Geographers at Work
The discipline of physical geography encapsulates a
diversity of subjects, though all have a common focus on the
physical environment. Physical geographers specialize and find work
in a many interesting fields. In addition to teaching, many
professors have active research agendas. In this activity, you will
explore what physical geographers do and how they conduct their work.
Many chapters in the "The Physical Environment"
table of contents include links to
"Geographers at Work". Choose one person from each sphere of the
physical environment (atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and
lithosphere) then compare and contrast their work. If you wish, you
may search for other geographers at work to use in your essay. Consider
the following as you construct your essay:
1. What is the main focus of each geographer's work?
2. Do they tend to work in one area of physical geography or do they
integrate other subdisciplines in physical geography? If they integrate with other subdisciplines, what are they?
3. Do they work collaboratively with other disciplines outside
geography? If so, what are they? If their biographical sketches do not
indicate such, can you think of disciplines outside of geography they
might draw on when conducting their work? (For help see "The Continuum of Geography)"
4. Have they focused their research in a particular
location or region? If so, where do they do their research?
5. Are they employed as an educator? If so, what
kinds of courses do they teach? Do they express any unique teaching
philosophies?
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