ANU academics recognised for environmental history achievements

The American Society for Environmental History has recognised the significant work of Professor Tom Griffiths, formerly the WK Hancock Professor from the ANU School of History, and Professor Libby Robin, from the ANU Fenner School of Environment and Society, and. The Society awarded them the Citation for the Distinguished Career in Public Environmental History, honouring their respective work promoting environmental history to the public.

Professor Robin’s work in Australia and internationally has included a Senior Fellowship with the National Museum of Australia’s Research Centre, and roles with the Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden and Tallinn University in Estonia. She serves on the executive of the international IHOPE Project, and was instrumental in launching the Australia-New Zealand Environmental History Network. Her body or work covers a breadth of subjects, exploring topics including conservation history and policy, museums, climate change, and the humanities.

Professor Griffiths has enjoyed a long career with wide impact, exploring topics including the history of Antarctica, comparative history of settler societies, and the environmental and cultural history of Australia. He was made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 2014 for his distinguished service to tertiary education, particularly in environmental history, and for his popular and academic published works.

Libby and Tom, who enjoy a partnership in both life and work, are both Fellows of the Australian Academy of Humanities. Their efforts both collaborative and individually have done much to enhance the public awareness and understanding of environmental history. Libby travelled to Columbus Ohio in the United States to accept the Citation on both their behalf.