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by Michigan State University Geography, Environment, and Spatial Sciences
Today in Geography is a podcast produced by the Department of Geography, Environment, and Spatial Sciences at Michigan State University. Each episode, we talk with members of our community about their research and interests, and then we spend some time spotlighting events and celebrations that have shaped the field of geography.
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- Sep 13, 202645 min
Today in Geography - Celebrating Programmers' Day with Arika Ligmann-Zielinska
Today, we welcomed Arika Ligmann-Zielinska, an Associate Professor in the Department of Geography, Environment, and Spatial Sciences at Michigan State University. Dr. Ligmann-Zielinska’s areas of study include spatial analysis, coupledhuman-environment modeling, and agent-based models.Arika discussed the annual celebration of Programmers’ Day, which honors the programming profession and the impact of software on daily life, often featuring code sharing, tech discussions, and company recognition for developers. It is celebrated on the 256th day of the year, which is the highestpower of 2 less than 365 (\(2^8 = 256\)), representing an 8-bit byte. In 2026, a common year, this falls on September 13th.You can learn more about Dr. Ligmann-Zielinska’s research on her MSU Geography directory page. Our sponsor for this episode is the MSU Geography Undergraduate Program. At MSU Geography, you won’t just study the world — you’ll help shape it. Ready to map your future? Visit geo.msu.edu and talk with an academicadvisor today.
- Jul 23, 202634 min
Today in Geography - Celebrating the Anniversary of Landsat 1 with Erin Bunting
Today, we welcomed Erin Bunting, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Geography, Environment, and Spatial Sciences at Michigan State University. Dr. Bunting’s areas of study include leveraging big data geospatial analysis, modeling, and statistics to understand environmental change, climate impacts, and human–environment connections. Dr. Bunting is co-editor of a newly released book titled Remote Sensing, Big Data, and GeoAI: Exploring Applications with Geospatial Insights.Erin discussed the importance and legacy of the July 23, 1972, launch of the first civilian Earth-observation satellite, Landsat 1 (originally known as the Earth Resources Technology Satellite (ERTS-1)). You can learn more about Dr. Bunting’s research on her MSU Geography directory page. To learn more about Landsat 1 and the other Landsat missions, visit the US Geological Survey (USGS) Landsat Mission website. Our sponsor for this episode is the MSU Geography Undergraduate Program. At MSU Geography, you won’t just study the world — you’ll help shape it. Ready to map your future? Visit geo.msu.edu and talk with an academic advisor today.
- Jun 5, 202642 min
Today in Geography - Celebrating World Environment Day with Leo Zulu
Today, we welcomed LeoZulu, a professor in the Department of Geography, Environment, and Spatial Sciences , and the Director of the African Studies Center at Michigan State University.Dr. Zulu’s areas of study include Political ecology, environment and development, resource management in rural Africa, remote sensing, and GIS. Leo discussed World Environment Day, a celebration observed annually on June 5 that promotes awareness and action to protect the environment.You can find Dr. Zulu on LinkedIn and Google Scholar. Our sponsor for this episode is the MSU Geography Undergraduate Program. At MSU Geography, you won’t just study the world — you’ll help shape it. Ready to map your future? Visit geo.msu.edu and talk with an academicadvisor today.
- May 4, 202640 min
Today in Geography - Celebrating National Drinking Water Week with Angelique Willis
Today, we welcomed Angelique Willis to the show. Angelique is a dual-major PhD student in the MSU Department of Geography, Environment, and Spatial Sciences and the Environmental Science and Policy Program. Angelique is strongly committed to leveraging her expertise in Geography, Public Health, Epidemiology, Environmental Health, and GIS to enhance drinking water quality and safeguard human health. Her work focuses on the unique drinking water challenges faced by low-income communities and communities of color, where systemic inequities often exacerbate these issues. Through rigorous research and informed policy advocacy, Angelique aims to uncover and address these disparities, driving transformative changes. Her approach involves mapping drinking water quality issues and conducting studies to assess health impacts. Ultimately, she strives to create sustainable solutions that resonate both locally and nationally, advancing environmental justice and improving public health outcomes.Angelique also discussed the importance of National Drinking Water Week, which takes place the first week of May. In 1988, the American Water Works Association (AWWA) brought Drinking Water Week to the attention of the U.S. government and formed a coalition along with the League of Women Voters, the Association of State Drinking Water Administrators, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Rep. Robert Roe and Sen. Dennis DeConcini subsequently sponsored a resolution to name the first week of May as Drinking Water Week, and the week-long observance was declared in a joint congressional resolution signed by then-President Ronald Reagan. Recognizing Drinking Water Week is an easy way to educate the public, connect with the community, and promote employee morale. Too often, water utilities only receive negative publicity — a main break in the middle of rush hour or increasing rates. Recognizing Drinking Water Week provides an opportunity for positive communication.For more information about Angelique’s work, visit her LinkedIn page. To learn more about National Drinking Water Week, visit the American Water Works Association website. Our Sponsor: The MSU onGEO Professional GIS Certificate ProgramOur sponsor for this episode is the onGEO Professional GIS Certificate Program at Michigan State University. Their online Geospatial Data Analytics & Visualization Certificate aims to advance the geospatial tools & technology skill-set of professionals currently working in fields that use geospatial technologies. It is also an excellent opportunity for anyone looking to revamp their current career, earn continuing-education or teaching credits, or simply learn new and marketable skills.The online Geospatial Data Analytics & Visualization Certificate consists of four (core) fully online courses that are each delivered in 7-week sessions. These core courses cover topics ranging from map design, interactive and temporal mapping, geovisualization, spatial data analytics, spatial statistics, geoprocessing, geospatial analysis, and much more. In addition to content-based modules, each course features a series of online labs designed to give students hands-on experience using geospatial technologies and improve technical competency.Ready to get started? Visit ongeo.msu.edu to learn more.
- May 1, 202647 min
Today in Geography - Celebrating International Workers' Day with Mehmet Eroğlu
Today, we welcomed Mehmet Eroğlu, a recent graduate of the Ph.D. program at the Department of Geography, Environment, and Spatial Sciences at Michigan State University.Mehmet is a human geographer whose research focuses on power struggles in the production of landscapes, particularly in relation to workers and working-class communities. His work seeks to understand how, to what extent, and under what structural constraints and opportunities workers exercise their agency in shaping their own geographies. While his broader research interests center on the intersections of labor, place, and power rather than specific regional contexts, his current research examines the struggles of informal coal miners in Turkey.Mehmet discussed International Workers’ Day, a celebration of labourers and the working classes that is promoted by the international labour movement and occurs every year on May 1st. To celebrate this important holiday, Mehmet encourages listeners to watch Bread and Roses, a film directed by Kenneth Loach, starring Pilar Padilla, Adrien Brody and Elpidia Carrillo.Our sponsor for this episode is the MSU Geography Undergraduate Program. At MSU Geography, you won’t just study the world — you’ll help shape it. Ready to map your future? Visit geo.msu.edu and talk with an academic advisor today.
- Apr 22, 202644 min
Today in Geography - Celebrating Earth Day with Leo Baldiga
Today, we welcomed Leo Baldiga to the show. Leo is a dual-major PhD student in the MSU Department of Geography, Environment, and Spatial Sciences and the Environmental Science and Policy Program. His research interests include the areas of Agrarian Change, Natural Resource Rights, Commons Politics, Development, and Demographic and Cultural Shifts in Southeast Asia. Leo graduated with a BA in Comparative Cultures and Politics from MSU's James Madison College in 2020 and was a Fulbright Research Fellow at Chiang Mai University in 2021, working with local community organizations on a range of topics related to land rights, healthcare access, and statelessness. In 2022-23 he worked with the Mekong School Institute of Local Knowledge on the Mekong Water Protectors citizen science program, Mekong Youth Program, Mekong Safeguard Program, and the Mekong School Digital Library. Throughout this time, he has been working on the Mekong Culture WELL (Water, Ecologies, Land, and Livelihoods) grant through the James Madison College on a household survey, ecocultural mapping, and various other projects.Leo also discussed the importance of the founding of Earth Day on April 22, 1970. Inspired by the anti-war "teach-ins" of the 1960s, Senator Gaylord Nelson (D-WI) proposed a national teach-in on the environment after witnessing the environmental damage caused by the 1969 Santa Barbara, California oil spill. Denis Hayes, a young activist, was hired to organize the first national event. The date of April 22 was chosen to fall between spring break and final exams at most colleges and universities to maximize student participation. Today, more than a billion people in nearly 200 countries celebrate Earth Day, making it the largest secular, civic-minded day of action in the world.If you would like to learn more about Leo’s research on agricultural drone use, please visit “Agricultural drones are taking off globally, saving farmers time and money,” an article Leo wrote for The Conversation with co-author Ben Belton. If you would like to learn more about Earth Day, visit https://www.epa.gov/earthday. Our Sponsor: The MSU onGEO Professional GIS Certificate ProgramOur sponsor for this episode is the onGEO Professional GIS Certificate Program at Michigan State University. Their online Geospatial Data Analytics & Visualization Certificate aims to advance the geospatial tools & technology skill-set of professionals currently working in fields that use geospatial technologies. It is also an excellent opportunity for anyone looking to revamp their current career, earn continuing-education or teaching credits, or simply learn new and marketable skills.The online Geospatial Data Analytics & Visualization Certificate consists of four (core) fully online courses that are each delivered in 7-week sessions. These core courses cover topics ranging from map design, interactive and temporal mapping, geovisualization, spatial data analytics, spatial statistics, geoprocessing, geospatial analysis, and much more. In addition to content-based modules, each course features a series of online labs designed to give students hands-on experience using geospatial technologies and improve technical competency.Ready to get started? Visit ongeo.msu.edu to learn more.
- Apr 14, 202630 min
Today in Geography - Remembering A Sand County Almanac with Alanna Post
Today, we welcomed Alanna Post to the show. Alanna is a PhD student in the MSU Department of Geography, Environment, and Spatial Sciences with a dual major in Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior. She received her B.S. in Ecology and Environmental Biology from the Biology department at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and her M.S. in Biology from Sonoma State University (Rohnert Park, CA). She is interested in forest ecology, disturbance ecology, and remote sensing. Alanna's research focuses on understanding post-fire forest recovery dynamics through the lens of forest structure.Alanna discussed her research as well as the influence she experienced from reading A Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold. On April 14, 1948, Oxford University Press informed Leopold that it wished to publish his manuscript. One week later, Leopold suffered a fatal heart attack while fighting a grass fire that had escaped from a neighbor’s farm near the shack. In the months that followed, Leopold’s son, Luna, took the lead in getting the manuscript into print.If you would like to learn more about Alanna’s research, please visit the Ecological Remote Sensing and Modeling Lab at https://www.ersamlab.com/. If you would like to learn more about Aldo Leopold and A Sand County Almanac, visit https://www.aldoleopold.org/. Our sponsor for this episode is the Undergraduate Degree Program for the Department of Geography, Environment, and Spatial Sciences at Michigan State University. Choose from Bachelor of Science concentrations in Earth Observation & Geospatial Analytics, Physical Environment & Climate, or Human-Environment & Economic Geography. Or tailor your path through human, physical, and regional geography courses with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Ready to map your future? Visit geo.msu.edu to talk with an academic advisor today.
- Mar 11, 202653 min
Today in Geography: Remembering the declaration of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Today, we welcomed Dr. Sue Grady, a professor in the Department of Geography, Environment, and Spatial Sciences at Michigan State University. Dr. Grady is a health and medical geographer. Her research focuses on women’s health, specifically maternal and infant health. She is interested in understanding how local environments in which women live impact their health (i.e., increase the opportunity for infectious disease transmission and/or contribute to chronic diseases), which in turn, impair their pregnancies, leading to adverse maternal and infant outcomes. Most of her current research focuses on reducing maternal and infant mortality. She is studying perinatal regionalization in Michigan to improve our understanding of inpatient hospital referral patterns of high-risk African American mothers and infants. Dr. Grady utilizes geographic information systems (GIS) and spatial epidemiological methods, including multilevel modeling, to disentangle these complexities. The students she mentors are interested in a variety of health and medical geography topics.Dr. Grady discussed her research as well as the official declaration of COVID-19 as a global pandemic by the World Health Organization on March 11, 2020. If you would like to learn more about Dr. Grady’s research, please visit https://geo.msu.edu/directory/grady-sue.html or her Google Scholar page at https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=IdbEU9oAAAAJ&hl=en.If you would like to learn more about the American Association of Geographers Health and Medical Geography Specialty group, visit https://www.aag.org/groups/health-and-medical-geography/. Our sponsor for this episode is the MSU onGEO Professional GIS Certificate Program. If you are looking to revamp your current career, earn continuing-education credits, or simply learn new and marketable geospatial skills, visit today to learn how to earn a professional certificate in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) or Geospatial Data Analytics & Visualization. Learn more at https://ongeo.msu.edu/.
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About Today in Geography
Today in Geography is a podcast produced by the Department of Geography, Environment, and Spatial Sciences at Michigan State University. Each episode, we talk with members of our community about their research and interests, and then we spend some time spotlighting events and celebrations that have shaped the field of geography.
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