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Geography cultivates informed and engaged global citizens through an emphasis on integrative problem solving, spatial analysis, and communication skills. Our department bridges the natural sciences, social sciences, and the humanities to provide a better understanding of the earth's cultural and biological diversity.
Department News

We're pleased to recognize our 2020 departmental award winners:

Outstanding Senior Geographer: Emily Routman

Exemplary Geography Research Award: Nia Cambridge

Exemplary Service Award: Griffin Walsh  

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University of Richmond Professor Todd Lookingbill Receives State Council of Higher Education Outstanding Faculty Award
Todd Lookingbill, University of Richmond associate professor of geography, environmental studies, and biology, has been named an Outstanding Faculty Award recipient by the State Council of Higher Education.
Rong Bao, '21
Science leadership scholar researches reforestation efforts in Asia and heat and air pollution in Richmond
University of Richmond Department of Geography Creates Open Access COVID-19 Digital Dashboard Using GIS Technology
The UR Department of Geography has used GIS (geographic information system) technology to create a COVID-19 dashboard.
University of Richmond Geography Professors Awarded $700K Grant From NASA to Study Environmental Changes in the Amazon
Stephanie Spera, assistant professor of geography at the University of Richmond, has been awarded more than $700,000 from NASA for a three-year project to study ecosystem changes in the Amazon rainforest.
Five UR Students Join Global Network of Campus Change Makers
Five University of Richmond students have been named University Innovation Fellows.
University of Richmond Faculty Experts Discuss Climate Change
University of Richmond faculty and staff experts are available to discuss climate change.
Peru-Brazil 2019 GTASO GIS Workshop
The week-long workshop was held between July 1 to July 5, 2019 and the team produced a suite of thematic maps.
University of Richmond Professor Stephanie Spera Awarded Fellowship for Fall Foliage Research in Acadia National Park
Stephanie Spera, an assistant professor in the University of Richmond Department of Geography and the Environment, has been awarded a fellowship to conduct research in Acadia National Park in Maine.
University of Richmond Professor Todd Lookingbill Honored for Leadership in Landscape Ecology
University of Richmond’s Todd Lookingbill, associate professor of geography, environmental studies, and biology, has received the 2019 Distinguished Service Award by the U.S. Regional Association of the International Association for Landscape Ecology.
University of Richmond Hosts Environmental Racism Symposium
The University of Richmond Department of Geography and the Environment and Bonner Center for Civic Engagement will host a symposium focusing on environmental racism Feb. 4, noon to 3 p.m., in the Robins School of Business, Ukrop Auditorium.
UR Geography and the Environment Professor David Salisbury Receives Grant to Map Threatened Borderlands in the Amazon
David Salisbury, University of Richmond associate professor and chair of the Department of Geography and the Environment, has received a grant from the Pan-American Institute of Geography and History to research environmental challenges in the Amazon.
University of Richmond to Host Panel Discussion About Environmental Justice and Pipelines Debate
The University of Richmond’s Department of Geography and the Environment is hosting a panel discussion focusing on environmental justice Oct. 2 in the Carole Weinstein International Center Commons.
GTU Named Honors ChapterUR's chapter of Gamma Theta Upsilon, the geography fraternity, was recognized as an Honors Chapter for 2018. Honors chapters are selected for their campus service and commitment to recognizing outstanding student scholarship in geography.
Researching Global Ecosystems in AustraliaGeography professor Todd Lookingbill and his students traveled to Australia’s Outback and Great Barrier Reef for classes on biology, geography and conservation.
Faculty and Students Research Kenyan Settlement SchemesPolitical science professor Sandra Joireman and Spatial Analysis Lab director Kim Browne traveled with three student researchers to Kenya, where they worked with the National Land Commission to digitally map Kenyan settlement schemes. Learn more.

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Faculty and Staff Highlights

  • Lookingbill Awarded
    Lookingbill Awarded

    Todd Lookingbill, associate professor of geography, environmental studies, and biology, has been named an Outstanding Faculty Award recipient by the State Council of Higher Education. Read more.
  • Lookingbill Published
    Lookingbill Published

    Todd Lookingbill, associate professor of geography and the environment, published “Assessing Inequitable Urban Heat Islands and Air Pollution Disparities with Low-Cost Sensors in Richmond, Virginia” in Sustainability.
  • Spera Awarded
    Spera Awarded

    Stephanie Spera, assistant professor of geography, has been awarded $705,261 from The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for a three year project, Quantifying the Effects of Forest Cover Changes on Provisioning and Regulating Ecosystem Services in the Southwestern Amazon.
  • Salisbury Grant
    Salisbury Grant

    Geography professor David Salisbury has received a grant from the Pan American Institute of Geography and History to support a Transboundary Amazon Mapping Workshop.
  • Lookingbill Named Distinguished Educator
    Lookingbill Named Distinguished Educator

    Geography and biology professor Todd Lookingbill was named a 2018 University of Richmond Distinguished Educator.
  • Salisbury Award
    Salisbury Award

    Geography professor David Salisbury was given the Private Sector & Government Award at the Conference of Latin Americanist Geographers in May 2018.
  • Grayson and Lookingbill Grant

    Biology professor Kristine Grayson and geography professor Todd Lookingbill have received a grant from the National Science Foundation  to research and understand species diversity in rock pool communities in the James River.
  • Finley-Brook Appointment
    Finley-Brook Appointment

    Dr. Mary Finley-Brook was appointed by Governor McAuliffe to the Virginia Advisory Council on Environmental Justice.
  • Propst Certification
    Propst Certification

    Nancy Propst has received her Certified Administrative Professional certification from the International Association of Administrative Professionals.
  • Lookingbill Grant
    Lookingbill Grant

    Dr. Todd Lookingbill has received a grant from the National Park Service to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the natural resources at Fort Monroe National Monument and Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Monument.

Scholarship Repository Readership

The University of Richmond's Scholarship Repository shares faculty publications with a world-wide audience. The map below shows where articles from geography faculty are being read around the globe.

GIS Day 2018
Global Environment Speaker Series
GIS Day
Applied Courses

Resources

Library Research Guide

Environmental Studies Program

Global Environment Speaker Series

Global Studies Program

Office of Sustainability

Contact Us

Mailing address:
Department of Geography and the Environment
Carole Weinstein International Center
211 Richmond Way
University of Richmond, Virginia  23173

Phone: (804) 289-8661
Fax: (804) 484-1577

Spatial Analysis Laboratory: (804) 484-1518

Department Chair:  David Salisbury
Major Advisors: Mary Finley-Brook, Todd Lookingbill, David Salisbury and Stephanie Spera
Administrative Coordinator: Nancy Propst

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