While in New Glasgow this weekend, I had the chance to browse the latest issue of Canadian Geographic. Alex Trebek, Honorary President of The Royal Canadian Geographical Society, has launched an appeal in support of geographic literacy and education.
In these turbulent times, it is important that we change our level of understanding of the Earth’s geography: globally, nationally, provincially and at the local level.
In response to Trebek’s appeal, I contacted Mike Goodchild( in Seattle) and Brent Hall (in New Zealand), both with a deep understanding of both GIS technology and Geographic Information Science.
My question: what are geographers doing in these new times?
They both responded quickly on the weekend, in particular, related to the pandemic. In Brent’s words:
“So, I agree with Mike – the pandemic has provided an unprecedented window of opportunity for data analysts to realize that much of what they are analyzing is inherently geographic or spatial in nature”.
For myself, what can I do, here in Nova Scotia? In the Annapolis Valley. We have the Centre of Geographic Sciences (COGS) in Lawrencetown. They have access to the same technologies for application in Nova Scotia and the Maritimes. I forwarded the responses from Mike and Brent to COGS’ Dave Colville and Dave MacLean.
But what can I do? I can try to encourage a much higher level of Geographic literacy at the College, in the schools, and in the community. This is what I attempt through my blog.
Here are three new examples.
1
from Emergence Magazine, read the essay by Gina Rae La Cerva My Mother’s Hands.
2
go back to the video link from the BC Knowledge Network and watch The Art of Japanese Life, Episode 2: Cities.
3
from Divisions of the Heart, read the essay by Brian Robinson ‘Bridging a Divided Place’, p.77-90. Brian is a geographer interested in the relationship between geography and literature.
Footnote from Robinson, p.89. For a review of how Heidegger has influenced humanistic geography’s concern for place, see Pickles, especially Chapter 9 on Human Spatiality (p.154-170).
Acknowledgements
Mike Goodchild and Brent Hall for their detailed responses to my question. Heather, my travel companion this week, to Pictou and New Glasgow. Edward for his graphics.
References
Alex Trebek appeal in support of Geographic literacy and education. Canadian Geographic, July 2020.
Emergence Magazine, July 26,2020, Wild Medicine and the Gap between Worlds.
BC Knowledge Network, The Art of Japanese Life.
Barry, Davies, Sanger (Ed.) 2001, Divisions of the Heart. Gaspereau Press.
Brian Robinson, Bridging a Divided Place, p.77-90. in Divisions of the Heart.
John Pickles.1985.Phenomenology: Science and Geography, Spatiality and the Human Sciences.Cambridge University Press.
Ernest Blair Experiment 