What I’m doing now

Last updated: Dec 2024

I am working part time, which means 3 days and most nights. Looking after two kids is no joke, so I am generally unable to say yes to that fun opportunity, be involved in that interview, or be part of that cool project.

This year I’ve been promoted to Senior Lecturer in Climate Science and Science Communication at the School of Geography Earth and Atmospheric Sciences (SGEAS)/School of Biosciences at the University of Melbourne doing the things listed below.

Teaching

In semester 1 I teach Extreme Weather and Climate in dual delivery mode, meaning students can either be in the classroom or online. This past semester we brought in some fun practicals, including a DIYnamics activity using LEGO-powered rotating tanks.

In semester 2 I teach with the wonderful Unimelbscicomm team, helping over 100 research students communicate their work more clearly with each other and the world.

Research

I am loving being part of the ARC Special Research Initiative Linkage project Parched with colleagues from La Trobe University, looking at how historical and recent droughts cultures differ across Victoria. Last year we published an article looking at how the Federation Drought was reported in the Bendigo media, and how many of the tropes used back then are still being used today. This summer you can see an exhibition from artists involved in Parched at the La Trobe Arts Institute in Bendigo.

I’m also helping the University of Newcastle’s Historical Weather Data Sets project, who are looking for more historical weather records in the New England/New South Wales region

I am supervising two great Masters students, Ruchit and Isabel. Ruchit is exploring extreme rainfall in New South Wales in the 19th Century, and Isabel is looking into Melbourne’s Urban Heat Island.

In 2024 I also helped two wonderful students complete theses. Juliana wrote an excellent Honours thesis on weather whiplash events across Australia, and Sarah did a fantastic job looking at media headlines about climate change to understand if fear messaging is being used effectively.

Outreach and communication

A great project I’ve been involved in this year is Climate Kids, lead by Dr Lily O’Neill at Melbourne Climate Futures. If your kids have questions about our climate, Dr Lily and I are here to answer them!

I continue to co-host Einstein A Go Go once a month and do regular media interviews. I’m also on Instagram and Bluesky, if you like sporadic updates and bad pictures.

I chair the engagement committee for the School of Geography, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, and am always looking for speakers for our seminar series. I also sit on the AMOS National Council, and have taken on a editor role for the European journal Climate of the Past.

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This Now page inspired by Derek Sivers‘.