Applications for Zonta/Building Award Sought

Applications for Zonta/Building Research Award 2006 being sought

Applications for the 2006 ZONTA/BUILDING RESEARCH AWARD for women in science are still being sought. Worth $75,000, the Award provides financial assistance to women engaged in scientific research. The Zonta Club of Wellington and the Building Research Association of New Zealand Inc. provide the Award where weight will be given to projects relating to the building and construction sector.

“Helen Greenep, the 2004 Award winner, is pursuing her PhD at Lincoln University, and has already made some interesting international connections,” says Building Research Board Secretary, Dr John Duncan. A German student worked with her on fieldwork over the 2004-05 summer, involving a survey of the species of plants presently growing on wasteland sites in Christchurch. Site characteristics of soil moisture content, soil particles size and pH are being measured.

“Helen’s work, on alternative habitats in urban areas for New Zealand native herbaceous plant species, is part of the complete spectrum of scientific understanding that we need, if we are going to make our urban environments attractive to people – which is one of the intentions of the Urban Design Protocol launched earlier in 2005. Her work interfaces to both landscape architecture and ecology, and to the major Landcare research project on low-impact urban design,” adds Dr John Duncan.

“The Zonta/Building Research Award was established in 2003 and is awarded biennially,” say Sharon Nelson-Kelly, Convenor of Zonta Science Awards. “We are looking for an emerging woman scientist, who contributes to her community and the wider field of science. An award of this nature would be a means for further advancement to become a PhD graduate.”

Applications for the Award close on 28th February 2006. Women interested in applying may either access an application form from the following websites: www.zonta.org.nz or www.buildingresearch.org.nz or contact Sharon Nelson-Kelly at the address below.

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