Research


 

ENVIRONMENTAL GEOGRAPHY

Research in environmental geography at UNA is focused on understanding the surficial environment with a goal to link spatial patterns and processes. Research spans the fields of biogeography, climatology, and geomorphology. We work at multiple spatial and temporal scales and in a number of world regions.  Affiliated faculty members are Drs. Gaston and Hart.


Current Projects:

Examining climate-induced sea-level change and impact on the beaches in the Bahamas (Gaston)


 

GEOGRAPHY EDUCATION

For more than 20 years, faculty members have been involved in state-wide K-12 outreach, research, and education activities. Partnering with the Alabama Geographic Alliance (AGA) and funded through the National Geographic Society and the Alabama State Department of Education, the department has sponsored 1-3 week geography institutes, geography technology institutes and numerous in-service programs for K-12 teachers. In 2007, UNA became the host institution for the AGA and Dr. Strong became the alliance coordinator.  All faculty are involved in this research


Current Projects:

  • Alliance Summer Geography Institute (June 2009)
  • In-service workshops through the NW Alabama Regional In-service Center
  • Geography Action and Geography Awareness Week
  • My Wonderful World Public Awareness Campaign with National Geographic Society
  • Environmental Hazards Workshop – National Council for Geographic Education

 

GEOSPATIAL TECHNIQUES

Within the Department of Geography, geospatial techniques are used within all research areas. In particular, the areas of disaster recovery analysis using remotely sensed data, participatory GIS in Africa, and electrical resistance analysis of glaciers. In addition, Latin American urban land use using GPS, GIS, and field research has been conducted in Costa Rica, as combined projects with faculty and students. Research spans both urban, physical and nature-society interactions. Affiliated faculty members are Drs. Gaston, Keys-Mathews, Koti and Strong. (All projects are listed in other areas.)


 

HUMAN GEOGRAPHY

Human Geography explores the spatial aspects of human life. Patterns of economic activity, political action, and cultural life all fall within the realm of human geography. Geography faculty at UNA are currently investigating such diverse topics as identity theft in United States counties; the use of participatory Geographical Information Systems (GIS) in Kenya and Alabama; sovereign wealth funds and economic development in Oceania, Alaska, Canada, and Europe; tourism issues in a variety of regions; and peri-urban development in Costa Rica. Study areas include Costa Rica, Peru, Kenya, southern Alabama, and Alaska. Affiliated faculty members are Drs. Keys-Mathews, Koti, Pretes and Strong.


Current Projects:

Participatory GIS and African Urbanization (Dr. Koti)

Peri-Urban Development near San José, Costa Rica (Dr. Strong)

Regional Development Issues in Alabama’s Black Belt: Using Participatory GIS (Dr. Koti)

Routine Activities Theory and Identity Theft: Applying Geographic Approaches to Criminological Questions (Dr. Keys-Mathews and Dr. Craig Robertson, Sociology)

Sovereign Wealth Funds and Economic Development (Dr. Pretes)

Tourism Development in Remote Regions (Dr. Pretes)


 

NATURE-SOCIETY INTERACTION

Nature and society interaction is a research area that cross the sub-discipline line between human and physical geography. This research involves humans affect on Earth's landscape and atmosphere and the physical environment's affect on humans. Geography faculty at UNA are currently research disaster recovery, land use change, spatial patterns of identity theft, tourism, and urbanization. Study areas include Costa Rica, Peru, Kenya, southern Alabama, and Alaska. Affiliated faculty are Keys-Mathews, Gaston, and Strong.


Current Projects:

Hurricane modeling using HAZUS Model (Gaston)

Katrina disaster recovery monitoring using satellite imagery (Keys-Mathews)

Urban Land Use Change in San Jose, Costa Rica (Keys-Mathews and Strong)

US Department of Justice COPS project studying patterns of crime before and after a disaster (Keys-Mathews, Robertson [Sociology], Bridgmon [Criminal Justice], Strong, Johnson [Criminal Justice] and Carter [Criminal Justice])