Heather Handley

Heather Handley is a volcano scientist at Macquarie University in Sydney. Her research unravels the chemical secrets held in volcanic rocks and their crystals to answer questions such as: What triggers volcanic eruptions? How fast does molten rock (magma) travel from its source to the Earth’s surface? And what causes some eruptions to be explosive and others not? Heather received an Australian Research Council Future Fellowship in 2012 and NSW Young Tall Poppy Award in 2014 in recognition of her research excellence and passion for science communication. She frequently writes for The Conversation has given over 40 television radio and print media interviews and featured in a Discovery Science Channel Documentary on the infamous Krakatau volcano. Heather strongly advocates for Women in STEM diversity and inclusion and is Co-Founder and President of the Women in Earth and Environmental Science Australasia Network (WOMEESA). She is also mum to two young girls.

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