Earth and Environment News

New research highlighting the vulnerability of braided rivers has contributed to a recent law change acknowledging their uniqueness.

University of Canterbury (UC) researchers Dr Sarah van Eyndhoven and Dr Jean Power have been awarded $400,000 by Royal Society Te Apārangi to carry-out their research projects.

The newly launched Eco-index initiative, an online ecosystem restoration map for New Zealand, can guide the way.

Spend an evening with Canterbury Distinguished Professor Roy Kerr, renowned for his influential work in astrophysics, solving Einstein’s equation of relativity relating to rotating black holes 60 years ago. (These are now called Kerr Black Holes.)

Advances in technology will help Aotearoa New Zealand become more resilient in dealing with natural hazards such as major earthquakes and landslides, says a retiring Canterbury academic.

A Canterbury researcher hopes her newly-funded research will lead to better ways of managing endometriosis, a disease that affects over 100,000 Kiwi women.

A ground-breaking new study exploring perceptions of Muslim Kiwis is being led by a former refugee turned research scientist.

‘Nature’s ninjas’ could help protect kiwifruit and bees from dangerous pathogens if new research by a team of Canterbury and Otago scientists pays off.

The promise to “get tough on youth crime” is a New Zealand election perennial. This year, parties on both the left and right have pledged to crack down on young offenders – despite a lot of evidence that such approaches do not work in the long term.

University of Canterbury astronomers at UC Mt John Observatory have co-authored a new Nature paper sharing the results of an international observing campaign conducted over 130 days.

Canterbury researchers have received EQC funding to investigate how climate change could increase the risk of damage triggered by earthquakes and landslides.

Award-winning international expert on sustainability and climate change, Professor Bronwyn Hayward will discuss why climate issues matter now more than ever in her upcoming public talk at the University of Canterbury.

New research using digital imaging could transform the field of cancer diagnosis in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Canterbury researchers working on cutting-edge solutions to some of the world’s toughest challenges have received a $28.9 million funding boost.

Jee Chee Chan is enjoying new opportunities in New Zealand as the first Malaysian student to enrol in a new Master of Artificial Intelligence degree at the University of Canterbury, Christchurch.

A Canterbury climate modeller is part of an international team studying a 764-metre ice core that preserves over 80,000 years of global climate data.

A debilitating condition that affects about 10% of females in Aotearoa New Zealand, endometriosis remains virtually unknown or mysterious condition to most people. Can we engineer a solution to end endometriosis?

UC Associate Professor Debbie Munro has invented prototype technology to reduce the risk in spinal fusion surgery.

Two University of Canterbury researchers have received Canterbury Medical Research Foundation’s Major Projects Grants worth $220,000 in total.

If we want New Zealanders to be better with money, we need to start at home suggests UC Senior Lecturer Steve Agnew on The Conversation.

A $250 prototype to help with one of New Zealand's most prominent respiratory illnesses was developed by Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC) researchers.

Misleading research findings in Clinical Psychology can perpetuate social myths and create social inequities, according to UC PhD graduate, Nadia Summers.

Psychology Professor Randolph Grace discusses the miraculous correspondence between mathematics an physical reality on The Conversation.

A new, more efficient way of testing illicit drugs could protect people’s safety and reduce the $1.8 billion cost of drug-related harm in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Amid global calls to reduce plastic production, new research shows high amounts of plastic in Arctic Sea ice and sediment.

The Aotearoa New Zealand research community gathered at the University of Canterbury | Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha today to explore the new Horizon Europe agreement which will advance European research funding to New Zealand research programmes.

Leading professor and Walking Summit presenter Professor Simon Kingham says we need to change the way our streets function if we’re going to look after our health and the health of our planet.

Long-standing debates about the purpose and focus of a school science curriculum have resurfaced this week as New Zealand is refreshing its approach to science education, UC Associate Professor Sara Tolbert discusses on The Conversation.

For the first time, a neutrino image of the Milky Way was produced by an international team of scientists, including researchers from the University of Canterbury, using a huge Antarctic telescope.

A greener, rechargeable world could be within reach as Kiwi scientists develop a new battery that is rechargeable for decades, made from organic materials and can be fully recycled.

A new study from University of Canterbury (UC) researchers, focusing on reliable energy generation, could be the key to recharging our communities.

What if we’re looking for solutions to mental health problems in some of the wrong places? What if we changed what we eat and how we feed our brains?

Dr Rob Cruickshank explains why scientists need a better understanding of how these measures help, and when they don’t.

New Zealand research could help track the path of searingly hot rock and gas flows that are the world’s most deadly volcanic hazard.

Delving into Australia's fire history: Insights from Dr Patton and Professor Shulmeister on The Conversation.

Valuable new information about the future risk of wildfires has been discovered in Australian sand dunes where researchers have uncovered the remnants of fires lit thousands of years ago.

What are the biggest influences on youth mental health and how does experiencing climate change-related events, such as floods and bushfires, affect young people?

Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC) researchers have discovered a link between the frequency of rain events and the intensity of those rain events.

The University of Canterbury (UC) and Environment Canterbury are teaming up to tackle some of the most pressing environmental issues of our time.

Dr Jonathan Tonkin has won the 2022 Te Puiaki Kaipūtaiao Maea, Prime Minister’s MacDiarmid Emerging Scientist Prize, it was announced last night.

Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | the University of Canterbury aims to inspire its academics to discover new ways to contribute to the University's Vision Mātauranga.

Amid global calls to reduce plastic production, new research shows high amounts of plastic in Arctic Sea ice and sediment.

Research has revealed the historic 1987 Edgecumbe earthquake caused more land damage than initially thought.

New international rankings have placed three University of Canterbury (UC) subjects in the Top 100 of all universities globally.

Visiting NASA staff and Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall were welcomed to the University of Canterbury campus.

UC Erskine Fellow Ray Jayawardhana from Cornell University will discuss The Quest for Alien Worlds and Life Beyond Earth, in a free public lecture.

A newly published UC study may help town planners and policymakers design better services for their communities.

A new study identifying regions around the world where people are most at risk from flooding caused by melting glaciers could help save vulnerable lives.

Associate Professor Laura Revell, Dr Michele Bannister and master's student Tyler Brown discuss rocket industry impacts.

Two University of Canterbury students have spent their summer developing and 3D printing a model stink bug to help raise awareness of the potential for a costly invasion of the pest in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Using a dog toy, a Master’s student conducted research showing that brushtail possums can learn from their peers.

A conservation effort has eradicated mammalian pests on all Mercury Islands, providing a haven for native species.

On The Conversation, University of Canterbury Professor Jack Heinemann and PhD candidate Tessa Hiscox explain why we can't rely on technology to solve climate change.

He’s been a literal ‘posterboy’ for the University of Canterbury (UC), Les Mills, ChristchurchNZ, All Right? and Covid-19 vaccination campaigns – now UC doctoral student Suli Tuitaupe’s passion for wellbeing and health equity has earned him a research fellowship to improve health outcomes for Pacific people.

Wanting people to live healthier and happier lives is a big motivation for public health researcher Dr Matt Hobbs, who has been recognised for outstanding work in his field.

A University of Canterbury biologist reeled in by the genetic quirks of the native pipefish has won an award for her work.

Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC) Professor Ann Brower’s tenacity in putting her research in front of decision-makers has successfully changed laws in Aotearoa New Zealand. Through tough journeys achieving wins for high-country pastoral land and making building facades safer, she’s learnt some valuable lessons about impact, advocacy and choosing her battles.

New University of Canterbury research aims to save lives in West Coast communities by predicting high-hazard zones where landslide dams may form, potentially resulting in major flooding.

Professor of Human Geography Simon Kingham says slowing traffic down has further benefits to reducing crash-related deaths and injuries on The Conversation.

Three University of Canterbury | Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha postdoctoral researchers have been awarded two-year Rutherford Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowships worth $170,000 each.

On The Conversation, University of Canterbury Professor Jamie Shulmeister and Stockholm University Daniel Ellerton explain how K'gari formed Great Barrier Reef.

Christchurch scientist, University of Canterbury Lecturer Dr Essie Rodgers has been awarded the 2022 L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science New Zealand fellowship to further her research into conservation and how the quality of waterways impacts human mental health and wellbeing.

Sea-level changes caused by melting ice sheets hundreds of thousands of years ago triggered the formation of K’gari (Fraser Island) – the world’s largest sand island – and the creation of Australia’s iconic Great Barrier Reef, a new study has found.

Outstanding professors who have retired from the University of Canterbury (UC) over the past year but continue to contribute and inspire have been acknowledged at a celebration event.

As the world turns its attention to the UN Climate Change Conference, political scientist Professor Bronwyn Hayward comments for the Science Media Centre on what she sees on the horizon for this event.

Senior Lecturer in Public Health Dr Matt Hobbs outlines the case for both changing the appeals process and restricting alcohol sponsorship of broadcast sports, in a collaborative article on The Conversation.

From guiding tourists on glaciers to guiding students around glaciology, Associate Professor Heather Purdie’s standout teaching earns glowing student feedback every semester, which is one of the reasons she has been named the University of Canterbury Council’s Teaching Medal recipient for 2022.

As a child Elissa Cameron loved to sit and watch animals in her Christchurch backyard, and her dream job was to study giraffes in Africa.

A passion for the environment and problem-solving sparked Professor Ann Brower’s interest in New Zealand’s land tenure review process, research that culminated in the passing of new legislation earlier this year.

Three innovative, groundbreaking University of Canterbury researchers have been awarded $800,000 Rutherford Discovery Fellowships announced today by the Royal Society Te Apārangi.

New research using infrasound to monitor volcanic activity could be used to help warn of potential eruptions.

A partnership between the University of Canterbury (UC) and Christchurch City Council is leading the world in understanding and adapting to risk from climate change.

University of Canterbury astronomers and students keenly watched the DART mission in real time at a watch party on campus, including UC researchers who are part of the DART mission.

The University of Canterbury (UC) launched a new tree planting programme at its Cass Field Mountain Research Area last month.

It was a happy coincidence for Emma Glover. The launch of the new School of Product Design at the University of Canterbury coincided with her first year on campus.

University of Canterbury's Dr Katharina Peters, Flinders University's Dr Frédérik Saltré and Massey University's Professor Karen Stockin look at what the future holds for NZ's whales.

University of Canterbury Professor Michael Plank says at least half of New Zealanders have been infected with Covid-19, while those who haven't are a "significant minority".

A new, free classroom resource encourages schoolchildren to use craft to discover the creative and playful side of maths.

Stuttering, swallowing problems and the risk of landslides have emerged as the stand-out topics in a fast-paced University of Canterbury competition for postgraduate students.

In an article on The Conversation, University of Canterbury Professor Jack Baggaley explains the science behind the bright green fireballs recently sighted in New Zealand.

The mussel and scallop industry could be revolutionised by a new autonomous underwater drone.

Environmental scientist Bryann Avendaño is one of eight international students studying in Aotearoa New Zealand invited to design his own graduation gown. It’s part of Education New Zealand’s Think New initiative, emphasising New Zealand’s unique attributes for international students and that an education here is about more than academic achievements and extends to their cultural journey.

The impact of shared transport on two different Christchurch communities could determine transport goals for New Zealand.

#PlasticFreeJuly Household items that seem benign are some of the most common sources of microplastics, according to a University of Canterbury PhD student.

Our Kiwi pride in our natural environment helped lure an American student to come to Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC) for her undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences.

#Philanthropy@UC Stargazing is set to return to Ōtautahi Chirstchurch thanks to a generous donation and the careful restoration of Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC) Townsend Teece six-inch refractor telescope.

#Philanthropy@UC With funding from the Foundation for Arable Research (FAR) and the Seed Industry Research Centre (SIRC), students at Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC) can do valuable field and lab research aimed at supporting responsible and profitable farming.

University of Canterbury researchers have published the world’s first study confirming the discovery of microplastics in fresh snow in Antarctica.

#Earth&Ocean They seem an unlikely pair but kororā (little blue penguins) and pipefish could reveal how Aotearoa’s native species adapt to major challenges – including climate change.

#Earth&Ocean A citizen science project aims to identify the threat of killer whales to Stellar sea lion colonies on the Alaskan Western Aleutian Islands.

#Earth&Ocean New Zealand is a nation of cat lovers. We have one of the highest rates of cat ownership in the world, says University of Canterbury master’s student Sarah Chamberlain, who has dedicated her thesis to better understanding people’s engagement in and attitude towards cat-containment.

#Earth&Ocean New research led by University of Canterbury paleoseismologist Dr Tim Stahl is providing insights into prehistoric surface rupturing earthquakes in the Republic of Georgia to understand what future earthquakes could do.

#Earth&Ocean Hidden patterns in seismic signals could help forecast eruptions and prevent loss of life on volcanoes, according to pioneering University of Canterbury research spurred by the deadly Whakaari (White Island) eruption.

#WorldBiodiversityDay Hillmorton High School is the latest school to benefit from the University of Canterbury’s Biodiversity Box with students wading into streams to take measurements.

#WorldBiodiversityDay Nature is taking with one hand and giving with the other when it comes to Aotearoa New Zealand’s freshwater ecosystems.

An international team, including University of Canterbury Associate Professor Wolfgang Rack, have used a combination of historical satellite measurements, along with ocean and atmosphere records, to gain the most detailed understanding of how ice conditions are changing.

A quadruple star system discovered in 2017 and recently observed at the University of Canterbury Mt John Observatory could represent a new channel by which thermonuclear supernova explosions can occur in the Universe, according to results published in Nature Astronomy today (13 May NZ time) by an international team of astronomers.

Since large-scale production of plastics began in the 1950s, around 5 gigatons (Gt) of plastic waste has amassed in landfills or the natural environment. As they age, plastics become brittle through exposure to sunlight and break down to produce microplastics (and even smaller nanoplastics). It is a well-established fact that microplastics are in our oceans, rivers, and soils. Over the past five years, we have also learned that microplastics are floating in the air we breathe.

The Aotearoa New Zealand goal of zero emissions by 2050 brings urgency and pressure to create enough green hydrogen and safely store it for the future.

Micro-organisms found in bacteria and fungi could help change food waste into high-value products that would boost New Zealand’s economy by $1.6 billion a year and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

If Aotearoa New Zealand is to successfully transition to a more sustainable, resilient future without sacrificing productivity, then the full impact of various land-use practices needs to be well-understood and appropriately managed.

If Aotearoa New Zealand is to successfully transition to a more sustainable, resilient future without sacrificing productivity, then the full impact of various land-use practices needs to be well-understood and appropriately managed.

#IWD #BreakTheBias Seeing people get better is the main driver in University of Canterbury Professor of Clinical Psychology Julia Rucklidge’s pursuit to change the treatment of mental illness.

Innovative airborne radars could soon be used to measure snow depth in New Zealand’s alpine areas, helping to predict avalanche risk and monitoring the impacts of climate change.

Does your future lie in the stars? If you’re working in the space sector in Aotearoa New Zealand or someone who wants to, there’s a network of Kiwi women committed to achieving stellar goals.

In an article on The Conversation, senior lecturer Dr Matthew Hobbs (UC), Post Doctoral Fellow Lukas Marek (UC) and Dr Anna Howe (UOA) explain what advantages Aotearoa has over other countries to manage the Omicron outbreak.

Professor of Molecular Biology and Genetics Jack Heinemann explains in an article on The Conversation, what other potential catastrophes are being measured in the Doomsday Clock.

In an article on the Conversation, Professor Jack Heinemann discusses his concerns around academic freedom and the risks that have presented themselves, particularly in relation to a recent complaint made by two high-profile UoA academics and the Employment Relations Authority’s initial determination of this complaint.

Canterbury researchers are on the hunt for rare, ancient fossils from the Waipara River area that could shed new light on the evolution of modern birds.

It’s a bird, it’s a plane…It’s a laser-shooting electromagnetic ice device!

Young parents can be as successful as older parents if they have supportive relationships and financial security, according to new University of Canterbury (UC) research.

On The Conversation University of Canterbury senior lecturer Matthew Hobbs and lecturer Lukas Marek analyse how prepared Aotearoa is for an Omicron outbreak.

Five exciting, future-focused projects have earned Teaching Development scholarships for University of Canterbury staff.

Two University of Canterbury mathematicians who helped develop world-leading modelling to guide New Zealand’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic have won a prestigious award.

In a new article on The Conversation, University of Canterbury's Professor Karen Scott explains that international treatries require countries to protect marine environments by reducing their CO2 emissions.

University of Canterbury Professor Maggie-Lee Huckabee has been presented the MacDiarmid Medal by Royal Society Te Apārangi for sustained excellence in translational research to improve outcomes for individuals with swallowing impairment.

University of Canterbury Geological Sciences doctoral candidate Gilles Seropian has received the Hatherton Award for his paper, published in Nature Communications, that provides a framework to understand how earthquakes can trigger volcanic eruptions, and has recently defended his PhD thesis.

University of Canterbury scientist Dr Laura Revell has been presented the Cooper Award – the Royal Society Te Apārangi Early Career Research Excellence Award for Technology, Applied Science and Engineering – for her chemistry-climate interactions modelling work and pioneering research on understanding how microplastics might impact the Earth's climate.

A University of Canterbury researcher plans to use her Rutherford Discovery Fellowship to explore how community investment can lead towards a more caring, holistic economy.

What will we do with the knowledge that spiders can count and make calculated decisions?

Seaweed-based plasterboard, an app to help young people navigate sex and relationships, and a system to make houses safer in an earthquake are some of the innovative University of Canterbury projects to win a funding boost this week.

A University of Canterbury Master of Science student, who hopes his research will help predict volcanic eruptions and ultimately save lives, has won a national competition.

In a new article on The Conversation, University of Canterbury's Dr Laura Revell explains how widespread microplastic pollution is, and how it could impact the world's climate in the future.

Aotearoa New Zealand scientists recently found that microplastics – which are in our rivers, oceans, and land – are also in the air we breathe. Now local scientists have discovered airborne microplastic pollution is likely to directly affect climate change.

Few areas combine art and science as well as perfumery, according to the University of Canterbury’s Head of the School of Product Design, Professor Conan Fee, who is giving a free public talk on making scents later this month.

An international research team, led by University of Canterbury's Professor Rudi Marquez, has developed a new treatment that could help heal horses and humans alike.

An international research team led by a University of Canterbury Antarctic scientist has completed the world’s first global population estimate of Weddell seals in Antarctica, showing that there are significantly fewer seals than previously thought. Documenting the seals’ population trends over time will help scientists better understand the effects of climate change and commercial fishing.

Skills learned playing video games, building virtual worlds and dodging imaginary enemies could be harnessed to help people survive real life hazards.

Five University of Canterbury academics have won grants of over $100,000 each towards their research, with topics including cancer treatments, stuttering in children, and the effects of cannabis use during pregnancy.

Professor Jack Heinemann, technician Brigitta Kurenbach, Master candidate Deborah Paull, and guest lecturer Sophie Walker explain the risks that come with not regulating gene technologies that have similarities with what occurs naturally in an article on The Conversation.

A University of Canterbury-led international study, published today in Global Change Biology, reveals how climate change may impact seals in one of the world’s most remote ocean regions, Antarctica’s Weddell Sea.

The Ngāi Tahu Research Centre has appointed its first Professor, Dr Shaun Ogilvie, Te Arawa (Ngāti Whakahemo), Ngāti Awa (Ngāti Pūkeko) and Pākehā, as Professor of Ecology and the Environment, a co-appointment with the College of Science, at the University of Canterbury.

Antarctic research, predicting volcanic eruptions, and local anti-nuclear campaigners were the winning topics in a fast-paced University of Canterbury competition for postgraduate students.

What do a mathematician, a chemist, an epidemiologist and a law expert have in common? These University of Canterbury academics are all involved in vital aspects of the global fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.

A joint University of Canterbury and ESR research team is investigating whether a new enzyme treatment could help solve the global problem of antibiotic resistance.

In an upcoming UC Connect public lecture, a world-leading scientist will share her knowledge of how nutrition can help overcome stress, ADHD, and depression.

A first-of-its-kind research project will use data collected from high-resolution satellite images to help scientists gain insights into Weddell Seal populations in Antarctica’s Ross Sea region.

A future-focused research project co-led by University of Canterbury researcher Associate Professor Elizabeth Macpherson is considering what legal and policy options might exist to protect our oceans for generations to come.

Research using DNA in a new way could help Aotearoa New Zealand’s kākāpo – one of the country’s most critically endangered native birds – hatch chicks more successfully.

By uprooting carbon trapped in soil, wild pigs are releasing around 4.9 million metric tonnes of carbon dioxide annually across the globe, the equivalent of 1.1 million cars

Detecting tiny particles that are “messengers from space” using a giant detector buried under Antarctic ice has helped a University of Canterbury (UC) professor become the first woman to win a prestigious physics award.

Waste products from New Zealand’s food processing industry – such as potato scraps and grape skins – could be transformed into high-value soil conditioners and animal feed, according to new University of Canterbury-led research.

New research into whitebait fishing will address whether whitebait are in decline and assess the impact of commercial and recreational whitebaiting on the long-term sustainability of the species.

Dr Sarah Kessans, a lecturer in the University of Canterbury’s School of Product Design, is passionate about growing stuff in space, ultimately food, fuel and pharmaceuticals to benefit society.

A new study will explore for the first time whether babies with hearing loss could also benefit from being tested for balance problems at an early age.

University of Canterbury Professor Michael Plank, who has co-led essential Covid-19 modelling work in New Zealand, has won an Australasian award for outstanding research, expertise and distinguished service in the field of Applied Mathematics.

Giulia Foscari / UNLESS have launched Antarctic Resolution, a multidisciplinary project co-authored by the world’s leading experts on the Antarctic, including five University of Canterbury academics, at the Biennale Architettura 2021.

The 2021 Budget held some great news for Antarctic scientists and researchers at the University of Canterbury, with $344 million committed to rebuilding Scott Base in Antarctica.

This UC Connect public lecture is postponed.

A new article on The Conversation from Adjunct Professor Paul Schofield and UC Fellow Vanesa De Pietri sheds light on the 200 year old mystery surrounding where the first kiwi specimen was collected, and the repercussions this could have for kiwi conservation.

A national research team, including several University of Canterbury (UC) researchers, has won the Prime Minister’s Science Prize 2020 for their mathematical simulation of Covid-19 infection modelling and their communication work.

A new article on The Conversation from UC's Professor Angus McIntosh and UoA's Associate Professor Cate Macinnis-Ng shows how climate change accelerates biodiversity decline on islands by exacerbating existing conservation threats.

Fatma Abdelaal, a PhD candidate at the University of Canterbury, has been selected by the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) to be one of 26 rising-star researchers of the Commonwealth Futures Climate Research Cohort.

New research led by the University of Canterbury (UC) takes a closer look at Aotearoa New Zealand’s COVID-19 response to determine whether our one-size-fits-all ‘lockdown’ policy is fit for purpose.

Anyone who’s experienced a sharp swab up the nose and a tense, isolated wait for results will surely be interested in a pain-free COVID test with a speedy result delivered in minutes, not days.

A collaborative study from an international team of researchers has determined the conditions needed for an earthquake to trigger a volcanic eruption.

Nanotechnology is poised to transform today’s conventional information processing systems. University of Canterbury (UC) researchers are leading the way in developing such technology, using nanoparticle networks. Te Pūtea Rangahau a Marsden, the Marsden Fund, has granted $889,000 for an exciting new study at UC to test the power of these next-generation ‘neuromorphic’ computer chips. Professor Simon Brown of UC's School of Physical and Chemical Sciences is heading the research team.

Professor James Brasington, Director of the Waterways Centre for Freshwater Management, a joint partnership between the University of Canterbury and Lincoln University, has joined colleagues from Auckland University, NIWA and Massey for an article on The Conversation NZ, discussing this very topic.

The University of Canterbury (UC) is proud to welcome hundreds of snow and ice researchers to campus this week, as hosts of a special combined event from Antarctica New Zealand and the Snow and Ice Research Group (SIRG).

Over the summer, Cantabrians have seen painted penguins ‘popping up’ around the streets and public spaces of Christchurch, Lyttelton and Banks Peninsula. However, one small penguin has a special solo mission – to help fund penguin research.

Ancient food scraps found at Australia’s earliest site of human occupation, in the Kakadu region, are helping researchers generate rainfall records dating back 65,000 years.

University of Canterbury scientists unleashing volcanic ballistics onto Kiwi roofs hope to help Aucklanders understand and manage their volcanic hazards.

A new study has found that two-thirds of people who could spot a rip current in photographs could not pick one out in real life.

A Kiwi research team has, for the first time ever, used a fixed wing aircraft to measure the thickness of a huge area of sea ice in Antarctica.

Dr Jonathan Tonkin, from the University of Canterbury (UC)’s School of Biological Sciences, has won the University’s 2020 Early and Emerging Career Researcher Award in recognition of his outstanding research contribution over the past decade.

The death of a respected psychiatrist in Seoul motivated UC postdoctoral fellow Dr Sungchul Jung to improve the safety of psychiatry appointments by bringing them into the virtual world.

Congratulations to Dr Leighton Watson from Te Kura Aronukurangi | School of Earth and Environment, who has been awarded a Rutherford Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship for his research in snow avalanches and particle-laden gravity currents.

Three University of Canterbury academics have won grants of over $80,000 to research autism, sleep problems, brain injuries and their impact on children and parents.

Receiving a 2020 Rutherford Discovery Fellowship has capped a stellar year of success for University of Canterbury (UC) planetary astronomer, Dr Michele Bannister.

University of Canterbury, Dr Michele Bannister, is one of the ten early-to-mid-career researchers to be awarded a 2020 Royal Society Te Apārangi Rutherford Discovery Fellowship. “How planetary systems form and change is crucial to understanding our place in the Universe.”

A renewed agreement between the University of Canterbury (UC) and the Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs (COMNAP) will see the international Antarctic headquarters housed at UC until 2027.

From moonbows and asteroids to everything between and beyond – the astronomical half-century adventures of University of Canterbury Adjunct Fellows Alan Gilmore and Pam Kilmartin have been profiled in an excellent new Stuff.co.nz article from Education reporter, Lee Kenny.

A long-term, novel solution to help New Zealand achieve its predator free ambitions is a step closer, thanks to $1.4 million in Department of Conservation (DOC) funding for University of Canterbury (UC) research.

Croquet may bring to mind lazy summer afternoons on the lawn or Alice in Wonderland’s flamingo mallets, however University of Canterbury (UC) Sport Coaching academic Dr Jenny Clarke takes it far more seriously. The world’s top-ranked female player and New Zealand’s 2019 Player of the Year, she is also one of the top international researchers on croquet coaching and performance techniques.

A three-minute ‘elevator pitch’ on converting methane waste to bioplastics has taken out the top prize at UC’s Three Minute Thesis competition for Biological Sciences postgraduate student Flynn Adcock.

A significant bequest by the late Emeritus Professor Peter Holland has paved the way to an exciting new postgraduate scholarship at the University of Canterbury (UC) for Māori and/or Pasifika students in Ecology or Environmental Science.

The 6-7% of children and adults who use natural toothpaste may not realise that using these fluoride-free products is contributing to NZ’s ‘neglected epidemic’ of tooth decay, says UC's Dr Matt Hobbs in The Conversation.

British academics have found that trillions of tonnes of ice have disappeared from Earth since 1994. Radio New Zealand’s Karyn Hay caught up with the Head of UC’s School of Earth and Environment, Professor Jamie Shulmeister to discuss.

Studying how tiny amounts of liquid move through precisely engineered soft plastic chips is an exciting new field for scientists, particularly when applied to molecular and cell biology. In a science-meets-art twist, University of Canterbury researchers are now also unlocking the aesthetic potential of microfluidics, turning petite research aides into micro masterpieces.

An international team of academics, including Associate Professor Sarah Masters of UC’s School of Physical and Chemical Sciences, have collaborated on an excellent new paper from Nature Chemistry, ‘A diverse view of science to catalyse change’

In a new article for Te Karaka, UC doctoral student Levi Collier-Robinson shares how he is using genomics to understand the kōwaro, an endangered taonga species.

Insights from bicultural research can enhance practical applications from a palaeotsunami database to land-use decisions, according to a new review in Earth Surface Dynamics