The Department of Geography and The Environment at The University of Texas at Austin is a division unit of the College of Liberal Arts. The Department was founded in 1949 and is a research focused institution with a well-developed graduate program . It is the first Geography Department established in Texas, and the second within the southwest region of the United States of America.

Research in the department is organized in the following research clusters:

• Space, Place and Social World
• Environmental Changes and Surface Processes
• Digital Landscapes

History

From its founding, the Department has supported regional and international studies, with special emphases on Texas and the Southwest, Latin America, the Mediterranean World and Middle East, and Northern and Eastern Europe. The Department has also provided training in the topical areas of geography. These included cultural geography, physical geography (earth sciences), and mathematical geography (cartography). By 1960, conservation (environmental resource management) had become an explicit topical focus which would be further strengthened over the years. By 1970, urban and regional analysis became an area of departmental concern, and by 2004 Urban Studies had been added as a major managed by the Department. In more recent years, remote sensing, computer cartography, and geographic information systems have been developed as additional areas of teaching and research. In 2004 the Department's name was changed to Geography and the Environment to reflect its enhanced role in the University.

Chairs

Ken Young (2009–present), William E. Doolittle (acting chair, summer 2009), Leo Zonn (2006–2009), William Doolittle (2004–2006), Gregory W. Knapp (1996–2004), William E. Doolittle (1992–1996), Paul W. English (1982–1992), George W. Hoffman (1978–1982), Robert K. Holz (1972–1978), C. Shane Davies (acting chair, 1971–1972), Robert C. Mayfield (1967–1971), Lorrin G. Kennamer (1960–1967), Donald D. Brand (1949–1960).

Department Managers

Dee Dee Barton 2005–present, Karen Eikner 2004-2005, Maria Acosta 2001-2004, Sakena Sounny-Slitine 1997-2001, Ruth Schwab 1996-1997, Jacqueline Erengil, 1992–1996; BeverlyBeaty-Benadom to 1992.

Graduate Coordinators

James Gunter 2008–present, Shannon Harris 2007-2008, Tan Thai 2005-2007, Dee Dee Barton 2001-2005, Maria Acosta 2000-2001, Mechelle Powell 1999-2000; Greg Osburn 1997-1999, Stephanie Bush 1996-1997; Ruth Schwab 1994-1996; Valerie Billingsley, 1993–1994; Judy White 1992-1993; Carol Vernon to 1992.

Undergraduate Advisors

Calina Coakwell Summer 2001–present, Sylvia Edwards-Khan Fall 1999-Spring 2001; Emily (Johnston) Summer/Spring 1999; Amanda Weaver Fall 1998; Melissa Mayo 1997-1998 (Staff position established September 1998, replacing faculty position)

Current Faculty Members

Paul C. Adams

Paul C. Adams

Paul C. Adams is an Associate Professor and Director of Urban Studies at the Department of Geography and the Environment at University of Texas at Austin...

Adina K. Batnitzky

Karl Butzer

Karl Butzer

Karl W. Butzer is an American geographer, cultural ecologist and environmental archaeologist. He was born in Germany on 19 August 1934. While he was still a child, his family emigrated, first to England, and then to Canada...

Ipsita Chatterjee

Kelley A. Crews

William E. Doolittle

William E. Doolittle

William E. Doolittle is an American geographer who is prominent among the fourth generation of the Berkeley School of Latin Americanist Geography. He is currently the Erich W. Zimmermann Regents Professor in Geography at the Department of Geography and the Environment at University of Texas at Austin...

Robin Dougthy

Robert A. Dull

Paul F. Hudson

Gregory W. Knapp

Edgardo M. Latrubesse

Jennifer A. Miller

Francisco L. Pérez

Rebecca M. Torres

Kenneth R. Young

Leo E. Zonn

Notable Past Faculty

C. Shane Davies

Paul W. English

Kenneth E. Foote

Robert K. Holz

Terry G. Jordan-Bychkov

Terry G. Jordan-Bychkov

Terry G. Jordan-Bychkov was a Professor at the Department of Geography and the Environment at University of Texas at Austin.-Early life:...

 (1938–2003)

The original faculty of the Department (1949)

Donald D. Brand (1905–1984)

Dan Stanislawski (1903–1997)

George W. Hoffman (1914–1990)

UT Geographic Information Science Center

Founded in 2004 the GIScience Center was created to solidify the Department of Geography and The Environments research and teaching focuses in Geographic Information Science. The GIScience center offers an integrated approach to GISc research and teaching. The GIScience Center is the focal point of Geographic Technologies on UT campus and work cross departmental with other research units on campus to develop GIS and Remote Sensing resources and research.

Environmental Information Science Laboratory

The Flagship computing facility of the GIScience center, open to students and researchers providing cutting edge equipment and software to develop Geographic Projects. Founded by Kenneth E. Foote in 1985, the lab is now integrated into the GIScience Center.

Robert K. Holz Remote Sensing Laboratory

Named after Robert K. Holz, the remote sensing laboratory focuses on providing computing facilities for teaching class, training, and professional development of students and researchers on campus.

Digital Landscapes Laboratory

Strictly a research laboratory, the Digital Landscapes Laboratory houses researchers performing technology demanding geographic research.

Physical Geography Center

Physical Geography laboratories provide all equipment and lab space needed for the Department.

Weather and Climate Resource Center

The department's Weather and Climate resource center maintains a digital database of Austin and Texas weather, storm and climate data including all records for the two National Weather Service first order weather observation stations for the greater Austin metropolitan area at KAUS/Austin Bergstrom International Airport (records since 1942) and at KATT/Austin City - Camp Mabry (records since 1856). In addition the Center provides weather monitoring services during special occasions or emergencies for the University of Texas.

Alumni

Well over a thousand geography and urban studies majors have earned their degrees through our Department, plus over 90 doctoral students and over 220 master's students. Most of the PhD alumni and many of the master's alumni found positions in higher education, and include a member of the National Academy of Sciences and a former president of the Association of American Geographers. The undergraduate program has graduated many successful people who have pursued careers in law, business, medicine, government, education, the military, and journalism.

External links

• Official department website
• UT Geography and The Environment YouTube Channel