Rate Professor Leila Harris

Professional Summary: Professor Leila Harris

Professor Leila Harris is a distinguished academic at the University of Sydney, recognized for her expertise in environmental governance, water politics, and gender dimensions of resource management. Her interdisciplinary work bridges political ecology, feminist theory, and critical development studies, contributing significantly to global discussions on equity and sustainability.

Academic Background and Degrees

Professor Harris holds advanced degrees in geography and related fields, reflecting her deep commitment to understanding socio-environmental challenges:

• Ph.D. in Geography, University of Minnesota, USA
• Master’s degree in Geography, University of Colorado Boulder, USA
• Bachelor’s degree in International Relations, Brown University, USA

Research Specializations and Academic Interests

Her research focuses on the intersection of environmental governance, water access, and social justice. Key areas of interest include:

• Water politics and governance in the Global South
• Gender and environmental justice
• Political ecology and critical development studies
• State-society relations in resource management

Career History and Appointments

Professor Harris has held prestigious positions across leading academic institutions, showcasing her expertise and leadership:

• Professor, School of Geosciences, University of Sydney, Australia (current)
• Associate Professor, Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability, University of British Columbia, Canada (prior)
• Director, Program on Water Governance, University of British Columbia, Canada

Major Awards, Fellowships, and Honors

Her contributions to academia and policy have been recognized through numerous accolades:

• Canada Research Chair in Human-Environment Interactions (Tier 2), University of British Columbia
• Fellow, Royal Society of Canada’s College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists

Key Publications

Professor Harris has authored and co-authored influential works that shape discourse in her field. Notable publications include:

• Water Ethics: A Values Approach to Solving the Water Crisis (co-authored, 2013)
• “Gender and Water in a Changing Climate: Challenges and Opportunities” in Water Security (2017)
• “Political Ecologies of the State: Recent Interventions and Questions Going Forward” in Political Geography (2019)
• Numerous articles in journals such as Environment and Planning D: Society and Space and Geoforum

Influence and Impact on Academic Field

Professor Harris’s work has had a profound impact on political ecology and water governance studies, particularly through her focus on gender and equity. Her research informs policy and practice in water management, especially in regions facing resource scarcity and social inequality. She has been instrumental in advancing interdisciplinary approaches to environmental challenges, mentoring emerging scholars, and fostering global collaborations.

Public Lectures, Committees, and Editorial Contributions

She actively engages with academic and public audiences through various platforms:

• Keynote speaker at international conferences on water governance and environmental justice
• Member of editorial boards for journals such as Water International and Geoforum
• Contributor to policy discussions through the Program on Water Governance