ASU professor uses background as Hawaiian voyager, climate scientist to provide inclusive understanding of environment

Haunani Kane was raised at the base of Olomana in the coastal community of Kailua, Oahu, Hawaii, where she practiced traditional Hawaiian wayfinding and navigation from a young age. This early interest in and connection to the environment led her to pursue a PhD in earth and planetary sciences at the University of Hawaii. 

This year, Kane will bring her extensive knowledge in climate science to Arizona State University’s School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning and Center for Global Discovery and Conservation Science (GDCS) as an assistant professor.

“We are thrilled to have Haunani Kane join us in The College,” said Pardis Mahdavi, dean of social sciences in The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. “As an innovator in her field, a first-rate scholar and an outstanding educator, she is a wonderful addition to our faculty at ASU. I am eager to see what exciting developments she makes in her new role.”

Kane’s research combines coastal geomorphology, paleo-environmental reconstructions, spatial analysis and the perspectives of a native islander to investigate how islands, reefs and island people are impacted by changes in climate. As a National Science Foundation postdoctoral research fellow, she has spent nearly 200 days at sea aboard both traditional sailing and modern research vessels. 

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ASU graduate maps new life in the US, finds 'family' in classmates

Arnold Chi Kedia is a firm believer in faith. Meeting life's challenges with an enthusiasm and contagious optimism, he believes that things happen as they are meant to. 

But ask peers and faculty alike what makes this Master of Advanced Study in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) fall 2020 graduate unique, and it’s not the many accolades he’s amassed – graduating with a 4.0 GPA and the recipient of a prestigious academic fellowship – but rather his humbleness, his ability to connect with people, and how he’s turned difficult personal circumstances into a rewarding new path in life.  

“In addition to being one of the smartest, hard-working, polite and most outgoing gentlemen I have ever met in my life, he never gives up,” said Shea Lemar, director of Arizona State University's School of Geographical Sciences’ Geospatial Research and Solutions, who teaches in the school’s Master of Advanced Study in GIS (MAS-GIS) program. “There's nothing he won’t achieve. Whatever he puts his mind to, he will never quit.” 

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SGSUP gives back through International Rescue Committee Holiday Campaign

For the second year, SGSUP adopted a refugee family through the International Rescue Committee’s Holiday Campaign. Since 1975, over 75,000 refugees from all over the world have been resettled in Arizona. As of 2019, Arizona was among the top 10 states accepting refugees. In recent years, refugee admissions to the US have fallen dramatically.

Jenna Snowberger, senior business operations specialist, and Beth Larson, senior lecturer in our School, delivered gifts, Covid-style, to a recently arrived refugee family of 10 from the Democratic Republic of Congo. For a number of years, the DRC has been in one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world, where its citizens face unimaginable persecution. 

The remarkable thing about this family of 10 is that mom has three sets of twins, and only two girls. We had amazing participation from our generous students, staff and faculty. Xboxes, tablets, a car seat and other items for a baby-on-the-way and a bicycle were the big hits this year. Thanks to everyone who donated and assisted in any way. Welcome newcomers!

Spring 2021 Class Previews - Last chance to enroll for session C classes! 

The last day to enroll for spring 2021 session class C classes is this Sunday, January 17. Still interested in registering for classes? Here's a short-list of some of the amazing courses you can take taught by our School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning faculty. 

GCU/PUP 362: Journey Stories - Video | Register here
Dr. Kevin McHugh combines fiction and non-fiction literature to showcase how geography is used as a tool in storytelling. 

GCU/GPH/PUP 294: Race Geographies in the United States - Video | Register here
Dr. Rashad Shabazz guides students by looking at race through a spatial lens. 

GPH 381: Geography of Natural Resources - Video | Register here
Dr. Erin Saffel examines the complex issues in natural resource use and management. 

PUP 190: Sustainable Cities - Video | Register here
Dr. Sara Meerow takes a deep dive into how cities could be built to be more environmentally-friendly, economically thriving, and socially equitable. 

GPH 111/112: Introduction to Physical Geography - Video | Register here 
Dr. Ron Dorn and Dr. Erin Saffel guide students in the exploration of the physical characteristics that make up our natural environments, including landforms, climate, and plant life. 

• Record heat batters Tucson mobile home residents with poor insulation, lack of cooling - Arizona Daily Star

• As climate change threatens Pacific Islands, some atolls have been growing. Now scientists have figured out why - CNN

• ASU Professor: Capitol Police Response To Riot 'Illustrated The Double Standards' Between White, Black Americans - KJZZ

• Neighborhood farms could be the answer to Tucson's food deserts - Phys.org 

ASU Map and Geospatial Hub, Geographical Storytelling Workshop – Jan 20, 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Elevate your story by putting it into its place. Maps have an unrivaled power to visually communicate geographical information. The addition of geographical context deepens the clarity and resonance of your narrative. This two-hour workshop will introduce users to the ArcGIS StoryMaps platform, where we'll explore how to integrate multiple media types -- including image, video, audio and custom 2D and 3D maps -- into compelling, engaging and substantive digital media output.

The workshop is FREE and open to the public and is scheduled for a live online session (via Zoom). Register here

Additional sessions of the workshop will be held on the third Wednesday of each month this semester (Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr). 
February Workshop – Feb 17^th, 3-5pm
March Workshop Mar 17^th, 3-5pm
April Workshop Apr 21^st, 3-5pm
 

Get ready! SGSUP Spring Colloquium Series preview

We have an incredible line up of speakers secured for our School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning Spring 2021 Colloquium Series.

The first colloquium of the semester will feature Rashad Shabazz, associate professor in the School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning, and in the School of Social Transformation.

His presentation will be on Monday, January 25 from 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm. The colloquium will be held on Zoom.

Stay tuned for more details in the coming weeks!
 

Center for Global Discovery and Conservation Science Monthly Seminar

GDCS Monthly Seminar with Murray Ford, University of Auckland, New Zealand: "Disappearing islands: New insights into the future of coral reef islands in the Pacific" 

Murray Ford is a coastal geomorphologist at the University of Auckland, New Zealand. Dr. Ford is interested in the impacts of continued sea level rise on low-lying atoll islands in the Pacific. His work combines remote sensing, geological and laboratory approaches to better understand the formation, and evolution of atoll islands and the impacts of coastal hazards on local communities.

January 28, 2021 | Time: 12:00 p.m.
Zoom Link: https://asu.zoom.us/j/89695664730 
Seminar password: 161504
 

Professional Perspectives: From passion to purpose, Webinar  - Thurs Jan 28, 4:00 – 5:30 pm MST

Are you hoping to be in a career that you are passionate about and one that gives you purpose? Learn more about the ways ASU alumni are impacting the nonprofit sector and community. You will hear from ASU alums who are leaders of Valley of the Sun United Way, Teach for America, Big Brothers/Big Sisters Central AZ and Chicanos Por La Causa. More info