Newsletter 20th June 2012

Hi postgrads!

Well, this edition of the newsletter is pretty Arts-focused, but I swear it’s not my bias! If you’re in something more science-y and want to let others know about it you should definitely send me the info! I’m just back from Academic Board and talking about the merge of the two Science Faculties into one giant super Faculty, so you’re getting some love regardless.

The first photo of the Croccy competition is up and ready for you to guess where he is! Final terms and conditions are on the website: http://sponsored.uwa.edu.au/psa/grants/alligator_sightings (look, I made him his own webpage!). The link to this week’s photo is there too, and it’s on the Facebook page – best be liking that if you want to win! The major thing to note is that the committee assures me that 15 people is too hard – so now you only need 10! So figure out where that adorable little guy was, take 10 postgrads there, snap a photo and win a cool $50! I might upload another clue later this week... so join www.facebook.com/uwapsa to take advantage!

Speaking of the website, I spent the start of this week going through and culling dead pages, fixing broken links, and updating the content. It’s like a renovated house – the same place, but just a little bit fresher. Have a look though www.psa.guild.uwa.edu.au and let me know if there is anything else you want to see on there, and give me a heads up on any remaining broken links and typos. Note: If you try and break my website, you’ll make me cry.

I want to remind you that you are entitled to be paid for marking – so keep an eye on your payslips, and a note of how many essays/exams/assignments you mark and make sure that you get paid for all the work that you do! Another reminder, I have had a number of complaints about people preventing drinks from reaching the communal table at Connect. If you do this, I will ask you to leave. It’s not acceptable, it’s not collegial, and we all want something to drink!

Same as always, if you’ve got problems I feel bad for you, son – so tell your PSA!
Sparkly update finished.
Aisling

Notices

Law students: You’re almost certainly rarer than unicorns. Join the PSA Committee and represent postgrad law students! Email Aisling at psa@guild.uwa.edu.au. At this stage I will take unwitting nominations, so if you know a postgrad law student just email me their details and I’ll pounce on them.  

Cultural Studies/English majors/Theorists of squishy sciences: There is a UWA community being set up for you! Join the Facebook group to hear more: http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/424150630940808/

Nitpicky? Get experience in editing and publishing! Trove, UWA’s online magazine for students by students, is currently seeking UWA PhD students and MA students to join the steering committee. please email Carol Ryles or Crystal Abidin at trove-cp@uwa.edu.au.

Ecologists! The inaugural conference of the Society for Ecological Restoration Australasia (SERA) will be held at the University Club in Perth, Western Australia, from Tuesday 27 November to Saturday 1 December. Website for all the details: http://www.seraustralasia.com/pages/conference.html

National Student Leadership Forum: Is running in Canberra from the 20^th to the 23^rd of September, info is here: http://nslf.org.au/. If you’d like to be the postgraduate representative from UWA, please apply by sending a brief CV; your statement of academic record; a single page explaining why you think the Forum is valuable and what you could contribute to Donna.Utz@uwa.edu.au by the 3^rd of August. Incidentally, this is on the PSA website!

Inquisitive? Inquire: Journal of Comparative Literature is a peer-reviewed, open-access online journal that publishes full-length academic articles by current graduate students. The theme for Issue 3.1 (Winter 2013) is 'Literature and Identity' and there is currently a Call for Papers! See http://inquire.streetmag.org/submissions for the info.

Rookie teachers! The Centre for Teaching and Learning have a course for you! Applications close 11^th of July. Check it out: www.catl.uwa.edu.au/pd/programs/iut

Sisters are doing it for themselves: Graduate Women WA bursaries/scholarships are open again until 12pm on the 27^th of July. I assume the old form is still valid: www.members.westnet.com.au/afuwwa/bursaries.html

Money? Money! Convocation and PSA co-fund some travel awards! Applications are open on the 1^st of July: www.graduates.uwa.edu.au/awards/pgrta

Threesome! By which, of course, I mean the three most awesome PSAs in WA (UWA, Curtin, and Murdoch) are co-hosting a networking event! It will be held at Curtin on the 19^th of July from 6pm to 9pm. Wine and Cheese/Nibbles are on the cards!

Wet? Avoid that disaster in the PSA Lounge! Ask for the key at Guild reception. Also, this building is heated. If you want to use the Lounge for study but are happy to share, just let Reception know. It’s a big room, and I’d love to see more people use it. Also, sometimes I’m lonely :(

Mature ones: The Mature Age Student Network Australia (MASNA) is having their first ever conference! See: http://masna-2012.blogspot.com.au/ for the details.

Need peace and quiet? Quiet Day is happening again on 26^th July on a lovely bush block in Mundaring, the cost is $50 including lunch, morning and afternoon teas ($35 for PhD students). Email michael.wood@uwa.edu.au or phone Michael for more information on 0435 065326.

Do you want to put a notice in the newsletter? You should email me! I’ll spruik most things related to postgrads, professional development, and activities. Newsletter day is currently Wednesday, so email two sentences and any links to psa@guild.uwa.edu.au by 9am on Wednesday to be included!