I know it sounds slightly cringey but if your talking about geography lets say the effect of tourism (I dropped geography a while ago so I'm sorry if it's totally irrelevant) and you were talking about particular place, you could slowly merge into a conversation so by saying something like "It's meant to be really nice in____, i really want to go there someday" and then just gradually ask questions like "Do you have a favourite place you would like to go to" but don't make it sound like an interview or really fake, try to make sound as casual as possible. So basically try and find links to something less academic based and more about you and her. I know it sounds really cheesy and it will start off being slightly awkward with stunted answers but along the way you'll probably feel more relaxed so it will be more casual. I'm awful at starting conversations but sometimes for a second I have to think- well.. what have I got to lose and I almost pretend for a second to be a more extroverted person and simply ask a question or something in the spur of the moment, but then return to my usual self after the conversations got going so maybe be an 'actor' for literally a second to get talking to her. Be gentle in introducing your personality as well, if that makes sense, don't get carried away with the fact that you're actually talking to her and start telling her loads about you, as weird as it sounds it could be overwhelming, But equally don't shy away who you are, this could create a wall between you both blocking off your option of getting to know her. Hopefully you'll get to know her, and when you feel there's a close enough bond go for it and ask her out, if she says yes great, if she says no she says no- I know it will be incredibly heart breaking if this happens, but you won't know her answer if you don't ask. Hope that helps!