An Inside Look at New York City's Department of City Planning
Laura Smith, MA ’06, discusses how her childhood love of maps led to her current work planning New York City’s economic development.
News & Events
Department Newsletter
Exclusively for alumni, the Department of Geography and Environment newsletter features alumni and department updates, as well as event information. If you are one of our alumni, update your contact information with the GW Office of Alumni Relations to start receiving this and other exclusive alumni benefits.
Speaker Series
September 6, 2024 | Department meet-and-greet
October 18, 2024 | Dr. Brenden McNeil, West Virginia University | “Tree crown economics”
November 1, 2024 | Dr. Max Gallien, Institute of Development Studies | “Smugglers and States: Negotiating the Maghreb at Its Margins”
November 15, 2024 | Jessica Graybill, Colgate University | "From the Arctic, with angst? Considering the unintended consequences of Russia’s war on Ukraine"
December 6, 2024 | Jarred Toups, Foursquare ITP | "Dude, Where's My Bus? The Geographic Questions of Metro’s Bus Network Redesign"
Department News
The National Mall: Geography and America’s Front Yard
The National Mall is the United States’ most important public space. Professor Lisa Benton-Short looks at the Mall as a symbol of the American story.
Geographers Redefine Immigration Trends
For generations, many people believed that most immigrants to the United States were people with limited education or training who came for economic opportunity
At Geography Mapathons, Students Make Their Mark on the World
Geography students have helped combat malaria in Mozambique, mudslides in Sierra Leone and an Ebola outbreak in Guinea.
CALM Project Awarded $1.2 Million for Permafrost Observation
The CALM project, led by Associate Professor of Geography Nikolay Shiklomanov, won a five-year grant from the National Science Foundation.
Special Events
Mapathon
Hosted by a student group, Mapathons are held at least once each semester to contribute to international aid efforts. Using open-source mapping software, participants help map areas that are identified as at risk for or have recently experienced disasters. All members of the GW community are invited to join a Mapathon event — no experience required.
Geography Bowl
The American Association of Geographers hosts the annual World Geography Bowl, a quiz tournament featuring teams of undergraduate and graduate students from schools across the Mid-Atlantic region. The winning team and individuals win prizes, and all participants receive a travel stipend to offset expenses.
Visit the Department of Geography and Environment's Facebook page to see upcoming events and read recaps of past competitions and prizes. Contact the department to participate.