Research-Teaching Collaborations
Over the past decade, much of my research has studied how community organizations and grassroots groups (NGOs, neighborhood groups, social movement organizations) can use maps, geographic information systems (GIS), and online spatial technologies (such as GoogleMaps) to advance their work toward social and environmental justice and sustainability. Under this broader agenda, I also teach a series of 3 GIS courses at the University of Washington, all of which include opportunities for students to work on ‘real world’ mapping and GIS projects with and for community partners. Some of our partners in the past 6 years have included Sustainable Seattle, Solid Ground, Puget Sound Partnership, the Green Futures Research and Design Lab, the South King County Food Coalition, Lettuce Link, and the National Economic and Social Rights Initiative. Full details on our past projects and partners are at these links:
These collaborations since I arrived to the University of Washington in 2006 build on a decade of similar research/teaching partnerships with inner-city community organizations in Tucson, Minneapolis, and Chicago. Key partnership include: Tucson, 2004-2005: United Way of Southern Arizona; Minneapolis, 1994-2000: People of Phillips, The Green Institute, The Powderhorn Park Neighborhood Association; and Chicago, 2003-2010: The Humboldt Park Empowerment Partnership, Near Northwest Neighborhood Association, W. Humboldt Park Family & Community Development Council.
If you are a prospective community partner, you can find more information in the flier attached here. Please don't hesitate to contact me with ideas for future collaboration.
