lie in agricultural change and policy, rural development, alternative farm enterprises, short food supply chains and local/regional speciality food and drink products. For more information about the Conference, contact . Full details of the Conference can be found here.

27/05/08

The Australian Mekong Resource Centre (AMRC) is a research centre located within the School of Geosciences. Its Director is Professor Philip Hirsch.

Two of our recently completed postgraduates – Viliam Phraxayavong and Daniel Robinson - have been offered book contracts for their theses. Viliam’s book is to be published by Silkworm Books and is on aid to Laos. Daniel’s book is to be published by Earthscan and is on biopiracy in Thailand.

Paula Brown, Kate Griffiths, Lindsay Soutar and Nguyen Tuong Huy, all postgraduates in Geosciences and AMRC associates, will be presenting papers at the Southeast Asian Geographers Association (SEAGA) conference in June in The Philippines. This is the 9th annual SEAGA conference and is attended by geographers from across the region. They will be presenting on: Marine conservation as driver of livelihoods change? Experiences from Vietnam (Paula); Chinese aid and Cambodia (Kate); Learning Across Borders: A research exchange approach to understanding forest management in Thailand and Laos (Lindsay); and Livelihood change and poverty in Vietnam coastal fisheries (Huy).

In Semester 2, 2008, two new Cambodian postgraduate students will be starting with Geosciences and AMRC. These students are Sopheak Chann who has received a scholarship from AusAID through the Water Resources Management Research Capacity Development Programme (WRMRCDP) to study a Masters in GIS, and Ken Serey Rotha who has received a prestigious Australian Leadership Award from AusAID and who will be beginning a PhD under the supervision of Professor Philip Hirsch.

14/05/08

Since its formation in 1976, the Earth Resources Foundation has provided an interface between the University of Sydney and the earth resources sector in private industry and government. The Edgeworth David Day commemorates the contribution of Professor T.W. Edgeworth David to the understanding of the geology of Australia and, in particular, NSW.

Each year the Earth Resources Foundation holds an Edgeworth David Day at the University where topics of interest are discussed. This year’s Edgeworth David Day provides the opportunity for the School to present to industry and the community, aspects of its geological research.

Never has geology played such a pivotal role in supporting the economic well-being of Australia and in providing key insights into the environmental issues that are threatening our way of life. The seminar will address both of these major roles for the earth sciences.

2008 also marks the year that the two arms of the School of Geosciences – geology and geography, come together in the same building. The seminars of the Edgeworth David Day are being held in our new and refurbished home in the Madsen Building.

The afternoon/evening presentations will be held on 21st May from 2pm till 5.30pm and the optional evening cocktails and prize giving will follow till no later than 7.30pm.

Event flyer

Everyone interested is warmly invited. There is no charge, but please RSVP to Lana Kolta or phone 9351 2916 for catering purposes.

08/05/08

Application Forms for the 2007 Earth Resources Scholarships are now open.

If you wish to apply for a scholarship, please complete the application and return to Lana Kolta, Room 341 of Madsen Building, no later than 4pm Friday, 2nd of May, 2008.

If you were in Year 1 in 2007, please tick Year 1.
If you were in Year 2 in 2007, please tick Year 2.
If you were in Year 3 in 2007, please tick any of the prizes in Year 3.

Application form

The scholarship recipients will be announced shortly.