Eric Pawson
Professor of Geography at the University of Canterbury, New Zealand
Name: Eric Pawson
Matriculation Year: 1969
Subject: Geography
Occupation: Professor of Geography at the University of Canterbury, New Zealand
“I did my undergraduate degree in Geography at Hertford, and then moved to Nuffield to complete my DPhil. Straight after, I emigrated to New Zealand, which seemed a good option given the state of Britain in the mid 1970s. Maybe the same applies again! Anyway, it turned out to be a really good place to carve out an academic career, and I had a lot of fun teaching undergraduates and postgraduates, and working in research teams over the years. I’d be happy to talk to anyone contemplating the academic profession, or specific parts of it. I’ve worked in and built research teams, often on an interdisciplinary basis; and have a particular interest in teaching and learning innovation, including community-based and undergraduate research. I have a lot of experience with international publishers, both through journals, as well as book authorship and editing. I got my first taste of the latter in the Lower Research Room in the old School of Geography, when as postgrads we started a Research Paper series that subsequently lasted for 30 years. In recent times, following the Christchurch earthquakes of 2010-13, I’ve worked on community projects in the city, including setting up a Living Lab.“