What do suburban backyards and Aboriginal lands have in common?

Oct 07, 2004

The simple answer to the above question is that they are both places where people interact with nature and are key sites of environmental transformation and meaning. A public presentation (Frontiers in Science) to be given in Wollongong on Wednesday October 13 by Professor Lesley Head will explore these concepts.

Professor Head's work is interdisciplinary and draws on a range of analytical tools from cultural geography, archaeology and palaeoecology.

Understanding the cultural basis of decision making, particularly in the environments we most take for granted, is an important factor in a variety of land and resource management debates in Australia.

Professor Head has worked in many parts of Australia, such as the Kimberly, the Flinders Ranges, Alice Springs - and the suburban backyards of Wollongong. She is the coordinator of the GeoQuEST Research Centre and has received more than $750,000 in research funding from local, state and national organisations.

Professor Head is also the author of two internationally published books, Second Nature: The history and implications of Australia as Aboriginal landscape (Syracuse University Press, New York) and Cultural Landscapes and Environmental Change (Arnold, London).

Frontiers in Science provides an opportunity for members of the broader community, along with staff and students of the University, to attend and participate in discussions pertaining to current research within the Faculty of Science. The presenters are world leaders in their respective fields of research.

Presentations are designed so that all who attend, whether they are high school students, professionals or academics, will gain an insight into the exciting world of modern science as humans push the boundaries of knowledge. Audience participation is strongly encouraged in the question/comment time after each of the presentations.

Media please note: Any pre-publicity to encourage public attendance at this presentation would be appreciated

When: 6pm, Wednesday October 13

Where: Building 35, Room G20, University of Wollongong

Further information: Contact Carl Hopley on 0422 000510 or via his email: cah01@uow.edu.au

For more information, contact:

media@uow.edu.au
University of Wollongong
Ph: (02) 4221 5942; fax (02) 4221 3128