AAG Welcomes Spring 2021 Interns
Two new interns have joined the AAG staff this spring! The AAG would like to welcome Ilan and Jennifer to the organization. Ilan Gritzman recently graduated from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor’s of Science in Public Administration and a minor in Urban and Regional Planning. Ilan has previously interned for Smithsonian Libraries…
In memoriam: Robert Thomas Kuhlken
Robert Thomas Kuhlken, retired professor of geography and former geography department chair at Central Washington University, died on January 1, 2021. He was 67. Kuhlken was a lifelong scholar, educator, and tireless observer of the natural world. He was more comfortable outdoors than in, and always eager to explore new terrain. He studied at the…
In Memoriam: William A. Dando
William A. Dando, Distinguished Professor of Geography and professor emeritus at Indiana State University, passed away on January 1, 2021, at the age of 86, after a brief illness. Throughout his life, he was an exemplar of a balanced academic life, excelling at research and teaching while also serving his communities: a true “gentleman” of…
AAG Joins in Support for Faculty Rights
On Tuesday, January 26, AAG sent a letter to the Chancellor of the University of Kansas, asking him not to act on the recent Kansas Board of Regents' decision to allow the suspension and termination of university employees, including tenured faculty, without formally declaring a financial emergency. Chancellor Girod recognized our letter and thoughtfully acknowledged…
AAG Newsletter: January 2021
January 2021 Welcome to the Newsletter of the American Association of Geographers (AAG). For more up-to-date news, stories, and announcements, read PRESIDENT'S COLUMN Advocate for Geography in Austerity Part 2 By Amy Lobben This is Part 2 of a two-part column I started last month on what geography departments can do (and should not do) to advocate…
Getting Our Bearings in Washington, D.C. and Charting Our Future
The insurrection at the United States Capitol on January 6th was equal parts terrifying and disorienting. As always, during a crisis, it takes time for the full story to emerge, but a few things are clear now: words and principles matter, and unity can only occur after accountability. These events heighten our appreciation of the…
Advocate for Geography in Austerity – Part 2
This is Part 2 of a two-part column on what geography departments can do (and should not do) to advocate for their work in budget talks, which are all the more crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic. These points are largely derived from answers I received from geographers in upper administrative positions at universities. As I…
AAG Holds Workshops on Public Scholarship at Virtual Regional Division Meetings
In response to the growing need and opportunity for geographers to enter into public scholarship, AAG recently developed a workshop to help our members--at all stages of your careers--share research and perspectives across different forms of public media. Chief Scientist at Esri, Dawn Wright, often uses her LinkedIn page to share blog-style articles on topics…
AAG Announces 2021 AAG Award Recipients
The American Association of Geographers congratulates the individuals and entities named to receive an AAG Award. The awardees represent outstanding contributions to and accomplishments in the geographic field. 2021 Diversity and Inclusion Award The AAG Diversity and Inclusion Award (formerly the Enhancing Diversity Award) honors those geographers who have pioneered efforts toward, or actively participate…
AAG Newsletter: December 2020
December 2020 Welcome to the Newsletter of the American Association of Geographers (AAG). For more up-to-date news, stories, and announcements, read PRESIDENT'S COLUMN Advocate for Geography in Austerity By Amy Lobben This month I will begin a two-part column on what geography departments can do (and should not do) to advocate for their work in budget talks,…
Regional Divisions Announce Outstanding Student Papers During their Fall Meetings
While most of the 2020 AAG Regional Division Meetings shifted to an online format due to the effects of COVID-19, students continued to present outstanding work in their respective regions. An exciting addition to the student presentations this year was the creation of a new award to recognize the increased participation of undergraduate students at…
The Advancement of Location Analytics in Business Schools
by Joseph Kerski Education Manager, Esri, and Instructor, University of Denver A quiet geographic revolution is occurring on many university and college campuses around the world. Faculty and students in schools and colleges of business are increasingly turning to GIS tools and data in instruction and research. Given that business has always been about "location,…