In honour of Refugee Week (14-20 June) we’re talking to political geographer Dr Andrew Burridge from the Department of Geography and Planning.

Andrew is the convenor of the new interdisciplinary Refugee Studies undergraduate major and academic lead for Making Connections, which links academic mentors with students from refugee backgrounds.

Andrew’s research into undocumented migration and border controls has taken him from living in a tent at the Mexican border to co-convening the Migration, Mobility and Diversity research stream at Macquarie.

Andrew recently untangled the complexities of Australia’s own COVID-19 border brawls for The Lighthouse.

1. In a nutshell, my job is to…
I am a Lecturer in Human Geography in the Department of Geography and Planning. I specialise particularly in the sub-discipline of political geography, on topics relating to human mobility (migration, refugee and asylum studies), particularly across international borders, and governments’ responses to these movements.

I try to convey to my students the importance of the need for freedom of movement, and the impact that immigration controls, borders, and incarceration have, even in our day-to-day lives.

2. My definition of success is…
Learning from mistakes and failure, while also achieving goals without disadvantaging or harming others in the process.

3. A person at Macquarie who inspires me is…
Those who have social justice at the core of their teaching and research, which is vital in this moment. There are many at Macquarie who prioritise this, particularly my colleagues in the Faculty of Arts, so it would be wrong to name just one!

4. This year I want to…
Develop the new Refugee Studies major and related units, including my unit Borderless Worlds, bringing in new students for 2021 and beyond. I also want to further promote the excellent work being done at Macquarie surrounding migration, refugees and asylum.

5. The scariest thing I’ve ever done is…
Live in a tent in the Sonoran Desert, adjacent to the Mexico-US border in the summer heat, under the watchful eye of the US government and surrounded by rattlesnakes, while conducting my PhD research. Maybe that’s a longer story though!

6. My guilty pleasure is…
Cycling, burritos, coffee, and visiting independent cinemas. Not particularly in that order.

7. I’m scared of…
Populist politics and simplistic answers. Also, Sydney traffic.

8. The most important thing I’ve learned in the last five years is…
You can only get so far on your own. Community, friends and family are essential.

9. I’m happiest when…
Up a mountain, in the surf, or on a bicycle. Or just generally outdoors.

10. If I had the day off today, you would find me…
Hiking in one of Sydney’s incredible national parks. We are so lucky to have them so close by, with such a diversity of landscapes, flora and fauna.