Dr Heather Handley

Associate Professor Heather Handley is a volcano scientist and has worked on some of the most active volcanoes on the planet. She uses the chemistry of volcanic rocks to better understand how volcanoes work and what triggers volcanic eruptions.

Originally from Yorkshire in the UK, Heather completed a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Geology at The University of Edinburgh in 2001. She completed a PhD in 2006 at Durham University on the geochemistry of Indonesian volcanoes. In 2007, Heather relocated to Australia to take up a post-doctoral research position at Macquarie University and was awarded an Australian Research Council Future Fellowship in 2012.

Heather uses her passion for volcanoes to raise the aspirations of future generations and has led more than 45 outreach events. She writes frequently for The Conversation and has featured in TV documentaries for National Geographic and Discovery Science. Heather has contributed to over 60 television, radio and print interviews and received an AIPS NSW Young Tall Poppy Award in 2014.

Heather strongly advocates for women in STEM and is Co-Founder and President of the Women in Earth and Environmental Science Australasia (WOMEESA) Network. She is also mum to two very curious young girls.

Dr Heather Handley is a Superstar of STEM.