معرفی
Jessica Urwin is a Lecturer in Environmental History at the University of Tasmania, within the School of Humanities, College of Arts, Law and Education. Her academic journey includes postdoctoral research fellowships at La Trobe University's Centre for the Study of the Inland and the Australian National University's Centre for Environmental History.
- University: University of Tasmania
- School: School of Humanities
- Department: History and Classics
- Academic Rank: Lecturer in Environmental History
Dr. Urwin's research focuses on the intersection of nuclear processes, colonialism, and environmental justice in Australia. Her work spans Australian scientific, environmental, political, and colonial history with particular expertise in nuclear, colonial, and environmental histories. She explores radioactive mineral extraction, nuclear weapons testing, and waste disposal within colonial contexts, examining how these processes have impacted Aboriginal communities and shaped environmental justice issues.
Her research trajectory shows a clear evolution from her award-winning doctoral work at the Australian National University to her current investigations into the broader colonial dimensions of mining history. She is particularly interested in the politics of mineral extraction, tracing the 'roots' of settlers' engagements with mining, the 'routes' of mined minerals across the world, and contemporary interactions with Indigenous land rights and conservation debates.
- American Society of Environmental History Rachel Carson Prize (2024)
- John Molony Prize in History (2024)
- Jill Roe Prize (2021)
- First Nations History Award (2021)
- Minoru Hokari Memorial Scholarship (2021)
- Max Kelly Award (2018)
Dr. Urwin has secured significant research funding, including the Australian Academy of Science's 2025 Moran Award for her project 'Radioactive Roots & Routes: Tracing the imperial scientific networks of Australian radioactive minerals, 1940s-1960s.' She actively mentors undergraduate, Honours, and PhD students and serves as the Humanities Honours Coordinator at the University of Tasmania. Her commitment to inclusive and accessible education is evident in her teaching of global imperial history, Australian colonial history, and global environmental history.
She contributes extensively to academic service as a steering committee member of the Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand Environmental History Network, editorial board member of Global Environment Journal, and Friend of the Centre for Environmental History at ANU. Her public engagement includes media interviews, conference presentations, and publications that bridge academic research and public discourse on nuclear history and environmental justice.
