Joseph holds three degrees, all in geography — Ph.D. from the University of Colorado, M.A. from the University of Kansas, and B.A. from the University of Colorado, with an emphasis on geographic education, GIS, and population geography. You might say he has a one-track mind.
Some of my philosophies include:
- Geography and spatial thinking are relevant and essential for understanding our world–its climate, vegetation, landforms, environment, people, and politics. With today’s issues of biodiversity loss, urban sprawl, climate change, epidemics, and crime becoming more widespread and personal, at no other time in history have we more acutely needed the transformational power of spatial thinking and geotechnologies.
- We are all learning from each other. We are privileged to be in this field. Share your experiences with others. Publish in venues outside your comfort zone to let others know what you are doing.
- Don’t use technology for technology’s sake. Use it to enhance what you are doing. And also, think outside the technology box. Think beyond the menus and buttons for a holistic look at the problem or issue. The best tool is not buffering or map overlay, but it is — your brain.
- GIS and spatial technologies serve as an effective bridge between disciplines, such as geography, mathematics, chemistry, biology, Earth Science, civics, environmental studies, and history.
- Consider using GIS and spatial technologies not just for research, but to transform your own teaching and learning in earth and environmental science, geography, mathematics, history, environmental studies, and other subjects.
- Be enthusiastic about what you do. People get energized when they see someone passionate about what they do. It sparks new ideas for them and it opens up conversations that you can have with them.
- Don’t forget about others–helping them to shine is more important than your own agenda. And now more than ever, we need each other.