School of Geography, Environment and Earth Science at Victoria University

“Action without reflection is ineffective, and reflection without action does not do anything”.

Sean describes his students as “my favourite colleagues”. Sean’s dual career in education and environmental management over the past 20 years has enabled him to be the cornerstone of the Environment Studies undergraduate major.

He brings to his classes “the commitment of an environmental activist and married it with the discipline of a very good scientist”. This means that his teaching is led by both research and practice in his discipline. Sean believes that 80% of good teaching is encouragement, for which he has many strategies. He also concludes that “action without reflection is ineffective, and reflection without action does not do anything”.

To this end he draws on his diverse background, including work in Vanuatu and Fiji, the Education for Sustainability Contract funded by the Ministry of Education, and policy consultancy to develop current case studies for his students. Sean’s leadership and many contributions have been recognized by students and the university through a number of teaching awards over the past five years.