Professor Lesley Head
Affiliation: University of Melbourne
Discipline: Human geography
Year elected: 2011
What initially drew you to your field of study?
In the last two years of high school Geography turned into a more demanding and interesting subject, one that instinctively made sense to me. A couple of dedicated teachers who pushed me hard made a big difference.
What question or issue, in your field, keeps you awake at night?
Our business as usual, incremental approach to the intertwined challenges of climate change and social inequality literally keeps me awake. I am aware this isn’t very healthy!
Tell us about a recent moment of motivation or inspiration?
I was fortunate to spend a week in September with five others as a Climate Fellow at Varuna The National Writers’ House. It was a time of reflection, anguish, and passionate discussion – as well as writing!
What should your field of study be doing more of right now?
Everyone working in the university sector, geographers included, has so many challenges at the moment that I wouldn’t dream of telling them to do more. I am in awe of their ongoing dedication to teaching and research.
What continues to motivate your work?
Having left full-time academia in 2021, I now apply my skills in a number of different roles. I try to focus at the intersection between things that need doing and things that I’m good at; most of these are in the cultural dimensions of environmental issues, including climate change.