Media Release (28 May 2008)

Monash’s Gippsland campus to host Simpson’s researcher

Monash University ’s Gippsland campus will host Canadian author Chris Turner on Friday June 6, 2008 as part of the 2008 Alfred Deakin Lecture Series.

Turner will look at how small scale, innovative projects can successfully meet environmental challenges.

Turner is the author of the national bestseller The Geography of Hope: A Tour of the World We Need, named one of The Globe & Mail's, Canada's premiere national newspaper, Best Books of 2007.

He also wrote the non-fiction book Planet Simpson: How a Cartoon Masterpiece Documented an Era and Defined a Generation which examines the impact of television show The Simpsons on popular culture.

His magazine writing – mostly for the late, great Shift Magazine – has earnt him four Canadian National Magazine Awards and six honourable mentions, including the 2001 President's Medal for General Excellence (the highest honour in Canadian magazine writing).

Monash University is a major sponsor of the Alfred Deakin Lecture Series which brings together the finest thinkers from around Australia and the world.

First held in 2001, the biennial series has grown into one of Australia’s leading forums for discussing the ideas and issues that are shaping our future.

This year’s series will feature a number of Monash speakers including Pro Vice-Chancellor Industry Engagement and Commercialisation Professor Rod Hill and Associate Professor David Wright-Neville from the School of Political and Social Inquiry.

The Gippsland campus lecture will be held from 1 pm to 2 pm on Friday June 6, 2008 at the International Power Loy Yang B – Mitsui and Co Ltd Conference Room. Seating is limited so bookings are essential.

For more information visit the website at Alfred Deakin Lectures 2008 Program.

For information contact the Pro Vice-Chancellor's Office, Gippsland Campus, phone +61 3 512 26211