Andrew Warren was born and raised in the Illawarra region on the picturesque south coast of NSW, Australia. Growing-up on the coast meant Andrew spent most of his youth at the beach and learnt to surf at age 10. His earliest memories of surfing are with family on camping holidays. Combining his passions of surfing and geography Andrew completed a PhD on the global surfboard manufacturing industry in late 2011. Currently lecturer in economic geography at the University of Wollongong, Andrew is particularly interested in industrial cities, manufacturing and the changing experiences of employment. One question driving Andrew's research asks: how can people create and secure fulfilling livelihoods? His interest in the surfboard industry and other forms of cultural production responds to this question. His new book with Chris Gibson (Surfing Places, Surfboard Makers) explores how surfboard makers craft a living in vibrant local surfing communities doing something they love while simultaneously experiencing declining working conditions, job insecurity and low wages. Andrew still lives on the south coast of NSW with his wife and daughter. They continue to spend summer holidays camping on the beach.
