Community Geography Panel Discussion

Friday, November 3, 2023; 3:30-5pm

CHARP invites you to join us for two interactive panel discussions about community engaged research and the growing field of community geographies.

RSVP here

Panel 1: Student experiences (3:30-4:15)

Geography PhD Candidates utilizing community-engaged research share their experiences

Speakers include:

Hannah Partridge, PhD Candidate studying human-raptor interactions

Hannah Partridge is a doctoral candidate at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She is originally from South Dakota where she grew up in the Black Hills area. Hannah received a bachelor’s degree in Conservation Biology from the University of South Dakota in 2017, a masters in Earth Science from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in 2021, and will be completing her doctorate in 2024. Her dissertation research uses a variety of quantitative and qualitative methods to study human-raptor interactions across North America, focusing primarily on how humans interact with black vulture populations.

Dylan Turner, PhD Candidate studying community land trusts

Dylan is a PhD candidate in geography at UNC Charlotte and a member of the Charlotte Action Research Project (CHARP). His dissertation explores how collective land ownership models can be leveraged in cities to realize racial justice

Erick Suarez Salazar, PhD Candidate studying placemaking through sports in Latinx communities

Erick Suarez Salazar is PhD candidate in Geography at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He is originally from Mexico City, Mexico but has spent significant time living in Charlotte, North Carolina. He received his bachelor’s degree in History from North Carolina State University in 2017 and a master’s degree in Latin America Studies from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in 2019. His dissertation explores how participation in soccer contributes to placemaking in Latinx communities.


Panel 2: Strategies for Institutionalizing Community Geograhies (4:15-5)

Center directors share about their models and strategies for obtaining institutional support

Speakers include:

Dr. Daniel Block, Chicago State University

Daniel Block is Professor of Geography at Chicago State University, where he studies food availability and access. He is coordinator of the Fredrick Blum Neighborhood Assistance Center (NAC), which provides technical and research assistance to grass-root, economic, and community developing organizations. His academic publications include articles on the gendering of milk 1880 – 1920, the foodways of the urban poor, and the book Chicago: A Food Biography

Dr. Jennifer Mapes, Kent State University

Dr. Jennifer Mapes is a community geographer at Kent State University in Ohio specializing in urban sustainability and cartographic design. Her primary research and teaching interest is connecting global and national change to local outcomes, with a focus on sustainability in small cities. Jen’s book “The New American Small Town” will be published next year. 

Dr. Jonelle Robinson, Syracuse University

Dr. Jonnell Robinson is an Associate Professor of Geography and the Director of the Syracuse Community Geography Program at Syracuse University. Her research and teaching interests include community-based and participatory action research, and specifically Participatory GIS. Robinson collaborates with grassroots and community-based organizations to use geographic inquiry to better understand and address social and economic disparities.