Dr Adrian Gonzalez
Deputy Head of Department (Teaching, Learning and Students) Senior Lecturer in Sustainability

Profile

Biography

Adrian joined the Department of Environment and Geography in March 2021 as a Lecturer in Sustainability having previously worked as an Associate Lecturer in Human Geography and Environment in 2018-19. He has also held a Human Geography and Planning (Environment) Lectureship at the School of Geography and Planning, Cardiff University, awarded through the prestigious “Darlithwyr Disglair” (Brilliant Lecturers) scheme for early career academics (2020-21) and has also taught at the University of East London and University of London (2018).

Adrian has an interdisciplinary academic background with degrees in History (De Montfort University), War Studies (King’s College London) and Human Geography (Royal Holloway, University of London). As a political geographer and more specifically a political ecologist, his research was initially focused on natural resource governance and conflict and environmental justice. Recently, he has moved his research into sustainability education encompassing pedagogical practice, operations and content (knowledge and skills) to understand and ensure that all students, at whatever level, leave with the necessary, passion, knowledge and skills to help deliver a more sustainable and just future.

Peer-reviewed research papers have appeared in journals including Innovation in Education and Teaching International, Teaching Geography, as well as peer-reviewed articles for Higher Education Policy Institute and AdvanceHE. His papers can be found at ResearchGate and academia.edu and he has also written articles on his research for The Conversation.

Adrian's major role at York as Deputy Head of Department (Teaching, Learning and Students) in the Department of Environment and Geography where projects have included the authorship and implementation of a PGT Strategic Review and development of new programme models. his appointment as Strategic Lead for Sustainability on the development of the new York School of Architecture.

Adrian is also a member of several institutional committees including the ESAY Community of Learning and Teaching Practice and Interdisciplinary Global Development Centre (IGDC). He is also a member of international committees including the YMP Sustainability Advisory Group and SUBLIM Programme Board.

Externally, Adrian is a member of the Royal Geographical Society (RGS-IBG), the Geography and Education Research Group (GeogEd), and is deputy Chair of the RGS GeogEd Leadership in Geography Education working group. He is also a co-Chair of the York Educators for Climate Action Working Group, part of the York Climate Commission and a Senior Fellow of Advance HE.r. 

Adrian can be found on Linkedin.

Career

2023- : Senior Lecturer in Sustainability, Department of Environment and Geography, University of York.

2021-2023: Lecturer in Sustainability, Department of Environment and Geography, University of York.

2020-2021: Lecturer in Human Geography and Planning (Environment) as part of the “Darlithwyr Disglair” (Brilliant Lecturers) scheme, School of Geography and Planning, Cardiff University.

2018-19: Associate Lecturer in Human Geography and Environment, Department of Environment and Geography, University of York.

2018: Guest Lecturer, Institute of Commonwealth Studies, School of Advanced Studies, University of London.

2017-2018: Hourly Paid Lecturer, Royal Docks School of Business and Law, University of East London.

2013-2017: PhD Human Geography. Thesis entitled: ‘Access, engagement, suppression, and empowerment: a political ecology of voice (PEV) study into Peruvian citizen ability and willingness to report Petroperu environmental pollution incidents.’ Supervised by Professor David Simon. Department of Geography, Royal Holloway, University of London.

2008-2010: MA War Studies, King’s College London.

2005-2008: BA (Hons) History, De Montfort University.

Departmental roles

September 2025-: Deputy Head of Department (Teaching, Learning and Scholarship)

University roles

2023-2025- : Sustainability Strategic Lead for the Department of Architecture and Built Environment, University of York.

2023: Academic Lead for the creation of an MSc “Dual Degree” route with Maastricht Sustainability Institute, Maastricht University (Department of Environment and Geography).

2023: Academic Lead for the redesign of the MSc Sustainable Business: Leadership Innovation and Management programme (Department of Environment and Geography).

2022-2025: Director of Learning and Teaching (Department of Environment and Geography).

2021-2022: Deputy Director of Learning and Teaching (Department of Environment and Geography).

2021-2022: Deputy Chair, Exceptional Circumstances Committee (Department of Environment and Geography).

2021-2022: Programme Leader MSc Sustainable Business: Leadership, Innovation and Management (Department of Environment and Geography).