SCHOOL OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES

ACADEMIC STAFF MEETING

MINUTES

Meeting 01-2020 was held at 10.30am Wednesday 12 February, Sanson rooms

1 Apologies
Refer to attached Attendee List.
Minutes: Jenny Spencer
2 Minutes of Previous Meeting
Minutes of Meeting 06-2019 were approved.
3 Matters Arising from Previous Minutes
Refer to standing reports.
4 Head of School’s Report
The HOS Report circulated with the Agenda was taken as read. Main points and items discussed are listed below.
• Deputy Head of School – Moira thanked Bob Wong who has stepped down as Deputy HoS, and congratulated
Carla Sgro who has taken over the role.
• T&R Recruitments – two positions currently being advertised. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to give
seminars and meet staff. More positions in the School are expected to be advertised, as the Faculty expands
over the next few years.
• Bld 17 Refurbishment – will commence 2021 and expected to take 2 years. Working Committee will be formed
and everyone invited to make suggestions.
• BSc Review – to be reviewed in 2020.
• Recruitment of Head of School of Physics and Astronomy – please let Moira know of any suggestions.
• Moira noted that Chris Greening’s lab will finalise relocation to Microbiology by end of February, however a
few PhD students currently writing up will remain in Biological Sciences.
5 Standing Reports
The Standing Reports circulated with the Agenda were taken as read. Main points and items discussed are listed below.
5.1 Education – Richard Reina
• Coronavirus – updates available from Uni Fact Sheet. Lots of students stranded overseas, start date may be
extended further. Honours will commence as scheduled. Queenscliff camp approved to go ahead. Faculty is
handling deferred exams. Moira noted that lots of students will be anxious and encouraged co-ordinators to
use ZOOM, etc. to reach out, also to record new lectures rather than using lectures from last year. All co-
ordinators requested to send email to student’s personal email to advise arrangements for week 1.
• Master of Genome Analytics – Richard B and Rob Bryson-Richardson will contact potential co-ordinators.
• Teaching allocations – please recheck and advise Richard if any problems.
• First year biology – Tom Hiscox is updating week 1 format. First year bridging now free online course. Richard
introduced Dr Kelly Merrin and Dr Ben Seyer.
• MES – Susie Ho noted 66 enrolments (up from 37 last year). Alternative orientation plans in place. Susie
introduced Dr Erinn Richmond.
• BSc – review due this year. School will self-review, then Faculty will arrange external panel for review and
recommendations. Tom Hiscox preparing response and will contact co-ordinators for information.
5.2 Research - Damian Dowling
• DP21 and DE21.
• Research allocation – set by 28 February. Moira noted the budget has increased.
• PURE - all reminded to keep PURE profile up to date.
• Emerging grant opportunities – now managed by Faculty/School.
• Engagement and Impact Summaries of School research.
• Faculty Funding – Linkage development scheme has ended. $300,000 allocated to new Visiting Scholar
program, 2 rounds per year (April / Oct). Per grant – up to $20,000, and up to $6,000 carer support. Cat 1 –
distinguished scholars to visit Monash, Cat 2 – Monash scholars to visit other universities. Aim for new
collaborations / world leading (top 100) universities. Moira noted applications should submit a business case
including the benefits to the School.
• School Funding – ECR/HDR grants for national conference attendance. 2 rounds per year, 5 awards per round–
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 next round in 3-4 weeks. Applicants should write a business case. Supervisors should review student
applications before submission.
5.3 Higher Degrees by Research (HDR) - Anne Peters
• Mollie Holman Medal.
• Out of round assessments.
• New Postgrad Committee.
• Scholarships.
• Statistical modelling workshop run by Keyne was very successful.
• Supervisors reminded that HDR recruitment information and the current form is available on the School
intranet, and HDR info on Moodle.
• Last year 36 new students, and a record 26 submissions. In 2020 10 new students have commenced to date.
5.4 Equity, Diversity and Inclusion - Mike McDonald
• International Day of Women and Girls in Science 11 February.
• Distinguished Women in Science Speaker – Prof Mariana Wolfner, visiting 24 February (Seminar and Student
Symposium) and 26 February (Panel).
• Indigenous Cultural Safety Training (3 hours, 12 March) – contact Mike if interested.
5.5 Occupational Health, Safety and Environment - Dave Chapple
• New SBS Safety Officer (Michelle Meilak).
• Safety Inspection reports – outstanding safety issues.
• First aid bumbags.
5.6 Master of Genome Analytics – Robert Bryson-Richardson
• Name change to Genome Analytics.
• Approved by Central, awaiting approval by Academic Board and then CRICOS registration.
• Rob will contact everyone re co-ordinating and contributing.
• Teaching to commence in 2021 (Sem 1 domestic, Sem 2 international).
5.7 Post-Docs - Isobel Booksmythe
• Postdocs reminded to sign up to Science Faculty ECR network.
5.8 Ecology and Ecosystems - Securing Our Environment - Carla Sgro
• Replacement theme leader.
• Theme to focus on sustainability, eg. links with MSDI.
5.9 Evolution in a Changing World –Damian Dowling
• Foundations of Evolutionary Biology graduate coursework module – to be offered to HDR from May.
• Filip Ruzicka appointed ECR Theme Leader.
5.10 Form and Function of Life - Dave Chapple
• Communication Workshop 27 February.
• ECR Theme Leader position to be filled.
• Postdocs to be invited to theme meetings.
5.11 Genetics, Genomics, and Health - Robert Bryson-Richardson
• Tamar Sztal appointed ECR Theme Leader.
• GGH Seminars - contact Jeremy Barr to suggest speakers.
6 School Manager’s Report - Caroline Molloy
• Mandatory compliance training – non-compliant staff to be sent reminder.
• OH&S Report.
• Safety focus for 2020.
• Building Update.
• Mandatory Credit card training.
• Mandatory Conflict of Interest declarations.
• Smartphone rollout.
• Visitor Parking Permit Changes.
• iLab system for school vehicle bookings.
• Upgrade of AV equipment in School Library.

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7 Education Program Manager’s Report – Kate Elliott
• 2020 enrolment numbers (copy circulated with agenda).
• Upgrade of Teaching Lab computers.
• Unit Guides and Moodle 2 March.
• New timetables 21 February.
8 Other Business
• Animal Ethics – Dave Chapple advised there will be an information session on 19 February. Cis, Postdocs and
RAs invited to attend.
• School Seminars – please contact Carly Cook if you have a suggestion for a seminar speaker.
9 Next Meeting
10.30am Wednesday 18 March 2020, Sanson rooms.

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 School of Biological Sciences
2020 Academic Staff Meetings - Attendee List
Meeting 01-2020

Name Apology Present Marshall Dustin

Adrian Rebecca X McDonald Michael X
Agnee Amarnath X McGee Matthew X
Alton Lesley McGeoch Melodie X
Alvarez John Meek Christa X
Angelopoulos Mary X Meilak Michelle X
Arvanitakis John Merrin Kelly X
Baird Helena Miles Lee
Balasubramanian Sureshkumar X Mirth Christen X
Barbuto Jade X Molloy Caroline X
Barr Jeremy X Monro Keyne X
Blomstedt Cecilia X Moore Joslin X
Booksmythe Isobel X Nim Hieu
Bowman John X Noriega Mariana Alvarez
Bryson-Richardson Robert X O'Bryan Moira X
Burd Martin Pavlova Alexandra X
Burke Richard X Peters Anne X
Chang Jonathan X Piper Matthew X
Chapple David X Reina Richard X
Chown Steven X Richmond Erinn X
Clarke Rohan X Ruzicka Filip X
Connallon Tim X Serrano Rita X
Cook Carly X Seyer Ben X
Crowley Stewart Sgro Carla X
D’Amato Mauro X Spencer Jenny X
Dang-Lien Nga X Subedi Dinesh
Deal Nicholas X Sunnucks Paul X
DeRycke Nicole X Sureshkumar Sridevi X
Dierschke Tom Sztal Tamar X
Dowling Damian X Tingley Reid X
Duffy Grant X Tyagi Sonika X
Duivenvoorden Hendrika X Uesugi Akane X
Dunleavy Jessica Vanheerwarden Belinda
Elliott Kate X Vidor Callum X
Evans Alistair Walsh Jessica X
Faber Peter White Craig X
Fennessy Kylie X Wiadrowski Lesley X
Fernando Chulani Wilson Chris X
Ghedini Giulia X Wong Bob X
Gleadow Ros X
Goulet Celine
Hall Matt X
Hangartner Sandra
Henstridge Michelle
Hibbert Fiona X
Hiscox Tom X
Ho Susie X
Hocking David
Hodgins Kay X
Houston Brendan
Hughes Nelika X
Isaac Bronwyn X
Johnson Travis X
Johnstone Christopher X
Kellermann Vanessa X
Korneev Denis
Lee Chris
Lee Jasmin
Malerba Martino
Malysiak Karen
Marques Francine X
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