2023
Introducing the new onGEO Professional Certificate in Geospatial Data Analytics and Visualization
December 21, 2023
The onGEO group is proud to announce the official launch of it's newest professional certificate offering. The online Geospatial Data Analytics & Visualization Certificate aims to advance the geospatial tools & technology skill-set of professionals currently working in fields that use geospatial technologies.
Artificial light is luring birds to cities and sometimes to their deaths
December 4, 2023
Nearly 1,000 birds tragically perished after colliding with a brightly lit building in Chicago, highlighting the severe threat posed by light pollution to migrating birds. A comprehensive study, using weather radar data, revealed that artificial lighting significantly influences birds’ stopover locations during migration, often leading them into dangerous urban areas.
David Roy Makes List of Most Highly Cited Researchers for Fifth Straight Year
November 27, 2023
Dr. David Roy, Director of the Center for Global Change and Earth Observations and professor of Geography, has been named to the list of most highly cited researchers in the world for a fifth consecutive year.
MSU Geographer launches spectral ecology field school with an eye to building inclusive leaders
November 12, 2023 - Diane Huhn
Using funds from a National Science Foundation CAREER Grant, Kyla Dahlin, an associate professor with the Department of Geography, Environment and Spatial Sciences at Michigan State University, launched the Spectral Ecology Summer School (SPEC School), a brand new initiative she has spearheaded aimed primarily at graduate students and early postdoctoral researchers interested in not only incorporating remote sensing tools into their ecological research but also gaining valuable training in inclusive leadership.
Geography Awareness Week event to focus on climate change, Cajun culture, and swamp monsters
November 10, 2023 - Diane Huhn
Mark your calendar and plan to join the Michigan State University Department of Geography, Environment and Spatial Sciences on Thursday, November 16, 2023, at 7:00 PM at the MSU Business College Complex during the 36th Annual Geography Awareness Week for "Rescuing the Rougarou: Preserving culture in a changing climate."
Przybylinski co-edits new book aimed at helping social scientists theorize justice
October 31, 2023
A new volume centered on theorizing justice for social scientists, co-edited by Stephen Przybylinski, is now available. Theorising Justice: A Primer for Social Scientists brings together various schools of thought on justice, connecting normative and philosophical theories of justice with more empirically focused approaches emerging today in the social and political sciences and policy scholarship.
Spartan Geographers continue to represent at 12th Annual REP Conference
October 13, 2023
Spartan Geographers including several current members and alumni of the department's Advancing Geography Through Diversity Program recently participated in the 12th Annual Race, Ethnicity, and Place Conference held at George Washington University in Washington, DC, on October 11-13, 2023.
Grady awarded Michigan Applied Public Policy Research grant
October 11, 2023
Sue Grady, professor of Geography, has been awarded a 2023-24 Michigan Applied Public Policy Research (MAPPR) grant by the Insitute for Public Policy and Social Research (IPPSR) at MSU. Grady's project entitled "Children's blood levels in Detroit Pre and post-demolition" is one of six research projects chosen, each focused on a major policy issue facing the people of Michigan.
Henebry rejoins Editorial Board of BioScience
October 10, 2023
Earlier this summer, Professor Geoff Henebry, Department of Geography, Environment, and Spatial Sciences and the Center for Global Change and Earth Observations at Michigan State University, was invited to join the editorial board of BioScience, the journal of the American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS), published by Oxford University Press.
MSU Geography brings home Best Department Award at Homecoming
October 8, 2023
The department was thrilled to welcome our incredible MSU Alumni back to campus and earn the Best MSU Department Award during our first participation in the MSU Homecoming Parade!
Call for Proposals: 4th Annual Big Ten Academic Alliance (BTAA) GIS Conference
October 2, 2023
The BTAA GIS Conference, presented by the BTAA Geospatial Information Network, invites proposals for its fourth virtual GIS conference, taking place on Wednesday, November 8th, 2023. The BTAA GIS Conference is intended to promote conversation and collaboration between Big Ten researchers, educators, and students who use geospatial information.
Education Abroad Students Encourage Peers to Study Arts, Culture and Urban Sustainability in Rome
August 30, 2023
Each summer the Department of Geography, Environment and Spatial Sciences offers Arts, Culture & Urban Sustainability in Rome, in conjunction with the MSU College of Social Science and the International Studies and Programs Office for Education Abroad. Learn more about this engaging program.
Geography Department announce Fall 2023 Harm de Blij Scholar Award deadline
August 29, 2023
Instituted in 2013 by Harm de Blij and supported by other major donors to award scholarships to promising incoming students who choose to major in Geography at Michigan State University. de Blij Scholars will be awarded $1000 each Fall/Spring semester that they are a primary major in one of the Department’s degree programs. Deadline for the 2023 Fall Semester is 9/30/23 at 11:59 PM ET.
New images use AI to provide more detail on Maui fires
August 27, 2023 - Kim Ward
Michigan State University researchers have produced new detailed maps of the devastating fires in Maui, which can be used to help work out where and when the fires occurred to guide where postfire remediation activities should be prioritized and to assess future fire risk.
Professor Emeritus, Joe T. Darden, publishes book examining Detroit after bankruptcy
August 21, 2023 - Patti McDonald
Dr. Joe T. Darden, Professor Emeritus of the Department of Geography, Environment and Spatial Sciences at Michigan State University, recently published his third book about the city of Detroit, "Detroit after Bankruptcy: Are There Trends towards an Inclusive City?" The book provides a close analysis of the city and its future ten years after it first filed for bankruptcy in 2013.
MSU scientists find plants' ability to fight climate change is weakening
August 15, 2023 - Diane Huhn
New research by Michigan State University climate experts published in the Journal "Science" indicates that plants' ability to absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) may have stalled.
MSU distinguished professor appointed to premier academic publisher’s Climate Action Advisory Board
August 13, 2023
Emilio F. Moran, a John A. Hannah Distinguished Professor at Michigan State University and respected researcher in the natural and social sciences, was recently appointed to the Elsevier Climate Action Advisory Board and will join distinguished international experts in the fields of climate research to accelerate action to address the climate crisis.
Third annual MSU Geography alumni golf outing set for September 8
June 12, 2023
The MSU Department of Geography, Environment, and Spatial Sciences Alumni Advisory Board will be hosting its third annual golf outing at Wheatfield Valley Golf Course in Williamston. The event is set to take place on Friday, September 8, 2023, beginning at 8:30 AM.
David Roy discusses importance of Landsat Science Team on USGS EROS Center podcast
June 11, 2023
David Roy, MSU professor of geography and director of the Center for Global Change and Earth Observations, was recently featured on the "Eyes on Earth" podcast produced by the USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center.
MSU research rewrites the story of Lake Michigan's coastal dune evolution
June 5, 2023 - Diane Huhn
In a new publication appearing in "Quaternary Science Reviews," coastal geomorphologist and Great Lakes Dune expert Alan Arbogast and his collaborators have set out to comprehensively assess the evolution of dunes along Lake Michigan, and the role lake level fluctuations and climate have played in this 5,500-year history.
MSU Geography Alumna Earns Early Career Award
May 22, 2023 - Britta Wellenstein
In honor of her significant accomplishments and contributions to the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center (GLBRC) and the broader scientific community, Spartan Geography Alumna Cheyenne Lei has been awarded the 2023 Jennifer L. Reed Bioenergy Science Award.
Announcing the 2023 MSU Geography Award Recipients
May 9, 2023
The Department of Geography, Environment, and Spatial Sciences at Michigan State University offers congratulations to all of our 2023 GEO Award recipients recognizing student academic achievement.
MSU research indicates increased views of nature decrease behavior issues in elementary classrooms
May 2, 2023 - Diane Huhn
Under the direction of Amber Pearson, an associate professor in the MSU Department of Geography, Environment and Spatial Sciences, a cross-disciplinary team of health scientists, including geographers, a psychologist, kinesiologists, and a statistician, sought to assess the connection between nature views from classroom windows and children’s behavior problems.
Josh Pepper named MSU College of Social Science Outstanding Senior in Geography
May 1, 2023
The Department of Geography, Environment and Spatial Sciences at Michigan State University proudly announces that Josh Pepper has been named the MSU College of Social Science Outstanding Senior in Geography.
onGEO announces new drone course in collaboration with MSU's RS&GIS and Project GREEEN
April 24, 2023
Online Geography at Michigan State University (onGEO), a branch of the Department of Geography, Environment and Spatial Sciences, has announced the upcoming launch of a new course designed for those who wish to use drones as a mapping platform.
Registration is now open for onGEO’s upcoming professional GIS certificate courses
April 19, 2023
Registration is now open for the next session of onGEO's upcoming professional certificate courses. The session, which begins May 1, will feature three core courses, each of which count toward earning a Professional Certificate in GIS!
MSU Geography alum details war’s potential toxic impact on Ukrainian farmland
April 11, 2023 - Diane Huhn
Michigan State University Geography alum Joseph Hupy, a digital soil geomorphologist now at Purdue University, was recently featured on an episode of “All Things Considered” on NPR to discuss potential long-term impacts on Ukrainian soil as a result of the war taking place there.
MSU Geography professor earns professional achievement award
April 10, 2023 - Kara Mackenzie
Guo Chen, an associate professor with the Department of Geography, Environment and Spatial Sciences at Michigan State University (MSU), recently received a professional achievement award from the MSU Center for Gender in Global Context and the MSU Women*s Student Services.
Geography Career Day and Job Fair to take place March 31
March 14, 2023
The Michigan State University Department of Geography, Environment, & Spatial Science (GEO), along with Career Services Network, are pleased to announce the return of an in-person MSU-GEO Career Day & Job Fair to take place on Friday, March 31, 2023, from 2:30-4:30 PM EST.
Award and scholarship application deadline extended
February 28, 2023
The MSU Department of Geography, Environment, and Spatial Sciences offers a variety of scholarships and funding sources for undergraduate and graduate students. The 2022-23 GEO Awards Committee is now accepting applications for several student awards and scholarships. Applications are due March 14, 2023, at 5:00 PM.
Spartan Strong
February 20, 2023
During tragic events, Spartans rally to ensure our campus and community have the resources necessary to provide for those in need. As the MSU community comes together to assist one another, learn more about how you can financially support the university with numerous challenges surrounding the evolving crisis.
Enrollment Open for MSU Online Geography (onGEO) Professional Certificate 223 Courses
February 10, 2023
Enrollment is now open for the next session of the Online Geography (onGEO) Professional Certificate Program. Classes begin March 6, 2023.
MSU Geography professor edits social-justice-focused issue of The Professional Geographer
February 9, 2023
Guo Chen, an associate professor with the Department of Geography, Environment and Spatial Science at Michigan State University (MSU), has edited a newly published issue of The Professional Geographer, the official journal of the American Association of Geographers (AAG). The special issue is titled "Hidden Geographies: Migration, Intersectionality, and Social Justice in a Global Contemporaneous Space."
Geography Awards Committee announces call for student award and scholarship applications
January 27, 2023
The MSU Department of Geography, Environment, and Spatial Sciences offers a variety of scholarships and funding sources for undergraduate and graduate students. The 2022-23 GEO Awards Committee is now accepting applications for several student awards and scholarships. Applications are due March 14, 2023, at 5:00 PM.