Wendy Shaw

Wendy Shaw is an Honorary Associate Professor in the School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences at the University of New South Wales (UNSW). Her research focuses on postcolonial urban geographies, Indigenous geographies, and the intersections of environmental science with social issues. Notable roles include Editor of Geoforum (2015–2018) and Vice President of the NSW Geographical Society (2014–2017). She has conducted extensive fieldwork in Papua New Guinea and Australia, addressing topics like disaster risk management, urban gentrification, and anthropogenic environmental challenges.

Her work spans interdisciplinary projects such as 'Narcissism and environmentalism' and 'Rip Currents: Combining social and scientific research methods'. Major collaborations include projects with Taronga Zoo, Surf Life Saving Australia, and the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR). Shaw has secured over $4 million in research funding for projects ranging from coffee sustainability in PNG to coastal hazard mitigation.

Key awards include the Distinguished International Visiting Fellowship at Durham University (2010). Her research often bridges social and physical sciences, with recent emphasis on human-animal bonds, tsunami hazard communication, and the Anthropocene. She has advised multiple projects on Indigenous homelessness and disaster resilience, reflecting her commitment to socially engaged scholarship.

Labs/Teams: Collaborates with interdisciplinary teams at UNSW’s School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences, including partnerships with institutions in PNG, New Zealand, and the UK. Active in policy-oriented research through AHURI and ACIAR-funded initiatives.