Department of Geography and the Environment - School of Arts & Sciences

Department of Geography and the Environment

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 2019 departmental award winner:

Outstanding Senior Geographer: Matt Franklin

Congratulations to our SAL interns as they took home 2nd and 3rd place in the Undergraduate Web Map competition at the 2019 VAMLIS Virginia GIS Conference. See their winning maps on the Spatial Analysis Lab blog.

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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.

John Moeser

After 12 years at the University — and decades more working and teaching in the city of Richmond — John Moeser will retire knowing thousands of former students were inspired to become engaged citizens.

Carly Sibilia, '17

Driving along the Jersey shore, Carly Sibilia, '17, searches for northern diamondback terrapins. With each one she measures and tags, she hopes to get one step closer to protecting the health of the turtle population for years to come.

Spatial Analysis Lab

Student interns gain value work experience; provide community service through work in Spatial Analysis Lab

Diego Leal, '15

Diego Leal, ’15, was the student speaker at this year’s Arts and Sciences Honors Convocation. He delivered the following remarks about his Richmond experience.

Bridget Ward, '11

It wasn’t that long ago that Bridget Ward, ’11, was unfamiliar with the computer-based mapping tool GIS. Today, she’s a GIS analyst and environmental planner working on a proposed high-speed rail project between Richmond and Washington.

Community-Based Learning for a Day

UR’s community-based-learning program takes the classroom into the world beyond campus

Celia Landesberg, '14

From starting a recycling program at her middle school to research working in the sustainability office at Richmond, Celia Landesberg, ’14, experienced a variety of opportunities in the field of sustainability.

Anna Sangree, '15

Geography student Anna Sangree, ’15, explores how your ZIP code affects the opportunities you have in life.

Dillon Massey, '15

As an intern with USAID in Peru, Dillon Massey, ’15, combined his interests in conservation and geography, and learned about how maps establish power and influence change.

Samantha Frandsen, '13

From subterranean Rome to the top of the Carole Weinstein International Center, Samantha Frandsen, ’13, shaped an interdisciplinary education.

Tiho Kostadinov, '02

As a postdoctoral fellow, Tiho Kostadinov, ’02, investigated climate change, the environment, and how to balance research and teaching.

Escaping the Ivory Tower

Community partnerships between faculty and area organizations benefit both the classroom and the community.

URSF National Park Service

Upcoming Events

There are no events currently scheduled.

Faculty and Staff Highlights

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
Geography and biology professor Todd Lookingbill was named a 2018 University of Richmond Distinguished Educator.
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
Dr. Mary Finley-Brook was appointed by Governor McAuliffe to the Virginia Advisory Council on Environmental Justice.
Propst Certification
Nancy Propst has received her Certified Administrative Professional certification from the International Association of Administrative Professionals.
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.
Klinker and students travel to Australia
Spatial Analysis Lab Director Kim Klinker took a group of students to Australia in the summer of 2014. See the story map of their travels.
Salisbury on All Things Considered
David Salisbury was featured on NPR's All Things Considered, talking about the illegal logging situation in the Peruvian-Brazil borderlands of Amazonia and the recent deaths of local activists seeking to draw attention to the situation. He and Diego Leal, '15, also authored an op-ed on the tragic death of their colleague Edwin Chota for the Huffington Post.
Kostadinov publishes paper
Research associate Dr. Tiho Kostadinov, '02, and Roy Gilb, '14, recently published a paper in the journal Geoscientific Model Development.

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 2017

Resources

Library Research Guide

Environmental Studies Program

Global Environment Speaker Series

International 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) 287-6307
Fax: (804) 484-1577

Spatial Analysis Laboratory: (804) 484-1518

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