Meet UO community members who contribute to creating greater inclusion and access through their research and professional activities.

Leslie McLees- Doctoral Student in the Department of Geography and 2009 CoDaC Graduate Research Award Recipient

Hometown: Kent, WA.

Family nickname(s) growing up: When I was growing up, my classmates and family called me Nestle Crunch. Not sure why other than it rhymed and I liked the candy bar, but people would always sing the jingle: "That's why I love... Nestle Crunch ." I was also called Les Nesman from the character from the old sitcom on WKRP—really not sure where that one came from. I never wore bow-ties.

Identity on campus: I came to Eugene specifically for the Department of Geography at U of O because it is highly respected in the discipline. After finishing my MA at the University of Hawaii I wanted to continue on here. The department has been constructively challenging and I am very glad I came here. Coming to Eugene also gave me a chance to come back to the Northwest. I loved living in Hawaii and if I had to leave, I couldn't imagine going anywhere else in the country. Thankfully Eugene combines the Northwest with a great geography department. My identity on campus revolves around two things: being a doctoral student and being the current Undergraduate Advisor of the Department of Geography. It's always fascinating switching between student and advisor (or teacher when I play that role). In some settings I am constantly challenged theoretically and working for approval in one sense and I am providing guidance and approval in another. It's a stimulating mix.

Childhood aspiration: I remember in second grade we were asked what we wanted to be growing up. Most of the girls in the class answered they wanted to be a teacher. That did not really stick with me. For awhile my neighborhood playmate Zach and I were going to be the first man and woman to reach Mars. Unfortunately I when I learned how much math was required, I slowly dropped that ambition. I came back to wanting to be a teacher. I am lucky that in my future I will get to be so.

What would you be doing or where would we find you if you weren't at work, class, or studying? It is difficult to know what I would do if I were not at work, in class or studying (!) since it seems that is all I do and I admit, most of the time I enjoy all of these activities. I suppose I would be reading biographies, snorkeling, hiking, traveling to learn about places, and visiting my family.

Research interests: I am interested in how people cope and creatively use spaces to fulfill livelihood needs or desires. Further, I want to examine how 'we' as researchers shape perceptions of places that ignores this creativity, which serves to obscure some very powerful mechanisms of social change. My case study of urban farming in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, will examine both of these issues. In the future I would like to also look at urban farming in the United States and compare the findings about the role the practice plays in shaping perceptions of cities.

Quote you live by: I've had this quote by Elinor Roosevelt hanging on my wall for years; a plaque randomly given to me by my father when he was cleaning out the attic. Only in the past few have I really learned what it means and when I am troubled and I chance to see it on the wall, it gives me quiet hope:

“You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you stop to look fear in the face. You say to yourself, ‘I have lived through this. I can take the next thing that comes along.’ You must do the thing you think you cannot do.”

One thing not many people know about you: I was originally a music major in college and can play various saxophones, various clarinets, the flute and even the bassoon. Someday I am going to buy a piano and take more lessons. I remember thinking right before quitting music school, when I was leaving to go to another school to begin a program in zoology, that I could not imagine my life without playing music. Playing in wind ensemble and big band was who I was. I had some natural talent, but my interests for my life moved on.  There is a big hole there that I cannot wait to fill back up.