Getting to know... Philip Wallis
Philip Wallis
Name: Dr Philip Wallis
Title: Research Fellow, Systemic Governance Research Program
Faculty/Division: Monash Sustainability Institute
Campus: Clayton
How long have you worked at Monash?
I’ve been in my current role since late-2007, but including undergraduate studies and my PhD, I’ve been at Monash for more than 15 years.
What do you like best about your role?
I get to collaborate with researchers from across different faculties, other universities, and do research with organisations and communities. I also get the chance to work in different contexts related to sustainability, including natural resource management, climate change adaptation, politics, prevention of chronic disease, and international development to name a few. This breadth is actually an advantage in my core interest of governance research.
Why did you choose your current career path?
I decided on a research career after doing a final year research project comparing the exhaust gas profiles of LPG, petrol and diesel-fuelled cars. Discovering how enjoyable research could be led me to a PhD in green chemistry. A later shift from physical sciences to more social (transdisciplinary) research in sustainability was the result of a job opportunity. While I do sometimes miss doing chemistry, I’ve found it very rewarding to be working with people and organisations to address complex sustainability issues.
First job?
Stacking shelves in a supermarket, which kept me fit and gave me a break from studying.
Worst job?
Working the bar at a music festival back when I was 18. It was dirty, exhausting and depressing work.
What research/projects are you currently working on and what does it involve?
Our program is developing a new ‘Learning Lab’ initiative. Labs are emerging as new processes for responding to the highly uncertain, complex and contested situations in which issues of sustainability are embedded. With our lab, we are designing and facilitating experiences that allow our collaborators to explore how systems thinking-based approaches can enable better responses to complex situations.
What is your favourite place in the world and why?
It’s hard to pick a favourite, but I enjoy heading up to Canberra each year in November for the annual reunion and graduation of Fellows of the Peter Cullen Trust. I love meeting up with old friends at a time of year when the weather in the capital is perfect.
What is your favourite place to eat and why?
Lord of the Fries. For years I didn’t realise it was vegetarian, so needless to say I was pleasantly surprised!
What is the best piece of advice you have received?
“That’s the way it’s always been” is never an adequate reason to continue doing something - @PicardTips
Tell us something about yourself that your colleagues wouldn’t know?
Some might know, but I was into swing dancing for about six years, starting lessons on campus, doing performances and even winning a gold medal for Monash against Melbourne Uni.