I’ve been at Macquarie for…
Just over 24 years (I started on May Day 1992!)

In a nutshell, my job is to…
Make the world (and the University) a better place.

In slightly more detail I’m Director of the Macquarie-Ryde Futures Project in the COO’s portfolio, which means I look after the University’s engagement with local government other than statutory planning issues (which sits with Property).

I’m also a Professor in the Department of Geography and Planning and an elected academic member of University Council. I’m also a Justice of the Peace – so I do a bit of signing for lost receipts at Concur reporting time!

The question I hear most often in my work is…
Which hat are you wearing today?

The top three things on my to-do list today are…
1) Get my computer working properly again after some password issues on eduroam (grrrrrr!).
2) Organise the Chinese Culture Festival that we will host on 27 August.
3) Finalise two new PhD scholarships co-funded by Ryde Council.

If I could do any other job at Macquarie, it would be…
I love what I’m doing and feel that if I just had more time for each of the roles it would be perfect.

Name a Macquarie staff member that impressed you last week…
Ruth Tregale (Director of Widening Participation) did a fantastic job in celebrating Refugee Week. Deputy Chancellor Elizabeth Crouch also gave me some sage and timely advice.

I get my campus coffee fix from …
A thermos or Wally’s Café – the last place on campus to offer lactose free milk.

My favourite subject at school was…
Geography (what a surprise!).

Outside work, you’ll often find me…
Playing a guitar or mandolin.

The most amazing place I’ve ever visited is…
Kyoto, Japan – the best city in the world to write.

In 10 years from now, I hope to be…
Happy and optimistic.