Cranston taught from 1991-2008 in the School of Humanities, University of Tasmania. She left her tenured position to chose part-time teaching and research elsewhere, although she maintains an Associate status with the University for her research output. 

During 2004, she was Visiting Professor at Alps-Adriatic University, Austria

In 2006 she was Visiting Professor at Appalachian State University, North Carolina, where she delivered the International Women’s Day Public lecture, and Seminars.

University of Madras students swapping plastic for UTas canvas bags in honour of the Olive Ridley Turtle
University of Madras students swapping plastic bags for UTas canvas bags in honour of the Olive Ridley Turtle

In 2008, and again in 2009, she received a DFAT Australia-India Council Fellowship as Adjunct Professor, University of Madras, Tamil Nadu. 

In the Fall of 2012 she was Adjunct Professor at the University of Prince Edward Island, Canada, at the Institute of Island Studies where she taught ‘Island Political Ecology’ (Masters course). 

With Godfrey Baldacchino, Chair of Island Studies, Prince Edward Island, Canada