Charalee Graydon Profile
Photo by Dani Mandrágora
Charalee Graydon (Prairies & Wadham College 1982) is a law and mediation professor at Euclid University. She lives in France and Spain. She is the author of several publications in the areas of crime and punishment, caring for the environment, and climate change. She has held academic positions in England, New Zealand, Canada and online. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and English from the University of Alberta, a JD in Law from the University of Alberta, a BCL in Law from the University of Oxford, a Diploma in Freelance and Feature Writing from the London School of Journalism, and a PhD from Euclid University in Mediation and Conflict Resolution. In May 2023, she was appointed a trustee of the Oxford Climate Alumni Network (OxCAN).
Rhodes Project: What is your favourite thing to do in Montpellier?
Charalee Graydon: The literary and arts events in Montpellier are phenomenal. Every Friday during the summer there is an event called Les Estivales, where you can sample wines and foods from southern France. It is my favourite way to spend a Friday evening.
Rhodes Project: What are you working on now?
Charalee Graydon: I published an environmental book for children, Life on Planet Earth: My Story, an interactive book where the child reader tells his or her story. As well, I published an academic work, Creating a Masterpiece: The Arts and Climate Change Conflict. My other books are literary fiction.
Rhodes Project: What are you hoping the reader will learn through this specific type of literary experience?
Charalee Graydon: An introduction to legal thinking, and methods of dispute resolution. Each of the books, fiction and non-fiction are intended to engage the reader.
Rhodes Project: What motivates you professionally and why?
Charalee Graydon: Although I can never achieve perfection, my aim is to do the best I can in what I do. I enjoy teaching others about the law, and methods of dispute resolution.
Rhodes Project: What most surprised you about your experience at Oxford?
Charalee Graydon: First, the introductory “get to know you”, college activities. This required me to balance a plate of appetizers, and glass of sherry while talking with Oxford professors and students about my background, and world issues. Second, the the difference in the style of teaching and learning at Oxford.
Rhodes Project: You clearly have a love for travel. How has living in such different places affected your outlook on life?
Charalee Graydon: It has opened my mind to accept people and their ideas and to be less judgmental. It has been a valuable lesson to learn how little people know about the Rhodes scholarship. I learnt not to attempt to define myself with the scholarship but as who I am and what I can offer to the area where I am living.
Rhodes Project: Can you tell me about a memorable journey you have been on, either physical or emotional?
Charalee Graydon: I had a memorable experience the first time I visited Spain. I was overwhelmed by the history and culture of this county and trying to learn about its culture. This first visit happened to be on the day of the train bombing in Madrid in 2004. I had spent a relaxing and enjoyable day, with a friend, at the El Prado museum. When we returned to my host’s home, we learnt of the train bombing that had taken place that morning. I could not speak the Spanish language so was unable to participate in the family discussion about what had happened. I couldn’t understand the news on the television. This was an extremely humbling experience. Fortunately, it inspired me to learn Spanish.
Rhodes Project: If you could go back and do it all again, knowing what you do now, would you do anything differently?
Charalee Graydon: No, I am happy with the trajectory of my career, having moved from Canada to Europe. I enjoy my academic position at Euclid University which recognizes my areas of interest, law, education, and the environment. It is hoped my articles, and books make a valuable contribution to fiction and, academic areas I write about.
Rhodes Project: Do you have any role models?
Charalee Graydon: Pierre Trudeau is a role model of mine as he had a vision about making Canada a united and bilingual country, and Angela Merkel for leading her country with firmness and compassion.
Rhodes Project: Is there anything that consistently frustrates you?
Charalee Graydon: Our new digital world.
Rhodes Project: You’re stranded on a desert island and you’re allowed one book and one record. Which ones to do you take?
Charalee Graydon: I will take my book, Life on Planet Earth: My Story. This will allow me to write a new book, My Story: Stranded on Desert Island during A Climate Emergency! The record I will take is the Beatles, Rubber Soul, the first record my father bought me.
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