UCLA Geography Department Research: A Comprehensive Overview

The UCLA Geography Department stands as a vibrant hub for research, offering diverse opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students alike. Its commitment to exploring the intricate relationships between physical and social elements, coupled with a focus on pressing environmental issues, positions the department as a leader in geographical studies. This article delves into the various facets of research within the department, highlighting its programs, faculty expertise, and areas of focus.

Undergraduate Research Opportunities

The Geography Department at UCLA provides a stimulating environment for undergraduate students eager to engage in research. Among the notable opportunities is the Geography Honors Program, specifically tailored for highly motivated Geography and Geography/Environmental major students. This program offers a unique pathway to delve into in-depth research under the guidance of faculty mentors.

Geography Honors Program

The Geography Honors Program is a two-quarter research project (GEOG 198A, 198B) culminating in a final thesis paper. This program is designed for highly motivated Geography and Geography/Environmental major students. It provides an unparalleled opportunity to conduct independent research under the supervision of one or two Faculty Advisors.

GEOG 198A: Initial Planning and Investigation

The first quarter, GEOG 198A, is devoted to the foundational aspects of the honors thesis. This includes:

Discussion and planning of the honors thesis.
A comprehensive literature review to establish the existing knowledge base.
Research investigation and data collection to gather empirical evidence.

In special cases, students may work with a Faculty Advisor outside of the Geography Department, subject to approval from the Undergraduate Committee.

Contract Creation and Thesis Submission

Once students secure a Faculty Advisor(s), they must create a GEOG 198A contract in the first quarter and GEOG 198B contract in the second quarter of research via MyUCLA.

Upon approval of the thesis by the Faculty Advisor(s), it must be submitted to the Student Affairs Officer in PDF format.

Graduate Research and Faculty Expertise

The UCLA Geography Department boasts a distinguished faculty with expertise across a wide range of research areas. Their work contributes significantly to the understanding of geographical phenomena and informs solutions to critical global challenges.

Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Moretto

Dr. Moretto holds a Ph.D. in History from the Federal University of Santa Catarina (2014), with a research period at California State University, Long Beach (2013). She is a tenured professor at the Graduate Program in History at the Federal University of Fronteira Sul and Federal University of Santa Catarina. Dr. Moretto’s work is supported by the Research Productivity Fellowship from the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq, Brazil). She is a member of the Board of Directors of the Latin American Environmental History Society (SOLCHA).

Visiting Fellows

The department also welcomes Visiting Fellows who bring diverse perspectives and contribute to the intellectual vibrancy of the research environment.

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One example is a Visiting Fellow working with Professor John Agnew, focusing on rebuilding political theory and peace studies from the viewpoint of planet politics. This fellow is also engaged in reviving satoyama activities in Hachioji, Tokyo, and has been a chairperson of the “Climate Change and Peace in the 21st Century” Project Committee, Peace Studies Association of Japan (PSAJ).

Degree Programs and Research Focus

The Geography Department offers two undergraduate majors leading to the Bachelor of Arts degree, and three minors. These programs are designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to conduct impactful research in various areas of geography.

Undergraduate Majors

Geography: This major develops students' ability to interpret and explain the occurrence, distribution, and interrelationships of the earth’s physical and social elements. Geographers examine - where are things located; why are they located in that manner; and how their location affects them?
Geography/Environmental Studies: This major is intended to develop and deepen students' understanding of environmental issues. It emphasizes a systems approach to gaining an understanding of major environmental problems facing our society and the world at large.

Minors

The GIS&T Minor provides students with cutting-edge technical knowledge and skills using state-of-the-art information technology, such as geographical information systems (GIS), satellite imagery and global positioning systems (GPS), which are in high demand in business, government and research.

Core Research Themes and Approaches

The UCLA Geography Department's research is characterized by several core themes and approaches:

Spatial Analysis: Investigating the location, distribution, and patterns of phenomena on the Earth's surface.
Human-Environment Interaction: Examining the complex relationships between human societies and the natural environment.
Environmental Issues: Addressing critical environmental problems facing our society and the world at large through a systems approach.
Geographic Information Science and Technology (GIS&T): Utilizing cutting-edge technologies like GIS, remote sensing, and GPS for data analysis and spatial problem-solving.

Significance and Impact

The research conducted within the UCLA Geography Department has far-reaching significance and impact:

Informing Policy: Providing evidence-based insights to inform policy decisions related to environmental management, urban planning, and social justice.
Advancing Knowledge: Contributing to the advancement of geographical knowledge and understanding of the world around us.
Developing Solutions: Developing innovative solutions to address pressing environmental and social challenges.
Preparing Future Leaders: Training the next generation of geographers and environmental scientists to become leaders in their respective fields.

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