Leslie Duram

Leslie Duram is Professor of Geography and Environmental Resources at Southern Illinois University (SIU) and Director of the Environmental Studies Program. A Fulbright Scholar and recipient of the 2025 Susan Hardwick Excellence in Mentoring Award from the American Association of Geographers (AAG) and the 2023 SIU Teaching Excellence Award, she is nationally recognized for her leadership in sustainability education and mentoring.

Education & Academic Training
While specific degree details are not listed in the text, her extensive record of research, teaching, and awards attests to advanced training in geography and environmental studies.

Research Interests

• Environmental geography across local-to-global scales
• Public participation in environmental decision-making
• Climate change and sustainability education
• Organic, sustainable, and local food systems
• Campus sustainability initiatives
• Plant-based diet advocacy and vegan education

Her scholarly output includes eight books (e.g., Endangered Places: Disappearing Sites around the World, 2025; Environmental Geography: People and the Environment, 2021) and more than thirty peer-reviewed articles spanning sustainability pedagogy, organic agriculture, climate change communication, and community-based resource management.

Recent Publications & Research Trajectory
Across 2020-2024, her articles emphasize experiential sustainability education, climate literacy, and stakeholder engagement. Studies on zoo-based climate learning, fossil-fuel divestment discourse, and NGO roles in African organic farming highlight her commitment to linking theory with practice and policy.

Scientific Awards & Honors

• 2025 Susan Hardwick Excellence in Mentoring Award – AAG
• 2023 SIU Teaching Excellence Award (campus-wide)
• 2017 Donald Q. Innis Award – AAG Rural Geography Specialty Group
• 2015 SIU UWPA Mentorship Award
• 2008 John Fraser Hart Award for Research Excellence – AAG

Grants, Advising & Mentorship
Dr. Duram has secured over $4.6 million in external funding as PI or co-PI, including:

• NSF S-STEM ($1.33 million) – converging earth science & sustainability education
• NSF Robert Noyce Teacher Training ($2.2 million) – environmental sustainability fellowships
• USDA Local Food Promotion ($130,899) – Universities Build Environments and Neighbors (UBEAN)
• SIU Green Fund awards totaling >$100,000 for campus organic gardens and outreach

She has successfully mentored numerous PhD and Master’s students to graduation, many from underrepresented backgrounds, and continues to provide professional development opportunities for undergraduates in the Environmental Studies minor.

Laboratories, Teams & Outreach
As Director of the Environmental Studies Program, Dr. Duram oversees interdisciplinary curriculum development and campus-wide sustainability initiatives. She collaborates closely with the SIU Green Fund, LOGIC (Local Organic Gardening Initiative of Carbondale), and community partners to integrate experiential learning, campus food gardens, and outreach activities that advance sustainability and social justice.