Warwick Murray
2006 National Tertiary Teaching Excellence Award Winner for Sustained Excellence

I am deeply passionate about my subject and I am not afraid to let this spill over. I tend to be very animated and sometimes even emotional. I tell students I believe that the idea that subjectivities should not enter 'good' academic work is not only impossible but also damaging. In GEOG212 I show the newscast of the famine in Ethiopia in 1985 that was the catalyst for LiveAid during the first class. This has a tangible effect and immediately hooks people. But, I also encourage fun during class. Geography can be about tragic issues but it is also about our beautiful unique planet and the fascinating and contradictory species that seems to be ruining it!

Anton Griffith, student 2001-2004, VUW:

"Dr Murray is an inspiring, highly motivating teacher who instilled in me a sense of passion for my studies, a keen interest in the relevance of the subject and a strong grasp of the material. As a student I found Dr Murray's classes dynamic and very engaging. He has a number of skills and qualities which make him an excellent teacher; the use of relevant and topical examples for explanation, personal insight, humour and innovative exercises engage the class. His demonstration of key concepts is always remarkably clear, concise and interesting. Above all, Dr Murray's passion for his field and genuine engagement with students is a potent combination. As an undergraduate, Dr Murray's infectious enthusiasm and availability for free discussion after classes and around the department led me to continue my studies at a postgraduate level. Sound advice was always available, even at seemingly the busiest of times. I hold Dr Murray's teaching abilities in the highest possible esteem."