Helena Bender

I am an interdisciplinary researcher and educator with a diversity of research interests that intersect with sustainability and hope. One strand of research explores how best we can manage the relationships between wildlife and humans to reduce the loss of life, habitats, and limit harm. In particular, I have focused on eastern grey kangaroos and the use of sound. Second, I'm interested in how we can better integrate the research practices from social and ecological sciences to better reflect the complex systems that we live within. I've applied this thinking to hope, proposing that it may be adaptive. Thirdly, I am passionate about bringing a transformational learning approach to my tertiary teaching. I have researched experiential strategies to support students to become more engaged with sustainability, and supporting students who are experiencing difficult emotions in response to the multiplying social and ecological challenges of our times.