Leslie Duram
Dr. Leslie A. Duram is Professor of Geography and Environmental Resources and Director of Environmental Studies at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. Having published nearly 50 peer-reviewed journal articles and given more than 60 conference presentations, her work addresses several environmental topics, including climate change education, grassroots environmental management, and local food initiatives. Specifically, her research illuminates the linkages between individual decision-making, local communities, regional geography, and national policy initiatives. Her books include: “Endangered Places: Disappearing Sites Around the World” (Bloomsbury, 2024); “Environmental Geography: People and the Environment” (University of Nebraska Press, 2021); “America Goes Green: An Encyclopedia of Eco-Friendly Culture in the United States” (ABC-Clio, 2013); “The Encyclopedia of Organic, Sustainable and Local Food” (Greenwood/Praeger, 2010); and “Good Growing: Why Organic Farming Works” (University of Nebraska Press, 2005). She teaches classes in social science research methods, social/political aspects of climate change, and the popular “Contemporary Issues in Environmental Studies,” which is the final unifying course for the Environmental Studies Minor (ENVS) at SIU. As Director of ENVS, she advises all students in the program, and this number has risen from a handful when she took over, to the current 100+ students. She enjoys organizing and supervising the Geography Internship course, which places up to 14 students in semester-long “real world” learning experiences with regional environmental education and natural resource agencies. She is also the faculty adviser for the environmental sustainability students in Geography and Environmental Resources at SIU. In addition, she truly enjoys mentoring graduate students, having advised over 50 Master’s and PhD students—each conducting research in environmental geography topics.
Education:
- PhD University of Colorado
- MS Kansas State University
- BA Wichita State University
Research Interest:
Dr. Duram's research interests are environmental geography (local- to global-scale environmental issues), environmental public participation, climate change education, plant-based diets, and campus sustainability.
Awards and Honors:
- 2025 Susan Hardwick Excellence in Mentoring Award. American Association of Geographers (12,000+ members) https://www.aag.org/2025-aag-awards-recognition/#leslie-duram
- 2023-24 University-wide Teaching Excellence Award (Tenured Faculty), Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
- American Association of Geographers, Rural Geography Specialty Group. Donald Q. Innis Award for Excellence in Food and Agricultural Research. 2017.
- Kansas State University, Department of Geography, Distinguished Alumna Award. 2017.
- 2015 SIU University Women’s Professional Advancement (UWPA) Mentorship Award.
- and more (see CV )
In the News
Recent Publications and Creative Works:
Books:
- Duram, L.A. 2025. Endangered Places: Disappearing Sites around the World. Bloomsbury: London. 300 pages. View Book on Bloomsbury Site.
- Duram, L.A. 2021. Environmental Geography: People and the Environment. University of Nebraska Press: Lincoln, NE. 344 pages. Paperback. View book on Nebraska Press Site
- Duram, L.A. 2018. Environmental Geography: People and the Environment. Book Series: Understanding Our World. ABC-CLIO: Santa Barbara, CA. 344 pages. Hardbound. View book on Bloomsbury Site
- Duram, L.A., Contributing Editor, and K. Kennedy-White. 2013. America Goes Green: An Encyclopedia of Eco-Friendly Culture in the United States. ABC-CLIO: Santa Barbara, CA. 3 Volumes, 1297 pages.
- Duram, L.A., Editor, 2011. Encyclopedia of Organic, Sustainable and Local Food. Bison Books (University of Nebraska Press: Lincoln, NE). 462 pages. Paperback. View book on Nebraska Press site
- Duram, L.A., Editor, 2010. Encyclopedia of Organic, Sustainable and Local Food. Greenwood Press: Denver, CO (Praeger). 462 pages. Hardbound. View book on Bloomsbury site
- Duram, L.A. 2005. Good Growing: Why Organic Farming Works. University of Nebraska Press: Lincoln, NE. 250 pages. View book on Nebraska Press site
Recent Articles in Peer-Reviewed Professional Journals:
- Null, C., K. Hurst, and L. Duram 2024. Beyond the classroom: Influence of a sustainability intervention on university students’ environmental knowledge and behaviors. Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13412-023-00882-1
- Chindia, B., R. Li, L.A. Duram, J. Schoof, H. Henson, and W. Williams. 2024. Navigating Barriers to Success for Community College Science Students: A Review of Transfer Challenges. Journal of Higher Education Theory and Practice Vol. 24(10): 149-166. DOI: https://doi.org/10.33423/jhetp.v24i10
- Fichtel, P.S. and L.A. Duram. 2022. The Perceived Role of Communities and Government Officials in Solid Waste Management in West Africa. International Journal of Applied Geospatial Research. 13 (1): 1-18. https://doi.org/10.4018/IJAGR.295863
- Duram, L.A. 2021. Teaching a Social Science Course on Climate Change: Suggestions for Active-Learning. Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society. 102(8): E1494–E1498. https://doi.org/10.1175/BAMS-D-21-0035.1
- Duram, L.A. 2021, Editor, Special Issue: Local-to-Global Scale Environmental Issues. Sustainability. https://www.mdpi.com/journal/sustainability/special_issues/Environmental_Issues
- Taylor, J. T. and L.A. Duram. 2021. Linking Personal Experience to Global Concern: How Zoo Visits Affect Sustainability Behavior and Views of Climate Change. Sustainability. 13(13), 7117; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13137117
- Gibson, D. and L.A. Duram. 2019. Shifting Discourse on Climate and Sustainability: Key Characteristics of the Higher Education Fossil Fuel Divestment Movement. Sustainability. 12(23), 10069. https://doi.org/10.3390/su122310069.
- Chitiyo, P. and L.A. Duram. 2019. Role of NGOs in Addressing Agricultural Challenges through Certified Organic Agriculture in Developing Regions: A Zimbabwe Case Study. Journal of Sustainable Development in Africa. 21(3): 138-157. https://jsd-africa.com
- Chitiyo, P. and Duram, L.A. 2017. Alternative Agriculture Characteristics in Zimbabwe: Experts Views. Journal of Geography and Earth Sciences. 5(1):41-49. https://doi.org/10.15640/jges.v5n1a3
- Marshall, A.C. and L.A. Duram. 2017. Factors Influencing Local Stakeholders’ Perceptions of Tisza River Basin Management: The Role of Employment Sector and Education. Environmental Science & Policy 77(2017): 69-76. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2017.07.009
- Sanabria, Julia and L.A. Duram. 2017. Climate Change and Health: Risk Awareness can Improve Patient Care. Illinois Pediatrician. 35 (2): 6-7. https://illinoisaap.org
- Bonney, M. and L.A. Duram. 2016. Applying AASHE STARS to Examine Geography’s “Sense of Place” in Sustainability Education. Journal of Sustainability Education 11:2151-7452. http://www.susted.com
- Marshall, A.C., Paul, J.S., Brooks, M.L., and Duram, L.A. 2016. Anglers’ Perceptions and Fish Consumption Risks in the Lower Tisza River Basin. Exposure and Health, 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12403-016-0233-7
- Duram, L.A., and S. Klein. 2015. University Food Gardens: A Unifying Place for Higher Education Sustainability. International Journal of Innovation and Sustainable Development 9 (3/4): 282-302. https://www.inderscienceonline.com/doi/abs/10.1504/IJISD.2015.071853
- Duram, L.A. and L. Williams. 2015. Growing a Student Organic Garden within the Context of University Sustainability Initiatives. International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education 16 (1): 3-15. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijshe-03-2013-0026
Recent Grants
Li, R., H. Henson, L.A. Duram, J. Schoof, and W. Williams. 2022. “Converging Earth Science and Sustainability Education and Experience to Prepare Next-Generation Geoscientists.” National Science Foundation, Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (S-STEM), NSF-22-527. ($1,333,365).
Renzaglia, K., L.A. Duram, D. Gibson, J. Green, and M. Lydy. 2018. “Master Teaching Fellowships in Environmental Sustainability.” National Science Foundation, Robert Noyce Teacher Training Program. NSF-17-541 ($2,196,757).
Duram, L.A. 2016. “Universities Build Environments and Neighbors: UBEAN.” US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service, 2015 Local Food Promotion Program. USDA-AMS-LFPP-2015 Grant. ($130,899).
Duram, L.A. 2015. “Outreach and Education Coordinator for LOGIC and the Center for Sustainable Farming.” SIU Green Fund. Sustainability Award. ($18,992).
Williams, L and L.A. Duram. 2012-15. “Growing LOGIC: Creating Long-Term, Sustainable Organic and Permaculture Gardens for the SIU Community.” SIU Green Fund. Sustainability Award. ($88,054).
Duram, L.A. 2009-10. “Geography and Organic Farming in Ireland.” Research portion of Fulbright Scholar Grant. Council for International Exchange of Scholars. US State Department. Based at National University Ireland at Galway. (€40,000).
Recent Awards
2025 Susan Hardwick Excellence in Mentoring Award. American Association of Geographers (12,000+ members) https://www.aag.org/2025-aag-awards-recognition/#leslie-duram
Southern Illinois University Teaching Excellence Award (campus-wide, tenured faculty), 2023-24.
Association of American Geographers, Rural Geography Specialty Group. Donald Q. Innis Award for Excellence in Food and Agricultural Research. 2017.
2015 SIU University Women’s Professional Advancement (UWPA) Mentorship Award.
Delegate from Ireland to the Fulbright Commission, European Meeting. 56th Annual Berlin Seminar for Fulbright Scholars. Berlin, Germany, March 21-25, 2010.
Best Paper Award: Balanced Development Theme. Irish Social Science Platform. Paper title: “Linking Research and Policy: Assessing a Framework for Organic Agricultural Support in Ireland.” 1-2 December, 2009.
John Fraser Hart Award for Research Excellence. Association of American Geographers. Rural Geography Specialty Group, 2008.
Dr. Duram moderating a session at the USDA Organic Farming Systems Research Conference in Washington DC
Dún Aonghasa, Inis Mór, Oileain Árainn, Éire
Dr. Duram with graduating PhD Advisee
Dr. Duram with Master's Student Graduates
Dr. Duram is a PCRM.org Plant-Based/Vegan educator
