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Charting a Critical Physical Geography Path in Graduate School: Sites of Student Agency

  • Lisa C. Kelley
  • Katherine R. Clifford
  • Emily Reisman
  • Devin Lea
  • Marissa Matsler
  • Alex Liebman
  • Melanie Malone
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Abstract

This chapter explores strategies for engaging in Critical Physical Geography (CPG) while in graduate school despite known challenges and institutional barriers. We focus on key milestones in the PhD process: from selecting a program and advisor to analyzing and integrating data to writing the dissertation. Each milestone brings unique challenges, necessitating tailored strategies. However, we suggest that two factors are important throughout: first, a long-term view that sees graduate school as the start rather than the end of an engagement with CPG, and second, supportive peer networks which create intellectual and political space for this type of research as early career scholars.

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Copyright information

© The Author(s) 2018

Authors and Affiliations

  • Lisa C. Kelley
    • 1
  • Katherine R. Clifford
    • 2
  • Emily Reisman
    • 3
  • Devin Lea
    • 4
  • Marissa Matsler
    • 5
  • Alex Liebman
    • 6
  • Melanie Malone
    • 7
  1. 1.Department of GeographyUniversity of Hawaii-MãnoaHonoluluUSA
  2. 2.Department of GeographyUniversity of Colorado-BoulderBoulderUSA
  3. 3.Department of Environmental StudiesUniversity of California at Santa CruzSanta CruzUSA
  4. 4.Department of GeographyUniversity of OregonEugeneUSA
  5. 5.Cary Institute of Ecosystem StudiesMillbrookUSA
  6. 6.Department of Horticultural ScienceUniversity of MinnesotaSaint PaulUSA
  7. 7.Earth, Environment, and SocietyPortland State UniversityPortlandUSA

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