The results showed that narrative framing could significantly influence Conservatives’ response to net zero issues. In a paired analysis, comparing responses to either a left-wing or right-wing narrative framing of net zero, Conservatives were significantly more likely to agree with the narrative if framed using right-wing values. They also showed significantly more positive emotional responses to the framing. However, the right-wing framing did not significantly change Conservatives’ views about the appropriate timing of net zero policy implementation. The study also provided evidence about the importance of who communicates conservative framing narratives. A narrator perceived as right-wing was held to be significantly more trustworthy than when perceived as left-wing.
Interviews with Conservatives showed considerable evidence that many currently link positive climate action to left-wing ideologies, leading them to an inherent mistrust of net-zero policies irrespective of the worth of these measures. Countering this, a majority of Conservatives surveyed believed in human-driven climate change and supported the net zero by 2050 target. There is, therefore, potential value in developing coherent right-wing narratives that frame climate action using values that resonate with Conservative identities.
The research contributes to wider geographical literature by demonstrating how communication strategies rooted in the understanding of political identities can influence the support for net zero and help to promote support for climate action that bridges party-political divides.
| The Contribution of the T-Shirt to the Feminist Movement | The T-shirt, despite being a garment found in almost every western wardrobe, has received little sustained academic attention. Where the T-shirt has been considered, the garment has been analysed as an emblem of passive postmodern consumer politics, critiqued within the feminist narrative for fuelling de-radicalization. This dissertation foregrounds the T-shirt, using a dataset of 60 historic feminist T-shirts from four UK archives and 19 T-shirts made through participatory action research T-shirt making workshops with members of university feminist societies. It aims to analyse the ‘T-shirt-ness’ of the garment to highlight the significance of its cultural history, including its origins as a male garment, in the contribution it has made to the feminist movement. Firstly, by exploring how T-shirts were often hand-made or worn in the collective this research challenges the feminist critique of this garment as a hyper-individualist, neoliberal object, revealing its radical potential for alternative world-making. Secondly, by reflecting on the transition of the T-shirt from male underwear to female outerwear, this dissertation contributes to wider geographical knowledge by exploring the role of garments, particularly the slogan T-shirt, in mediating between a women’s body and public space through the visibility it grants. |
| Autogenerating orienteering maps: To what extent can remote sensing data be used to map forest vegetation density and topography without any field surveying? | Central to the sport of orienteering is an accurate and legible topographical map, which competitors use to navigate through terrain – typically forest – between checkpoints. Historically, mappers would spend significant amounts of time carefully surveying in the field, before commencing manual cartography to produce an orienteering map. More recently, mappers have begun to utilise remote sensing data such as satellite imagery and LiDAR data to supplement their field surveys, significantly reducing the time required to produce a map for a given area. This study aimed to continue this trend, assessing whether maps can now be produced via autogeneration, without any field surveying. More specifically, this study investigated the possibility of using multi-spectral satellite imagery and a LiDAR point cloud to autogenerate maps of vegetation density and topography for sections of predominantly coniferous forest in Uppsala, Sweden. Novel methods were developed for the autogeneration of the vegetation density maps, whilst existing autogeneration methods were used for the topographical map. Evaluations of the autogenerated maps were conducted via a combination of comparisons to the existing orienteering map, quantitative ground truthing, and participant testing. The results of this study compare favourably to previous similar studies, adding credibility to the techniques demonstrated in this study. It is hoped that following further refinement, these methods could ultimately be used to autogenerate the entirety of the topography and vegetation on an orienteering map, thus making a case for the widespread adoption of autogeneration techniques in orienteering mapping. |
| Ghost in the Machine: Exploring Invocations of Digital Spectrality in Singapore’s Smart Urbanism | Contemporary cities are often eager to present themselves as modern, innovative, sustainable, and in particular, ‘smart’. Referring to technology driven, sustainable and culturally inclusive cities, smart cities seek to present themselves as modern innovators and leading cities on the world stage (Marvin et al., 2016) . Focussing on Singapore’s first smart-city district – Punggol Digital District – I explore digital imaginaries associated with the modern city. Through the lens of spectral geography, I draw on elite interviews with architects, master-planners and urban theorists, complemented by walking methods and archival work. Deploying Walter Benjamin’s media theory, I expose the ‘urban phantasmagoria’ of the smart city – its fetish of digital technology and associated ideas of progress. In doing so I challenge the ahistorical techno-optimism of the digital city, showing how it continues to be ‘haunted’ by colonial conceptions of landscape and urban design. |
| Self-employed Home-based Women Workers in India’s Emerging Economy | Research has largely overlooked the experiences of women in sectors predominately dominated by females. Focusing primarily on interviews with women who are self-employed home-based workers, this study demonstrates the ways in which the current theories and ideas about self-employment are incompatible with the lived experiences of many women in India’s emerging economy. Critically, this research extends the boundaries of current knowledge of women’s work, in Delhi, in various ways. It hints at numerous new challenges and opportunities that remain unexplored in the trajectory of women’s work and offers avenues for future exploration. |
| Using tree-ring stable isotopes to analyse subfossil yew (Taxus baccata) wood from eastern England during the mid-Holocene | Paleoclimatic information obtained from annually resolved and absolutely dated tree-ring parameters underpin reconstructions of past temperature and hydroclimate (Fritts, 1976; Speer, 2010). Obtaining information from tree-ring parameters provides an unrivalled high-resolution archive for understanding past climate (Helama et al., 2017), far beyond the availability of instrumental data. Tree-ring width measurements remain the dominant proxy used in dendrochronology (Frank et al., 2022), however stable isotope measurements have consistently demonstrated strong potential as an additional proxy. This dissertation presents the first stable isotope (d13C and d18O) dataset and analysis of subfossil Yew (Taxus baccata) and the first stable isotope dataset from Eastern England during the Mid-Holocene (4,600 to 4,200 years calBP). Here I present 1,823 annually resolved, non-pooled d13C and d18O measurements from 15 subfossil (‘bog oak’) Yew trees excavated and retrieved from a farm in Eastern England. This study aims to investigate the dendrochronological and palaeoclimatological potential of d13C and d18O records from subfossil Yew tree-rings by assessing the presence of age trends in stable isotope values and the potential contribution of tree-ring stable isotopes to improving crossdating of subfossil yew. Carbon stable isotopes (d13C) show strong presence of age trends up to at least a cambial age of 150 years. Identifying age trends beyond this age was difficult due to the short cambial age range of the dataset. Oxygen stable isotopes (d18O) show slight increasing trend in the mean which could be indicative of an age trend. However, the trend exhibited is not as strong as the age trend identified in the carbon stable isotope values. Detrending subfossil yew d13C and d18O is therefore necessary for any subsequent climate reconstructions. The potential of a multi-proxy approach to crossdating subfossil yew is promising as these results show that tree-ring width, d13C and d18O values each obtain several high inter-series correlations (>0.5). |
| Encounter and the Ecological Imagination in Jeff VanderMeer’s Southern Reach Trilogy (2014) | Literature changes the way we think about ourselves, and the world around us. From that basis, this study will examine how a work of New Weird fiction, Jeff VanderMeer’s Southern Reach Trilogy (2014), develops a sympoietic sense of subjectivity (Haraway, 2016). I situate my research within the ‘more-than-human turn’ in cultural geographies which contest the separation and and subjugation of ‘nature’ to ‘culture’ to legitimate its exploitation. Understanding literature as a means to creatively consider alternative ways of navigating a ‘damaged planet’ (Tsing et al., 2017), I demonstrate how VanderMeer collapses Cartesian dualisms and thematises contagion to depict the human as co-constituted by the more-than-human. This study heeds calls from cultural geographers to consider the ‘force of representations’ beyond mimesis (Anderson, 2018) to consider the affective – and infective – capacity of the written word to reshape the reader’s understanding of their relation to more-than-human life. Placing VanderMeer in dialogue with more-than-human and posthuman geographers, I offer a methodological approach to using literature to develop concepts in geographical theory and to make sense of the more-than-human relationships through which contemporary socioecological change is sensed and lived. In exploring how VanderMeer guides the reader to consider ‘what comes after entanglement’ (Giraud, 2019), I argue that thinking with literature can open conceptual spaces in which to imagine multispecies flourishing in the Anthropocene while allowing for critical inquiry into its origins. Keywords: literary geographies, more-than-human geographies, New Weird, affect, Anthropocene |
| Greek-UK dual citizenship in the context of Brexit, the European Union and individual belonging | In a globalised world characterised by transnational migration and supranational institutions, traditional understandings of national citizenship are no longer capturing the everyday experiences of citizenship. The rise of dual citizenship as an increasingly tolerated form of transnational citizenship brings questions of citizens’ multiple identity and belonging to the forefront of understandings of citizenship. These multiple identities and belongings are emotional, complex and overlapping, negotiated by individuals themselves and by the community around them. This dissertation draws from the narratives of dual citizenship expressed in 10 semi-structured interviews with Greek-UK dual citizens, to investigate the formation and negotiation of the multiple identities and belongings at the everyday, individual citizen scale. Using a combination of Yuval-Davis (2006) and Antonsich (2010)’s frameworks for belonging, this dissertation elucidates the complexity of individual scale personal belonging and its negotiation in wider community contexts. It explores how Brexit changes the nature of these belongings, and of citizenship itself, prompting some participants to acquire a second citizenship and become a dual citizen. The scaling-up of notions of identity and belonging to the European Union scale are explored from an ordinary dual citizen perspective, demonstrating how these personal narratives can inform and challenge the future of the European project. Grounded in personal, emotional understanding of dual citizenship, this dissertation sheds light on the complexities of dual citizenship in a post-Brexit European Union. |
| Climbing Out of the City: Buildering and the Rejection of the Urban ‘Primary nature may persist, albeit in a completely acquired and false way, within second nature.’ -Henri Lefevbre ‘The Production of Space’ | This ethnographic/autoethnographic project explores aspects of the, as of writing, underexamined practice of buildering (climbing urban structures). While the experience of buildering is highly individual, some builderers describe it as a way of diminishing the effects of the urban – a form of urban escapism – or of ‘nature connection’ while remaining within the city. This project examines this particular phenomenon. Three potential mechanisms for this are identified and explored: the reassertion of corporeal importance, the development of ‘tactile hyperfixation’ and an immersion in the imaginary of buildering. While the project in no way tries to assert that these mechanisms are universally experienced, it concludes that they may potentially offer inspiration for more salutary urban design and methods of inhabiting/considering the city – contributing to urban geographic discourse. key words buildering; urban climbing; urban escapism; nature connection; bodily urban practice; haptic / tactile geography; urban atmosphere; urban theory |
| Reconstructing deep-water flow strength changes in the Norwegian Sea during the last deglaciation | Deep-water overflow currents in the Nordic Seas affect global climate by feeding the lowest limb of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC). However, changes in the strength of the deep eastern overflows during the last deglaciation are poorly resolved. In this study, a sortable silt mean grain size (𝑆𝑆 ) palaeo-current strength record has been produced at multi-decadal resolution on core MD99-2284 (southern Norwegian Sea, 1500 m water depth). The age model is constructed by marine-ice core synchronisation using Bayesian change point detection. Throughout most of the study interval, current-sorting is shown to be uncompromised by ice-rafted debris input. The grain size record clearly expresses rapid changes in deep-water flow strength closely linked to abrupt climate shifts recorded in Greenland ice cores. Deep-water flow was active during the Last Glacial Maximum, weak during Heinrich Stadial 1, and flow strength rapidly recovered before the Bølling warming. Centennial-scale deep current weakening events are observed within the Bølling-Allerød interstadial. Deep-water flow weakened rapidly at the start of the Younger Dryas cold reversal. Towards the end of the Younger Dryas, a retreat of sea-ice cover led the resumption of vigorous deep-water flow. By providing the first well-dated, high-resolution record of deglacial deep-water flow strength evolution in the eastern Nordic Seas, this study contributes to understanding the timing and pattern of AMOC changes during abrupt climate events. |
| Borrowed Land, Borrowed Time: an analysis of responses to sea level rise in Dutch climate policy Towards a case for managed retreat | This dissertation seeks to analyse the historiographical context to present-day responses to sea level rise in Dutch climate policy, considering an overturning of hegemonic ‘climate-proof’ protection policies in favour of managed retreat. It first considers the imbued links between culture, identity and water, before utilising the lens of ontological politics to understand current discourses of ‘war on water’ and hard engineering as panacea (Zegwaard etal., 2015). It considers the unique institutional framework of the Netherlands, underscoring the intricate interplay between trust and governance. This work also engages with concepts of thick temporality (McMichael and Katonivualiku, 2020; Neimanis and Walker, 2014) and palimpsest (Corboz, 1983), which help to present the case for the rearticulation of history (Li, 2017) towards a more nuanced understanding of Dutch aquaculture. It then considers the current ‘solution space’ (Haasnoot etal., 2020), scientific sea level rise projections and the limitations of hard engineering, before demonstrating how the current protection paradigm constitutes path-dependency and technological lock-in (Wesselink etal., 2007) given the necessity of retreat at some point. Pursuing the Dutch idea of maakbaarheid, it considers the scope for reframing the debate and highlights depoliticisation and sensationalisation as key processes through which retreat embodies an antipolitics machine (Ferguson, 2010, 1994). Ultimately this dissertation questions current hegemonic framings of SLR, paving the way for ‘opening-up’ the Dutch debate towards a case for managed retreat. |
| The Faded Sites of Red London: A Hauntological Study of London Murals Erected During the Greater London Council’s Twilight Era | Applying the literature of Jacques Derrida and Mark Fisher and drawing upon interview data and archival analysis, this dissertation provides a hauntological analysis of murals painted during the second half of the Greater London Council’s existence. Through contributions from the original muralists, connections are drawn between the “popular realism” (Fisher, 2009, p.22) identified as the object of contemporary hauntology and the murals produced by the London Mural Movement. Although the movement lacked a unifying philosophy, it can be broadly characterised by a shared ideal of creating art “For the People, by the People”. Two broad camps of the mural are identified: The “Avant-Garde” and the “Figurative”. The dereliction caused by the collapse of London’s industrial economy provided an opportunity for alternative models of spatial development in the city, particularly on its riverside. While the market-led model of redevelopment prevailed, alternative “lost futures” (Fisher, 2009, p.27) proposed for this space can be identified within the London murals. Interviews with younger Londoners reveal the impact of the murals upon a generation that grew up in the wake of the Greater London Council’s abolition in 1986. While broad support for the preservation of murals is identified, concerns were raised about their role in gentrification and the relationship that they have with local cultures of graffiti. Muralists stated that the preservation of the “ideals” behind the murals was of particular importance. While association of the murals with the Greater London Council is common, interviewees stated that its significance within the movement is overstated. |
| ‘The Land of a Hundred Thousand Welcomes’: The Cultural Politics of Immigration in Donegal, Ireland | Ireland’s long-standing reputation as a welcoming country is being tested by recent unprecedented pressures from incoming asylum seekers and refugees (Harrison, 2023). In the past year political unrest has been visibly growing, with instances of protest rising throughout the country, particularly at accommodation centres in rural settlements relatively new to immigration (Murphy, 2024). This dissertation responds to a shortage of case-study-based rural immigration research, and focuses on Donegal, the county accommodating the highest concentration of newcomers (Fox, 2024). The research seeks out complexity, inherent in a contentious topic, adopting a constructivist approach whereby findings are formed from social interactions and discussions (Creswell, 2009), using interviews, surveys, and participant observation. The discussion assesses overall levels of support towards immigrants, exploring prominent narratives and discourses, highlighting the complexity of hospitality. Examining the relationship between legacies of austerity and immigration pressures, the analysis subsequently illustrates the importance of public service pressure in influencing community capacities to cope. Uniting austerity literature with ‘left-behind’ literature, it questions how place-based disadvantage is linked to political discontent (Leyshon, 2021; Tomaney et al., 2023), but diverges from Rodríguez-Pose’s (2018) theory about revolt in ‘places that don’t matter’, by suggesting that Donegal has largely resisted the spread of radical or ‘far-right’ politics. The influence of immigration on election outcomes at this particularly interesting time in Irish politics makes the discussion of national political context significant. The conclusions emphasise the vital importance of effective communication between national governments and local communities to prevent the ascent of dangerous ideologies. By reflecting on Donegal’s distinctive characteristics throughout, this dissertation advocates for the valuable contribution that place-specific geographical qualitative research can make to migration studies, useful for revealing the nuanced cultural politics that shape hospitality in host communities. |
| A look at the Cultural History of Ballet: An Investigation into Swan Lake and its Hidden Meanings. | This dissertation investigates the Royal Ballet’s production of Swan Lake at the Royal Opera House, London. The ballet is a composition of music composed by Tchaikovsky, choreography by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov and costume and set designs by Yolanda Sonnabend and John Macfarlane. The story of Swan Lake follows the forbidden love between Prince Siegfried and Odette, the Swan Queen. Towards the end of the ballet Prince Siegfried is deceived into declaring his love for Odette’s evil twin Odile, the black swan. Love between the human prince (Prince Siegfried) and non-human swan (Odette) is used as a powerful mechanism to show how humans and nature interact. This introduces a more-than-human element to the ballet, which is explored in this dissertation using the dancer’s bodies and Nigel Thrift’s work on non-representational theory. Therefore, through the theme of nature this dissertation attempts to explore the under-researched field of geographies of love. This will be done through three research questions: 1. How is the power of love for nature portrayed through the ballet? 2. How are the dancers’ bodies used to portray nature to an audience? 3. How does the dynamic between the black (Odile) swan and white (Odette) swan mirror a human-nature relationship? These questions allow for the argument that Swan Lake can reflect wider societal issues such as the relationship between humans and nature and how tradition within society can lead to loss. This is supported through archival data consisting of videos, photographs, choreography scores, costume and set designs. |
| An Analysis of Migration and Tuberculosis Mortality in England and Wales 1861-1870 | In the Victorian period of England and Wales, TB tore through society, killing large numbers of working age adults. TB remains a deadly disease in many parts of the world and is the second largest infectious killer. The Healthy Migrant Hypothesis and the Salmon Bias were theorised initially in the context of Hispanic migrants in the USA, though these ideas have been expanded and applied to many different contexts across the globe. This dissertation provides an analysis of migration and TB mortality in England and Wales 1861-1870 through the use of the Healthy Migrant Hypothesis and the Salmon Bias, addressing the gaps in the literature concerning sex-specific, domestic and historical contexts. TB mortality patterns were mapped, analysis was performed on the relationship between population sex ratio and mortality sex ratio, and the impacts of district type were investigated. I found a strong negative association between the population sex ratio and the mortality sex ratio, which suggests that in the context of TB in England and Wales 1861-1870, there was a Healthy Migrant Effect, Salmon Bias, or both. My analysis into the district type raises questions concerning the relative importance of these migration theories when compared to local conditions such as overcrowding. Overall, this dissertation contributes to calls of further research to tackle the TB epidemic, as understanding human interactions with the virus in a time of expanding migration is vital. |
| Kicking out the Dark Side of the Beautiful Game: Power Hierarchies in Professional Football | Through the lens of the Champions League 2022-2023 (UCL23), a tournament organized by the Union of European Football Association (UEFA), this dissertation explores the (re)presentation of black individuals on the pitch as players, off the pitch in leadership positions and on the screen by match commentators. While previous studies have focused on the effects of institutional racism on the sporting field, little focus has been placed on the presentation of black footballers on the pitch in geographically and symbolically central pitch positions (Melnick, 1988). In addition, studies on their representation in match commentaries have either been outdated or have a narrow scale of analysis (McCarthy and Jones, 1997). Empirically, this paper illustrates strong trends of racial segregation on the pitch where black footballers are significantly underrepresented in geographically central positions as central midfielders, in symbolically central positions as captains, and off the pitch where minimal black individuals are found in geographies of technical coaching areas and stadia executive suites. Moreover, content analysis of match commentary of 29 UCL23 fixtures expose the physical and psychological themes drawn upon by match commentators to construct racial differences among footballers. Theoretically, I argue that the ‘beautiful game’ is currently played on an uneven playing field. It is not a game for all, and black footballers are subjected to systemic barriers, racialized discourses, and harassment on and off the pitch. Exposing the power hierarchies at play on and off the pitch, I argue the perpetuation of racial stereotypes and hegemonies through football is consistent with ‘new racism’ where forms of racism have become much more covert and social hierarchies are perpetuated naturally through less overtly political manners (Bonilla-Silva, 2015). This dissertation calls for a more nuanced approach to explore the intersectionality of race, gender, and class dynamics in influencing one’s experience of the beautiful game. |
| Moomin Memory Work: Remembering ‘Real’ and Imagined Landscapes Associated with the Work of Tove Jansson in Finland | Reading fiction acts as a way in which people build up imaginaries of landscape. In Finland, this is evident in textual encounters with author and illustrator Tove Jansson’s work, particularly her ‘Moomin’ literature for children. Stepping foot in a landscape that comes to embody one existing in an individual’s memory, or one intimately linked to the author of a piece of fiction, creates a unique ‘feel’ in its experience. The landscapes of the island archipelago Pellinki, Naantali’s Moominworld themepark, and Tampere’s Moominmuseum occupy these spaces in relation to Tove Jansson’s work. To analyse the boundary-making, and interaction between ‘real’ and imagined landscape, this dissertation mobilises the notion of a ‘spatial hinge’ from literary geography, with an understanding of ‘atmospheres of memory’, drawing on landscape studies and discussions of memory across disciplines. In exploring these ‘atmospheres’, theoretical frameworks established by Maurice Halbwachs, Pierre Nora and Paul Connerton in connection to ‘collective memory’ proved valuable, as the existence and mobilisation of collective imaginaries of landscapes connected to Jansson’s literature are formative of ‘atmospheres of memory’. A range of qualitative methods, in the form of twelve semi-structured interviews, walking methodologies, auto-ethnographic observations and interactions with texts, inform my analysis, showing that everyday textual encounters, the imaginaries formed around these, and a return to these imaginaries through acts of recollection and remembrance imbue experience of landscape with mnemonic significance. I analyse commemoration as marked by material objects, where the past, and imagined landscapes, are ‘staged’, to performative moments, where acts of remembering offer reflections on notions of respect and closeness. This contributes to the argument that the significance of ‘atmospheres of memory’ in landscape lies in the ability of creative works to act as a ‘gift’ that is circulated across between groups and generations in oral and material forms of storytelling. |
| Abortion in post-repeal Ireland: An exploration into mobility, temporality and politics in the contemporary Irish abortion landscape. | Drawing on the insights, experiences and opinions of seven participants, this dissertation seeks to uncover the reality of the abortion landscape in contemporary Ireland. This approach works to inform future geographic scholarship on the intricacies of the current legislative reality, whilst remaining mindful of abortions stigma and shame. In 2018, Ireland voted by referendum to repeal the Eighth amendment to their constitution – the right to life of the unborn. This effective ban on abortion, in place since 1983, forms part of a longer history of the regulation of reproductive bodies by the Irish State, and therefore makes Ireland a useful case study through which to understand these issues. Abortion regulation is a prominent site of political conflict due to the antagonism between a woman’s right to bodily autonomy and reproductive decision-making and a foetus’s right to life. Looking beyond the existing geographic literature on abortion, this dissertation intervenes by considering three distinct strands of geography – mobility, temporality, and politics – positing that these provide a useful framework through which to understand the lived reality of the law. By considering the complex and intertwined dimensions of contemporary Irish abortion access, this dissertation advances previous conceptualisations which focus only on one element and therefore may generalise. In line with feminist geographers and legal scholars, this dissertation takes care to centre the body as a site of power relations and highlights how it its regulation speaks to wider issues of nation-building, sovereignty and citizenship. Bringing a politically divisive and historically stigmatised issue to the frontier of geography, this dissertation aims to show how abortion, and its landscape in Ireland, is deeply geographical. |
| Recontextualising modern farming as green energy businesses that happen to produce food | Farmers are responding to increasing financial uncertainty by building Agri-business resilience through renewable energy diversification. This research study draws upon qualitative thematic evidence from interviews with farmers across the UK, alongside survey and cluster analysis to explore the impacts of renewable energy diversification on farm incomes and wider social processes. Cluster analysis showed three distinct archetype behaviours of farmers to renewable energy generation, largely depending on the type of food produced and scale (Cluster 1 Intensive Fruit, Cluster 2 Medium sized arable and vegetable crops, Cluster 3 Agribusiness vegetable). Through a systems approach, the study found farms had become more financially resilient by generating renewable energy. These new income streams are used to subsidise food production. Thematic analysis suggested these investments are unlikely to compromise the multi-generational identity of farmers. It also revealed that food and energy production are now interrelated in a farm system. The study directly the addressed the paradox often discussed in society that the loss of land for renewable energy might affect food security. The evidence suggests that farm businesses who originated as food producers require diversified energy production to help sustain a resilient business. Thus, energy and food production within farm businesses need to co-exist and in future scenarios without this resilience little food could be produced without diversification into energy. The behaviour of current farming businesses towards energy diversification is entirely rational. However, we show this dependency has limits and high loss of land to energy production will ultimately impact food security. |
| Characterisation and correlation of cryptotephra found in Antarctic ice cores from recent volcanism in the Balleny Islands, Antarctica | A complete record of Antarctic volcanism is crucial for understanding the impact of volcanic activity on the cryosphere and climate. However, Antarctica is one of the most enigmatic volcanic regions globally. Volcanic ash, or tephra, preserved in the ice core record provides a valuable tool for reconstructing past volcanism, while geochemical ‘fingerprinting’ can be used to identify a volcanic source and often dated event. Due to lack of direct observation, however, low-magnitude, remote volcanism is missed from the historical record. One such example is the 2001 CE Sturge Island eruption, in the sub-Antarctic, Balleny Islands, Antarctica. Currently, Sturge Island lacks published geochemical and volcanic data. This study undertakes physical and geochemical characterisation of cryptotephra shards (tephra typically < 125µm in size) extracted from Antarctic ice cores with the layer counted age of 2001 (2001L), proposed to be correlated to the 2001 CE Sturge Island eruption. By analysing the cryptotephra shards, the occurrence of the eruption and importance of the volcanic event for studies of Antarctic volcanism is evaluated. The first volcanic glass geochemical data for Sturge Island is presented, alongside another line of evidence for the 2001 CE event, building on previous remote sensing and ice core evidence. Cryptotephra shards extracted from the Young Island ice core proximal to Sturge Island are predominantly basanitic in composition, large (< 200 µm) and exhibit quenching cracks. Sufficient evidence is provided to correlate this cryptotephra layer to the 2001 CE Sturge Island eruption. However, unsuccessful geochemical characterisation of cryptotephra identified in the 2001L of distal, Antarctic Peninsula ice cores can only tentatively correlate these layers to the 2001 CE eruption based on morphology, stratigraphy in the ice core record and their downwind location. The 2001 CE Sturge Island eruption has important implications for knowledge of active, remote volcanism in Antarctica and for paleoclimate studies. Further study should focus on geochemical characterisation of the cryptotephra identified in the Antarctic Peninsula ice cores to assign Sturge Island more confidently as the volcanic source. |
| Re-visiting the food bank in geography: the volunteer experience | Invalidating MP Lee Anderson’s claim that there is ‘no massive use for food banks in this country’ are multitudes of reports of their ‘soaring demand’ across the UK (Walker, 2022; Bryant, 2022). Such demand is predominantly met by volunteer labour, yet geographical literature has rarely centred the volunteer in food bank analyses (Trussell Trust, 2017; Lee et al, 2023). Addressing this gap, this dissertation investigates the experience of food bank volunteers through the lens of emotional labour. It aims to expose the complexity of the volunteering role, and how emotional labour produces distinctive ‘affective atmospheres’ within the food bank as a workplace (Anderson, 2009; Watson et al, 2021). It also considers how everyday volunteer experiences mediate one’s relation to their role and long-term commitment. The investigation is based upon an ethnographic study of a food bank in the south-east of England, drawing upon both representational and ‘more-than-representational’ methods (Lorimer, 2005). 10 semi-structured interviews and a field diary of the researcher’s experiences as a volunteer are utilised to understand the embodied volunteering role. Findings demonstrate that food bank volunteering is a more complex endeavour than literature has appreciated thus far. Emotional labour and affective atmospheres co-constitute the everyday experience of the food bank, as well as one’s affective attachment to the organisation. However, in the long term it is volunteer’s subjectivity and life course which appear to determine organisational commitment. My findings highlight the importance of understanding food banks as both workplaces as well as spaces of charity, with volunteers shaped by individualised characteristics and experiences mediating their relation to their role. This has important implications for the long-term sustainability of labour supply, and how such organisations may be improved ‘in the meantime’ (Cloke et al, 2017), for both volunteers and customers. |
| Inequality and (in)attention: Mapping the relationship between spatial distribution of ADHD diagnoses and inequality in England. | Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common behavioural disorder impacting an estimated 2.2 million people in England. Awareness of the disorder has noticeably increased over the past 2 years due to the proliferation of discussion on social media and mainstream news-outlets. With rising awareness comes rising demand for diagnoses, as people seek an explanation, and subsequent adjustments, for certain behavioural traits associated with the disorder. Given the rise in demand – particularly in adult services – the NHS has struggled to keep pace, resulting in long waiting times becoming commonplace for ADHD services across England. In this research I explore the resulting spatial distribution of ADHD diagnoses rates in England, focusing on the impact of inequality in regulating access to diagnoses. I find that in areas of high deprivation the rates of reported ADHD are approximately 20% lower than in low deprivation areas. This inequality in ADHD diagnoses associated with inequality rates across England, I argue, is related to differences in ability to afford and benefit from costly private consultations. The existence of such a relationship necessitates targeted government intervention to reduce disparities in accessing diagnoses – particularly given the link to a possible further spread of inequality more broadly stemming from undiagnosed and untreated ADHD. |
| Her Jography: Exploring the Embodied Experiences of Female Runners in Birmingham, UK | Fears for personal safety, and concerns of harassment are extensively documented among women. Feminist scholars argue that these fears are pivotal mechanisms constraining and controlling women’s freedoms in public space. Yet, particularly in urban areas, limited academic attention has been given to how these concerns affect individuals engaging in outdoor recreational activities, such as running. Adopting a feminist approach, this dissertation critically examines the nuanced negotiations and experiences of seventeen female runners in Birmingham through ‘run-along’ interviews. Emphasis is placed on individuals’ running practices, personal experiences, and the resulting strategies they employ to ensure their safety. Findings are explored in dialogue with autoethnographic insights from myself, as a young, female researcher and regular runner, highlighting an intricate interplay between female runners’ social and corporeal agency, and the constraints of social-structural forces in Birmingham. This challenges the common narrative that female runners are passive recipients of risk, positing each as an empowered social agent actively reclaiming their right to the city. More broadly, it underscores the necessity for a shift from individualised solutions to politically driven, systemic interventions to tackle gender-based violence and achieve a more inclusive urban environment for all. Key Word(s): female agency; gendered safety; running; urban fear. |
| “How the world perceives us” Uncovering the experiences of Black African and Caribbean students in secondary education | This dissertation explores the lived experience of black African and Caribbean heritage students in British secondary education. Statistical research has demonstrated black attainment gaps and academic inequalities between ethnic groups (Buttaro and Battle, 2010; McDuff et al., 2018), but few have explored the emotional, embodied, and lived realities of black students themselves, particularly in rural and suburban ‘white’ areas. Racial identities and neo-colonial hierarchies are encoded within school curricula and educational spaces, forming and reinforcing ‘structural whiteness’ (Ahmed, 2007; Sriprakash et al., 2022). What effect does this have on the identity, imagination, and psychic of the black student? Can this be challenged in educational institutions? Based in a predominantly white suburban village in Northeast England, this study builds upon and challenges (re)presentations of blackness in education through the voices of black students. Firstly, it argues that racial identities are encoded into the school’s walls and displays, but do not reflect how black students embody and understand race. Secondly, it uncovers how black students have moved through and occupied school environments, battling regular microaggressions and distorted ideologies of blackness in the white imagination. Thirdly, it deconstructs how students engage with their various curricula with reference to race. Finally, it presents new student-created spaces of racial inclusion and safety within the school. Combining focus groups, autoethnography and documentary data, this study applies black method to centre the perspectives of ethnically marginalised students, suggesting new strategies for anti-racist and decolonial education. Inspired by Freire’s pedagogy of the oppressed (2000), alongside bell hooks (2014, 2003, 1991), McKittrick (2022, 2020, 2011) and other key black theorists, this study stresses the importance of re-writing black livingness into mainstream education discourse, to shape a liberated society. |
| Hybrid Environmentality in English Agricultural Subsidies | In recent years, increasing attention has been paid to efforts to manage environmental issues in policy, academic spheres, and general society. Drawing on environmentality literature, this project investigates how agricultural subsidies in England contribute to environmental governance by shaping farmers’ behaviours. English agricultural subsidy policy is changing dramatically post-Brexit. This research was conducted in the final year of the legacy system from the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy. As such, this represents a crucial opportunity to explore this system before policy changes take effect in the Agricultural Transition Plan. Understanding past policies informs how future policy is understood, hence this dissertation aims to contribute to academic literature and inform how the impacts of the Agricultural Transition Plan are understood. Using semi-interviews, I explored farmers’ lived experiences of subsidies as well as perspectives and experiences from various other stakeholders in the relationship between farmers and government. Using a multiple environmentalities framework (Fletcher, 2010), this study finds a neoliberal form of environmentality based around the creation of a quasi-market for environmental services as well as a sovereign form of environmentality based around the threat of punishment. Through both these means, the English agricultural subsidies system shapes farmers’ behaviours to deliver environmental services, representing a hybrid environmentality (Kovacs, 2015). Precarity is found to underpin both forms and is an important aspect of empowering this hybrid environmentality. This theorisation builds on existing conceptual links between governmentality and precarity and extends these links to environmentality. This dissertation emphasises the agency of various actors in co-producing power relations between farmers and government, resisting a tendency in Foucauldian scholarship to pose subjectivity as merely the direct result of external power (Martin & Waring, 2018). |
| Development, Dating and Analysis of Floating Chronologies from Bog Oaks (Quercus robur) in the East England Fenland. | The East Anglian Fenland (UK) is a low lying arable region. With cultural and environmental significant within a British context, it has been the scene of numerous ecological and archaeological studies in the past 80 years (Bennett, 1988) (Brew, et al., 2000) (Godwin , et al., 1935). This dendrochronological investigation is founded on two interesting studies on subfossil analysis in this region ( (Baillie & Brown, 1987) (Bebchuk, et al., 2023). The recent study of prehistoric yew populations has brought national attention to the mythical ‘lost forest’ of the, now predominately wetland, Fenland (Bebchuk, et al., 2023). This project sets out to analyse new material dug up from these ghost forests, attempting to place them in time. Almost all the subfossil trees from the Fenland are dated to a particular dynamic period of the mid-late Holocene (Baillie & Brown, 1987) (Bebchuk, et al., 2023) (Borzenkova, et al., 2015). Questions surrounding the behaviour of Quercus robur (English Oak) in hydrologically dynamic landscapes are raised (Edvardsson , et al., 2016), as these trees experienced the same events that caused the decline of Taxus baccata (Yew) in the region (Bebchuk, et al., 2023). This study shows how oak studies, due to their abundance and resolution, can benefit the study of regions with complex vegetation change. The high resolution data that TRW studies provide can be applied to multiple investigations, with various research goals. The creation of a robustly replicated, independently verified regional oak chronology allows for the identification of a common climate signal between subfossil oak and yew samples. This corroboration, as well as support from a new wealth of alternative proxies allows for environmental speculation on the conditions that drive this prehistoric oak populations behaviour. |
| A preliminary reconstruction of the spatial sea-surface temperature signature of Dansgaard-Oeschger Events globally during the last glacial cycle | Comparable in both magnitude and rate to 21st century global warming, and involving feedback mechanisms hypothesised to be relevant for future climate change, Dansgaard-Oeschger (DO-) events were persistent, quasi-periodic climate oscillations between colder stadials and warmer interstadials during the last glacial period. They are most frequent during Marine Isotope Stage 3, and most marked in the North Atlantic realm, but (hydro) climatic shifts have been documented globally, including anti-phase patterns in the southern hemisphere and Antarctica. To date, no study combining quantitative temperature reconstructions to examine the global spatial variability in the magnitude of DO-events has been made. While Liu et al. (in press) have attempted this using terrestrial pollen records, this study compiles 158 records of four sea-surface temperature proxies from 111 ocean sediment cores/sites, sampled globally. By creating new, compatible and ‘timescale-synchronised’ chronologies for each of these records by ‘benthic tuning’, and applying a set of Bayesian proxy-SST calibration models to translate each proxy record to SST, this study presents the first global maps of the magnitude of SST changes across DO-events. Results for nine stadial-to-interstadial differences reveal that outside of the northern hemisphere extratropics, temperature changes (increases and decreases) were minor, but in close agreement with SST predicted by CCSM4 global climate model simulations. Only in the North Pacific and Atlantic, consistent warming could be documented for each event, yet results for these regions are nonetheless complicated and variable. Of the reconstructed SST changes, only a few sites match the CCSM4 simulated warming of up to 6 °C, and some even indicate interstadial SST colder than during stadials. Moreover, proximate sites occasionally present contradictory SST changes, and some sites exhibit opposing trends for different events. These results may be explained by a set of proxy and location-specific factors but are also due to the low temporal resolution of some of the SST-reconstructions and, especially, because of chronological uncertainties. The latter two limitations are applicable to all SST reconstructions, weakening the overall reliability of the results in this study. However, if other methods can provide more robust chronologies, this compilation will be valuable for studying more than just the spatial temperature trends across DO-oscillations. |
| Critical Review Essay A Critical Review Essay of the Geographies of Pregnancy: The ‘Yummy Mummy’ Discourse and the Neoliberalisation of the Maternal | Emerging in popular culture in the 1990s, the figure of the ‘yummy mummy’ has been heralded as an emblem of ‘successful femininity’ (Littler, 2013). These glamorous mothers seemingly ‘have-it-all’, effortlessly navigating the complex and contradictory maternal landscape. Once a time of modesty, these glamorous mothers have reconfigured the maternal as a time in which women can be public, confident and empowered (Willmott, 2013; Malatzky, 2017; Allen & Osgood, 2009). Applying the ‘yummy mummy’ discourse to the pregnant body, this critical review essay offers a more pernicious reading of it, arguing that this postfeminist discourse performs political work on maternal bodies. Narratives of ‘good’ neoliberal pregnancies now include both demonstrating a ‘maternal sacrifice’ for one’s foetus (Lowe, 2016), but also perfecting one’s physical appearance to conform with a very narrow vision of acceptable pregnant bodies. Pregnancy has become a project to be optimised (Brewis & Warren, 2001). Through the regulation of three everyday practices – fashion, food and fitness – pregnant bodies are encouraged to self-govern and self-survey with pertains to this model woman. Bodies positioned as outside of this classed, racialised and heteronormative figure are presented as abject and defective. This critical review essay approaches the pregnant body as both a material and discursive construction. It looks at how the glamorous pregnancy discourse has influenced how the ‘mutable’ pregnant body is seen and understood (Witz, 2000). It considers how this discourse has been constructed in popular culture, particularly the tabloid media, to encourage the surveillance of pregnant bodies. It also considers the ways geographers have attended to forms of resistance to this discourse. |
| Socialising through Stocks: Retail Investors in Shanghai Stock Brokerages | In recent years, geographers and anthropologists have increasingly drawn their attention to stock markets as sites of ethnographic research. Combatting a trend of abstraction and dehumanisation in the wider economic literature, ethnographic research aims to re-introduce sociality and culture back into finance and discuss their importance in this context (Abolafia, 1998; Maurer, 2006). Responding to this Polanyist call to create embedded and contextualised understanding of finance, this study aims to use interviews to provide ethnography of the Shanghai stock market thirty years after its re-opening in 1990. Through incorporating an interactionist grounded typology, this study introduces diverse traders on the floor and VIP rooms of stock brokerages. These divisions in physical trading locations help produce communities that interact in unique social circles and exercise distinctive decision-making in the market. This study finds the social connections emerging from the market accentuate existing inequalities by stratifying the division in information and access. Furthermore, social and economic practices are necessarily intertwined in the Shanghai stock market, and the brokerage hall is an inherently social space. The practice of trading, and the site of the trading hall, must be understood as simultaneously social and economic. This ethnography provides an updated account of the Shanghai stock market decades after the last major ethnographic research and calls for continued recognition of the importance of embedding markets within specific cultural and economic contexts. |
| Running Free? How prison parkruns both liberate and discipline | The global prison population is growing on an unprecedented scale, with prison workers forced to address issues of worsening conditions and health and welfare crises with shrinking budgets and limited staffing levels. Prison parkruns are a relatively new initiative (first introduced in 2017) that seek to address some of these concerns through the power of sport. This dissertation uses the overarching theme of liberation and discipline to assess the impact of prison parkruns on prison officers, administrative staff and the prisoner experience. It argues that the prison parkrun initiative is highly effective in producing a more positive prison atmosphere, with greater opportunities for interaction between prisoners and an improved prisoner-staff relationship. In terms of ‘liberation’, prison parkrun provides a platform for prisoner agency and a sense of ownership of both the event and their actions. However, this dissertation argues that parkrun brings liberation and discipline in equal measure. Prison officers can observe prisoners at all times during parkrun, and restrict their access to the event based on behavioural metrics, turning the event into a behaviour-based privilege rather than a universal right. Throughout the dissertation consideration is given to the role of the law, noting that this study comes within the context of struggling prison systems globally. Prison parkrun was at times discussed by interviewees as an expensive luxury, reducing it to a low priority event that cannot occur with any regularity. This opinion on prison parkruns fails to appreciate their evident value to staff in both liberating and disciplining participants, providing a fascinating study area for prison priorities and outcomes. |
| Collegiate American Football: Power, Perceptions and Experiences | Using a critical sports geographical approach (Koch, 2017), this dissertation explores collegiate American football in the US. It investigates the perceptions and experiences of college football programs, the discourses that are produced and performed within them and the power relations and structures that govern them. The University of Southern California’s NCAA Division 1 football program, the Trojans, serve as my case study. Many previous studies concerning the exploitation of student-athletes lack a specific focus on football (e.g. Beamon, 2008) and rely on large national datasets and specific policies to talk on behalf of student athletes (Singer, 2008). Additionally, studies that have used football student-athlete experiences tend to be outdated and lacking recent developments in student compensation (e.g. Beamon, 2008) or have a narrow focus of investigation (e.g. Porter, 2019) leading to fragmented representations of experiences and perceptions. My study aims to empower the voice of the student-athletes. Therefore, my primary method of data collection was semi-structured interviews with former USC football student-athletes. A questionnaire survey and media exploration were used to supplement analysis. The dissertation tackles these issues by exploring them through a range of themes; the material body of, mental health and well-being of, and financial compensation for, student-athletes. Through my inquiry, I was able to identify ‘winners’ and ‘losers’ through common experiences and perceptions, determine prominent discourses and the power dynamics involved in their creation. I call for a more nuanced approach to studying student-athletes, acknowledging the role of individual experiences. |
| Exploring the (in)accessibility of Finnish homeless solutions through the lived experiences of homeless individuals in Helsinki, Finland. | In 2008, Finland introduced its Housing-First policy, removing all preconditions to housing for homeless individuals (Kaakinen, 2019). Since then, Finland has proven successful in reducing rates of homelessness, aiming to eradicate homelessness by 2027 (YM, 2022a; 2022b). As a result, Finland’s homelessness solutions are rarely critiqued in scholarly literature. This dissertation explores the pitfalls of Finland’s homelessness policy through participatory methods in which homeless individuals guided research towards locally-defined priorities. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six formerly-homeless individuals who live in a Housing-First unit in Greater Helsinki. Participants identified the accessibility of homeless assistance in Finland as a pitfall of the country’s homeless strategy, which became the focus of this paper. Stigma played a role in rendering homeless assistance inaccessible by limiting the capacity of welfare services to provide compassionate and high-quality support. Additionally, stigma made participants less likely to reach out for support when it was needed. Sobriety requirements implemented by Staircase-Model homelessness solutions also reduced the accessibility of homelessness solutions by relying on homeless individuals to perform ‘behavioural self-regulation’ (Schinka et al, 2015, p1325), whilst ignoring the restrictions that homeless individuals face to their capabilities. These Staircase solutions pushed some participants into prolonged, chronic, or cyclical homelessness. Finally, limits to the administrative and digital skills, and structural knowledge of participants rendered homelessness assistance inaccessible for several participants, who struggled to locate and navigate homelessness services. Though Finnish homelessness solutions integrate strategies to combat these issues, they were not enough to render homeless solutions entirely accessible for the participants in this paper. Overall, whilst results are not generalisable to the wider homeless population in Finland, this paper demonstrates the value of exploring the lived experience of homeless individuals as a tool with which to analyse the effects of policy on the everyday lives of homeless individuals. |
| Atmospheric microplastic deposition in ombrotrophic peatlands: developing a methodological approach. | There exists a growing body of research on atmospheric transportation of microplastics to remote environments, but as yet there is a distinct lack of research on the role of ombrotrophic peat bogs as archives of microplastic contamination, largely due to difficulties in isolating microplastics from organic rich matrices. This study investigated how the abundance of microplastics at four ombrotrophic peatland sites in Scotland – Blawhorn Moss, Flanders Moss, Strath Nethy and Forsinard Flows – is impacted by proximity to the city of Glasgow. A new sample preparation protocol involving H2O2 organic matter digestion, sieving, suction filtration and SPT density separation, was developed for this investigation. The author collected both surface and control samples in September 2022. Three surface samples and two control samples were analysed from each site. Microplastic and spherical carbonaceous fly ash particle (SCP) counts were obtained using stereomicroscopy and visual analysis. The results from this investigation were statistically tested using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov (K-S) test and Spearman’s Rank Correlation Coefficient, and show that the abundance of microplastics and SCPs in ombrotrophic peatlands negatively correlate with distance from Glasgow, which supports existing literature. This suggests that urban centres are important point sources of atmospheric contamination, although this conclusion is limited by the scale of the investigation. A new laboratory methodology for the extraction of microplastics from peat, with recommendations for further adaptations, has been developed during the course of this study, providing opportunities for further research. Microplastics can therefore be extracted from organic rich sedimentary archives, and thus assessed as a marker of the Anthropocene. |
| Exploring the discursive effects of religion in Christian Aid’s development narratives. A discourse analysis of public material produced in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, March 2020-March 2022. | Since the ‘turn to religion’ within development scholarship (Bompani, 2019: 172), literature has increasingly considered the potential of faith-based organisations (FBOs) to produce alternative discourses of development. Scholarship has debated whether FBOs offer truly distinct narratives to mainstream actors, or simply reflect the dominant development paradigm. This research brings together post-development theory and a broadly Foucauldian approach to development as discourse to analyse the effects of religion within Christian Aid’s development narratives. I explore these effects through discourse analysis, focusing specifically on the construction of ‘development’ and associated subject positions within Christian Aid’s public material produced in response to the COVID-19 pandemic between March 2020 and March 2022. Firstly, I find that religion inspires an alternative ontology of poverty and development and provides values underpinning intervention, but that Christian Aid’s model of social change remains narrated through mainstream discourses of partnership and localisation. Secondly, religion shapes the construction of the ‘faithful supporter’, who engages with Christian Aid as a performance of belief, and religious metaphors construct equality between the donor and beneficiary with the potential to challenge longstanding North-South hierarchies in development discourse. I argue that religion offers teachings, metaphors, and values which can construct more egalitarian development narratives, but that the potential of religious ideas to generate alternative discourses of development may be undermined by CA’s adherence to mainstream narratives that reinforce North-South hierarchies. Religious discourses of altruism and commonality may also depoliticise development interventions when recontextualised within a post-colonial politics. I conclude by calling for further engagement with faith-based organisations, and the development alternatives that they propose, to understand their emancipatory potential as we seek a vision of social change for a post-Agenda 2030 world. |
| Critical Review Essay The Weaponisation of Diet: Towards a Critical Approach to Anti-Veganism/Vegetarianism: | “Vegetarians and their Hezbollah-like splinter faction, the vegans… are the enemy of all that is good and decent in the human spirit”. Anthony Bourdain (2013: 78) These are the words of celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain in his book: Kitchen Confidential, as he refers to vegans – the offshoot of spiritual humanity’s moral enemy: vegetarians (2013). Dramatic they may seem, echoing a disdain held by many of the western population that this essay seeks to explore (Earle and Hodson 2017). Anti-vegetarian/vegan sentiment has been documented by academics across several fields of study (e.g. Véron and White 2018; MacInnis and Hodson 2017) attempting to explain why a person’s diet elicits such strong feelings of resentment and irritation. This essay seeks to build upon this literature, whilst investigating the crucial influence of gender to this prejudice. |
| Representations of Somaliland in China, Taiwan and the USA | Somaliland, a de-facto state on the Horn of Africa, has fought for international recognition since it broke away from Somalia, its parent state, in 1991. Recently, the breakaway region has benefited from a convergence of regional developments which have boosted its popularity internationally, gaining support from US policy makers and its allies. Its efforts for recognition, for example, have also resulted in the establishment of a representative office in the Republic of China (Taiwan) in February 2020. This new-found relationship has amplified the small region’s visibility in the international system, gaining a mixture of support and disapproval amongst spectators. Thus, it has emerged as a point of discussion in tabloid media, identified as a key site for the production of geopolitical discourse. Media tabloids in particular produce highly sensationalised imaginations of entities for domestic audiences. By drawing on Chinese, Taiwanese and American tabloids, this dissertation compares the types of representations forged about Somaliland, and argues that they are used to (de)legitimise the enclaves’ claims to statehood. Some focus is then on exploring how these representations maintain the centrality of sovereign state in the inter-state system, and the ways anomalous geopolitical entities may blur the lines between legitimate and illegitimate, especially in the field of diplomacy. |
| The Spaces She Fears: Uncovering Lived Realities Hidden by an Imaginary of Gender Utopia in Copenhagen, Denmark | Spaces are often described to have a “feel” or an “atmosphere”. Copenhagen public space is no different. This dissertation explores the gendered dimensions of this “feel”, uncovering the complex and contradictory experiences of gender inequality hidden beneath simplistic narratives of Danish gender utopia. Particular focus is placed on how gender inequality manifests in gender-based violence in public space, discussing how perceived and actual threats of violence impacts how women feel in the city. Drawing on atmospheric concepts propagated by Hermann Schmitz, Gernot Bohme, Ben Anderson and Derek McCormack, I conceptualise female fear as an affective atmosphere, enveloping women and propagating a feeling of “dis-belonging” to urban public space. Via a phenomenological privileging of lived experience, this dissertation draws on the embodied experiences of ten women living in Copenhagen, in dialogue with personal insights as a young, female researcher. Analysis has focused on exploring the affective nature of particular urban moments and encounters: seeking to understand the affective forces that govern women in public space, while simultaneously uncovering the creative and powerful ways that women negotiate atmosphere, and even cause atmospheric change. Mobilising a more-than-representational methodology, I employ a multi-methods approach, which contributes to overcoming the difficulty of capturing the intangibility of affect/atmosphere, while maintaining a focus on the female body as an organiser of experience and a site of agency. This dissertation concludes with an emphasis of public space as an affective and felt space, highlighting the importance of understanding the affective components of everyday life. Putting a geography of women’s urban fear in dialogue with affect/atmospheres has proven a productive academic pursuit. Politically, a more complex understanding of women’s experience in public space could contribute to working towards more progressive framings of women’s agency in the street, mechanisms to tackle gender-based violence and ultimately improved gender equality in Denmark. I encourage future research to employ a more intersectional lens, particularly along lines of sexuality, race and ethnicity, to further enhance this understanding. |
| The Geographies of a Crumbling Hospital: the effects of austerity, rurality and spatial violence on the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Kings Lynn | The current NHS is characterised by ‘crisis’ as it grapples to recover from the dual impact of austere underfunding and pandemic pressure. This crisis has a hidden spatial variation as the local geographies in which an individual hospital is situated have the potential to worsen or lessen the impacts. This dissertation uses the example of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Kings Lynn, which is unique due to its remote rural location and the 3433 steel and timber props acting as a failsafe for the roof deemed a ‘structural risk’, to demonstrate how distinctive local factors can heavily influence the everyday experience of both staff and patients within hospital space. By adopting a mixed-methods approach combining data from interviews, NHS Staff Surveys and a Twitter analysis the study was able to analyse how several factors interact to shape hospital space and interactions. Findings showed that the physical deterioration of space can ‘wound’ the people forced to live amongst the decay – in the case of a statecontrolled hospital, this can be understood as a form of spatial violence. Results also emphasise the strain placed on NHS staff creates a vicious cycle of decline that can compromise patient outcomes and is exacerbated by the unique situation of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. This study was the first to assess the importance of a relationship between hospitals and their local community to increase resilience and ensure healthcare takes place in dignified worlds. This dissertation concluded that in order for the NHS to truly serve the people, it is essential to understand how people – including staff and patients – experience hospitals and other healthcare facilities differently depending on unique local geographies. |
| Critical Review Essay Evaluating the Success of Management of Recent Effusive Volcanic Crises | As an ever-increasing number of people are exposed to volcanic hazards worldwide, understanding how to effectively manage a volcanic crisis is of growing importance. Approaching volcanic risk requires a holistic understanding of volcanology, including both the geophysical behaviour of a volcano and the social challenges present in proximal communities. This paper reviews the theoretical understanding of all aspects of volcanic risk management, from monitoring of eruption precursors to the current understanding of social vulnerability, scientific and social uncertainty, and risk perception. These ideas are then applied to the contexts of the eruptions of Kīlauea and Cumbre Vieja, two effusive eruptions of similar magnitudes and contexts that produced extensive lava flows, disrupting transport and energy infrastructure, and destroying the homes of thousands. This review finds successes in the geophysical monitoring of both crises, illustrating the value of effective monitoring systems in a volcanic context. Communication between volcanologists, the media, the public and other stakeholders in both cases was also strong. Crowdsourcing of visual data from the public, for example, was employed by scientists, demonstrating a diffusive boundary of communication and involving the knowledge of residents in the scientific process. The eruptions illustrate lessons for the handling of uncertainty and creating regulations to support safe tourist opportunities in the face of crisis. Additionally, the contexts of Hawai’i and La Palma demonstrate the complex push and pull factors present in volcanic regions that cause residents to move to or continue living in volcanic areas despite knowledge of the risk, presenting an additional challenge to volcanic management in these regions. A review of the literature around the two eruptions also reveals a gap in current research on social vulnerability and local risk perception at these locations, indicating an avenue for further research in both these cases and others around the world. |
| Queer Gentrification in the East End: The Creation of Pseudo-Inclusionary Spaces of Expression | Over the last two decades, the Docklands redevelopment, and the Olympic Games have significantly altered the built environment and the demographics of East London. Gentrification is a complex form of neighbourhood change with multiple social and economic ramifications on local populations that has been documented in East London (Butler, 2007; Watt, 2013). Under deliberate place-marketing strategies of cosmopolitanism promoted by the 2012 Olympics, underpinned by implicit homonationalist discourses, the East End is increasingly framed as an inclusive space for queer people (Brown, 2006; Hubbard & Wilkinson, 2014). Precedents of white queer experiences of urban change and notions of “queer gentrification” are documented in different contexts, following the Castro District in San Francisco (Castells, 1983; Lewis, 2013). This dissertation addresses a deficit within gentrification literature, by centring a “queer of colour critique” (El-Tayeb, 2012), to highlight conflicts faced by queer people of colour (QPOC) in East London, from both queer and ethnic communities, and its repercussions on feelings of safety and belonging. I argue that lived realities of safety and queerness are radically different for QPOC, primarily due to intersections of marginalised identities. Secondly, experiences of gentrification are articulated in relation to their intersectional identities, exposing contradictions in notions of cosmopolitan urbanism where exclusive, homogenous queer spaces are reproduced in the East End. Lastly, the politics of belonging in East London are realised as pseudo-inclusionary for QPOC, with some movement towards progressive spaces through radical nightlife. This informs gentrification to be conceptualised as a plural process, manifesting disjunctively on different individuals. |
| Building a city image: investigating how the UK news media has represented The Line in Saudi Arabia. | Urban development projects have become increasingly prominent as globalisation has enhanced the need for cities to compete at the global scale and as such, they have received greater attention in the academic literature. This dissertation contributes to the academic literature, spotlighting the under-studied role of the media in urban development projects and substantiating the literature on representation in development. Using 142 articles from popular UK news sources and interviews with journalists, this dissertation investigates how The Line in Saudi Arabia has been represented in the news media, contributing to its city image. Concepts from urban geography, development studies and notions of city image are employed to explore the city’s discursive representations and how these are constructed. The dissertation’s findings reveal the image created for The Line in the news media is intertwined with ideas about the model city, particularly in terms of trends towards smart cities, infrastructural prowess and challenges, and politics. Ultimately the different images presented of The Line are found to contribute to sceptical framings of the project’s feasibility and artificiality, which compound widespread discourses concerning Arabs and Middle Eastern urban development projects. The construction of The Line forms part of a series of plans proposed by Saudi Arabia’s de facto leader, Mohammed bin Salman, in an attempt to reform the country and prepare for a post-oil future, thus situating the dissertation in a potentially pivotal moment of national transformation. |
| A multi-method investigation into information diffusion on Twitter, in relation to the 2022 UK energy crisis | Since Twitter launched in 2006, the social media platform has changed the way people communicate, now hosting almost 450 million users worldwide. With the aim to give everyone an instant voice, it has been heralded for flattening traditional social hierarchies through innovative features such as hashtags and retweets. But in this relatively new landscape, there is still little consensus as to how information flows on Twitter and whether traditional theory on public discussion can be applied to this new space. This piece seeks to fill these gaps by exploring the Twitter discourse surrounding the UK 2022 energy crisis. Employing novel multi-method analysis on a study sample of the 105,000 tweets posted over the time the energy price cap was unveiled in August, this research delves into the inherent geography of Twitter. As a salient everyday issue, the study site is well-suited to addressing theoretical questions of Habermas’ public sphere, as this space was traditionally conceived to debate daily events. Additionally, this study methodologically represents a benchmark for future research as big data analysis becomes more important and Twitter as a platform instigates a host of changes. |
| Long-term phenology of autumn raptor migration along the East African-Eurasian Flyway in relation to climate change. | Climate change has already led to dramatic phenological shifts in the timing of bird migration, transforming ecological processes and population dynamics. Examining shifts in raptor migration are especially important, given the crucial role of many raptors as apex predators within ecosystems. The East African-Eurasian Flyway is a globally important flyway for raptor migration, yet phenological shifts in autumn raptor migration have never been studied along it. Using historical migration count data from Batumi, Georgia this study has analysed how the timing of post-breeding autumn migration has changed along this flyway in ten raptor species from 2008 to 2022. For six of these species, autumn migration timing has been examined from 1990 to 2022, using historical migration count data from the Northern Valleys, Israel. By relating these trends to historical temperatures in breeding grounds, the relationship between raptor migration timing and climate change has been explored. In contrast to previous research into raptor migration, this study reveals that most species of raptor along the East African-Eurasian Flyway have shown no change in the timing of post-breeding autumn migration, despite increases in temperature in their breeding grounds. The lack of phenological shifts is attributed to low phenotypic plasticity in migration timing, due to most species in this study being long- distance migrants with long generation times. Several species have shown delays in migration timing though, often on a scale larger than what has been observed before in raptors. These shifts are theorised to be due to shorter migration distances in these species, allowing them to extend their breeding season in response to climate change. Importantly, this study suggests that climate change is altering predator-prey interactions in many of the raptor species in this study, regardless of their response, disrupting the ecological structure and dynamics of ecosystems. |
| Unlocking the City: Addressing social and environmental inequalities through shared micromobility in Cambridge | This dissertation explores the potential of the ‘Voi Technology’ shared micromobility scheme to alleviate social and environmental inequalities and enable previously marginalised groups to access transport in Cambridge. Shared micromobility is an increasingly salient form of public urban transport consisting of lightweight personal vehicles including electric scooters (e-scooters) and electric bikes (e-bikes) (Sustrans, 2019). These novel means of transportation were introduced to England via a series of trial schemes by the government beginning in 2020 (DfT, 2022). Shared micromobility schemes are marketed as a potential long-term solution to current social and environmental problems prevalent across transportation models across British cities (Olabi, et al., 2023; Asensio, et al., 2022). Cambridge was one of 17 British cities to participate in the initial wave of shared micromobility scheme trials operated by ‘Voi Technology’. (Cambridge City Council, 2020). The city has the highest levels of socio-economic inequality in Britain and a disconnected transport system. This dissertation explores whether the introduction of Voi has helped Cambridge to overcome these inequities (Luxon, 2020; Ferguson, 2020). This study presents data sourced from 10 semi-structured interviews with current users of the scheme; 4 interviews with key stakeholders; questionnaire data garnered from 77 users and 82 non-users of the scheme, and photographs taken by the author that reinforce the discussion. This dissertation concludes that there are considerable benefits including convenience, pleasure, social cohesion, sustainability and the reduction of bike theft that enable improved access to the city. However, the data also reveals significant barriers obstructing the success of the scheme such as affordability and irresponsible use. Thus, this dissertation raises questions about the future of mobility and connections between citizenship studies and transport and can provide recommendations for Voi Technology and similar micromobility startups going forward. |
| The Mutable Body: Exploring the Changeable Everyday Experiences of Living with Type 1 Diabetes | Approximately 400,000 individuals in the UK are currently living with Type 1 Diabetes; an incurable chronic condition that occurs when the body is unable to produce insulin which is the hormone responsible for controlling the level of glucose in the body’s bloodstream (JDRF, 2022a). Nevertheless, while there exists considerable geographical literature exploring the space of ‘the body’ and the factors that influence the everyday experiences of bodies with various illness and impairments (Longhurst, 1997; Moss and Dyck, 2003; Mol, 2003; Crooks et al., 2018; Andrews, 2019), such geographical work relating explicitly to the Type 1 diabetic body remains limited (Lucherini, 2016; 2019). This original dissertation contributes to existing literature on ‘geographies of health’ and ‘geographies of the body’, and, more specifically, the ‘Type 1 diabetic body’. By completing eighteen in-depth semi-structured interviews with individuals living with Type 1 Diabetes, it uncovers how the Type 1 diabetic body and its everyday experiences are products of not simply the body’s biological materiality, but also its relations to various materials, other human bodies and popular discourses associated with Type 1 diabetes. More specifically, it indicates how the ways in which the Type 1 diabetic body changeably interacts with these relations, in different everyday spaces at different times, work to render the body’s everyday form, functioning, emotions and behaviours liable to change. Hence, the Type 1 diabetic body may be described as ‘mutable’. |
| A Ticking Lyme Bomb? An analysis of the influence of climate change and (sub)urbanisation on the incidence of Lyme disease in Pennsylvania, USA. | Lyme disease is the most prevalent tick-borne infection in the United States, and is becoming more common, with an estimated 476,000 cases annually. Growing recognition of the potentially serious health impacts of Lyme disease infection, alongside the rising associated economic costs, have prompted greater research in recent years. This has identified climate change and (sub)urbanisation as key drivers in the emergence, geographic spread and rising incidence of Lyme disease. However, there remains a lack of adequate analysis of the role of seasonal climate across the lifecycle of the tick vector of Lyme disease, alongside clear empirical evidence linking (sub)urbanisation with rising incidence in a geographically-constrained area. This dissertation seeks to address these gaps, whilst also investigating whether variables identified as significant elsewhere appear to be drivers at this scale and geographic location. This dissertation focuses on Pennsylvania, the state with the highest recorded cases annually, yet an area under-represented in previous studies, at the county-level. A variety of climate and land-use variables were assessed, to analyse both the spatial and temporal patterns of Lyme disease incidence across Pennsylvania. Overall, compelling evidence of climate change and (sub)urbanisation-related land-use changes being primary drivers of the spatial and temporal patterns of Lyme disease in Pennsylvania are found. In particular, spring precipitation in the year prior to infection and forest cover are key predictors of interannual spatial variation. Changes to spring temperatures and land-cover are shown to be drivers of differential incidence increases across the state. In the counties experiencing the greatest increases in Lyme disease incidence, (sub)urbanisation is a significant factor behind this rise, while in counties with little change in incidence, none of the variables tested here are responsible, demonstrating the spatially heterogenous influence of environmental factors to Lyme disease, and hence the importance of context-specific public health approaches in the future. |
| Care on-demand: Expanding gig to account for a feminised experience of platform work | The growth of “non-standard” work in recent years has ignited discussions over the role of work in peoples’ lives and what the future of work might look like. Exemplifying these concerns, the gig economy, which is technologically facilitated and systematically circumvents labour protections, has become the epicentre of debates over the future of work. Analysis has begun into the implications of flexible app-based work although, as this study seeks to rectify, the experiences of women in female-dominated sectors have largely been missed from the research. This study is a starting point at rebalancing the voices represented in the gig literature. Drawing primarily from interviews with women working in domestic roles organised via platforms this research provides an account of gig work in domestic spaces. This account is critical, demonstrating the ways in which current theories and ideas about the gig economy are incompatible with the experiences of those in feminised sectors. Employing a multi-disciplinary and feminist approach this study presents the unique, and often gendered, tensions felt by women working in intimate roles; their experiences of time, commitment, autonomy and their gendered, working identities have yet to be captured in accounts of gig work. This study finds that domestic gig work pushes at the edges of what is known about gig work in several ways, suggesting a variety of new challenges and opportunities yet to be explored in the future of work. |
| Deserving Subjects: An Analysis of Migrant Selection and Neoliberal Citizenship in Singapore | In Singapore, migration is a pressing and highly divisive political issue that has received much scholarship attention. This dissertation builds on the existing critical literature by training academic attention onto the portrayal of migrants through discourse analysis. Using data from a corpus of 36 newspaper articles, parliamentary debates, political speeches, and policy briefs, this dissertation investigates how the political discourses of migrants reveal the countervailing economic, political and security objectives of the state. Drawing on concepts from political geography, citizenship studies, mobility studies and the geographies of threat and security, this research traces the discursive representations of two groups of migrants – foreign workers and foreign talents – and consider both the material and discursive implications of their representation. This dissertation will highlight how neoliberal discourses of deservingness and common vocabularies of threat are mobilised in different ways for each migrant group to articulate the complex interplay of the economic, political and security objectives of the state. Findings show that although these two groups of migrants share the same corporeal city, their embodied, spatial and social experiences of the city are very much different. This dissertation comes at a watershed moment where immigration policies in Singapore are in constant flux. With a paradigmatic shift to a points-based system of assessment on the horizon, this has a considerable impact on discussions on the lived realities of migrants in Singapore. |
| The ‘Führer City Linz’: The Role of Architecture in Embodying the National Socialist German Workers’ Party’s Ideology | This dissertation aims to understand how architecture was used to embody Nazi Party ideology, including their community ideologies and their imaginary of an immortal Third Reich, through the use of neoclassical styles and community architecture. This dissertation uses a triangulation framework of visual and textual analysis of speeches, memoirs and letters from leading Nazi Party figures, interrogations led by the American Commission for the Protection and Salvage of Historic Monuments in War Areas and the models and plans for the Linz City Project in Austria. A qualitative approach was used, through thematic coding, to extract reflexive themes linking to the research questions and existing literature. The dissertation had a threefold aim: to reflect on why Linz was a significant location for a Führer State; explore how architecture was used to embody the ‘community’ ideology; and analyse how architecture was utilised to create the imaginary of an immortal Third Reich Empire. This dissertation contributes to the literature on the city projects taking place in the Führer States: Berlin; Munich; Hamburg; and Nuremberg, where architectural methods have been recognised as contributing to the production of an ordered and ‘pure’ German culture and society as their landscapes and architectural styles are ‘representative’ of the Volk (Taylor, 1974). Key architectural styles that have been drawn out of the current literature and further analysed in this dissertation are: size; rectangular spaces; lines of sight and direction; and immortality (Gell, 1998; Taylor, 1974). This dissertation offers a unique study area, as it is outside Germany’s borders and was arguably the project Hitler felt most emotionally attached to. I conclude that architecture was a tool to embody the power and desired ‘clarity’ of the Aryan volkisch community, with ordered large boulevards, rectangular spaces and lines of sight and direction, manifesting this ideology to all those in the landscape. I also conclude that to embody the imaginary of an immortal Third Reich, architectural styles were used to stage both the past and the future, using the Doric order and scale of buildings respectively. |
| Relational landscapes along a more-than-human railway: Settle-Carlisle, 1875-1930 | The field of landscape studies has evolved from a discipline concerned primarily with landscape as it was constructed textually, to a more holistic discipline which recognises the agency of other-than-human objects in these relations. Not only can landscape be constructed, it also ‘is’, and it becomes (or performs as) part of a distinct atmosphere around the observer. Landscape is therefore ‘more-than-representational’. However, literature on this topic often fails to address the influence of more-than-human – particularly technological – actants as mediators of the affective atmosphere between observer and the landscape. Achieving this recognition is the focal point of this paper. In order to address these concepts, I shall consider how they apply in practice to railway passenger-landscape relations. Historically, railways and landscape have oft been studied in tandem, but primarily only in reference to the representations generated following the arrival of the railway, and rarely, if ever, considering the more complex web of social-technological-natural relations which are present. In this paper, I move discussion beyond the theoretical realm by analysing these concepts in practice, focusing on the early history of the Settle – Carlisle line as a case study. I apply a ‘historical re-enactive’ methodology to develop a more-than-representational overview of the train’s role as a mediator of passengers’ experiences. I identify particular features of the train which are situated ‘between’ the passenger and the landscape, explain how those features related to the atmosphere that passengers found themselves in, and then show the consequences of embodied relations between those features, passengers, and the landscape. I conclude by emphasising the importance of attending to mediating technologies, and the value of synthesising relationality, materiality, mediation, and atmosphere to better understand landscapes as more-than-representational. |
| Belief in the meritocracy? Children’s imagined futures in a stratified world. An intimate perspective. | This research seeks to explore children’s imagined futures in a time of ‘austere meritocracy’ (Mendick et al., 2018) as they are being encouraged by government promoted narratives of meritocracy to have ambitious, economically productive goals whilst living in a highly unequal society where social mobility is increasingly challenging (Owens and de St Croix, 2020). It seeks to understand whether young people are aware of this tension, or whether they are engaging with meritocratic narratives. Data was collected by speaking to 18 primary school students, aged 10 or 11, across three socio-economically diverse schools. Students conducted creative tasks to establish their socio-economic status, imagined futures and awareness of potential barriers to achieving their goals. Gender, class and place were found to significantly influence young people’s imagined futures. Girls across the socio-economic spectrum showed awareness of barriers they were likely to face in the future as a woman and working class children showed awareness of economic barriers they were likely to face. Middle class children showed the least engagement with discourses encouraging them to become economically productive citizens and were the only group that aspired to more creative, rather than academic, jobs. This research shows that government promoted discourses of meritocracy and aspiration within the education system are not influencing all children equally, and most are aware that our society is not entirely meritocratic. |
| Two Decades of Retreat of Bylot Island Glaciers | Globally, most glaciers are experiencing retreat due to continued global warming (IPCC, 2021). Arctic amplification is enhancing this warming in the Arctic creating concern for the future health of the Arctic’s glaciers. This study presents new estimates for the changes to the extent of glaciated area and the margin retreat of the 16 largest glaciers on Bylot Island, Nunavut, Canada. Area changes were calculated using a new semi-automated classification method, the Automated Glacier Extraction Index (AGEI), proposed by Zhang et al (2019). It marks a slight improvement on the existing NIR/SWIR method. Estimates for margin change were calculated using the GEEDiT and MaQiT tools developed by Lea (2018) which enable rapid digitisation of margins and quantification retreat. All Bylot Island’s largest glaciers retreated between 2001-2021 at an average rate of 28.85 m yr-1 over a two-decade period. The extent of the island’s main ice cap decreased by 250.6 km2 over a 15-year period (2001-2016), taking the total ice loss since 1958/61 to ~503.6 km2. Annually resolved measurements of margin change reveal that glacier characteristics and margin setting exhibited an important control on glacial retreat. In total, 8 glaciers were identified as potential surging glaciers. Of these, one advanced during the first decade (2001-2011). |
| Modelling Germination Level Soil Temperature for the Study of Subarctic High Latitude Treeline Movement | Rapid warming in the Arctic is projected to cause widespread ecological change, especially at the boundary between boreal forests and the Arctic tundra, known as the treeline. Models of treeline movement often do not account for soil temperature due to limited direct measurements of soil temperature at treeline sites, using air temperature instead. This is not ideal as there is a growing body of literature supporting the biological importance of soil temperature for tree recruitment. This study builds a one-dimensional semi-infinite solid heat transfer model of soil temperature in the germination zone using remote sensing and reanalysis data. Daily and site-to-site variation in soil thermal properties are accounted for through the integration of the analytical heat transfer model with statistical models of key parameters. The model is validated using direct soil temperature measurements at 27 pan-Arctic sites at depths between 5 and 20cm. Overall, the model is found to be a better fit for soil temperature than air temperature. Finally, the soil temperature based growing season length is calculated at the treeline and the potential value of estimating soil temperatures for future studies of treeline movement is briefly considered. |
| Remembering to Forget How memories of the Teneguía (1971) eruption shaped the response to the Cumbre Vieja (2021) eruption, La Palma (Canary Islands). | La Palma, Canary Islands, is one of the most volcanically active islands of the archipelago, with three eruptions occurring within living memory (Carracedo et al., 2001). In September 2021, La Palma gripped the world’s media as a fissure eruption began on the 19th of September, after fifty years of quiescence (Longpré, 2021). The eruption quickly became the most destructive in La Palma’s history; with 1,676 buildings destroyed by lava flows, the level of destruction was unprecedented and left deep psychological scars for those who lived through it. The last eruption to occur in La Palma was the 1971 eruption of Teneguía, a strombolian eruption that occurred near the sparsely populated town of Fuencaliente (Araña, 1974). The Teneguía eruption caused minimal damage and was thus fondly remembered for the natural show of a lifetime it gave locals and tourists who flocked from across the globe to view the spectacle (ibid). This dissertation aims to draw upon previous work in disaster risk reduction research (e.g., Longo, 2019 and Madson & O’Mullen, 2013) and apply the lens of memory and identity to the 2021 Cumbre Vieja eruption. By conducting interviews with civilians and elites combined with discourse analysis of newspaper articles, this dissertation found a substantial relationship between memories of Teneguía, the Palmero identity and the response to the 2021 eruption. As La Palma moves into the recovery phase and begins to look to the future of volcanic hazard management, this dissertation could not be more critical. However, further work on collecting interviews throughout the recovery phase and attempts to apply Taylor et al., (2020)’s methodology of ‘Messy Maps’ would enhance volcanic risk assessment and hazard management in the Canary Islands. |
| Critical Review Essay A fung(u)ide to addressing the problems of the modern world: towards a critical geography of the mushroom | What can we learn by thinking like – or thinking with – mushrooms? Fungi form complex networks through series of entanglements with other fungi as well as other species, forming symbiotic relationships. Thinking through entanglements, both entanglements with other humans, as well as the more-than-human, can inform geographical thinking about living through the Anthropocene. In more-than-human geographies, animals have had their moment, and even plants; it’s more than time to consider the potential of fungi for understanding the modern day. To do so, we can think through entanglements, the more-than-human, geographies of affect and the microbiopolitics of fungal life. Fungi are amazing and unique organisms that have the potential to transform landscapes and environments from within the ground. The practice of fermentation can offer an ontology whereby we begin to understand the importance of fungi in our lives, as well as being a philosophy for delivering change. It also becomes fruitful to increase the scale of investigation through addressing how the philosophy of fermentation have practical approaches as a method of metabolising waste and the negative effects of the Anthropocene. Finally, discovering how these practical effects can be applied to real-world circumstances offers a guide to living with and through the Anthropocene via fungal connections. Moving up in scales in such a way shows how significant fungi are to many functions: from the individual body to a systems-scale. Investigating such themes will answer the question: what can we learn from mushrooms? |
| Critical Review Essay A Critical Review of Energy Justice: Is there room for the more-than-human? | This critical review essay examines the concept of energy justice in its current state and aims to address whether an incorporation of more-than-human theories would make it a more effective tool for policy makers. It provides an overview of energy justice literature, highlighting the importance of such a concept in the context of global energy system transitions that could provide an opportunity for enacting socio-economic and environmental change. More-than-human theories are suggested as a method to address two of the main criticisms of energy justice, its anthropocentric nature and its reliance on Western knowledges. There is a challenge to the Western perception of the environment as a resource for human use and control, towards non-Western and Indigenous understandings of natures intrinsic value, promoted by more-than-human and post-development theories. Reflecting on these emerging examples of non-human agency, a case study of a proposed development in the UK energy system is analysed first through energy justice in its current state, compared with an alternate energy justice that aims to value more-than-human agency. The proposed Woodhouse Colliery in Whitehaven is chosen as a contemporary example of the major debates within the energy system, between the need for jobs and environmental action. The analysis finds that although there are many of the tools necessary to achieve procedural justice for more-than-human actors, the challenge lies with justice of distribution and recognition. For energy justice to be effectively implemented there will need to be a radical shift in Western understandings of the environment, from a passive object to an active subject. Although there is some evidence this shift may be beginning, with some non-human agency making its way into policy, there have also been recent examples with much less success in enacting social and environmental reform, such as the proposal of a Green New Deal in the UK and USA. |
| Can Buildings Heal? The therapeutic potential of biophilic urban design | This dissertation aims to investigate how biophilic design in the built environment can support and improve human well-being, with a focus on emotional restoration. One purpose-built (Oldham) and one interim (Cambridge) Maggie’s centre are used as case studies to explore how relationships with and emotional responses to the built environment emerge in spaces with different degrees of biophilic design. Visual content analysis and thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews were conducted. The analysis revealed that patterns and aspects of biophilic design could be detected at both centres, yet much more powerfully at Maggie’s Oldham, due to the purposeful inclusion of natural design elements like wooden materials into the integral structure and function of the space. The results also showed how this presence of biomimicry fostered positive emotional responses that helped visitors feel calm, happy, and comfortable. This dissertation demonstrates the affective power of the built environment, when utilising biophilic design, in the ways in which natural features contributed to supra-individual ‘architectural atmospheres’ (Martin et al. 2019) through the construction of fields of collective emotional energy that shaped the capabilities of individuals and encourage positive emotions. Meanwhile, it is shown that this architectural affect constitutes just one element of a broader ‘ecology of place’ (Thrift 1999) in the centres, operating alongside the interactions of hu-man and non-human actors. This dissertation emphasises the importance of networks of human interaction and support at both Maggie’s centres, to high-light how emotions are mediated socio-spatially through relations both with people and environments. This dissertation concludes by paying attention to the overlapping and intertwined nature of the built and social environments, which co-constitute the intersubjective force-fields of emotion and affect within the Maggie’s centres. It argues that the biophilic urban space at Maggie’s centres effectively acts as an emotionally resonant foundation, as a ‘silent carer’ (Butterfield and Martin n.d.) that actively underpins and supports the healing practices and social interrelations that occur upon it. |
| The impact of ice mélange buttressing in Neny Fjord (W Graham Land, Antarctic Peninsula) on Neny and Remus Glacier | Ice mélange has been recognised as a proglacial factor influencing glacier dynamics through mechanical backstress at the calving front of marine-terminating outlet glaciers. However, observations of the interactions between ice mélange and glacier terminus are limited in number and geographical spread. This study investigates ice mélange processes in a fjord on the west coast of the Antarctic Peninsula and their impact on the glaciers terminating in that fjord through buttressing effects. Image classification methods are applied to Landsat data in order to derive area measurements of ice mélange cover at different points throughout the daylight season. Significant interannual variations in ice mélange area are evident between 2001 and 2018. A dramatic difference in the timing of ice mélange disintegration is discovered between the austral summers of 2016-17 and 2017-18; this occurrence is explained as a result of the coupling of the El Niño/Southern Oscillation and the Southern Annular Mode, which drive variability of surface air temperatures and, more importantly, ocean temperatures via the upwelling of warm Circumpolar Deep Water onto the continental shelf off the southwestern Antarctic Peninsula. The insights into ice mélange behaviour are then related to surface velocity data of the three glaciers terminating in the fjord. The results are mixed, yet there is indication that the proglacial ice mélange exerts significant backstress on their calving fronts. It is found that seasonally resolved velocity data are needed to test the hypotheses made about the relationship of ice mélange buttressing and glacier velocity. |
| Critical Review Essay Revisiting the Enlightenment: mapping influences on geographical thought | The origins of modern geography are often traced back to the imperial antics of a number of European states, and, as a result, geography rather quickly became “the science of imperialism par excellence” (Livingstone 1992: 160). However, a budding literature that emerged towards the end of the last century places geography as originating in the period of time we have come to know as the Enlightenment. Following the seminal text by Livingstone and Withers, Geography and Enlightenment, this critical review essay will explore in greater depth how Enlightenment was geographical, as well as exploring in further depth geography’s “perennial obsession with the far away, with mapping the world, [and] with exhibiting classi?ed knowledge” (Livingstone and Withers 1999: 2) through chapters on exploration, mapping, and classi?cation, as well as using the biographies of Alexander von Humboldt (1769-1859) and James Cook (1728-1779). Particularly in line with the focus of decolonial literature, this essay will also examine the relationship both of these entities have with empire: perhaps what Livingstone and Withers were alluding to when they wrote of geography’s interest in “the imposition of European ways of thinking” (ibid). However, the essay will show Enlightenment as neither entirely emancipatory nor entirely imperial: that Enlightenment thinkers put forth critiques of imperialism at great personal risk, but were not capable of eliminating imperialist impulses. Ultimately this essay will show that geography, Enlightenment, and empire alike are each complex and variegated enterprises, complicated even further when considered in relation to one another – and that this does not weaken the discipline, but, rather, that acknowledging the complexities is indeed a symbol of a strong discipline. |
| Visceral Temporality (Not) Eating, Embodiment and Disordered Time | Listening to the stories of nine individuals with (histories of) eating disorders, this dissertation unites the theoretical frameworks of queer phenomenology and visceral and affective geographies to explore the temporal intimacies, practices, and embodiments of living with, and through, an eating disorder (Lavis, 2016). Orientating myself towards ‘mad’ scholarship and feminist epistemologies that question claims to objectivity and warn against co-optation of narratives, I seek to empower my participants and their lived knowledge. As such, the complementary methods of photo elicitation and semi-structured interviews were employed for their emancipatory potential and to elicit rich narratives. I move beyond biomedical psychiatric and Foucauldian feminist interpretations of eating disorders that consider the body to be passive, exploring the visceral and affective complexities and liveliness of eating disordered bodies (Hayes-Conroy & Hayes-Conroy, 2020). My focus on temporality supplements existing research on eating disorders which largely attend to materiality and relationality (Warin, 2010; Gooldin, 2008; Eli & Lavis, 2021; Lavis, 2013, 2017). While I do not neglect the material and relational intensities of eating disorders, my dissertation argues these are co-constituted, mediated, enlivened, and dulled by temporality: both in the way temporality is experientially registered but also actively mobilised and performed as a coping strategy for those with eating disorders. Crucially then, this dissertation finds time is not a deadened ‘just happening’ but holds visceral potential as those with eating disorders feel their subversion of normative time and social rhythms. Consequently, for individuals with eating disorders, temporality is affectively textured through habits, more/less-than atmospheres of anticipation or (dis)comfort, and the entanglement of the future presenced and living present (Anderson, 2010). This dissertation reveals the need for geography, especially health geographies, to dedicate time to time. Scholarship must conceptually attend to temporality beyond linear teleology, instead acknowledging its embodied, situated, and relational capacities. The effectivity of an interdisciplinary approach alongside ‘mad’, feminist epistemological and methodological orientations for future studies of temporality and mental health is further underscored. |
| Towards a historical ecology of Vestland, Norway: a palaeo perspective | The reconstruction of palaeoecological change is crucial to understanding the dynamic and multiple trajectories of environmental change over the 21st century and beyond. In order to accurately understand these potential trajectories, background information on ecosystem dynamics and variability are needed. Historical palaeoecological studies covering the ‘geologically recent’ period provide this missing link between palaeoenvironmental change and modern ecological dynamics. This is particularly important in high-latitude temperate forest environments where forest and shrub expansion are altering carbon cycle dynamics and atmosphere-soil-vegetation feedbacks to amplify modern warming. This study utilises historical ecology as a methodology to reconstruct the palaeoecological histories of two lake catchments, Lontjørnane and Stoylsvatnet, in west Norway over the last millennia. These cultural landscapes provide rare records of dynamic ecosystem variability in response to evolving disturbance regimes, predominantly agricultural activity and environmental change. By reconciling the palynological records with historical documentation, the dominant and directive control of anthropogenic activity on ecosystem structure, composition, and dynamics in these ‘wild’ landscapes is revealed. Both sites record vegetation histories consistent with early agricultural activity followed by late forest re-growth in response to land abandonment and modern warming after centuries of cumulative disturbance. These palaeoecological histories provide the information needed for situated conservation frameworks and projections of future ecological change in Vestland, Norway. A robust tephrochronological framework is built at both sites in order to effectively constrain and interpret the temporal dynamics of palaeoecological changes. This chronology is constructed from key Icelandic cryptotephra isochrons and 210Pb dating. In addition, this study reports the first identification of distal cryptotephra deposits from the 1625 AD eruption of Katla and only the fourth identification of distal deposits from the 1477 AD Veiðivötn eruption – the latter of which presents a potential chronostratigraphic tiepoint for the onset of the Little Ice Age. |
| ‘A difficult line to walk’ Austerity and the Divided City: How do foodbanks navigate political polarisation and segregation in Belfast, Northern Ireland? | This dissertation explores the ways in which foodbanks navigate political polarisation and ethnosectarian segregation in the city of Belfast, Northern Ireland. To do so, I first ground my investigation within the relevant literature on theories of civil society, urban segregation, and austerity. However, despite there being a growing body of geographical scholarship dedicated to investigating the dramatic rise and rise of foodbanks in the context of austerity Britain, there have been few attempts to examine these within the devolved region of Northern Ireland. This investigation is an attempt to both fill this gap, and answer Strong’s (2020) call for a closer engagement with the “everyday spatial politics of foodbanking” (pp. 212). To do so, interviewed a range of food bank managers working throughout the city in order to produce a qualitative account understanding of food poverty and austerity in the region. By focusing on the perspectives of foodbank managers within organisations across Belfast, this investigation devotes warranted attention to what Williams et al. (2016) call the “neglected politics articulated within foodbanks themselves” (pp. 2292). To unpack the themes of this ‘neglected politics’ I uncovered, I performed a discourse analysis on my interview transcripts using NVivo coding software. This investigation provides insight into how civil society organisations, like foodbanks, navigate austerity within the context of a divided city. Primarily, my findings illustrate how the foodbank managers and volunteers, who are locally embedded within the communities they serve, are an invaluable resource. However, my findings suggest that they are not a finite resource and volunteer burn-out is a potentially destabilising force within the austere, post-conflict city. |
| Beaver Biopolitics and Human-Beaver Entanglements in Ladock, Cornwall | Beavers are highly contested creatures who have been perceived throughout history both as useful, hard-working animals and troublesome, dangerous pests. As species reintroductions become increasingly popular in conservation, beavers are being brought back to Britain, from which they have been absent for around 500 years. In August 2021, I attempted to conduct four-and-a-half weeks of more-than-human anthropological field research to explore the lives of the beavers reintroduced under the Cornwall Beaver Project (CBP). Drawing on Michel Foucault’s theorization of biopower and Maan Barua’s understanding of nonhuman labour, this dissertation argues that the reintroduced beavers are being positioned as service providers in a more-than-human division of labour. It understands the CBP as a neoliberal biopolitical regime, governing beaver lives so as to maximise the performance of more-than-human labour and the generation of encounter value. This project finds that beavers do not passively acquiesce to human control and frequently undermine biopolitical management. However, the beavers cannot always escape the violence associated with neoliberal inflections of biopower. This suggests the need for reflection on the ways in which beaver reintroductions are occurring in Britain. |
| Extinction Rebellion: Dutiful or disobedient? A Twitter analysis of April’s 2019 London protests | Extinction Rebellion are a social movement who use civil disobedience tactics to endeavour to change state policies to prevent climate and ecological breakdown. In April 2019, Extinction Rebellion held an eleven-day protest in London causing major disruption. This study investigates public opinion on Extinction Rebellion through the platform of Twitter using the lens of citizenship. It first uses manual sentiment analysis to determine whether Twitter users suggest Extinction Rebellion were dutiful or disobedient in its actions in April 2019. It then explores the importance of tweeters’ beliefs on climate change and how change can be made to state policies, to better understand individuals’ tensions between a duty to respect local civil society and a duty of protection to a global civil society. This study has methodological contributions to the field of sentiment analysis and provides evidence that a social movement which performs civil disobedience and cause disruption can be perceived as morally dutiful. |
| Roads to Improvement: The Construction of “Destitution Roads” by the Edinburgh Section of the Central Board as a response to Highland Famine, 1847-1850 | Recent work in historical geography has investigated the ‘governmentalisation of famine’ in the nineteenth century (Nally, 2008; Sasson and Vernon, 2015). This literature has drawn on Foucault’s (2007) concept of governmentality to argue that famines were considered legitimate sites of intervention and that relief responses were designed to conduct specific societal outcomes. This dissertation explores the governmentalisation of famine further by examining the under-investigated Highland Potato Famine. Administrators of eleemosynary aid between 1847 and 1850 viewed famine responses as an opportunity to reconfigure and ‘improve’ Highland society. With elements of internal colonisation, relief programmes aimed to stimulate agrarian capitalism, a free market, and the transition of Highland cottars into landless, proletarianized labourers who were forced to sell labour and purchase food in that free market. This governance arguably made Highlanders more food insecure. Considering the efforts of the Edinburgh Section and the destitution road project, however, this research queries the overly-paradigmatic nature of Foucault’s (2007) theorised shift from sovereign-territorial power to a governmental-population regime, and its application to the governmentalisation of famine. Contrary to this paradigmatic interpretation, territory does not disappear from governmental concern but is considered in a new way. The Edinburgh Section’s governmental intervention through road construction within the boundaries of their relief area entailed the transformation of Highland land into a territory which could be governed according to the Section’s capitalist political ideologies. As such, territory was a ‘political technology’ in the governmentalisation of famine (Elden, 2013). The destitution road project calculated and managed networks and flows through Highland terrain, which made a Highland territory that was a coherent ‘spatio-political object’ for the Edinburgh Section’s governing policies and ideologies (Painter, 2010: 1104). In particular, control over Highland territory enabled networks of free market trade to circulate the Highlands, encouraged flows of waged labour and the proletarianization of Highland labourers, and stimulated new territorial property regimes and agricultural organisation for profit. Control of territory encouraged a shift from a tenancy system in which Highlanders possessed the means to subsistence towards a capitalist system that that was based on waged labour and commoditised food. This dissertation, therefore, concludes that the calculation and management of territory, as well as populations, must be considered in research into the governmentalisation of famine. |
| An exploration of processes of de/politicisation in the French Citizens’ Convention on Climate | Citizens assemblies on climate change are growing in popularity at the local, national, and even global scale. They are lauded as a way to bring about ambitious climate action, bringing citizens’ voices to the forefront on climate change, an issue where policymaking is often dominated by inaction from politicians and overly technical issue frames. However, this form of ‘deliberative democracy’ is also highly criticised by some for ‘depoliticising’ climate change, creating exclusions through consensus-seeking processes and preventing thinking beyond dominant societal paradigms, thus foreclosing visions of alternative futures. This dissertation seeks to explore processes of depoliticisation and politicisation of climate change within the French Citizens’ Convention on Climate (CCC), focusing on three core axes of reflection: consensus, the discursive framing of climate change, and expertise. It carries out a discourse analysis of videos of the Conventions sessions and the Convention’s final policy proposal document, as well as supporting documentary material. It shows that, contrary to those who argue that deliberative approaches are strongly depoliticising (Machin, 2013; Pepermans and Maeseele, 2016), both depoliticisation and politicisation of climate change take place within the CCC. It also highlights that framing climate change as not only a technical, but a social justice issue, is a core driver of politicisation, allowing citizens to challenge expert framings and understand society as contingent, enabling citizens to think beyond dominant societal paradigms. This dissertation suggests that future work should study depoliticisation and politicisation in citizens’ assemblies, providing policy relevant insights and informing ongoing debates about whether it is best to tackle climate change through politicisation or depoliticisation. |
| An investigation of trends in fire occurrence and recurrence, burn severity, and vegetation health in the (Indigenous) Bolivian Amazon. | Due to the small percentage of Amazonian forest in Bolivia, fire in the Bolivian Amazon generally receives less coverage than in other countries. Despite this, large portions of the country have recently faced greater fire outbreaks. The causes of these fires are anthropogenic; however, not all forest users contribute to this equally. Indigenous communities have been hailed as successful forest users of fire. Thus, an investigation into the spatial variation of fire outbreaks and effects focusing on the difference between Indigenous lands and other lands may offer helpful insights. Using remote sensing products and vegetation indices, this study investigates the spatial distribution of fire occurrence and recurrence, burn severity, and vegetation health, focusing on land-cover and land tenure. The results show a significant difference between expected and observed frequencies of fire occurrence across land-covers and a significant difference between fire occurrence in Indigenous lands and other lands in five land-cover types. No statistically significant results could be drawn from burn severity trends; however, Indigenous lands appeared to suffer less severe burns. Statistically significant trends were identified in four land-cover change time series and one NDVI time series. |
| Putting the Brakes on Fast Fashion: Investigating Barriers to the Growth of Slow Fashion | Fast fashion is a $1.6 trillion dollar industry that is responsible for some of the most pressing social and environmental crises humanity faces. These include, inter alia, climate change, modern day slavery, precarious working environments and gender based violence both in the developed and developing world (Hoskins, 2014; Anguelov, 2015). However, since the late 2000s, an alternative paradigm has emerged – one that represents a departure from decades of socio-environmental decay under the incumbent fast fashion business model. This alternative enterprise is known as ‘slow fashion’, and it is steered on a foundation of climate positivity and social empowerment. The slow fashion movement has gathered some momentum over the last few years with positive change happening both at the institutional and consumer levels. However, despite the interest in slow approaches to fashion amongst academics, companies, consumers and the media, significant barriers to full-scale adoption remain. This dissertation aims to unpack the roadblocks which stand in the way of slow fashion’s growth. The study triangulates data from interviews conducted with 7 CEOs of UK-based slow fashion companies and questionnaire data garnered from 110 young adults from various parts of the UK. I propose that there are three different types of barriers facing slow fashion: (1) demand-side barriers; (2) supply-side barriers and; (3) systemic barriers. In turn, this dissertation helps to reveal that in order to transition the fashion industry to a more sustainable future, interventions are not only needed at the level of the consumer and the firm, but they are also needed at the level of the political economy. These findings consequently enrich previous studies on the barriers to slow fashion and highlight areas of action for policy makers and future researchers. : fast fashion, slow fashion, sustainability, sustainable fashion, neoliberal capitalism. |
| Unequal foodscapes of plenty – An investigation into the socio-spatial food provisioning strategies of low-income migrant mothers in Sham Shui Po, Hong Kong | In Hong Kong, urban food insecurity is a pressing issue that low-income families must overcome every day. Using data from a survey and 21 semi-structured interviews, this dissertation investigates how and why low-income Chinese migrant mothers living in the Sham Shui Po district use a variety of socio-spatial strategies to provide food for their families. Drawing on concepts from both feminist and food geographies, the research traces the women’s embodied, social, and spatial experiences with food provisioning starting from food acquisition to preparation and consumption. Findings highlight how their food provisioning strategies are characterised by dynamic forms of mobility between and within the public urban space and the private domestic space. Food acquisition occurs via three key avenues: personal purchase, formal charity food assistance, and informal networks. Decisions to utilise these avenues are governed by cost, food quality and quantity; the women also needed to simultaneously navigate embodied and temporal constraints imposed by childcare responsibilities. Strategies for food preparation involved negotiating domestic spatial constraints and food preferences of family members that subsequently govern differential modes of food consumption. The study also emphasises the value of social networks as a vital source of knowledge and material food exchange within the women’s food provisioning strategies. Ultimately, these women have the resourceful and adaptive ability to selectively deploy social and/or spatial food provisioning strategies across various sites to obtain affordable and quality food tailored to the needs of their family members. These strategies require navigating various constraints which are shaped by their class, gender, and the wider urban context. The study’s outcomes contribute towards research efforts seeking to understand the context-specific manifestations of, and coping mechanisms against urban food insecurity for low-income families. |
| Use of a remotely sensed landform assemblage on a Svalbard glacial forefield to determine the cause and nature of Little Ice Age glacial advance and subsequent retreat | This project uses a landform assemblage approach to determine the glacial history of Von Postbreen in western Spitsbergen, Svalbard. Landforms in Von Postbreen’s forefield are identified and interpreted using elevation data from the open access ArcticDEM and multi-swath fjord bathymetry. These data are supplemented with map sources and Landsat imagery that mark the glacier’s changing extent through time. The landforms identified are used to analyse Von Postbreen’s history. Aspects investigated are the likelihood of a Little Ice Age surge of the glacier, the nature and speed of its subsequent retreat, and differing landform preservation potentials between the submarine and terrestrial areas of the forefield. The landform assemblage at Von Postbreen was compared to a model, and is indicative of a surge during the Little Ice Age, in particular due to the presence of crevasse-squeeze ridges in the terrestrial forefield. The glacier has since undergone grounded retreated of 7.35km, at varying speeds through time, including a period of confluence with the adjacent glacier, Tunabreen. The landforms in both submarine and terrestrial environments have probably undergone alteration, by melt-out of ice-cored landforms in both environments, draping by sediments in submarine areas, and fluvial and aeolian erosion in terrestrial areas. |
| Learning to Be Affected at the IDEAL Society Ecovillage: An Embodied Education for a Posthumanist Economic World | Through the lens of the Diverse Economies literature, this dissertation investigates the diverse more-than-capitalist economic practices, ontologies, and educational systems of the IDEAL Society ecovillage in British Columbia, Canada. As we head towards environmental and climate crisis, it is becoming increasingly clear that the capitalist mode of production is failing to adequately protect both people and the environment. The ontologies underpinning the capitalist economy render the more-than-human world as a passive resource for humans to exploit – it calls for new ways of thinking that rework the relationship between economy and ecology, so that we can produce economic actors who choose to perform a fairer, more sustainable economic world. Cultivating more ethical economic subjects relies upon interrupting capitalist identities and instilling ontologies that create a moral imperative for us to act in the interests of the nonhuman world as well as our own. The ecovillage model is a prominent way in which groups are trying to develop a radically new economic ethics. People around the world are generating alternative lifestyles based upon revising the human relationship with interdependent ecosystems through communal living and emotional development. Here, I examine the ways in which the IDEAL Society’s educational model makes use of affective encounters to cultivate and to instil such an ethics. Engaging with Latour’s (2004) concept of ‘learning to be affected’, this dissertation uses visual methods as well as interviews and textual material to investigate the opportunities and encounters afforded by this model to be affected and transformed. After first tracing the performance of the economy of the IDEAL Society, I analyse the modes of engagement with the environment that its members are actively constructing, before uncovering the affective and somatic experiences through which these are maintained and taught to others. Although it is unclear whether the ecovillage itself is capable of long-lasting, performative change outside of its boundaries, in amplifying the potential of its practices, this work supports an urgent call for transformative research so that such groups can help guide towards a solution for a more ethical, sustainable economic world in the future. |
| Surface velocity mapping of the Larsen C Ice Shelf: assessing the ice dynamic response to the A-68 calving event | The impact of ice shelf change on ice sheet dynamics is an important area of research due to the buttressing effect which ice shelves provide to grounded ice, regulating ice discharge and therefore ice sheet contributions to sea level rise. Widespread ice shelf collapse on the Antarctic Peninsula since the late twentieth century has resulted in the acceleration and dynamic thinning of previously buttressed outlet glaciers, contributing to a regional mass loss of 23.8Gt yr-1 between 1979 and 2017 (Rignot et al., 2019). Studying the effects of ice shelf mass loss on ice dynamics is therefore important in enabling improved predictions of rates of ice sheet decline. This study assesses the ice dynamic impacts of a major iceberg calving event which occurred in July 2017 on the Larsen C Ice Shelf (LCIS). Through applying offset tracking techniques to Sentinel-1 synthetic aperture radar imagery, surface velocity mapping was used to detect dynamic responses to ice shelf mass loss in the three months following the calving of iceberg A-68, across both floating and grounded ice. The results indicate that velocities in the centre of the ice shelf increased by up to 112.2m yr-1 following calving, though this figure likely encompasses the effects of ocean tides on satellite-derived measurements of ice shelf movement. Surface velocity measurements along nine tributary glaciers to the LCIS indicated no clear dynamic response in the three months following iceberg calving. As such, these results provide empirical support to previous model-based studies, which have suggested that the A-68 calving had little impact on the buttressing transmitted by the LCIS to grounded ice (Fürst et al., 2016; Borstad et al., 2017). |
| Punishing the Periphery? Exploring the lived impacts of contemporary austerity on domiciliary care services in rural Norfolk | Through examining the impact of contemporary austerity on the provision of domiciliary care in rural Norfolk, this study takes austerity studies out of their traditionally urban setting. The dissertation combines qualitative research interviews with health and demographic statistics to explore how national neoliberal austerity policies can filter down to have everyday impacts on those giving or receiving care in rural homes. Findings show how through systematic cuts to Norfolk County Council’s funding from central government, austerity was able to add further strain on already pressurised care systems. This has had a range of embodied impacts across those involved within domiciliary care, demonstrating that rural austerity is very real. |
| Tracing Past Atmospheres of the Arbroath Abbey Pageants, Scotland, 1949-1956 | This dissertation traces the affective atmospheres of the historical pageants held annually at Arbroath Abbey between 1949 and 1956. The Arbroath Abbey Pageants were historical re-enactments of the signing of the Declaration of Arbroath. In particular, this dissertation examines the staging of atmosphere by illumination at the Arbroath Abbey Pageants. Two major contributions are made to the study of affective atmospheres. First, I conceptualise ‘atmospheres of enchantment’ as having filled the Abbey during the pageant performances, captivating pageant attendees. These atmospheres are found to have been co-produced not only by illumination, but by meteorology, accident and the agency of individuals present. Second, a Spinozian reading of affect elucidates the feeling of ‘national potential’ that emerged from the Arbroath Abbey Pageants. Specifically, the lighting of a beacon in the Abbey ruins is credited with suffusing the scene with a feeling of potential, possibility and forward movement. This dissertation concludes with a series of methodological and epistemological reflections on the possibility and promise of ‘tracing’ past atmospheres. Whilst the Arbroath Abbey Pageants from 1949 to 1956 are evidenced to show that past atmospheres can be traced, a series of limitations of an historical study to atmospheres are offered. It is hoped that these reflections can inform future efforts to trace past atmospheres in geography and, more broadly, across the social sciences. : Affect, Atmosphere, Enchantment, Historical pageantry |
| how do homeless people in Haringey, London experience austerity? exploring the experiences of Tessa and Lukas | Since UK austerity policies began in 2010, homelessness across the country has risen rapidly, with particularly high increases in London. This dissertation uses ethnographic photoelicitation research with two participants, Tessa and Lukas, to understand homeless experiences of austerity in Haringey, London. To do this, the dissertation coins the term “homeless austerity”, which refers to a distinct experience of austerity for homeless people that characterises life in the austere city. Through a feminist relational understanding of the everyday, this dissertation argues that homeless austerity is a differentiated and unequal experience, but one which can be resisted through everyday practices. This dissertation finds that, in the first instance, homeless austerity is characterised by exclusion from benefits through the inaccessibility of Universal Credit. Crucially, this exclusion from state support, wherein neither Tessa nor Lukas received benefits while they were rough sleeping, significantly impacted their everyday experiences. Indeed, this dissertation finds that experiences of austerity for Tessa and Lukas are varied and differentiated, characterised by experiences such as worry and exclusion. Furthermore, these experiences are unequal as they are premised on intersectional inequalities, where the overlap of race and gender leads to processes of home (un)making in shelter spaces. Yet, crucially, these differentiated and unequal experiences can be resisted through quietly political practices which are crucial to Tessa and Lukas getting by during homeless austerity. This dissertation reveals the need for economic geographers to broaden their epistemologies and methodologies to incorporate economic experiences at microgeographical scales to add nuance to larger-scale understandings of the economy. |
| Investigating the effect of supraglacial debris-cover on modelled ablation using an enhanced positive degree-day approach: Mer de Glace, French Alps. | Many retreating glaciers are characterised by increasing supraglacial debris-cover, but the effect of debris-cover on surface ablation rates is rarely included in models of glacier evolution. This study investigates how supraglacial debris-cover affects ablation rates using a positive degree-day approach, which is more widely applicable than physically-based models due to low in-situ data requirements, alongside satellite remote sensing and numerical modelling. This is conducted on the debris-covered tongue of Mer de Glace, France’s largest glacier. This study finds supraglacial debris-cover increased at 0.76-78p.p./yr between 1985 and 2020, from about 45% to over 70%. This rapid increase emphasises the importance of understanding how debris-cover affects ablation rates. Derived degree-day factors for clean and debris-covered ice are 5.8 and 3.3mm d-1 °C-1 respectively, suggesting debris-cover strongly reduces melt rates at the point-scale. Accounting for potential direct solar radiation (PDSR) is insignificant, likely because there is little summer-long variation in PDSR receipts across the tongue. Debris-cover reduces modelled glacier-wide summer ablation by 18.3% (1985-94) and 24.5% (2003-12), suggesting a substantial and increasing glacier-wide melt-reducing effect of debris-cover. Modelled ablation is most sensitive to temperature change, closely followed by debris-cover change, and relatively insensitive to glacier retreat and thinning. Overall, modelled mean summer ablation increases by 0.30m w.e. between the two periods. This study concludes that supraglacial debris-cover on Mer de Glace substantially reduces modelled melt rates at the point- and glacier-scale, reducing mass balance sensitivity to climate change, but this is insufficient to prevent increasing melt rates as temperatures rise. This suggests models may overestimate mass balance sensitivity to climate change unless they adequately account for debris-cover. However, further study is required to establish how supraglacial ponds and ice-cliffs and spatially variable debris thickness affect glacier-wide melt rates, which could not be considered here due to a lack of in-situ data. |
| THANK GOD IT’S THURSDAY? Critically exploring the work-life balance business case of the four-day week | This dissertation explores the work-life balance business case of the four-day week (4DW) in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the UK. This dissertation finds that implementation of the 4DW has increased dramatically in CEO-led SMEs in the UK over the last two years, specifically in creative and fast-paced industries. Flows of information about the model have proliferated between firms in similar geographies and industry spheres. Despite the model’s rising use, business motivations for adopting the 4DW, alongside impacts on employees have not been properly addressed. This dissertation utilises a work-life balance (WLB) business case lens to a) assess business motivations for, and impacts of, adopting the model and b) uncover how the model impacts everyday employee experiences of WLB. This dissertation finds that business leaders adopting the 4DW must foresee financial reward (through recruitment, productivity and better job performance). Secondary to this comes their altruistic desires to improve the WLB of their employees. Amongst employees, there is almost universal support for the model, but for various reasons. The impacts of the 4DW were dependent on life-course; individuals with significant work-life conflict used the model for better balance, but most workers used their day off to take on extra paid work. Therefore, the relationship between the 4DW and improved WLB is not linear: this finding should be considered by actors advocating for and implementing the 4DW going forward. |
| Navigating (Il)legal Art Producing Street Art in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets | Situated in the rapidly growing street art scene of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, this dissertation attempts to unite literature of legal geography and gentrification to offer a critical geographical analysis of the production of street art in East London. A recent policy introduced by Tower Hamlets Council effectively legalises what it terms to be ‘street art’: employing a policy analysis, complemented by ten interviews with artists, local residents and the lead policymaker, as well as a bespoke derivative of photo elicitation that draws upon the work of Andron (2017; 2018a), I adopt the analytical schema of legal geography to interrogate the construction of ‘street art’ on legal terms. I organise my findings into the conceptualisation of three frontiers. Firstly, I find that legalisation semiotically and discursively demarcates a legal frontier (Blomley 2003a) between street art and graffiti such that graffiti contests property and street art complements property. Secondly, I find that legalisation produces street art by actively favouring work that is perceived to have economic value, mobilising a gentrifying frontier between street art and the graffiti that threatens street art. Finally, I draw upon radical spatial theory to contend that legalisation operationalises these frontiers spatially, to produce the ‘right’ spaces for street art in the context of the late-capitalist, postmodern city. Overall, this dissertation finds that the legally objective production of ‘street art’ is a form of legal reproduction, casting a spatial objectivity sometimes in contention with artists’ re-imaginings of urban space. I argue that legal geography can perceptively account for the production of street art in such a way, but that more research is needed in the geographical discipline to form a sustained engagement with the contemporary governance and production of late-capitalist urban aesthetics – I call, that is, for a legal geograffi. |
| Pristine Landscapes, Deep Ecology, and More-than-neoliberal Conservation: The Contested Construction of Douglas Tompkins’ Wilderness Parks in Chilean Patagonia | This critical review essay explores the variety of ideologies and practices which have influenced conservation efforts in recent years. It traces the development of the conservation movement over the 19th and 20th centuries, with an emphasis on how early protected area management was motivated primarily by a desire to construct and preserve an imagined wilderness. It then highlights the dominance of current conservation literature by a ‘neoliberal conservation’ approach which argues that modern conservation is defined by the commodification, enclosure, and privatisation of natural resources, the supremacy of markets, and the rollback of the state. However, it seeks to draw attention to the limitations of such an approach which obscures the more varied and place-specific means by which humans value nature and engage in conservation efforts. To do so, it identifies Chile as one of the most fundamentally neoliberal states in the world yet one which continues to interact with conservation in diverse, unpredictable, and often contradictory ways. Specifically, it demonstrates how the legislative and administrative bodies of the Chilean state continue to play an active role in private conservation through their regulation of its market economy and property regime. Finally, it outlines the case of Douglas Tompkins to highlight the continued plurality of approaches to conservation which Chile’s neoliberal model invites and the profound local and national conflicts these can generate. It concludes that while some aspects of conservation have certainly been neoliberalised, this has not been a universal experience, nor one which justifies the absence of other ways of valuing and conserving nature from contemporary conservation literature. |
| The 9 year aftershock: The long-term impacts and effect cascades triggered by recovery efforts following the 2011 Christchurch earthquake | This study investigates the recovery process in Christchurch following the 2011 earthquake. Specifically, it will investigate how recovery efforts over the past nine years have propagated the direct effects of the earthquake and triggered secondary impact cascades – a novel approach within post-disaster research. It will analyse the social dynamics of these cascading effects, and how they can lead to lasting change within communities. In order to effectively carry out this analysis the following research questions will be explored: (1) Where has the focus of recovery been? (2) How have recovery efforts caused and propagated cascading effects? (3) Post-disaster Christchurch – business as usual or the new normal? Primary data was collected through semi-structured interviews with those who have been directly involved in the recovery process, and coded in order to draw out themes that contribute to the current literature. Overall, this study will show that there is a general lack of understanding with regard to the social dynamics of recovery-induced effect cascades in the aftermath of the 2011 Christchurch earthquake. It highlights that the effects caused and propagated by recovery strategy, and decisions made at government level, can have lasting effects on communities if they are not realised. This study intends to provide a foundation for future work within the field of post-disaster recovery and cascading disasters. It advises that the complexities and impacts of recovery in practice need to be better understood by both the research community and by authorities, in order to achieve more effective long-term recovery and prevent lasting damage to vulnerable communities. |
| Hybridised citizenship in an off-grid community: A study of citizenship formation and practices in Scoraig | In recent years, new concepts have emerged in citizenship studies such as ‘post-national citizenship’ and ‘everyday citizenship’ to explain the quickly evolving state of citizenship. The traditional understanding of citizenship as the relationship between an individual and the nation-state, defined by a set of rights and obligations, has been unsettled in recent decades by global trends of neoliberalism, migration and globalisation. Simultaneously, individuals and groups becoming disillusioned with the current socio-political setting are seeking out alternative ways to live, and creating alternative communities in order to do so. This dissertation studies one such alternative community, based on the peninsula of Scoraig in Scotland, to investigate how rejecting the mainstream and choosing an alternative lifestyle impacts citizenship. Based on 3 weeks of ethnographic research in Scoraig, this dissertation investigates first how and why members of this off-grid community identify as alternative, then explores the construction and embodiment of their citizenship using the lenses of the community and the everyday. It aims to understand the complexities of Scoraig citizenship by considering the agency of residents in its production, in order to deconstruct the binary understanding of mainstream and alternative citizenships. Based on these areas of investigation, this dissertation argues that Scoraig citizenship is neither mainstream nor alternative: rather, it is a hybridisation of aspects of both of these types of citizenship. |
| A tribute to my mother – Investigating invisibilities and ‘sandwiched’ mothers in austerity – Gateshead | Listening to the stories of ten mothers aged 45 – 65 living in Gateshead, I explore how austerity reinforces the gendered, demographic, and neoliberal pressures they face. Their stories of survival, resistance, acceptance, and love echo the experiences I have witnessed as a daughter living in the area throughout my life. ‘A Tribute to My Mother’ documents the stresses this cohort face by investigating the conscious, and unconscious, weaponisation of their care work by the austere state. Using the care ecology framework by Bowlby and Mckie (2018) I discover how a mother’s individual caring-scape can heighten and limit, but also fail to address, the embodied violence of austerity (O’Hara, 2014). Finally, I make a case for more personal and intimate research in which the participants’ connection to the researcher is one of value and necessity in uncovering highly personal data. Only then can we make visible how national and international change affects people and societies at their roots. Through this process, previous invalidities become valid considerations for investigating ‘sandwiched’ mothers and the pressures they endure. |
| “Heavens below”: Excavating Roland Paoletti’s underground spectacle of (post?)modernity on London’s Jubilee Line Extension | This dissertation seeks to evaluate how spectacular underground urban spaces can be produced, through a detailed examination of the “heavens below” of the Jubilee Line Extension project [‘JLE’]. Drawing from the increasing interest amongst geographers in volumetric urbanism and subterranean geopolitics, as well as established urban theory on architecture and postmodernity, this research investigates the role of volumetric underground excavation in the ability for architects to deliver ‘bold and beautiful’ public designs. Through 15 in-depth elite interviews with JLE project members, as well as extensive written and photographic field notes from the stations today, an evaluation is undertaken as to how such spectacular urban spaces successfully arose. Firstly, it will analyse how disruptive Thatcherite reforms to London Regional Transport led to the geopolitical employment of a new urban expertise from Hong Kong’s MTR authority – an engineering expertise bringing with it to London a distinct, volumetric culture of excavating urban space underground. Alongside this, it will then analyse the philosophy of flamboyant modernism underlying chief architect Roland Paoletti’s radical vision for the 11 stations, evaluating the extent to which this aligns with Levenson’s (2002: 233) contention that millennium architecture in London 2000 represents “complicated tones of modernism-within-postmodernity”. Finally, it brings these cultures of engineering and architecture together to assess the extent to which volumetric urbanism facilitated or not Roland Paoletti’s vibrant architectural vision for underground urban fabric. Collectively, these demonstrate that delivering such ‘bold and beautiful’ modernist designs isn’t just influenced by political and cultural moments in civic history, but also by a discrete subterranean geography of the city. |
| Measuring retreat of the Penny Ice Cap, Southern Baffin Island, since the Little Ice Age | This project uses the new Arctic DEM dataset of 2 m resolution Digital Elevation Model (DEM) imagery to identify 98 Little Ice Age (LIA) moraines around the Penny Ice Cap (6300 km2), Southern Baffin Island. Using Landsat imagery, outlines of the ice cap are created for different years (1985, 1997, 2006 & 2019) by automatic delineation of ice, from which the retreat distance can be measured. When combined, the two provide an estimate of the spatial and temporal variation in rates of retreat around the Penny Ice Cap over the last 140 years. Averaged across the icecap as a whole, the rate of retreat was calculated as 6.4 m yr−1 for LIA-1985, 8.3 m yr−1 for 1985-1997, 15.0 m yr−1, for 1997-2006, and 14.3 m yr−1 for 2006-2019. Further analysis of the spatial variation shows rate of retreat to be highest for glaciers in the south and lowest for glaciers in the west. Much of this variation likely relates to the behaviour and characteristics of valley glaciers compared to ice cap outlet glaciers and their spatial distribution around Penny Ice Cap. The results also show rate of retreat to be highest for larger valley glaciers measured by area, size of drainage basin, and length. |
| Social Contact & the Social Contract : Understanding the Reality of Refugee Integration Policy & Practice in Stockholm, Sweden | In the advent of the 2015 so-called ‘migrant crisis’ geopolitical tensions have captured the imaginations of citizens, political institutions and the media alike, altering the political landscape of Europe. Long heralded as an ‘inclusive and welcoming country’, in 2016 Sweden took in more refugees per capita than any other European country. This dissertation assesses the reality for refugees following arrival in Stockholm, highlighting the barriers that pose a challenge to effective and long-term integration. Through an ethnographic study comprising of interviews, participant observation and ethnographic walks, this paper emphasises the unintended consequences of state policy and societal norms on refugee integration. Drawing on observations of civil society projects a discussion of their crucial role in mitigating integration barriers demonstrates NGOs unique and beneficial positionality, particularly in relation to the perception of integration as a ‘two-way process’. The research highlights grassroots initiatives as crucial, encouraging meaningful social interaction which teaches the unsaid ‘social contract’. This knowledge works to empower refugees, providing the resources and networks needed to access their rights and enact their right to the city. The importance of utilising this status to build trust and meaningful social connection between refugees and the host society is emphasised. Advocating a more holistic approach to refugee integration policy and practice this dissertation demonstrates that the multi-faceted and complex nature of integration demands a more cohesive and collaborative dialogue between state and civil society to enable integration policies of effect, reach and longevity. |
| If it bleeds, it leads: the changing nature of Red Nose Day appeal videos from 1985 to 2019 | Debates about visual representations of international development have received much scholarly interest. Controversy over the use of images of suffering is a long-standing and emotional dispute that calls into question the commercialisation of pain and the pornography of poverty. This dissertation builds on the well-established literature, by turning academic attention to Red Nose Day appeal videos for the first time. The changes in the videos from 1985 to 2019, with regards to the uses of celebrity advocates, representations of children and presentation of development solutions are investigated through a content and discourse analysis. This dissertation comes at a watershed moment for Comic Relief and for Red Nose Day appeal videos. Recent debate and discussion about representations of development is contextualised and explored through a Twitter analysis of the #StaceyDooley row. There have been significant shifts in the Red Nose Day appeal videos since 1985 and an acceleration of such changes in recent years. With a transition from sad to glad appeals, a celebrity step-back and an acknowledgement of complexity, Comic Relief enters a new representational regime. This has considerable implications for wider and related discussions, including compassion fatigue and the white saviour complex. |
| How green is the Green Line? An investigation into air pollution in the London Underground | This investigation aims to study the air quality to which commuters are exposed when using the London Underground system. Pollutants PM2.5 and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) are used as key indicators of air quality, with the former chosen due to its size fraction relevance to deep lung penetration and respiratory disease (Xing et al., 2016), and the latter for its prevalence in pollution discourse. The study characterises both spatial and temporal aspects of personal air quality exposure along the route of the morning commute and throughout the working week. Two key influences are considered: the ‘carriage effect’ and the ‘commuter effect’. The carriage effect produces an internal micro environment within the carriage, creating a sealed environment which can either act to increase or reduce air quality compared to that outside of the train. Commuter behaviour results in the speculated ‘commuter effect’ with individual passengers acting as both sources and redistributors of PM2.5. |
| Creating an atmosphere in space: architecture and sound in the production of affective atmospheres | People colloquially speak of a building, stadium or lecture theatre as having an atmosphere; public space is no different. Urban literature has thus far failed to look beyond the positivist sensibilities of public space, overlooking its affective qualities; meanwhile, atmospheres are yet to be extensively analysed from a constitutive perspective, choosing to focus instead on their political implications. By focusing on Millennium Park, Chicago, this dissertation considers the ways in which a shifting flow of atmosphere is generated by architectural design, spatial arrangements, acoustic attunements, and bodily interactions. This dissertation therefore explores the emergence and staging of affective atmospheres in Millennium Park, bringing architectural and acoustic literatures of atmosphere into dialogue to offer a contemporary reading of affect. Driven by Böhme (1993) and influenced by Anderson (2009), affective atmospheres are understood as the spatializations of affective qualities and explored via multimodal research methods. I utilise mobile methodologies and integrate audio-visual methods into the writing process to attempt to capture and translate the inherently fleeting, ephemeral nature of atmospheres. This dissertation finds that attempts to engineer affective atmospheres only succeed at ‘stabilising’ affect. While the Park’s design provides the spaces for specific atmospheres to emerge, such that it is filled with the potential to affect, unpredictable actions, sounds and interpretations mean that the Parkshapes, butdoes not determine the atmosphere. Of particular importance is the arrival of human bodies who are shown to charge and reorientate atmospheres in ways that eschew design intentions, reiterating its fragile and provisional nature. Secondly, atmospheres are found to be compositional, emerging at the intersection of multiple stimuli as a product of many sensations woven together and sensed holistically. Architecture and sound are shown to be important but partial generators of atmosphere. I therefore call on further research to adopt similarly multi-sensory analysis and emphasise the need for experimental methods. Key Word(s): affective atmosphere; affect; architecture; sound; phenomenology. |
| An examination of the role of place in influencing terrorism fears – Manchester Victoria Station | This dissertation explores how terrorism fears are influenced by place, with the research focussing on Manchester Victoria Station. The station was host to a terror attack on New Year’s Eve 2018, whilst also being heavily impacted by the terror attack at the neighbouring Manchester Arena in May 2017. Thus, the station can provide an interesting locus in which to explore the relationships between place and terrorism fears. Using data from sixteen in-person interviews with station users, station shop owners and key stakeholders involved in the station’s security operations, I find that terrorism fears are strongly influenced by place features, situated experiences and identities at Manchester Victoria. I demonstrate that the visibility of securitised features and the publicness of the concourse are important in shaping fear, whilst the Arena attack memorial can conjure various geographical imaginations and forms of socialisation that affect fear. I also show that the relative visibility of terrorism and everyday crime in people’s experiences at Victoria can influence vulnerability perceptions, whilst situated identities can be significant for how the station users understand, respond to and resist fear-inspiring events. Overall, the findings illuminate the operation of a number of common yet competing imaginaries of the station that influence people’s terrorism fears. Thus, this dissertation provides an empirical focus for feminist geopolitics scholarship, responding to calls for research to explore how people experience place in the aftermath of terrorist incidents. |
| Breaking laws, breaking norms? – An investigation into post-feminist performances of female identity and empowerment in an age of rising knife crime. | Drawing on the experiences of 12 young women, and insights from 6 adults in the youth services profession, this dissertation seeks to explore whether conventional gender identity norms are being overturned by women’s increasing involvement in knife crime. It deploys a Foucauldian-feminist theoretic of power to consider female criminality as both a submission to and subversion of male control over the body in public space. Acknowledging the female body as a site of contested gender realms, this dissertation starts by analysing the rise in women’s knife crime as a form of feminist resistance against idealised versions of femininity and male power. Looking beyond existing literature on feminist materiality, it draws attention to the knife as a new feminist artefact and the agency it has in advancing the contemporary feminist agenda. Alongside a rising feminist agenda, it traces the scalar nature of institutionalised patriarchy to demonstrate the persistence of disciplinary techniques dictating appropriate gender performances in what has been termed the ‘Victorian Present”. While knife crime offers opportunities for resistance, it becomes evident that long-established gender relations continue to structure the lives of the young women interviewed. Their identities are shaped in contradictory ways and this tension works to highlight the complex nature of contemporary gender politics. Whilst it is commonly accepted that we are living in an increasingly feminist era, literature is yet to study this through the contemporary rise in female knife offenders; through a unique approach to feminist geographical study,this dissertation seeks to add to activist scholarship, recognising the need within both academia and policy for deeper discussions about gender culture. Content Notice: Physical violence, knife crime, gang violence and exploitation, explicit language. |
| Transformation or Embodied Violence? – The Impact of Contemporary Austerity on Worcestershire Library Service Employees | This project examines the impact of contemporary austerity on employees of Evesham, Redditch, and The Hive libraries in Worcestershire. Semi-structured interviews are used to investigate how austerity has affected Worcestershire Library Service employees’ roles and emotional experiences in their job, putting these voices in critical conversation with local, national and international logics of austerity. In contrast to neoliberal logics of austerity which describe library service changes as promoting necessary efficiency and positive ‘transformation’, frontline staff perspectives highlight: ever-increasing workloads and responsibilities; increasing numbers and needs of vulnerable service users; declining wages and workers’ rights; increasing feelings of discomfort, frustration, stress and distress; and melancholic and pessimistic affective atmospheres. This reinforces contemporary understandings of austerity as violent, and extends these theorisations to emphasise the important embodied, emotional aspects to this violence, and the nuanced role of public servants as perpetrators, protectors and victims in these violent conditions. An emphasis on Worcestershire highlights the important, often overlooked, impacts of austerity in rural areas, and areas where cuts have been less severe. It is argued that in order to tackle the continuous revival of austerity as a powerful economic idea, the quiet politics of WLS staff must be made loud and austerity must be reframed as a form of embodied violence. |
| Bodies, borders and bugs: a discourse analysis of the Zika virus in news media | No abstract available. |
| Investigating trends in thermokarst lake cover in the continuous permafrost zone: A new remote sensing approach. | Arctic environments are an urgent area of scientific research, due to their high sensitivity to rising global temperatures. Thermokarst lakes are a crucial element of Arctic environments, as they modify the stability of permafrost and release greenhouse gases. Shifts in thermokarst lake cover have been identified across many Arctic ecosystems, and are often attributed to climate change. However, future shifts in thermokarst lake cover are largely unpredictable, because observations to date have been based on infrequent sampling intervals. This is due to long standing methodological issues, including data availability and long processing times. By implementing a new methodological approach based in Google Earth Engine, this study investigated trends in thermokarst lake cover in two continuous permafrost regions at an annual resolution. At the Tuktoyaktuk Peninsula, lake area showed negligible change over the 2013-2019 period, whilst lake number decreased (-12%). At Central Yakutia, both lake area and number increased (+24% and +22%, respectively) over the 2013-2019 period. At the Tuktoyaktuk Peninsula, interannual variability in lake area was significantly related to interannual variability in snowfall (R-squared 0.73). This was attributed to the effect of precipitation on the water balance and surface ponding. At Central Yakutia, interannual variability in lake area was related to interannual variability in temperature (R-squared 0.31). Furthermore, it was suggested that lake area may not be exclusively controlled by the climate. This study was one of the first to investigate thermokarst lake area change at an annual resolution, and continued investigations under this new methodological approach could aid our ability to predict future changes in thermokarst lake cover. This could help us constrain the contribution of thermokarst lakes to the global greenhouse gas budget, and revise emissions targets to mitigate the effects of global warming. |
| An Historical Geography of Tap Dance: Tapping into American Culture, Identity and Race Relations | This dissertation examines a widely unexplored field in geographical scholarship – tap dance in America. It analyses ‘an’ historical geography of tap dance, as there are many ways in which this narrative could be told and many voices which are often excluded and left unheard. From a cultural and historical perspective, this dissertation traces tap dance back to its colonial origins, through its evolution into popular culture in the 20th Century, and analyses tap’s unique position in contemporary society today. Tap dance offers a lens into America’s complex history of colonialism, race, class, and gender to name a few, as tap dancers and historians argue tap represents American identity, forming America’s ‘indigenous’ dance. This study examines an intriguing historical geography through three scales: the body, sites and spaces and racial performance/performing race. The body has become a well-established focus in cultural geography, tying bodily movement and dance into non-representational theory and the broader social, cultural and political contexts in which bodies move. Simultaneously, the bodies of tap dancers have been included and excluded from particular sites and spaces in which tap has been practised and performed. This illustrates a variety of place-based geographies across the American North and South, in America’s urban centres, and more recently, across the globe. Finally, tap’s history in America cannot be analysed without reference to race. I argue tap has been shaped by historical race relations, such as conforming to the ‘racial performance’ of stereotypes, e.g. blackface minstrelsy, whilst in other cases contesting race relations to create a more inclusive community, through ‘performing race’ in the everyday. This study concludes that tap dance is a unique bodily movement which has played an important role in America’s history, predominantly working as a force to bring people together from different countries, ethnicities, genders, classes and socio-economic backgrounds, rather than just as a product of these complex geographies. |
| “It still feels like a pit village” – Affective atmospheres of mnemonic duration and perturbation in the post-industrial landscape of Clipstone Village, Nottinghamshire | Post-industrial landscapes have a feel. A feel of the past. Clipstone Village, North Nottinghamshire, is no different. To analyse this feeling, this dissertation will construct a heuristic framework from a Bergsonian conceptualisation of the co-existence of past and present in duration, in dialogue with Deleuzian and Guattarian understandings of affect as hazy and atmospheric. I use the terms ‘affective mnemonic intensities’ to capture the affective register of duration, and ‘affective atmospheres of duration’ to capture their diffusity. I mobilise vital methodologies to embrace, rather than obfuscate, the inherently unpredictable, ‘not-quite-graspable’, ephemeral affective mnemonic intensities, attuning to their atmospheric perturbations. These methods offer a non-superficial glimpse into the nonrepresentational ‘background’ of lived experience. With such insight, I argue that an affective atmosphere of duration is operative in Clipstone. Following Schmitzian notions of dynamic gestalt (Gestaltverläufe), my interlocutions confirm that a Bergsonian habitual memory pours out spatially and circulates around the village. The feel of the past is one of contracted virtuality and refrained affect. However, this is in tension with the excessiveness of the virtual past, always cutting in. Such excessiveness creates affective mnemonic intensities that perturb affective habitual refrain in the form of either: i) traumatic ‘pure memory’ actualization of the 1984-84 miners’ strike or redundancy; or, ii) emancipatory ‘involuntary memory’ (mémoire involontaire). Affective mnemonic perturbations form ‘pockets’, dyadic ‘spheres’ or assemblages of enclosed atmospheric disruption which splinter and fragment collective flow. Affective atmospheres of duration are therefore operative at an osscilative threshold: between affective co-constitution and perturbation. Habitual contraction of the virtual flow is always unsettled by encounter. This is the organization of affective life and duration in the postindustrial landscape of Clipstone. This is how the past inheres, folds and gnaws into the present, affectively (dis)organizing/(un)structuring life as it flows. I conclude by reflecting on the ethical implications of these findings for future research. Key word(s): affect, affective memory, affective atmospheres, post-industrial landscape |
| Anticipating ‘The Big One’: Everyday Perceptions and Understandings of Earthquake Risk in San Francisco | Situated alongside the infamous San Andreas fault network, the city of San Francisco is prone to experiencing earthquakes. Most frequently, these are of a low magnitude and hence result in minimal impacts. However, forecasting models suggest that there is a high chance that the city and the wider Bay area will experience a magnitude 6.7 or higher earthquake within the next thirty years, with some seismologists and the media also alluding to the possibility of a future earthquake of magnitude eight: ‘The Big One’. This dissertation will explore the extent to which earthquake risk has become an accepted and normalised part of everyday life for residents in the city and will examine whether the population of San Francisco are physically, structurally and socially prepared for a potential ‘Big One’. The extent of individual earthquake risk preparedness has been shown to be closely tied to risk perceptions, which vary widely amongst residents. As such, this dissertation will explore three key factors which influence this spatial variability: earthquake experience, subconscious risk acceptance or denial, and cognitive understanding of seismic processes. Ultimately, not one single factor can be used to explain all of the observed variability, with risk perceptions being highly complex, and different factors affecting members of the population in varying ways. Effective communication is essential to guarantee risk awareness amongst the population and ensure preparedness actions are adopted. |
| Morals and Mignonette, or the use of flowers in the regulation of women, children and the working classes in late Victorian London | This dissertation explores the deployment of flower missions, flower shows, and window gardening in late-Victorian efforts to elevate the moral and material condition of London’s working poor. Through an archival investigation, predominantly of pamphlet literature from the 1860s-90s, I extend Foucault’s anthropocentric conception of ‘biopolitics’ to encompass all life in the consideration of flowers as non-human agencies, constitutive of environments and their inhabitants through their human attachments. This dissertation identifies three themes key to the understanding of the use of flowers in this period: moral, pedagogic, and civic botany. The construction of a ‘moral botany’ in early-nineteenth-century literature popularised the notion that flowers could carry meaning beyond their ornamental value and thus become useful. This attribute was widely utilised by social reformers who employed flower shows as biopolitical instruments in order to discipline the desires, habits, and behaviours of the working poor and their children as ‘future citizens’. I argue that these projects were heavily gendered as a result of the traditionally ‘feminine’ associations of flowers, as well as the perceived position of women as ‘closer to nature’, with the effect of placing responsibility for the moral defence of the family upon the shoulders of the woman. Floral reform movements were also influenced by late-nineteenth-century fears of racial degeneration. As such, the promotion of floriculture amongst the working classes not only worked at the scale of the individual body, but also in the improvement of the condition of the population as a whole. It concludes that the mobilisation of flowers played a vital role in the moral regulation of women, children, and the working classes, necessitating the inclusion of plant life in conceptions of biopolitics. |
| Tephra retention and changing vegetation structure in Iceland | Recent studies of tephra layers (deposits of pyroclastic fragments produced during a volcano) suggest that the morphology of preserved layers can act as high resolution proxy records for ancient vegetation patterns. Tephra layers provide isochronous markers within time sequences and their form reflects the surface stability, height and spatial patterning of the vegetation on to which it fell. This dissertation will explore the relationship between tephra deposition and vegetation structure at the boundary between open grassland and closed woodland in Iceland. Tephra depth, vegetation characteristics and edge conditions will be investigated to model how changing vegetation structure predicts tephra depth. Preface: This project has shifted focus slightly from the original abstract. My original aims have not changed substantially, but during the fieldwork, it became apparent that I would be unable to investigate edge effects and transitions in vegetation type as intended because no suitable sites were located. This meant that my analysis became more comparative; investigating the relationships between and within sites of different vegetation structure rather than across vegetation transitions. |
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Geography Dissertation Topics
Geography is a fascinating topic, covering both physical and sociological issues. Concerns over climate change and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are perhaps the two most topical issues, but there are also many other important issues to consider. If you’re struggling to come up with an interesting geography dissertation topic, here are some options to consider.
Physical Geography
Human geography, climate change.
Smart and remote technology continues to develop and understanding their application and use continues to be applied across a range of areas from changes in land-use, pollution disaster risk management.
- What is the environmental impact of reduced migration and tourism during the COVID19 pandemic?
- Can current technology support Oceanic plastic pollution prevention and removal?
- What are the most effective tools in reversing desertification in the 21 st Century?
- Can environmental conservation be used as a geopolitical tool for peacekeeping?
- Can geospatial monitoring of flood risk regions play a role in policy decision making and preparation for severe weather events?
- Can GIS and smart planning be used for agro-ecological zoning and crop type for sustainable development?
- Can drone technology be used effectively to survey sea-bed topography and stability?
- Can urban green spaces be used to reduce habitat fragmentation in cities?
- How can GIS Mapping be used to inform real-time decision-making and mitigation of forest-fires?
- Is rewilding neglected land a viable option for sustainable development?
The current impact of the COVID-19 pandemic both globally and locally will shape human geography agenda and research for years to come. Impacts range from changes to socio-economic, demographic, and geographical impacts and characteristics, natural resource security to understanding how human geography and citizen science can influence future evidence collation and decision-making.
- What is the impact of socio-economic demographics on the adoption of low-carbon practices?
- How has health Geography research influenced understanding and management of pandemics?
- How can developing countries exploit the post-COVID restoration of Global Tourism?
- How can understanding Socio-economic decision-making increase community resilience?
- What is the geographical impact of changes to UK and European trade post-BREXIT? How has COVID19 lockdown impacted on future development of urban and rural transport infrastructure?
- Is current green infrastructure development mitigating urban heat islands?
- Has a global pandemic supported successful economic diversification in poorer regions?
- Is the use of volunteered geographical information and the role of citizen science in geographical research a viable option in the future for climate change research?
- Can methods to evaluate impact of outdoor recreation loads on rural communities and natural resources support sustainable development?
- Is green infrastructure a priority for urban renewal?
- Does current research effectively monitor health inequalities in rural areas?
- Is geothermal technology a viable option for social housing and infrastructure in the UK?
- Can commerce be used as an indicator of sustainable agriculture and food supply?
- Can GIS be used to assess spatial equality in education?
The impact of climate changes and changes to the geopolitical dynamics continues to develop and whilst the science of its direct environmental impact continues to be understood more specifically there still remains a gap in identifying what mitigation measures must be put in place. With the COP26 (UN Climate Change) Conference later this year, a refreshed focus will be placed on planning and implementing socio-economic policy and decision making.
- How does disruption to energy supplies affect Critical National Infrastructure and climate change risks?
- Carbon pricing and its failure to reduce climate change – what next for carbon capture credit?
- What are the Security implications of climate change in the UK?
- Will climate migration impact urban development in the UK?
- Is urban inequality between socio-economic groups increasing due to climate change and how can the gap be reduced?
- How can science be used to differentiate between extreme severe weather events and sustained environmental change due to climate change?
Dissertations
Adera, Saalem. "Use-inspired hydrology in landscapes experiencing rapid anthropogenic change: deforestation-rainfall associations in Brazil and streamflow prediction in California."
Arroyo, Alexander. "Designs for an Ocean: Transoceanic Imaginaries and Geographic Techniques of American Empire in the North Pacific and Bering Sea, 1867-1973."
Elrick, John. "Model City: Technologies of Government in the San Francisco Bay Area."
Heitz, Kaily. "Oakland is a Vibe: Blackness, Cultural Framings and Emancipations of The Town."
Jiao, Yi. "The Breathing of Halogenated Volatile Organic Compounds (HVOCs) from Human-impacted Ecosystems."
Martin, Bridget. "Land Power: Real Estate and the US Military in South Korea."
Beller, Erin. "Past Forward: Using History to Inform Multi-Benefit Ecosystem Management in Human-Dominated Landscapes."
Kong, Wenwen. "Westerly Jet and Seasonal Transitions of the East Asian Summer Monsoon."
Martin, Jeffrey Vance. "In the Shadow of the Wolf: Wildlife Conflict and Land Use Politics in the New West."
Meche, Brittany. "Securing the Sahel: Nature, Catastrophe, and the Empire of Expertise."
Palmer, Meredith. "Land, Family, Body: Measurement and the Racial Politics of US Colonialism in Haudenosaunee Country."
Payne, William. "Algorithmic Gentrification: Locating Value in Urban Information Systems."
Torkelson, Erin. "Taken for Granted: Geographies of Social Welfare in South Africa."
Tsai, Shu-Wei. "Heritage Modernity: Heritagization of the Grand Canal and Everyday Life in Hangzhou, China."
Ma, Hongxu. "Data-driven Approaches to Resolving Feedback Processes Driving the Earth System Over Multi-spatial and Temporal Scales."
Marston, Andrea. "Thieves of Patria : Vertical Politics in Plurinational Bolivia."
Rodenbiker, Jesse. "Ecological States: Science, Nature, and Cities in Contemporary China."
Shattuck, Annie. "Risky Subjects: Vulnerability and Uncertainty in the Global Pesticide Boom."
Werth, Alex. "Racial Reverberations: Music, Dance, and Disturbance in Oakland After Black Power."
Williams, Morgan M. "Pedogenic Process in Engineered Soils for Radioactive Waste Containment."
Anton, Glenna. "The Cultural Politics of Water Privatization in an Arab Israeli Town."
Hawthorne, Camilla A. "There Are No Black Italians? Race and Citizenship in the Black Mediterranean."
Giglioli, Ilaria. "Unmaking the Mediterranean Border. Mediterraneanism, Colonial Mobilities, and Postcolonial Migration."
Tiberio, Alessandro. "Impossible Landings: Precarity, Populism, and Walling in a 'European' Refugee Crisis."
Van Gordon, Mollie M. "Land Cover, Climatology, and Hydrology in the West African Sahel: Inductive Data-driven Approaches in Data-sparse Environments."
List, Nicole C. "Land Grabs in Urban Frontiers: Producing Inequality in Senegal's Dakar Region."
Oliveira, Gustavo De Lima Torres. “The South-South Question: Transforming Brazil-China Agroindustrial Partnerships.”
Potts, Shaina S. "Displaced Sovereignty: US Law and the Transformation of International Financial Space."
Bhattacharya, Tripti. "Causes and Impacts of Rainfall Variability In Central Mexico on Multiple Timescales."
Courson, Elias E. "Spaces of Insurgency: Petro-Violence and the Geography of Conflict in Nigeria's Niger Delta."
Ekman, Peter. "Suburbs of Last Resort: Landscape, Life, and Ruin on the Edges of San Francisco Bay."
Owen, Lance.
Baca, Jennifer. “Liberating Forestry: Forestry Workers, Participatory Politics, and the Chilean Nation.”
Ballve, Teo. “Territorial Masquerades: Frontier State Formations in Northwest Colombia.”
Carlisle, Liz. “Pulses and Populism: Diversified Farming on the Northern Great Plains.”
Collins, Erin E. “Reanimated City: A Spatial Analysis of State Rule, Rupture, and Repurposing in Phnom Penh, Cambodia (1979-1993).”
Cram, Shannon. “Unmaking the Bomb: Waste Health, and the Politics of Impossibility at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation.”
deGrassi, Aaron. “Provisional Reconstructions: Geo-Histories of Infrastructure and Agrarian Configuration in Malanje, Angola.”
Fontes, Anthony. “Violent Itineraries: Maras and the Military in Guatemala City.”
Greenburg, Jennifer. “We’re an NGO with guns”: Haitian geographies of US militarized development.”
Klinger, Julie. “On the Rare Earth Frontier.”
Marchesi, Greta. “Conceiving Earths: Imagining Nature and Society in a Global Environment.”
Romero, Adam. “The Alchemy of Capital: Industrial Waste and Chemicalization of US Agriculture.”
Stehlin, John. “Business Cycles: Race, Gentrification, and Bicycle Culture in the San Francisco Bay Area.”
Tarr, Alexander. “Have Your City and Eat It Too: Los Angeles and the Urban Food Renaissance.”
Cowart, Alicia. “Paleoenvironmental Change in Central California in the late Pleistocene and Holocene: Impacts of Climate Change and Human Land Use on Vegetation and Fire Regimes.”
Friedman, Andrew Ronald. “Changes in the interhemispheric temperature difference: forcings, feedbacks, and impacts.”
Dillon, Lindsey. “Race, Waste, and Space: Brownfield Redevelopment, Environmental Justice, and the Transformation of San Francisco’s Southeastern Waterfront.”
Knuth, Sarah Elizabeth. “Seeing Green: Speculative Urbanism in the Green Economy.”
Liu, Yuwei. “Abrupt monsoon weakening and links to extratropical North Atlantic cooling.”
Negrin, Diana. “Colores Mexicanos: Racial Alterity and the Right to the Mexican City.”
Singh, Raj Shekhar. “Hyper-resolution Global Land Surface Model at Regional-to-Local Scales with observed Groundwater data assimilation.”
Arbona, Javier. “After the Blast: Building and Unbuilding Memories of Port Chicago.”
Devine, Jennifer A. “Tourism and Territory in the Mayan World.”
Guimond, Katy. “Battle for The Bronx: Urban Revitalization In a Gentrifying City.”
Kao, Shih-Yang. “The City Recycled: The Afterlives of Demolished Buildings in Postwar Beijing.”
Lunine, Seth. “Iron Oil, and Emeryville: Resource Industrialization and Metropolitan Expansion in the San Francisco Bay Area, 1850-1900.”
Oh, Youjeong. “Spectacular Cities, Speculative Storytelling: Korean TV Dramas and the Selling of Place.”
Reidy, Liam. “Lake Sediments as Evidence of Natural and Human-Induced Environmental Change from California and Nevada.”
Strange, Jason. “Seeking Higher Ground: Contemporary Back-to-the-Land Movements in Eastern Kentucky.”
Woodworth, Max David. “Frontier Boomtown Urbanism: city buildings in Ordos Municipality, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, 2001-2011.”
Adachi, Yosuke. “A new model to construct ice stream surface elevation profiles and calculate contributions to sea-level rise.”
Brahinsky, Rachel. “The Making and Unmaking of Southeast San Francisco.”
Brown, Sandra Lynn. “Fairness for whom? Regulating the socio-ecological relations of banana production through voluntary certification and labeling.”
Minkoff-Zern, Laura-Anne. “Migrations of Hunger and Knowledge: Food Insecurity and California’s Indigenous Farmworkers”
Sengupta, Dyuti. “Models of Five Climatically Sensitive Taxa in Central and Northwestern Mexico During the Present, the mid-Holocene and the Last Glacial Maximum.”
Thottathil, Sapna Elizabeth. “Incredible!India? The politics and possibilities of organic agriculture in Kerala.”
Bliss, Andrew Knisely. “Ablation on Taylor Glacier, Antarctica”
Casolo, Jennifer Jean. “Unthinkable Rebellion and the Praxis of the Possible: Ch’orti’ Campesin@ Struggles in Guatemala’s Eastern Highlands”
Doshi, Sapana Lisa Dilipkumar. “The Right to the Slum? Redevelopment, Rule and the Politics of Difference in Mumbai”
Jelly-Schapiro, Joshua Ian. “The Caribbean in the World: Imaginative Geographies in the Independence Age”
Johnson, Leigh Taylor. “Insuring climate change? Science, fear, and value in reinsurance markets”
Kinder, Kimberley A. “CHANNELING POLITICS”
McClintock, Nathan Crane. “Cultivation, Capital, and Contamination: Urban Agriculture in Oakland, California”
Stabrowski, Filip Akira. “Housing Polish Greenpoint: Property and Power in a Gentrifying Brooklyn Neighborhood”
Park, Hyo Seok. “The Impact of the Central Asian Mountains on Downstream Storminess and Monsoon Onset”
De Lara, Juan. “Remapping Inland Southern California: Global Commodity Distribution, Land Speculation, and Politics in the Inland Empire”
Fredericks, Rosalind. “Doing the Dirty Work: The Cultural Politics of Garbage Collection in Dakar, Senegal”
Graham, Daniel. “Ghosts and Warriors: Cultural-Political Dynamics of Indigenous Resource Struggles in Western Honduras”
Guarin, Alejandro. “Old Links in a New Chain: The Unlikely Resilience of Corner Stores in Bogota, Colombia”
Han, Ju Hui Judy. “Contemporary Korean/American Evangelical Missions: Politics of Space, Gender, and Difference”
Lindenbaum, John. “The Industry, Geography, and Social Effects of Contemporary Christian Music”
Van Ausdal, Shawn. “The Logic of Livestock: An Historical Geography of Cattle Ranching in Colombia, 1850-1950”
Chiang, Lifang. “Hidden Innovation: A Reconsideration of an “Old Economy” Industry in a “New Economy” Region”
Johnstone, James Andrew. “Climate Variability of Northern California and its Global Connections”
Lave, Rebecca Anne. “The Rosgen Wars and the Shifting Political Economy of Expertise”
Paglen, Trevor. “Blank Spots on a Map”
Schmidt, Daniel Paul. “A Palynological and Stratigraphic Analysis of Mangrove Sediments at Punta Galeta, Panama”
Anderson, Rebecca. “Stable Isotope and Pollen Evidence for Late Quaternary Climate Change in Southern Coastal California”
Bryan, Joseph Henry. “Map or be Mapped: Land, Race, and Property in Eastern Nicaragua”
Carlisle, Heather Lynn. “Environment and Security in the Aral Sea Basin”
Gardner, Benjamin Richard. “Producing Pastoral Power: Territory, Identity and Rule in Tanzanian Maasailand”
Krupar, Shiloh Renee. “Shanghai’s Super Vision: Spectacular Spaces and Urban Planning Exhibition”
Moore, Jason W. “Ecology and the Rise of Capitalism”
Niedt, Christopher William. “The Politics of Prosperity and Crisis in an Industrial Suburb: Dundalk, Maryland, 1920-2005”
Rhee, Nari. “Searching for Working Class Politics: Labor, Community and Urban Power in Silicon Valley”
Schweikhardt, Peter. “Intra-annual to centennial-scale variability in San Francisco Bay during the Holocene: Inferences from geochemical analysis of biogenic carbonate fossils”
Karacas, Cary Lee. “Tokyo From the Fire: War, Occupation, and the Remaking of a Metropolis”
Bailey, Jodi L. “The Limits of Largess: International Environmental NGOs, Philanthropy, and Conservation”
Watson, Elizabeth Burke. “Environmental Change in San Francisco Estuary Tidal Marshes”
Hunter, Mark. “Building a Home: Unemployment, Intimacy, and AIDS in South Africa”
Park, Jungjae. “Holocene Climate Change and Human Environmental Impacts in Guanajuato, Mexico”
Roark, Erin Brendan. “Biogeochemical Proxies of Environmental Change in Surface and Deep-sea Corals from the Pacific”
Wahl, David. “Climate Change and Human Impacts in the Southern Maya Lowlands: A Paleoenvironmental Perspective from the Northern Peten, Guatemala”
Loyd, Jenna Morvren. “Freedom’s Body: Radical Health Activism in Los Angeles, 1963 to 1978”
Guthey, Greig Tor. “Terroir and the Politics of Agro -Industry in Çalifornia’s North Coast Wine District”
Howard, Jeanette Kay. “Freshwater Mussels in California’s North Coastal Streams: Current Status and Geomorphic Controls”
Leal, Claudia María. “Black Forests: The Pacific Lowlands of Colombia, 1850-1930”
Rogers, Clinton Bryce. “The Re-Emergence of an Entrepreneurial Community in the Himalayan Highlands of Nepal: Commercial Opportunity, Cooperative Venture Financing, and Competitive Private Enterprise in Manang (Nyishang)”
Smith, Francis James. “Coastal Geography of Rip Currents: Pacific Ocean Beaches and Public Safety, San Francisco Area, California”
Starratt, Scott William. “Late Holocene Diatom and Geochemical Evidence of Freshwater Flow Variation in Northern San Francisco Bay, California”
Bobrow-Strain, Aaron. “Rethinking Thuggery: Landowners, Territory, and Violence in Chiapas, Mexico”
Conserva, MariaElena. “Long-term Climate and Vegetation Change on the Northern Frontier of Mesoamerica, Guanajuato, Mexico”
DeRubertis, Diana. “Severe Convective Storms and U.S. Climate Change in the Latter Half of the Twentieth Century”
Dolhinow, Rebecca. “Borderlands Justice: Women’s Community Activism in the Colonias of Dona Ana County, New Mexico”
Buck, Daniel. “Constructing China’s Capitalism, Connecting Shanghai’s Urban and Rural Industries”
Davis, M. Kathryn. “Sardine Oil on Troubled Waters: The Boom and Bust of California’s Sardine Industry, 1905-1955”
Kosek, Jon (Jake) Gregory. “The Political Life of Forests in Northern New Mexico”
Lamoureux, Elisabeth A. “‘I Can’t Participate and Do What I Want’: Female Labor Militancy in South Korea”
Malamud-Roam, Frances. “A Late Holocene History of Vegetation Change in San Francisco Estuary Marshes Using Stable Carbon Isotopes and Pollen Analysis”
Nichols, Sandra L. “Saints, Peaches, and Wine: Mexican Migrants and the Transformation of Los Haro, Zacatecas and Napa, California”
Oglesby, Elizabeth Ann. “Politics at Work: Elites, Labor and Agrarian Modernization in Guatemala 1980-2000”
Siegel, Stuart William. “Slough Channel Network and Marsh Plain Morphodynamics in a Rapidly Accreting Tidal Marsh Restoration on Diked, Subsided Baylands, San Francisco Estuary, California”
Weber, Peter Kilian. “Geochemical Markers in the Otoliths of Chinook Salmon in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River System, California”
Freeman, James Patrick. “Face to Face but Worlds Apart: The Geography of Class in the Public Space of Rio de Janeiro”
Johnson, Katherine. “Federalism and the Origins of the Urban Crisis: The Geo-Politics of Housing and Highways, 1916-1956”
Wanket, James. “Late Quaternary Vegetation and Climate of the Klamath Mountains”
Davis, Diana K. “Overgrazing the Range? A Political Ecology of Pastoralism in Southern Morocco”
Dull, Robert Andrew. “El Bosque Perdido: A Cultural-Ecological History of Holocene Environmental Change in the Rio Paz Drainage Basin, Western El Salvador”
Teisch, Jessica Beth. “Engineering Progress: Californians and the Making of a Global Economy”
Wolford, Wendy Wei-Chen. “This Land is Ours Now: Social Mobilization and the Struggle for Agrarian Reform in Brazil”
Acker, Robert. “The Geography of Political Fragmentation and Regional Integration in the Mekong River Valley”
Churcher-Hoffmann, Tegan. “Reefs of Plenty to Reefs of Death: The Political Ecology of Coral Reef Health in Fiji and the Cook Islands”
Mena, Luz Maria. “No Common Folk: Free Blacks and Race Relations in the Early Modernization of Havana (1830s-1840s)”
Chari, Sharad. “The Agrarian Question Comes to Town: Making Knitwear Work in Tiruppur, South India”
Malamud-Roam, Karl Patrick. “Muted Tidal Regimes in Marshes of the San Francisco Estuary: Theory and Implications for Ecological Restoration”
Guthman, Julie Harriet. “Agrarian Dreams? The Paradox of Organic Farming in California“
Trist, Carolyn Rachel. “Changes in the Sea: The Political Ecology of Marine Management in Soufriere, St. Lucia”
Past dissertations
Thesis Topics and Ideas
This page provides a comprehensive list of 1000 thesis topics and ideas designed to assist students from a wide array of academic disciplines in identifying and selecting their research subjects. Whether you are at the beginning stages of your research or refining your thesis topic, this resource offers valuable guidance and an extensive array of ideas to inspire and inform your academic work. Spanning 25 fields, from Accounting to Science, each category includes 40 specific topics, ensuring a broad and inclusive range for every scholar’s interests. With an emphasis on the significance of choosing a suitable thesis topic, this page serves as an essential starting point for any student embarking on their thesis journey.
1000 Thesis Topics and Ideas
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Get 10% off with 24start discount code, 25 thesis topics categories:.
- Accounting Thesis Topics
- Art Thesis Topics
- Banking Thesis Topics
- Biology Thesis Topics
- Computer Science Thesis Topics
- Economics Thesis Topics
- Education Thesis Topics
- Engineering Thesis Topics
- Entrepreneurship Thesis Topics
- Environmental Science Thesis Topics
- Finance Thesis Topics
- Geography Thesis Topics
- Geology Thesis Topics
- Health Thesis Topics
- Immigration Thesis Topics
- Law Thesis Topics
- Nutrition Thesis Topics
- Leadership Thesis Topics
- Literature Thesis Topics
- Management Thesis Topics
- Marketing Thesis Topics
- Nursing Thesis Topics
- Philosophy Thesis Topics
- Psychology Thesis Topics
- Science Thesis Topics
1. Accounting Thesis Topics
- The impact of blockchain technology on traditional accounting practices.
- Comparative analysis of international accounting standards and local practices.
- Ethical considerations in managerial accounting.
- The role of artificial intelligence in financial fraud detection.
- Sustainability reporting: Standards and implications for global firms.
- Cybersecurity risks in cloud-based accounting systems.
- The future of forensic accounting in a digital age.
- Behavioral finance: How cognitive biases affect accounting decisions.
- The effectiveness of audit committees in emerging economies.
- Tax evasion and government policy in developing countries.
- Cryptocurrency and its implications for financial reporting.
- Implementing lean accounting in the manufacturing sector.
- The impact of culture on international accounting practices.
- Carbon credits accounting: Challenges and opportunities.
- The role of accounting in corporate social responsibility.
- Innovations in non-profit accounting.
- Accounting ethics and online privacy.
- Big data and predictive analytics for risk management.
- Revenue recognition in the digital economy.
- Accounting for startups: Challenges and best practices.
- The effect of global economic crises on accounting norms.
- Corporate governance and its impact on accounting standards.
- Integration of ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) factors in financial reporting.
- The evolution of cost accounting in the healthcare sector.
- Financial literacy and its impact on business success.
- Mergers and acquisitions: Accounting and cultural integration.
- The changing landscape of pension accounting.
- Real-time accounting: Implementation and effects.
- Transparency in government accounting: A comparative study.
- Intellectual property valuation and its accounting challenges.
- Impact of tariffs and trade barriers on accounting policies.
- Accounting for climate change: Risks and opportunities.
- The role of accountants in corporate turnaround strategies.
- Auditing automation and its impact on audit quality.
- The influence of technology on the evolution of accounting standards.
- Risk management in financial services: An accounting perspective.
- Outsourcing accounting services: Benefits and risks.
- The future of professional ethics in accounting.
- The role of accounting in enhancing organizational efficiency.
- Exploring the relationship between accounting information systems and organizational performance.
2. Art Thesis Topics
- Digital media and the transformation of traditional art forms.
- The influence of social media on contemporary art and artist visibility.
- Art as a form of political resistance in authoritarian regimes.
- The evolution of street art and its acceptance in mainstream galleries.
- Feminist art movements in the 21st century.
- The intersection of technology and art: Virtual reality as a new canvas.
- Postmodernism in art: Origins and future directions.
- The role of art therapy in mental health treatment.
- Cultural appropriation vs. appreciation in global art forms.
- The impact of global warming on artistic expression.
- Art in times of crisis: A study of pandemic-driven art.
- Sustainable art: Materials and practices for the eco-conscious artist.
- The commercialization of indigenous art.
- The role of galleries in shaping art trends.
- Art education and its impact on career success in the arts.
- The depiction of race and gender in modern sculptures.
- Art curation and digital exhibitions: The future of museums.
- The influence of celebrity culture on art valuation.
- Collaborative art projects and their impact on community development.
- The ethics of restoring ancient artworks.
- Animation as a form of contemporary art.
- The rise of performance art and its social implications.
- Exploring the relationship between art and technology.
- The resurgence of handicrafts in a digital age.
- The impact of economic crises on art production.
- The role of art in promoting sustainability.
- The dynamics of art fairs and their influence on the art market.
- Consumer culture and its representation in contemporary art.
- The role of public art in urban regeneration.
- The influence of migration on artistic expression.
- Decolonizing art history: Perspectives and methodologies.
- The impact of AI-generated art on the concept of authorship.
- The role of art in enhancing intercultural dialogue.
- Art and propaganda: A historical analysis.
- Graffiti as a tool for social change.
- The psychology of color in artistic expression.
- The effect of global tourism on local art scenes.
- Art as a vehicle for social justice.
- The relationship between art and fashion design.
- The future of biographical films on artists.
3. Banking Thesis Topics
- The future of cryptocurrencies in global banking systems.
- The impact of mobile banking on traditional banking practices.
- The role of central banks in stabilizing economic crises.
- Consumer behavior in digital banking: Trust and security aspects.
- The effect of banking regulations on international investments.
- Financial inclusion: Strategies for reaching the unbanked populations.
- The role of microfinance in poverty alleviation.
- Banking secrecy and its impact on tax evasion.
- The influence of fintech innovations on traditional banking models.
- The sustainability of peer-to-peer lending platforms.
- The impact of Brexit on the UK banking sector.
- Cybersecurity strategies in online banking.
- The future of Islamic banking in non-Muslim countries.
- The role of green banking in promoting environmental sustainability.
- The effectiveness of anti-money laundering policies.
- The impact of negative interest rates on banking profitability.
- Risk management in banking: Current strategies and future challenges.
- Customer loyalty in retail banking.
- The evolution of credit scoring models in the age of big data.
- The role of banks in supporting SMEs during economic downturns.
- Ethical banking: Concepts and real-world applications.
- The impact of regulatory changes on banking innovation.
- The role of banking in economic development of rural areas.
- Customer satisfaction and service quality in online banking.
- The challenges of implementing blockchain technology in banking.
- The future of offshore banking.
- The impact of artificial intelligence on banking services.
- The role of central banks in managing climate risk.
- The effects of global political instability on banking security.
- Banking for the elderly: Adapting services for an aging population.
- The role of banks in fostering entrepreneurship.
- Digital wallets: Adoption rates and consumer trust.
- The impact of the gig economy on banking products.
- The role of emotional intelligence in banking leadership.
- Compliance challenges in global banking.
- The future of bank branch design in the digital era.
- Innovations in payment systems and their impact on consumer behavior.
- The role of banks in funding renewable energy projects.
- The impact of pandemics on banking behavior.
- Cross-border banking challenges and opportunities.
4. Biology Thesis Topics
- CRISPR and its implications for genetic diseases.
- The role of microbiomes in human health.
- Synthetic biology: Designing life for industrial purposes.
- Conservation genetics: Saving species from extinction.
- The impact of climate change on marine biodiversity.
- The ethics of cloning: From animals to humans.
- The future of bioinformatics in personalized medicine.
- The role of epigenetics in cancer development.
- Bioremediation techniques in oil spill recovery.
- The influence of urban environments on avian species.
- The application of stem cell therapy in regenerative medicine.
- The potential of algae as a biofuel source.
- The impact of invasive species on ecosystem balance.
- The role of plants in mitigating air pollution.
- The genetics of aging and longevity.
- The impact of microplastics on freshwater ecosystems.
- The evolution of antibiotic resistance.
- The role of wildlife in the spread of zoonotic diseases.
- The potential of biotechnology in food security.
- The ethical considerations of using animals in research.
- The future of GMOs in global agriculture.
- The impact of deforestation on biodiversity.
- The role of citizen science in biological research.
- The use of drones in wildlife monitoring.
- The challenges of conserving migratory bird species.
- The role of genetic modification in pest control.
- The potential for bioluminescent plants in urban lighting.
- The impact of ocean acidification on coral reefs.
- The genetics of plant adaptation to climate change.
- The role of animal behavior in conservation strategies.
- The potential of synthetic meat in reducing environmental impact.
- The impact of global warming on polar ecosystems.
- The role of fungi in ecosystem services.
- The challenges of wildlife conservation in conflict zones.
- The future of ecological restoration techniques.
- The impact of human activity on natural selection.
- The potential of venomous animals in medical research.
- The role of genetic diversity in species resilience.
- The use of environmental DNA in biodiversity monitoring.
- The ethical implications of de-extinction technologies.
5. Computer Science Thesis Topics
- Quantum computing and its future applications.
- The impact of machine learning on healthcare diagnostics.
- The ethics of artificial intelligence in decision making.
- Cybersecurity in the age of Internet of Things (IoT).
- The role of virtual reality in education.
- The challenges of data privacy in social media.
- The future of blockchain beyond cryptocurrencies.
- The potential of augmented reality in retail.
- The impact of 5G technology on mobile computing.
- The use of big data in predictive policing.
- The challenges of software engineering in space missions.
- The role of AI in combating climate change.
- The impact of computer vision in autonomous vehicles.
- The ethics of facial recognition technology.
- The potential of AI in artistic creation.
- The role of robotics in elderly care.
- The impact of digital twins in industry 4.0.
- The challenges of maintaining digital heritage.
- The potential of internet governance in global diplomacy.
- The role of deep learning in language translation.
- The future of bioinformatics in genomics.
- The challenges of ethical hacking.
- The role of cloud computing in disaster management.
- The impact of wearable technology on personal health.
- The future of digital currencies in global economies.
- The challenges of data sovereignty.
- The role of machine learning in financial fraud detection.
- The impact of smart cities on urban planning.
- The potential of drones in logistics.
- The role of AI in predictive maintenance.
- The future of edge computing.
- The challenges of implementing AI in legal systems.
- The role of virtual agents in customer service.
- The impact of gaming technology on learning.
- The potential of digital marketing in the era of AI.
- The challenges of AI ethics.
- The role of data analytics in sports performance.
- The impact of e-learning platforms on traditional education.
- The potential of digital assistants in enhancing productivity.
- The challenges of securing IoT devices.
6. Economics Thesis Topics
- The impact of global trade wars on small economies.
- The role of economic policy in climate change mitigation.
- The effects of universal basic income experiments.
- The challenges of economic integration in emerging markets.
- The future of cryptocurrency regulation.
- The impact of remote work on urban economies.
- The role of tourism in economic recovery post-pandemic.
- The challenges of pension systems in aging populations.
- The potential of green bonds in financing sustainable development.
- The impact of artificial intelligence on labor markets.
- The challenges of economic sanctions.
- The role of microfinance in women’s empowerment.
- The impact of Brexit on the European Union.
- The future of trade agreements in a multipolar world.
- The potential of social entrepreneurship in economic development.
- The challenges of income inequality.
- The role of digital currencies in global finance.
- The impact of climate change on agricultural economics.
- The potential of sustainable tourism.
- The challenges of financial literacy education.
- The role of government in innovation ecosystems.
- The impact of healthcare reform on national economies.
- The potential of renewable energy markets.
- The challenges of housing markets in global cities.
- The future of economic theories in the digital age.
- The role of central banks in managing economic crises.
- The impact of population growth on resource allocation.
- The potential of cooperative businesses in sustainable economies.
- The challenges of water scarcity on economic policies.
- The role of technology in economic forecasting.
- The future of economic globalization.
- The challenges of corporate social responsibility.
- The role of public-private partnerships in infrastructure development.
- The impact of big data on economic decision-making.
- The potential of fintech in emerging markets.
- The challenges of trade barriers in Africa.
- The role of economic planning in post-conflict societies.
- The impact of oil price fluctuations on global economies.
- The potential of agrotechnology in enhancing food security.
- The challenges of sustainable development goals.
7. Education Thesis Topics
- The impact of digital classrooms on learning outcomes.
- The challenges of multicultural education in primary schools.
- The role of technology in special education.
- The future of higher education post-pandemic.
- The impact of parental involvement on student achievement.
- The challenges of teacher training in digital skills.
- The potential of gamification in education.
- The impact of school leadership on educational reform.
- The challenges of educational equity in rural areas.
- The role of student voice in educational policy development.
- The future of educational funding models.
- The challenges of adult education in the digital age.
- The potential of mobile learning in developing countries.
- The impact of arts education on academic performance.
- The challenges of standardized testing.
- The role of community partnerships in education.
- The future of educational psychology.
- The challenges of early childhood education policies.
- The potential of blended learning environments.
- The impact of language barriers in bilingual education.
- The challenges of educational technology integration.
- The role of mentorship in teacher development.
- The future of global education initiatives.
- The challenges of education for sustainable development.
- The potential of STEM education in girls’ empowerment.
- The impact of nutrition on cognitive development in children.
- The challenges of refugee education.
- The role of outdoor education in child development.
- The future of vocational training.
- The challenges of distance learning in higher education.
- The role of social media in educational engagement.
- The impact of bullying on student well-being.
- The future of academic libraries in the digital era.
- The challenges of home schooling.
- The potential of interdisciplinary studies.
- The impact of school infrastructure on learning.
- The challenges of teacher retention.
- The role of sports in educational settings.
- The future of educational research methodologies.
- The challenges of academic freedom in authoritarian regimes.
8. Engineering Thesis Topics
- The future of sustainable building materials.
- The role of robotics in disaster response.
- The challenges of renewable energy technologies.
- The future of bioengineering in healthcare.
- The impact of 3D printing on manufacturing industries.
- The challenges of transportation systems in megacities.
- The potential of smart grids in energy management.
- The impact of nanotechnology in material science.
- The challenges of water resource management in arid regions.
- The future of aerospace engineering.
- The role of artificial intelligence in civil engineering.
- The impact of virtual reality in construction planning.
- The challenges of biofuels in sustainable transport.
- The potential of geotechnical engineering in urban development.
- The impact of automation in industrial processes.
- The challenges of cybersecurity in critical infrastructure.
- The future of environmental engineering.
- The role of genetic engineering in agriculture.
- The impact of smart materials in wearable technology.
- The challenges of structural health monitoring.
- The future of electrical engineering in the IoT era.
- The role of mechanical engineering in renewable energy systems.
- The impact of machine learning on engineering design.
- The challenges of climate adaptation in coastal engineering.
- The potential of data analytics in traffic management.
- The impact of augmented reality on maintenance procedures.
- The future of chemical engineering in pharmaceuticals.
- The role of systems engineering in complex projects.
- The impact of drones in environmental monitoring.
- The challenges of acoustic engineering in urban areas.
- The future of automotive engineering in electric vehicles.
- The role of engineering in space exploration.
- The impact of digital twins in asset management.
- The challenges of agricultural engineering in climate-resilient farming.
- The potential of hydraulic engineering in flood prevention.
- The impact of thermal engineering in energy efficiency.
- The challenges of marine engineering in deep-sea exploration.
- The role of process engineering in sustainable manufacturing.
- The future of telecommunications engineering.
- The challenges of safety engineering in high-risk industries.
9. Entrepreneurship Thesis Topics
- The role of startups in economic recovery post-COVID-19.
- The impact of entrepreneurial ecosystems on regional development.
- The challenges of female entrepreneurship in technology sectors.
- The future of social entrepreneurship in addressing global issues.
- The impact of government policies on startup success.
- The challenges of venture capital in emerging markets.
- The potential of digital platforms in fostering entrepreneurship.
- The impact of coworking spaces on entrepreneurial collaboration.
- The challenges of scaling small businesses.
- The future of innovation in entrepreneurial ventures.
- The role of universities in promoting entrepreneurship.
- The impact of business incubators on startup growth.
- The challenges of entrepreneurial education in developing economies.
- The potential of green entrepreneurship in sustainable development.
- The impact of crowdfunding on new venture financing.
- The challenges of intellectual property in startup ecosystems.
- The future of entrepreneurial leadership.
- The role of technology transfer in innovation.
- The impact of e-commerce on small and medium enterprises.
- The challenges of global expansion for startups.
- The future of gig economy and its impact on entrepreneurship.
- The role of corporate entrepreneurship in fostering innovation.
- The impact of digital marketing strategies on entrepreneurial success.
- The challenges of regulatory compliance for new businesses.
- The potential of blockchain technology in entrepreneurial finance.
- The impact of artificial intelligence on small business operations.
- The future of entrepreneurial networking.
- The role of demographic changes in entrepreneurial opportunities.
- The impact of climate change on business innovations.
- The challenges of entrepreneurship in the arts.
- The future of family businesses in modern economies.
- The role of psychological resilience in entrepreneurial success.
- The impact of migration on entrepreneurial diversity.
- The challenges of supply chain management for entrepreneurs.
- The potential of biotechnology startups in healthcare.
- The impact of urbanization on entrepreneurial opportunities.
- The future of virtual reality in business applications.
- The role of data privacy in consumer-oriented startups.
- The impact of mobile payments on small business transactions.
- The challenges of energy efficiency in entrepreneurial ventures.
10. Environmental Science Thesis Topics
- The role of urban green spaces in combating air pollution.
- The impact of plastic pollution on marine ecosystems.
- The challenges of sustainable agriculture in water-scarce regions.
- The future of renewable energy technologies in mitigating climate change.
- The challenges of waste management in urban areas.
- The potential of ecosystem services in urban planning.
- The impact of climate change on freshwater resources.
- The challenges of environmental policy in developing countries.
- The future of conservation strategies for endangered species.
- The role of citizen science in environmental monitoring.
- The impact of industrial pollution on public health.
- The challenges of restoring ecosystems after natural disasters.
- The potential of green chemistry in reducing environmental impact.
- The impact of global warming on polar regions.
- The challenges of air quality monitoring in megacities.
- The future of oceanography in climate research.
- The role of environmental education in sustainability.
- The impact of sustainable tourism on natural reserves.
- The challenges of geothermal energy exploitation.
- The future of bioenergy in global energy markets.
- The role of public awareness in environmental conservation.
- The impact of agricultural runoff on water quality.
- The challenges of noise pollution in urban environments.
- The potential of green roofs in energy conservation.
- The impact of invasive species on local ecosystems.
- The future of wildlife corridors in promoting biodiversity.
- The role of policy in shaping environmental technologies.
- The impact of land use change on ecosystem services.
- The challenges of sustainable fishing practices.
- The future of environmental impact assessments.
- The role of community engagement in conservation projects.
- The impact of climate change on agricultural pests.
- The challenges of sustainable urban drainage systems.
- The potential of natural resource management in conflict zones.
- The impact of eco-labeling on consumer behavior.
- The future of environmental justice in policy making.
- The role of geospatial technologies in environmental management.
- The impact of renewable energy subsidies on market development.
- The challenges of carbon capture and storage technologies.
11. Finance Thesis Topics
- The role of financial technology in shaping banking services.
- The impact of global economic policies on stock markets.
- The challenges of financial inclusion in low-income countries.
- The future of cryptocurrency in global trade.
- The impact of interest rate fluctuations on consumer behavior.
- The challenges of corporate finance in multinational companies.
- The potential of microfinance in supporting small businesses.
- The impact of stock market volatility on retirement savings.
- The challenges of insurance models in climate-sensitive regions.
- The future of investment strategies in a low-yield environment.
- The role of central banks in stabilizing financial markets.
- The impact of Brexit on European financial stability.
- The challenges of ethical investing in emerging markets.
- The potential of blockchain in reducing financial fraud.
- The impact of monetary policies on economic recovery.
- The challenges of financial literacy in developing a sustainable economy.
- The future of digital currencies in monetary systems.
- The role of financial regulations in promoting transparency.
- The impact of artificial intelligence on financial services.
- The challenges of managing public debt in developing countries.
- The future of real estate investment in urban areas.
- The role of crowdfunding in financing innovation.
- The impact of global trade tensions on foreign exchange markets.
- The challenges of pension fund management in an aging population.
- The potential of sustainable finance in corporate strategies.
- The impact of inflation on spending patterns.
- The future of risk management in financial institutions.
- The role of international financial organizations in crisis resolution.
- The impact of technology on personal financial planning.
- The challenges of financial sanctions on global banking.
- The future of financial derivatives in market stability.
- The role of consumer protection in financial services.
- The impact of e-commerce on global economic growth.
- The challenges of financial market regulation in a digital age.
- The potential of impact investing in addressing social issues.
- The impact of climate change on insurance risk assessments.
- The future of global financial cooperation.
- The role of data analytics in financial forecasting.
- The impact of mobile banking on financial accessibility.
- The challenges of financial crime prevention.
12. Geography Thesis Topics
- The impact of climate change on coastal erosion patterns globally
- Urban heat islands: Mitigation strategies for mega-cities
- Geographic information systems (GIS) applications in disaster management
- The role of green spaces in enhancing urban resilience to climate change
- Water scarcity and conflict in the Middle East: A spatial analysis
- Mapping pandemic outbreaks: The role of geographic factors in disease spread
- The effects of urbanization on biodiversity in metropolitan areas
- Sustainable tourism and its impact on indigenous communities
- Deforestation patterns and their impact on local climates
- Geospatial analysis of renewable energy potential in developing countries
- The political geography of borders in post-conflict regions
- Land use changes and their impacts on suburban wildlife
- Analyzing the socioeconomic impacts of natural disasters using spatial data
- The future of Arctic navigation routes: Geopolitical and environmental considerations
- GIS in urban planning: Case studies on efficient city layouts
- Sea level rise and its implications for island nations
- The geography of refugee flows and human migration patterns
- Comparative analysis of urban sprawl in Europe and Asia
- Remote sensing applications in monitoring deforestation efforts
- The dynamics of river pollution and its effects on surrounding populations
- Climate adaptation strategies in drought-prone regions
- The impact of transportation networks on rural development
- Spatial patterns of agricultural productivity shifts due to technological advancements
- Historical cartography and its influence on modern territorial disputes
- The role of geospatial data in shaping public health policies
- Assessing the impact of mega-dams on river ecosystems
- The cultural geography of food security in sub-Saharan Africa
- Urban-rural migration patterns and their effects on regional development
- The evolution of coastal cities’ defense mechanisms against rising sea levels
- Spatial justice and accessibility in metropolitan public services
- Modeling the spread of invasive species using GIS
- The economic geography of global supply chains disrupted by political instability
- Land rights disputes and their environmental consequences
- The role of satellite imagery in enforcing environmental regulations
- Geographical analysis of electoral patterns in democratic nations
- The socioeconomic effects of mining in developing regions
- Water resource management in arid climates: Case studies from around the world
- The use of geospatial data in predicting volcanic eruptions
- The impact of global warming on polar glacial movements
- Urban biodiversity: Strategies for preserving green spaces in large cities
13. Geology Thesis Topics
- The impact of hydraulic fracturing on local groundwater systems
- Volcanic activity and its influence on climate patterns
- Sedimentary records and climate change: A deep-time perspective
- The role of geology in sustainable urban planning
- Mineralogy of subduction zones and its implications for seismic activity
- Geotechnical assessment of landslide-prone areas
- Paleoceanography: Studying ancient marine environments through sediment analysis
- The geochemistry of deep-sea hydrothermal vents and their ecosystems
- Earthquake prediction: Advances in seismic monitoring and data analysis
- The effects of mining on ecosystem dynamics
- Geophysical techniques in oil and gas exploration
- The evolution of continental crust through geological time
- The geology of planetary bodies: Insights from Mars and the Moon
- Coral reef degradation: Geological perspectives on a biological crisis
- The dynamics of groundwater flow in karst environments
- Radioisotope dating: Techniques and applications in geological research
- Impact of glacial movements on alpine landscapes
- Geothermal energy: Mapping potential sites for sustainable power
- The formation and significance of geological faults
- Soil erosion processes and their impact on agricultural land
- Geological mapping of underexplored regions for mineral resources
- The influence of tectonic activity on biodiversity hotspots
- Techniques in paleomagnetism and their applications in plate tectonics
- The impact of coastal erosion on human settlements
- Studying basaltic rock formations to understand volcanic activity
- The role of geology in the carbon cycle and climate regulation
- Advances in geological remote sensing and satellite imagery
- Geoarchaeology: Uncovering human history through geological methods
- Geology and public health: Understanding natural sources of toxic elements
- Modeling the future impacts of sea level rise on coastal geology
- The geological implications of artificial islands and land reclamation
- Preservation of geological heritage sites under threat from tourism
- The role of sediment transport in shaping river deltas
- Geological considerations in the construction of large-scale infrastructure
- The environmental impacts of deep-sea mining
- Assessing the risk of tsunamis in the Pacific Rim
- Geological factors in the siting of nuclear facilities
- The relationship between geological structures and biodiversity in national parks
- Studying the geology of sinkholes: Causes and consequences
- The science of gemstones: From geological formation to market trends
14. Health Thesis Topics
- The impact of telemedicine on healthcare delivery in rural areas
- Nutritional strategies in the prevention of type 2 diabetes
- The role of genetic factors in the development of Alzheimer’s disease
- Mental health outcomes among refugees: A cross-cultural study
- Evaluating the effectiveness of mindfulness-based therapies on chronic pain
- Vaccine hesitancy: Causes and public health implications
- The effects of air pollution on respiratory health in urban areas
- Opioid addiction treatment: New approaches and their effectiveness
- Health disparities in cardiovascular disease outcomes by ethnicity
- The influence of social media on adolescent mental health
- Maternal health and neonatal outcomes in low-resource settings
- The impact of sleep quality on cognitive decline in the elderly
- Public health strategies to combat obesity in children
- The effectiveness of public smoking bans in reducing lung disease rates
- Exploring the relationship between gut microbiota and immune function
- The use of AI in predicting epidemic outbreaks
- Strategies for increasing physical activity among office workers
- The effects of climate change on vector-borne diseases
- Healthcare systems’ responsiveness to the needs of diverse populations
- The role of patient education in managing chronic diseases
- Mental health interventions in primary care settings
- Assessing the impact of dietary supplements on health outcomes
- The role of healthcare policy in improving population health
- The ethical implications of genetic screening for hereditary diseases
- The challenge of antibiotic resistance: Strategies for global response
- Health implications of long-term space travel: A study of astronaut health
- The use of blockchain technology in securing patient health records
- Addressing mental health stigma in various cultural contexts
- The impact of economic downturns on public health systems
- Preventive measures against sports-related concussions
- The role of occupational therapy in stroke rehabilitation
- The effects of urban green spaces on mental health
- Developing effective interventions for teenage substance abuse
- The global impact of non-communicable diseases on economic development
- The use of mobile health applications in patient management
- Strategies for reducing maternal mortality rates in developing countries
- The role of health informatics in improving patient care
- The impact of chronic stress on health: Physiological and psychological aspects
- Evaluating the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic
- The relationship between health literacy and health outcomes
15. Immigration Thesis Topics
- The impact of immigration policies on national security in various countries
- Economic effects of mass migration on host countries
- Cultural integration challenges faced by immigrants in urban settings
- The role of international laws in protecting the rights of refugees
- Effects of brain drain on developing countries due to emigration
- Analysis of the socio-economic impacts of undocumented workers in the United States
- Long-term demographic changes resulting from immigration trends
- The influence of immigrant communities on local election outcomes
- Comparative study of refugee resettlement programs across Western countries
- The role of language barriers in immigrant education and integration
- Mental health issues among immigrant populations
- Impact of remittances on the economy of origin countries
- Legal challenges and pathways to citizenship for immigrants
- The effects of religious diversity brought by immigrants
- Strategies for managing cultural diversity in multinational corporations
- Xenophobia and racism: Social tensions in immigrant-dense areas
- The role of social media in shaping immigrant identity
- The impact of climate change on patterns of global migration
- Comparative analysis of asylum policies in EU countries
- The role of international NGOs in aiding immigrants and refugees
- Gender-specific challenges faced by female immigrants
- The economic contribution of refugees to local economies
- The effect of immigration on public health systems
- Policies to combat human trafficking across borders
- The role of education in facilitating immigrant integration
- Historical patterns of immigration and their impact on modern policies
- Challenges to law enforcement in regions with high levels of immigration
- The impact of deportation on families and communities
- The effectiveness of border security measures in controlling illegal immigration
- Immigration as a tool for diplomatic leverage in international relations
- The role of the media in influencing public opinion on immigration
- Challenges of second-generation immigrants in maintaining cultural heritage
- Impact of immigration on urban planning and infrastructure
- Immigration and the changing landscape of political power in host countries
- Ethical considerations in the treatment of detained immigrants
- The relationship between immigration and global economic crises
- Success stories of immigrant entrepreneurs and their impact on global markets
- The role of immigrant labor in the sustainability of pension systems
- Comparative analysis of immigrant integration in rural vs. urban areas
- The impact of expatriate communities on global cultural exchange
16. Law Thesis Topics
- The implications of artificial intelligence on copyright and intellectual property laws.
- Analyzing the effectiveness of hate speech laws in various jurisdictions.
- The impact of international trade laws on emerging economies.
- Legal challenges in the enforcement of global environmental protection laws.
- The evolution of privacy laws in the digital age.
- Comparative analysis of drug decriminalization policies across countries.
- The role of the judiciary in upholding democratic values in times of political crises.
- Legal frameworks for combating cybercrime: A global perspective.
- The influence of legal systems on minority rights protection.
- Assessing the impact of legal aid services on access to justice.
- The role of law in regulating unmanned aerial vehicles (drones).
- Legal and ethical issues surrounding euthanasia and assisted suicide.
- The enforcement of international human rights laws in conflict zones.
- Analyzing the legal responses to domestic violence in different cultures.
- The effectiveness of anti-corruption laws in public sector governance.
- Intellectual property rights and access to medication in developing countries.
- Legal aspects of international adoptions and child rights.
- The role of law in managing global refugee crises.
- Employment law and its impact on gender equality in the workplace.
- Legal challenges in the adoption of renewable energy sources.
- The impact of forensic science on criminal justice systems.
- Legal issues related to the commercialization of space.
- The role of legal institutions in addressing economic inequality.
- Animal rights and legal protections: A comparative study.
- The future of international law in governing maritime disputes.
- Legal strategies to combat human trafficking across continents.
- The role of customary law in modern legal systems.
- The implications of Brexit on European Union law.
- Legal responses to global pandemics and health emergencies.
- The influence of shareholder activism on corporate governance.
- Rights and legal protections for gig economy workers.
- Legal frameworks governing artificial reproductive technologies.
- The impact of climate change legislation on industrial sectors.
- The role of international courts in resolving territorial disputes.
- The legality and ethics of surveillance in national security.
- Legal implications of genetic data storage and usage.
- The intersection of religion and law in secular societies.
- Legal considerations in the regulation of virtual currencies.
- Comparative legal analysis of same-sex marriage laws.
- The role of law in combating racial discrimination in education and employment.
17. Nutrition Thesis Topics
- The impact of plant-based diets on long-term health outcomes.
- Nutritional strategies for managing autoimmune diseases.
- The role of gut microbiota in weight management and obesity prevention.
- Comparative effectiveness of dietary interventions in reducing cardiovascular risk.
- The influence of nutritional education on childhood obesity rates.
- The effects of intermittent fasting on metabolic health.
- Nutritional deficiencies and their impact on mental health.
- The role of antioxidants in cancer prevention.
- Trends in global dietary patterns and their environmental impacts.
- The effectiveness of school-based nutritional programs on student health.
- The impact of ultra-processed foods on chronic disease rates.
- Nutritional genomics: Personalizing diet plans based on genetic profiles.
- The relationship between dietary patterns and aging.
- The effects of caffeine and other stimulants on athletic performance.
- The role of omega-3 fatty acids in cognitive development and function.
- Dietary interventions in the management of Type 2 diabetes.
- The impact of alcohol consumption on nutritional status.
- Strategies to improve nutritional intake in elderly populations.
- The role of nutrition in the recovery and rehabilitation of sports injuries.
- Ethical considerations in the marketing of dietary supplements.
- The influence of socio-economic status on nutritional choices and health outcomes.
- The role of dietary fiber in digestive health and disease prevention.
- Nutrition and skin health: The impact of diet on skin condition and aging.
- The relationship between nutrition and sleep quality.
- The effect of maternal nutrition on fetal development and birth outcomes.
- The impact of geographic and cultural factors on dietary practices.
- The effectiveness of community gardens in improving access to nutritious foods.
- The role of policy in shaping public nutrition and food security.
- Nutritional challenges in vegan and vegetarian diets.
- The science of food addiction and its implications for dietary guidelines.
- The impact of pesticides and other chemicals on food safety and nutritional value.
- The role of protein in muscle synthesis and body composition.
- Nutritional interventions in the treatment of mood disorders.
- The effects of global warming on food production and nutritional quality.
- The impact of fast food globalization on worldwide obesity rates.
- Nutritional considerations in palliative care settings.
- The role of nutrition in the prevention and management of Alzheimer’s disease.
- The impact of mindful eating on health and well-being.
- Nutrient timing: The implications of when we eat on health and performance.
- The effectiveness of nutritional labeling in influencing consumer choices.
18. Leadership Thesis Topics
- The impact of transformational leadership on employee engagement and retention.
- The role of leadership in shaping organizational culture and performance.
- Leadership strategies for managing diversity and inclusion in multinational corporations.
- The effectiveness of servant leadership in nonprofit organizations.
- Leadership in crisis: Evaluating the responses of business leaders during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The influence of gender on leadership styles and effectiveness.
- The role of emotional intelligence in leadership success.
- Leadership development programs: Assessing their impact on career progression.
- Ethical leadership and its effects on corporate governance.
- Leadership and innovation: How leaders foster a culture of innovation within organizations.
- The impact of leadership on team dynamics and conflict resolution.
- Cross-cultural leadership: The challenges and strategies for leading in a globalized market.
- The role of leadership in successful change management initiatives.
- The relationship between leadership styles and employee job satisfaction.
- Millennials in leadership: Their approach and impact on organizational practices.
- The effect of leadership coaching on personal and organizational outcomes.
- Leadership succession planning in family-owned businesses.
- The impact of digital transformation on leadership practices.
- Leadership and sustainability: Integrating environmental concerns into business strategies.
- The role of leadership in enhancing customer satisfaction and loyalty.
- Distributed leadership in educational institutions: A path to improved school outcomes.
- The influence of political leadership on national economic development.
- Leadership in healthcare: Strategies for handling administrative and ethical challenges.
- Virtual leadership: Leading remote teams effectively in the digital age.
- The role of leadership in driving corporate social responsibility initiatives.
- Adaptive leadership in dynamic markets: Responding to technological disruptions.
- Leadership under pressure: The skills needed for high-stakes decision-making.
- The impact of authoritarian versus democratic leadership styles on organizational efficiency.
- The role of leadership in promoting workplace safety and well-being.
- Leadership in the arts sector: Challenges and strategies for inspiring creative teams.
- The effectiveness of leadership training in the public sector.
- Leadership and accountability: Mechanisms for transparent governance in organizations.
- Women in leadership: Barriers and enablers for gender equity at the top.
- Leadership during mergers and acquisitions: Key strategies for smooth transitions.
- The impact of social media on leadership and personal branding.
- The relationship between leadership and mental health in the workplace.
- Leadership in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs): Unique challenges and opportunities.
- The role of leadership in disaster recovery and resilience building.
- Charismatic leadership: Its influence on followers and organizational outcomes.
- Leadership and corporate culture: How leaders influence organizational values and norms.
19. Literature Thesis Topics
- The evolution of the narrative structure in modernist literature.
- Themes of alienation and identity in post-colonial literature.
- The representation of gender and sexuality in contemporary young adult fiction.
- The role of dystopian literature in critiquing current societal norms.
- Magical realism as a tool for political commentary in Latin American novels.
- The influence of the Beat Generation on American literature and culture.
- Intersections of race and class in the works of Toni Morrison.
- The depiction of mental health in 20th-century literature.
- Eco-criticism and the portrayal of nature in Romantic poetry.
- The impact of digital media on the form and content of contemporary poetry.
- Intertextuality in the works of James Joyce and T.S. Eliot.
- The narrative techniques of unreliable narration in modern novels.
- The role of mythology in shaping modern fantasy literature.
- Feminist re-readings of classic Victorian novels.
- The portrayal of historical events in Holocaust literature.
- The influence of existential philosophy on European plays of the 20th century.
- The treatment of exile and displacement in the literature of the Middle East.
- Comparative analysis of Gothic elements in 19th-century British and American literature.
- The role of the supernatural in the development of horror literature.
- The representation of urban spaces in modernist poetry.
- Postmodern narrative strategies in contemporary cinema.
- The literary legacy of the Harlem Renaissance.
- Memory and trauma in post-war European literature.
- The impact of censorship on the dissemination of radical ideas in literature.
- The dynamics of power and corruption in political novels.
- Psychoanalytic interpretations of children’s fairy tales.
- Consumer culture and its critique in postmodern American fiction.
- The concept of the anti-hero in modern drama and its societal implications.
- Literary expressions of religious doubt from the Enlightenment to modernism.
- The evolution of the vampire myth in literature from Dracula to today.
- The influence of African oral traditions on contemporary African-American literature.
- Depictions of artificial intelligence in science fiction: ethical and philosophical implications.
- The portrayal of indigenous cultures in settler colonial narratives.
- Gender dynamics in the epistolary novel form.
- Literature as a form of resistance in totalitarian regimes.
- The intersection of literature and film in adapting classical texts.
- Archetypes and their transformations in world literature.
- The narrative function of space in graphic novels.
- Literary adaptations and their impact on understanding original works.
- The role of paratexts in shaping reader reception of literary texts.
20. Management Thesis Topics
- The impact of remote work on team dynamics and productivity.
- Strategies for managing global teams across different time zones and cultures.
- The role of management in fostering innovation within organizations.
- The effectiveness of agile management techniques in software development projects.
- The influence of corporate social responsibility on brand loyalty and consumer behavior.
- Crisis management: Best practices for handling public relations disasters.
- The impact of generational differences on management styles and employee satisfaction.
- Strategies for effective change management in rapidly evolving industries.
- The role of emotional intelligence in leadership and management.
- The impact of artificial intelligence on strategic decision-making processes.
- Sustainability in supply chain management: Practices and outcomes.
- The effectiveness of performance management systems in multinational corporations.
- Workplace diversity: Management strategies for fostering inclusivity.
- Conflict resolution: Techniques and systems for managing workplace disputes.
- The role of management in preventing workplace harassment and ensuring safety.
- The impact of digital transformation on traditional management practices.
- Strategies for managing customer relationships in the digital era.
- The influence of organizational culture on employee productivity and morale.
- Talent management strategies for attracting and retaining top talent.
- Management challenges in the healthcare sector: Improving efficiency and patient care.
- The role of management in promoting ethical practices within corporations.
- The impact of e-commerce on retail management.
- Risk management strategies in the finance industry.
- The role of project management in successful infrastructure development.
- The impact of leadership development programs on organizational success.
- Managing innovation: How companies can cultivate and sustain innovative practices.
- The influence of management practices on employee well-being and work-life balance.
- The role of data analytics in management decision-making.
- Best practices for managing non-profit organizations.
- The impact of international trade policies on business management.
- Employee engagement strategies: What works and what doesn’t?
- The effect of management styles on the adoption of technology in the workplace.
- The challenges of managing a multi-generational workforce.
- The role of strategic planning in business growth and development.
- Corporate governance and its impact on company performance and accountability.
- The management of mergers and acquisitions: Integration strategies and challenges.
- The effect of global economic conditions on management practices.
- Consumer behavior insights for strategic management decisions.
- Outsourcing strategies: Management challenges and benefits.
- The role of mentorship programs in management training and development.
21. Marketing Thesis Topics
- The effectiveness of social media influencers in brand promotion.
- Consumer behavior analysis in the era of digital transformation.
- The impact of virtual reality marketing on consumer purchase intentions.
- Green marketing: Strategies and challenges in promoting sustainable products.
- The role of emotional appeals in advertising effectiveness.
- The evolution of consumer privacy concerns in digital marketing.
- Brand loyalty: Factors influencing consumer loyalty in competitive markets.
- The impact of cultural factors on global marketing strategies.
- Neuromarketing: How brain science is influencing advertising strategies.
- The effectiveness of content marketing in building brand awareness.
- The role of customer feedback in shaping product development.
- Marketing automation: Tools, benefits, and potential pitfalls.
- The influence of economic downturns on marketing strategies.
- The impact of customer relationship management (CRM) systems on sales performance.
- Ethical concerns in marketing: A study of deceptive advertising practices.
- The role of packaging design in consumer decision-making.
- The effectiveness of loyalty programs in retaining customers.
- The challenges of marketing pharmaceutical products in a regulated environment.
- The impact of global events on sports marketing and sponsorship.
- The role of search engine optimization (SEO) in modern marketing strategies.
- Mobile marketing: Trends, effectiveness, and consumer reception.
- The influence of brand storytelling on emotional connection and engagement.
- Comparative analysis of traditional vs. digital marketing budgets and ROI.
- The challenges and opportunities of affiliate marketing.
- Consumer resistance to digital advertising and ways to overcome it.
- The impact of artificial intelligence on personalized marketing campaigns.
- The role of gender in marketing: Tailoring messages to diverse audiences.
- The effectiveness of video marketing on social media platforms.
- The influence of corporate social responsibility on consumer perceptions.
- The role of market segmentation in effective targeting.
- The impact of pop-up retail on consumer engagement and sales.
- The role of public relations in crisis management and brand rehabilitation.
- The effectiveness of experiential marketing campaigns.
- The challenges of marketing in the non-profit sector.
- The impact of data breaches on brand trust and loyalty.
- Influencer marketing vs. celebrity endorsements: A comparative study.
- The role of sensory marketing in enhancing customer experience.
- The impact of augmented reality on shopping experiences.
- The role of analytics in predicting consumer behavior.
- The effectiveness of cross-channel marketing strategies.
22. Nursing Thesis Topics
- The impact of nurse-patient ratios on patient outcomes in critical care units.
- Strategies for managing nurse burnout and job satisfaction.
- The effectiveness of telehealth nursing and its implications for rural healthcare.
- The role of nurses in managing chronic diseases in outpatient settings.
- Innovations in nursing education and their impact on clinical practice.
- The challenges of cultural competence in nursing: Strategies for improvement.
- The impact of evidence-based practice on nursing care quality.
- The role of nursing leadership in fostering interdisciplinary collaboration.
- Patient safety in hospitals: The contribution of nursing protocols.
- The effects of advanced nurse practitioner roles on patient access to care.
- The impact of simulation-based training on nursing competency.
- Nursing interventions to reduce the incidence of hospital-acquired infections.
- The role of nurses in end-of-life care: Ethical and practical considerations.
- Mental health nursing: Best practices for patient engagement and recovery.
- The challenges of pediatric nursing and family care coordination.
- The effectiveness of community nursing programs in improving public health.
- The impact of nursing informatics on patient care and data management.
- The role of nurses in the management of medical emergencies in remote areas.
- Nursing approaches to pain management: Traditional vs. alternative methods.
- The impact of maternal health nursing on neonatal outcomes.
- Nursing strategies for improving vaccination rates among different population groups.
- The role of nurses in health promotion and disease prevention.
- The challenges of geriatric nursing and the management of age-related diseases.
- The effectiveness of nursing interventions in psychiatric care.
- The role of nurse-led clinics in improving healthcare accessibility.
- Nursing and public health emergencies: Lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The impact of nursing on patient satisfaction and hospital readmission rates.
- The role of nurses in managing diabetes care and patient education.
- Ethical dilemmas in nursing: A study of decision-making processes.
- The effectiveness of pressure ulcer prevention protocols in nursing homes.
- The impact of mobile health applications on nursing practice and patient engagement.
- Nursing perspectives on the management of cancer pain.
- The role of nursing in the treatment of opioid addiction and recovery.
- The impact of legal and regulatory changes on nursing practice.
- Nursing and the management of rare diseases: Challenges and opportunities.
- The effectiveness of wound care management techniques in nursing.
- Nursing roles in cardiac rehabilitation: Patient outcomes and practices.
- The influence of nursing care on the psychological outcomes of ICU patients.
- The impact of global health initiatives on nursing practices.
- The role of nurses in promoting mental health in primary care settings.
23. Philosophy Thesis Topics
- The ethical implications of artificial intelligence and machine learning.
- The concept of justice in modern political philosophy.
- Exploring the philosophy of mind: consciousness and cognitive science.
- The role of intuition in moral decision-making.
- Nietzsche’s critique of traditional morality and its contemporary relevance.
- The influence of existentialism on modern individualism.
- The intersection of philosophy and literature: Analyzing philosophical narratives.
- The problem of evil: Philosophical approaches to understanding suffering.
- Environmental ethics: The philosophical basis for ecological responsibility.
- The philosophy of language: Understanding how language shapes our reality.
- The concept of freedom in the works of Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir.
- Epistemology in the digital age: The impact of information technology on knowledge.
- The ethics of care: A critical look at moral development and relational ethics.
- The philosophy of science: Analyzing scientific rationality and progress.
- Buddhist philosophy and its approach to the self and no-self.
- Analyzing the philosophical underpinnings of human rights.
- The notion of happiness in ancient versus modern philosophical texts.
- The impact of Stoicism on modern self-help movements.
- The concept of ‘Otherness’ in Continental philosophy.
- The role of skepticism in shaping modern epistemology.
- Phenomenology and the arts: Understanding aesthetic experiences.
- The ethics of genetic engineering and human enhancement.
- The political philosophy of anarchism: Theory and practice.
- The philosophy of education: Analyzing educational paradigms and their impacts.
- The debate on free will and determinism: Philosophical perspectives.
- Virtue ethics: From Aristotle to modern applications.
- The philosophy of religion: Analyzing the rationality of faith.
- The role of metaphor in shaping philosophical thought.
- The ethics of consumption: A philosophical inquiry into consumer culture.
- The concept of power in Foucault’s works and its influence on social theory.
- The philosophy of time: Understanding temporal experiences and theories.
- Memory and identity: Philosophical examinations of personal continuity.
- The ethics of global poverty and international justice.
- Exploring the philosophical aspects of quantum mechanics.
- The social contract theory in the age of globalization.
- The influence of philosophy on cognitive behavioral therapy.
- Philosophical analysis of postmodernism and its criticisms.
- The notion of duty in Kantian ethics and its relevance today.
- The metaphysics of causation: from Aristotle to contemporary theories.
- Analyzing the concept of autonomy in bioethics.
24. Psychology Thesis Topics
- The psychological impact of social media on teen self-esteem and body image.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy vs. mindfulness-based stress reduction: Efficacy in treating anxiety disorders.
- The role of attachment styles in adult relationships.
- Neuroplasticity and recovery from brain injury: Strategies and outcomes.
- The effects of sleep deprivation on cognitive performance and mental health.
- Psychological resilience: Factors that contribute to mental toughness in athletes.
- The influence of parental involvement on child educational outcomes.
- The efficacy of psychoeducational interventions in managing ADHD in children.
- The role of personality traits in workplace performance.
- The impact of childhood trauma on adult psychological disorders.
- Psychological strategies for coping with chronic pain.
- The effects of aging on memory and how to mitigate cognitive decline.
- Eating disorders: Psychological underpinnings and treatment outcomes.
- The effectiveness of virtual reality therapy in treating phobias.
- Social psychology: The impact of group dynamics on individual behavior.
- The role of psychological factors in cardiovascular health.
- The impact of pet ownership on mental health and social well-being.
- The psychology of addiction: Understanding mechanisms and pathways to recovery.
- The effect of mindfulness meditation on emotional regulation.
- The psychological implications of genetic testing for hereditary diseases.
- The role of gender identity in psychological health and development.
- The impact of bullying on adolescent mental health and academic performance.
- The influence of cultural factors on mental health treatment preferences and outcomes.
- Psychological aspects of cyberbullying: Victim and perpetrator profiles.
- The role of art therapy in the treatment of depression and anxiety.
- The psychology of leadership: Key traits and behaviors of effective leaders.
- The effects of prenatal exposure to stress on child development.
- The role of music therapy in cognitive and emotional rehabilitation.
- Psychological interventions in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- The relationship between job satisfaction and mental health among healthcare professionals.
- The impact of climate change anxiety on mental health.
- The psychology of procrastination: Causes and interventions.
- The role of optimism and pessimism in coping with life stressors.
- The influence of social isolation on psychological health during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The effectiveness of community-based mental health initiatives.
- The psychological impacts of long-term space travel on astronauts.
- The role of stigma in accessing mental health care.
- The psychological effects of consumer behavior and marketing.
- The impact of early retirement on mental health and identity.
- The role of exercise in enhancing cognitive function and mental health.
25. Science Thesis Topics
- The role of CRISPR technology in advancing gene editing: Opportunities and ethical challenges.
- The impact of microplastics on marine ecosystems and biodiversity.
- The effectiveness of renewable energy sources in reducing global carbon emissions.
- Advances in quantum computing: Potential impacts on data security.
- The use of biotechnology in agriculture to enhance crop resistance and yield.
- The potential of nanotechnology in medical diagnostics and treatment.
- Climate change and its effects on global weather patterns.
- The influence of artificial intelligence on scientific research methodologies.
- The development and impact of vaccines in managing global health crises.
- The role of robotics in industrial automation and its economic implications.
- The physics of black holes and their significance in understanding the universe.
- The chemistry of non-toxic materials for sustainable manufacturing processes.
- The study of exoplanets and the possibility of life beyond Earth.
- The role of citizen science in expanding research data collection and analysis.
- The impact of deforestation on the atmospheric carbon cycle.
- The role of genetic diversity in species conservation.
- The potential of stem cells in regenerative medicine and therapy.
- The integration of technology in environmental conservation efforts.
- The applications and implications of 3D printing in medical prosthetics.
- The dynamics of ocean currents and their effects on climate regulation.
- The challenges and advancements in antimicrobial resistance.
- The use of geographic information systems (GIS) in tracking biodiversity changes.
- The ethical considerations of human-animal chimeras in research.
- The influence of space exploration on technological advancement.
- The role of machine learning in predicting epidemic outbreaks.
- The implications of deep-sea exploration on our understanding of marine life.
- The potential of augmented reality in enhancing interactive learning environments.
- The effects of urbanization on local wildlife and ecosystems.
- The role of women in the advancement of science and technology.
- The impact of agricultural practices on soil health and sustainability.
- The relationship between genetics and behavior in mammals.
- The advancements in battery technology and their impact on electric vehicles.
- The role of science in formulating public health policy.
- The impact of social media on scientific communication and misinformation.
- The potential of synthetic biology in producing biofuels.
- The challenges of waste management in space missions.
- The role of molecular biology in understanding the mechanisms of aging.
- The implications of climate change for Arctic marine species.
- The development of technologies for sustainable fishing practices.
- The impact of scientific literacy on public decision-making processes.
As we conclude our extensive exploration of thesis topics across a wide array of disciplines, it becomes evident that the landscape of academic research is both vast and vibrant. The topics listed here span from the intricacies of molecular biology to the expansive strategies of global marketing, each designed to spark curiosity and drive innovation within their respective fields. This collection serves not only as a repository of ideas but also as a launchpad for the next generation of scholars eager to contribute to the ongoing conversations in their areas of study.
The breadth of thesis topics provided here underscores the interdisciplinary nature of contemporary research and the myriad ways in which academic inquiries can intersect and influence one another. Whether you are drawn to the urgent environmental issues discussed under Environmental Science, intrigued by the ethical questions in Philosophy, or captivated by the technological advancements in Computer Science, these topics offer avenues to delve deeply and make your mark within your chosen field.
Students are encouraged to approach these topics with a spirit of inquiry and rigor. As you select your thesis topic, consider not only what interests you but also what will contribute to the broader academic community and society at large. Each thesis topic has the potential to expand knowledge, inform practices, and propose new solutions to complex problems.
Moreover, the diversity of these topics reflects the dynamic nature of academic disciplines that evolve with societal changes and technological progress. By engaging with these thesis topics, students are participating in a global dialogue that shapes our understanding of the world and charts the course for future developments.
In summary, this comprehensive list of thesis topics is more than just a guide—it is an invitation to challenge and be challenged, to discover and innovate. We hope that students will embrace the opportunity to explore these ideas, using them as stepping stones to develop unique insights and contribute meaningful research to their fields. So, delve into these topics, choose one that resonates with your academic passions and career aspirations, and begin the exciting journey of crafting a compelling and significant thesis.
How to Choose a Thesis Topic
Selecting a fitting and feasible thesis topic is a crucial first step for any graduate student. The choice of a thesis topic not only determines the direction of your academic journey but also impacts your motivation, career trajectory, and the contribution you will make to your field of study. Therefore, understanding how to effectively choose a thesis topic is foundational to your success both as a student and as a budding scholar.
What Makes a Good Thesis Topic
- Relevance: A good thesis topic should be relevant to current issues or questions in your field. It should aim to fill a gap in knowledge or contribute to ongoing debates among scholars. Relevance ensures that your research findings will be of interest to others in your discipline and could potentially influence future research, policy, or practice.
- Originality: Originality involves bringing new insights or proposing a novel approach to a problem. It doesn’t necessarily mean venturing into a completely unexplored territory but can involve taking a fresh perspective on existing questions. A thesis that introduces original concepts or challenges established norms tends to stand out and captivate the interest of the academic community.
- Manageability: A feasible thesis topic is one that can realistically be researched and completed within the constraints of your resources, time frame, and academic requirements. Manageability requires careful consideration of the scope of the research and the availability of data and methods needed to conduct it effectively.
- Interest and passion: Passion fuels perseverance, which is crucial in the long and sometimes daunting process of completing a thesis. Choosing a topic that genuinely interests you will keep you engaged and motivated during your research journey. It also often leads to more profound and insightful scholarly work because you are more likely to go above and beyond in exploring something you care deeply about.
Moving from a Thesis Idea to a Thesis Topic
- Initial brainstorming techniques: Begin by jotting down various ideas that spark your interest. This initial phase is about exploring broadly and creatively without restricting your thoughts. Use mind mapping, lists, or free-writing techniques to generate and record ideas as they come to you.
- Narrowing down ideas based on research feasibility and interest: Once you have a list of potential ideas, evaluate each based on how interesting they are to you and how feasible they are in terms of research scope and resources available. Discard ideas that are too broad, too narrow, or not sufficiently supported by available data or methods.
- Importance of preliminary research: Conducting preliminary research is essential to determine if there is enough existing material to support your topic. This research can also reveal whether your idea has already been extensively covered, prompting you to adjust your angle or approach to ensure originality.
Connecting a Specific Thesis Topic to a Bigger Idea
- Aligning the topic with broader themes and research questions: Your thesis should not only address a specific issue but also connect to larger conceptual or empirical questions in your field. This alignment helps to position your research within broader scholarly conversations and enhances its impact and relevance.
- Ensuring the topic contributes to the field: The best thesis topics are those that contribute something valuable and substantive to their disciplines. Your topic should promise to provide insights, solutions, or new understandings that will add to the knowledge base of your field.
How to Refine Your Thesis Topic
- Seeking feedback from advisors and peers: Regular feedback is invaluable in refining your topic. Advisors can provide perspective on the significance and feasibility of your topic, while peers might offer fresh ideas or pose questions you hadn’t considered.
- Refining research questions: As you delve deeper into your topic, refine your research questions to ensure they are clear, focused, and answerable within the scope of your study. This might involve narrowing or sometimes slightly broadening the scope of your inquiry.
- Adjusting the scope of research: Based on feedback and preliminary findings, adjust the scope of your research as needed to ensure that it remains manageable and within the bounds of available resources, time, and academic requirements.
Choosing and refining a thesis topic is a dynamic and iterative process that requires thoughtful consideration, preliminary research, and ongoing adjustments. The journey from a broad idea to a refined research question involves not only identifying a subject that is relevant, original, and manageable but also one that ignites your passion and curiosity. By following these steps and continually seeking feedback, you can ensure that your thesis will be a meaningful and rewarding endeavor.
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Best 53+ Geography Dissertation Topics in 2023
Table of Contents
Geography Dissertation Topics : Geography is one of the fascinating subjects. The students of geography learn about different parts of the earth is its surroundings and its environment. Be that as it may, with regard to writing a thesis, similar fascinating things transform into an overwhelming circumstance.
The way toward choosing the correct topics for geography is rushed for individuals who have less comprehension of their undertaking and its title. Along these lines, our specialists who are aware of all the know-how of the specific subject have chosen appropriate geography dissertation topics as indicated by your particular demands.
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Best Geography Dissertation Topics To Get Your Rusty Creative Cells Back Working
If you want geography dissertation topics to be the best turnout topic for your dissertation that is just out of this world then you are in luck. You have entered the one-stop article base that is going to give you great examples of geography dissertation ideas .
These topics have been compiled by a geography professor so now you can get a slight understanding as to what kind of Topics your geography dissertation topics advisor would favor!
These topics have been specifically broken down into a list of a questionnaire to simplify your need for search in the required geography dissertation topic that you wish to write on.
- How is deforestation affecting the stability of various mountains?
- How is global warming affecting the lives of human beings living on the face of the plane?
- What part does GIS or Geographical-Information-System, plays in evaluating a place’s coordinates?
- Which is the most convenient way to steer a ship? The stars or the sextant?
- How does coastal erosion take place?
- Which type of coastline is more populated? The sandy coastlines or the open coastlines?
- The effect of floods on people living near the banks of rivers?
- How does flood affect the economy of a certain area?
- The effect of landslides on people living in hills and the main reasons behind it?
- Which part of the world sees the most landslides and why?
- What causes earthquakes?
- What factor causes the change in the climate of an area?
- How do ocean currents influence the weather of an area?
- How is sextant related to the ship’s position?
- On what principle does relativism work?
- What is urban landscaping and how does it work?
- What steps can create a sustainable environment?
- How is urban geography changing through the decades?
- How does a lake affect the temperature of the neighboring areas?
- What is the ecological value of a forest to the government of that country?
- What are the alternative ways to stop global warming?
- How can the conservation of natural resources help in this problem?
- Has the international community developed some good strategies on this issue for helping global warming?
- What methods could help in stopping the deforestation problem in polluted countries?
- Can non-natural resources help in supporting and conserving the natural resources of a country?
- How can man-made technology help in stopping the increasing global warming?
- Can the support from the developed countries help the developing countries to fight the problem of starvation?
- How much can the dependency on non-natural resources reduce the pressure from natural resources in supporting global warming?
- How can man-made resources help to bring balance in global warming with its cost-effective policies to relation with the natural resources of a country?
- What are the effects of the support system of natural resources by means of non-natural or human-made substitutes to help build a strong defense against global warming in developing countries?
- What measures should be adopted by the developed nations to reduce the overconsumption of power resources to reduce the pressure on global warming?
- How has global warming affected the tendency of an increase in deforestation and desertification?
Above is the best list of geography dissertation titles if you need more help regarding your geography dissertation topics, fill out the form below and get a unique topic along with a topic brief on geography dissertation from experts.
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Geography and the Environment: Theses and Dissertations
Introduction.
Theses and dissertations are documents that present an author's research findings, which are submitted to the University in support of their academic degree. They are very useful to consult when carrying out your own research because they:
- provide a springboard to scope existing literature
- provide inspiration for the finished product
- show you the evolution of an author's ideas over time
- provide relevant and up-to-date research (for recent theses and dissertations)
On this page you will find guidance on how to search for and access theses and dissertations in the Bodleian Libraries and beyond.
Definitions
Terms you may encounter in your research.
Thesis: In the UK, a thesis is normally a document that presents an author's research findings as part of a doctoral or research programme.
Dissertation: In the UK, a dissertation is normally a document that presents an author's research findings as part of an undergraduate or master's programme.
DPhil: An abbreviation for Doctor of Philosophy, which is an advanced research qualification. You may also see it referred to as PhD.
ORA: The Oxford University Research Archive , an institutional repository for the University of Oxford's research output including digital theses.
Theses and dissertations
- Reading theses and dissertations in the Bodleian Libraries
- SOGE Undergraduate Dissertations
- SOGE MSc Dissertations
- SOGE DPhil Theses
- DPhil Theses outside of Oxford
The Bodleian Libraries collection holds DPhil, MLitt and MPhil theses deposited at the University of Oxford, which you can consult. You may also be interested to read theses and dissertations beyond the University of Oxford, some of which can be read online, or you can request an inter-library loan.
Help with theses and dissertations
To find out more about how to find and access theses and dissertations in the Bodleian Libraries and beyond, we recommend the following:
- Bodleian Libraries theses and dissertations Links to information on accessing the Bodleian Libraries collections of Oxford, UK, US and other international theses.
- Oxford University Research Archive guide
- Help & guidance for digital theses Information on copyright, how to deposit your thesis in ORA and other important matters
- Guide to copyright The Bodleian Libraries' Quick guide to copyright and digital sources.
Prize winning undergraduate dissertations are available in print in the Social Science Library opposite the printing and photocopying room. These start from the year 2000 onwards. Prize winning dissertations from 1979 to 1999 are located offsite but can be ordered to the Social Science Library by searching for the title on SOLO. A full list of the titles is located with the dissertations in the library and is also here .
Prize winning dissertations from 2019 are also available on the SOGE intranet here .
There is also a a listing of all non-prize winning dissertations by year from 2003 which includes their abstracts, located by the dissertations.
BCM, ECM, NSEG & WSPM MSc Dissertations
MSc dissertations with a Distinction are located in the Social Science Library opposite the printer and photocopier room. All dissertations with a Distinction are available in printed format for the years 1995 to 2017. Dissertations from 2018 onwards are only available electronically on the SOGE intranet here .
DPhil theses in print format are kept off-site at the Bodleian Book Storage Facility. They can be found on SOLO by a keyword search including the word ‘thesis’. Alternatively there is a browseable list by year on the SOGE intranet with links to SOLO here .
DPhil theses in print format can only be requested to the Weston Library for consultation.
Many of the more recent DPhil theses are also available to read online unless they have an embargo. These are on the university repository, ORA . The SOGE intranet browseable list also includes links to the online full text in ORA where available.
Further information about finding theses, both in Oxford and in other universities can be found here .
Depositing your thesis
It is mandatory for students completing a research degree at the University of Oxford (registered to a programme of study on or after 1st October 2007) to deposit an electronic copy of their theses with the Oxford University Research Archive (ORA) in order to meet the requirements of their award. To find out more, visit the Oxford University Research Archive guide.
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Urban Geography Dissertation Topics & Titles
Published by Owen Ingram at January 6th, 2023 , Revised On March 22, 2023
Urban geography is a growing field of study that provides learners with a comprehensive understanding of how cities, towns and other human settlements develop and change over time. As such, it can be an incredibly rewarding topic to research for a dissertation.
Urban geographers also explore socio-economic issues such as housing, employment opportunities and access to services to identify inequalities that can lead to social exclusion.
Urban geographers utilise various qualitative and quantitative methods, including interviews, surveys, geographical information systems (GIS) mapping and remote sensing techniques such as satellite imagery.
By studying changes over time, they can track important trends in a city’s city’s development and understand why certain areas are more desirable than others. This research helps inform policies that aim to improve the quality of life for those who live there.
Students researching urban geography topics can explore the various facets of urban life and development, from the physical processes that shape cities to the social dynamics of their inhabitants.
Through this extensive research, students gain insight into how particular places have been formed and continue to evolve in response to external influences like policy decisions. They also learn about the cultural diversity within cities—knowledge that can help inform decision-making in urban planning or public health fields.
Furthermore, learning about urban geography also helps students become better citizens by developing an appreciation for different cultures and ways of life in major global cities like London or Tokyo.
Urban Geography Dissertation Topics: How to Choose One?
To help with this, it’s important first to consider your interest and expertise in the field of urban law. Once you’ve identified what topics you’re most interested in, you’ll need to narrow down your choice further by determining which topics are within the scope of your studies and have enough research material available for a successful dissertation.
When looking for potential topics, using trusted sources such as peer-reviewed journals or other authoritative documents is important. This will ensure that you choose an academically rigorous topic that is current and up-to-date with legal changes or new developments in the field of urban law.
When choosing an appropriate dissertation topic, students should consider topics such as urban development patterns, transportation networks within cities, housing markets and socio-economic dynamics.
Exploring different approaches to examining urban geographies – such as political ecology or critical geopolitics – might yield interesting results.
It’s also beneficial to explore a wide range of areas when selecting a dissertation topic to identify one that is suitable for your interests and resources.
- Geography Dissertation Topics
- International Development Topics
- Diplomacy Dissertation Topics
- Brexit Dissertation Topics
List of Urban Geography Topics for Dissertation
- Malarial ecology: a global perspective
- The pedagogical benefits of SimCity in urban geography education
- Spatio‐temporal dynamics in California’s Central Valley: Empirical links to urban theory
- The new economic geography versus urban economics: an evaluation using local wage rates in Great Britain
- Britain’s cities: geographies of division in urban Britain
- Access to urban services—the case of secondary schools in Glasgow
- Geography and public finance: planning for fiscal equity in a metropolitan region
- The geography of the urban crisis: some evidence from Glasgow
- Sustainable urban development in the UK: rhetoric or reality?
- The view from the tower: geographies of urban transformation in Glasgow
- Private profit, public interest and land use planning—A conflict interpretation of residential development pressure in Glasgow’s Glasgow’s rural-urban fringe
- Citizenship, partnership and the popular restructuring of UK urban space
- The urban crisis: poverty and deprivation in the Scottish city
- The geography of multiple deprivations in the Clydeside conurbation
- Toward a community economy—an examination of local exchange trading systems in West Glasgow
- Proprietary residential communities in the United States
- Urban restructuring and the reproduction of inequality in Britain’s Britain’s cities: an overview
- Urban geography in America, 1950-2000: paradigms and personalities
- Environments of disadvantage: Geographies of persistent poverty in Glasgow
- The geography of religious affiliation in Scotland
- Continuity and change in Scotland’s Scotland’s first garden suburb: The genesis and development of Pollok shields, Glasgow
- Problems and planning in third world cities (Routledge Revivals)
- The geography of disadvantage in rural Scotland
- The relevance of religion for a relevant human geography
- A geography of the third world
The Importance of Selecting the Right Urban Geography Dissertation Topic
The selection of an urban geography research topic can have profound implications for a student’s academic success. It is important to identify a meaningful and compelling research question that will contribute to the knowledge of urban geography and be achievable within the time frame allowed.
The right dissertation topic makes the research interesting for students. Being enthusiastic about the subject matter will make writing your dissertation much easier and give it more depth and insight when discussing the findings.
Engaging with research around your chosen topic expands your knowledge base and gives you ideas on how to approach certain aspects of the research process .
How Can ResearchProspect Help?
ResearchProspect writers can send several custom topic ideas to your email address. Once you have chosen a topic that suits your needs and interests, you can order for our dissertation outline service which will include a brief introduction to the topic, research questions , literature review , methodology , expected results , and conclusion . The dissertation outline will enable you to review the quality of our work before placing the order for our full dissertation writing service!
FAQs About Urban Geography Dissertation Ideas
How do i choose the most appropriate urban geography dissertation topic.
When determining which topic to focus on, researchers should reflect on what they find personally intriguing and what is relevant in society today. When looking for topics related to urban geography, it may be helpful to look at major news outlets or scholarly articles to better understand current city planning and development trends.
Additionally, speaking with local government officials or members of civil society organisations can provide valuable insights into pressing issues facing cities worldwide.
Is the list of dissertation topics above unique?
Yes, the mentioned topics are unique. Nevertheless, we cannot say that other students do not use these topics either.
Does ResearchProspect provide customised and unique urban geography dissertation topics?
Yes, ResearchProspect provides customised dissertation topics . To place an order or read about our services , visit the website.
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Home > SGIS > Geography > Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research
Department of Geography: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research
Opportunities for Urban Resilience to Climate Change: Understanding Local Climate Perceptions, Motivations, and Barriers to Green Infrastructure Use , Emmilene Berski
Women’s Communities and Landscapes in Deadwood, South Dakota in the 1870s–1880s , Jessica Kaye Long
The Spatial Organization of Pre-Colonial African Kingdoms: The Empires of Ethiopia & Mali , Victoria O. Alapo
Commemorating the Past: Nebraska Museum Practices in Interpreting, Memorializing, and Mythologizing History , Carissa Dowden
Film and the Making of a Modern Nebraska (1895-1920): A Historical Geography , William Helmer
Reexamining the Desert: A Study of Place-Based Food Insecurity , Morgan Ryan
Votes and Voters in Time and Space: The Changing Landscape of Political Party Support in Kentucky, 1974-2020 , Glenn Humphress
Federal Land-Use Policy and Resettlement in the Great Plains: An Experiment in Community Development During the New Deal Years, 1933-1941 , Theresa Glanz
Population Sustainability in Rural Nebraska Towns , Andrew Husa
Timing and Formation of Linear Dunes South of the Niobrara River Valley, North-Central Nebraska Sand Hills , Ashley K. Larsen
ASSESSING LANDSLIDE SUSCEPTIBILITY WITH GIS USING QUALITATIVE & QUANTITATIVE METHODS IN KNOX COUNTY, NEBRASKA , Christian J. Cruz
A Historical Geography of Six and Eight-Man Football in Nebraska , Andrew Husa
Utilizing a Consumer-Grade Camera System to Quantify Surface Reflectance , Joseph J. Lehnert
Modeling Gross Primary Production of Midwest Maize and Soybean Croplands with Satellite and Gridded Weather Data , Gunnar Malek-Madani
Spatial Analysis of Ethnic and Racial Segregation in the Chicago Metropolitan Area, 2000 - 2014 , Roy Yao
Dating Late Quaternary Alluvial Fills in the Platte River Valley using Optically Stimulated Luminescence Dating , Jacob C. Bruihler
A Research Framework for the Geographic Study of Exotic Pet Mammals in the USA , Gabrielle C. Tegeder
Using GIS to Assess Firearm Thefts, Recoveries and Crimes in Lincoln, Nebraska , David A. Grosso
A STUDY OF SOCIAL CAPITAL AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH DWELLING STRUCTURE AND ENVIRONMENT BASED ON AN EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS OF LINCOLN, NEBRASKA , Jeehoon Kim
Geographic Variation of Health Care Spending on Heart Failure in Metropolitan Areas , Kevin McMillan
"We Shall Meet Beyond the River": An Analysis of the Deathscape of Brownville, Nebraska , Ashley J. Barnett
Building a GIS Model to Assess Agritourism Potential , Brian G. Baskerville
Exploring the Nature of Space for Human Behavior in Ordinary Structured Environments , Molly Boeka Cannon
A Historical Geography of Sand Island 1870 - 1944 , Lucas P. Johnson
Proximal Sensing as a Means of Characterizing Phragmites australis , Travis Yeik
Multi-Temporal Analysis of Crop Biomass Using Selected Environmental Variables and Remote Sensing Derived Indices , Nwakaku M. Ajaere
Evaluating Vegetation Response to Water Stress Using Close-Range and Satellite Remote Sensing , Sharmistha Swain
ASSESSING SEASONAL FEATURES OF TROPICAL FORESTS USING REMOTE SENSING , Roberto Bonifaz-Alfonzo
USING A GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM TO DEFINE REGIONS OF GRAPE-CULTIVAR SUITABILITY IN NEBRASKA , Ting Chen
Spatio-Temporal Analysis of Malaria in Paraguay , Nicole M. Wayant
Levels of Response In Experiential Conceptualizations of Neighborhood: The Potential For Multiple Versions of This Place Construct , Cynthia M. Williams
PRESERVATION ETHICS IN THE CASE OF NEBRASKA’S NATIONALLY REGISTERED HISTORIC PROPERTIES , Darren Michael Adams
Intersections of Place, Time, and Entertainment in Rural Nebraska in the Late 19th and Early 20th Centuries , Rebecca A. Buller
The Changing Landscape of a Rural Region: The effect of the Harry S. Truman Dam and Reservoir in the Osage River Basin of Missouri , Melvin Arthur Johnson
Detection and Measurement of Water Stress in Vegetation Using Visible Spectrum Reflectance , Arthur Zygielbaum
Patterns and Consequences of Segregation: An Analysis of Ethnic Residential Patterns at Two Geographic Scales , Kenneth N. French
Geographies of Indigenous-based Team Name and Mascot Use in American Secondary Schools , Ezra J. Zeitler
A WATERSHED-BASED CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM FOR LAKES IN AGRICULTURALLY-DOMINATED ECOSYSTEMS: A CASE STUDY OF NEBRASKA RESERVOIRS , Henry N. N. Bulley
MODELING BIGHORN SHEEP HABITAT IN NORTHWEST NEBRASKA , Kyle M. Forbes
CLOSE-RANGE AND SATELLITE REMOTE SENSING OF ALGAL BIOMASS IN THE IOWA GREAT LAKES , Eric A. Wilson
EFFECTS OF SPATIAL RESOLUTION AND LANDSCAPE STRUCTURE ON LAND COVER CHARACTERIZATION , Wenli Yang
Spatial Structure and Decision-Making Aspects of Pedestrian Route Selection through an Urban Environment , Michael R. Hill
VACANCY CHAINS AND INTRA-URBAN MIGRATION , Donald Rundquist
Water Power Development on the Lower Loup River: A Study in Economic Geography , Ralph Eugene Olson
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Changes in discoverability of geoscience theses and dissertations.
Geoscience departments provide information about their graduating students’ theses and dissertations to AGI’s GeoRef database where they are then made discoverable to the geoscience research community. The trends in theses and dissertations reported over time as well as the topics of these publications provides insight into new research horizons/emphasis within the geoscience community.
In this data brief, we examine the changes in the number of U.S. and Canadian theses and dissertations reported to GeoRef and in the research topics of these publications. Of note is the increasing number of faculty publications available in GeoRef and the decreasing trend in theses between 1985 and 2009 which rebounded thereafter before declining again, and in dissertations between 1999 and 2016. Although the following factors are causing downward pressure on the number of theses and dissertations submitted to GeoRef, the proportion of influence each factor has on the decline is unknown.
Factors involved in the decreasing number of theses and dissertations submitted to GeoRef include:
- A change in the way geoscience graduate research is disseminated to the scientific community as graduate students are authors and co-authors of peer-reviewed publications in lieu of traditional dissertations.
- The availability of geoscience degree programs that do not required a thesis or dissertation, including cohort programs.
- The deposition of theses and dissertations into institutional repositories without also submitting these publications to GeoRef or ProQuest.
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Trends in topics of reported theses and dissertations indicate increasing percentages of these publications focusing on economic geology (especially related to energy sources), environmental geology, extraterrestrial geology, geomorphology, and Quaternary geology. Those topics that have been steadily decreasing include areal geology, geochemistry, hydrogeology, mineralogy, oceanography, and petrology. These trends may indicate a shift in research focus, and/or may also reflect a merging of topics within disciplines.
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Interdisciplinary Master's thesis topics
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Geography Dissertation Topics
Info: 2847 words (11 pages) Dissertation Topic Published: 16th Aug 2021 in Dissertation Topic
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We have provided a selection of example geography dissertation topics below to help and inspire you.
If you are interested in human contribution to global warming (quite relevant currently), this may be the topic area for you! You can have a look at the examples below for further information:
Example population dissertation topic 1:
The development of Chicago as a city during the nineteenth century: A comparative study with Edinburgh.
According to Cronon (1991, p.64), ‘Chicago’s city streets became places where the products of different ecosystems, different economies, and different ways of life came together and exchanged places’. Using this quotation as a starting point, this dissertation seeks to address the development of both Chicago and Edinburgh in spatial, commercial and governance terms within the nineteenth century. In so doing it addresses linked core-competencies of special urban geography; including space theory and urban-ness as well as the issues of civic ritual in the mapping of urban spaces.
Suggested initial topic reading:
- Cronon, W. (1991). Nature’s metropolis: Chicago and the Great West. New York: Norton.
- Massey, D., Allen, J. and Pile, S. (eds) (1999). City worlds. London: Routledge.
- Rodger, R. (2001) The transformation of Edinburgh: Land, property and trust. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Urban Geography
This is a very interesting topic as it relates to the understanding of human settlements and reshaping urban spaces. We have some ideas listed below which may be of use to you:
Example urban geography dissertation topic 1:
A literature based review of the main strengths and weaknesses of qualitative and quantitative approaches for the study of urban geography.
Urban geography, and in particular the study of cities and regions, is a growing area of research within the geography departments of the UK’s elite universities, with an increasing number of them forming specific research groups to address such issues as the development of urban-ness and the spatial reconstitution of the city in the post-industrial era. Focussing upon issues of ‘space and society’ within the post-industrial conurbation of Birmingham, this dissertation addresses the difficulties that the research geographer faces when seeking to achieve academic balance between field work, interviews, reviews of literature and computer modelling and asks whether, for such studies, the mixed method approach favoured by social scientists, remains the best vehicle for such research.
- Baxter, J. and Eyles, J. (1997). ‘Evaluating qualitative research in social geography: Establishing ‘rigour’ in interview analysis’, Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers, Vol. 22, pp. 505-525.
- Bryman, A. (2012). Social research methods. (4th edn) Oxford: Oxford University Press.
- Graham, E. (1999). ‘Breaking out: The opportunities and challenges of multi-method research in population geography’, The Professional Geographer, Vol. 51, pp. 76-89.
Example urban geography dissertation topic 2:
Contemporary gentrification has become a ‘global urban strategy’ (Smith, 2002): A comparative case study of water-side redevelopments in Market Harborough and Leeds.
Within urban geography, issues of land use and redevelopment are of pivotal importance. Using the redevelopment of the former canal basin at Market Harborough, and the redevelopment of canal-side warehouses into residential units within Leeds, as case studies, this dissertation has two primary objectives. First it evaluates the success of these two developments in terms of their contribution to the urban strategy outlined by Smith in which the gentrification of former run down areas has encouraged people to move back into the centre of cities. Secondly, the paper asks what proposed new redevelopment sites (such as those in Salford and Huddersfield) can learn from such previous schemes. This is a dissertation that could be further enhanced (from a human geography viewpoint) by the conducing of interviews with residents.
- Coulson, A. and Wright, G. (2012). ‘Brindleyplace, Birmingham: Creating an inner city mixed-use development in times of recession’, Planning Practice and Research, DOI: 10.1080/02697459.2012.716591.
- Jones, P. (2008). ‘Different but the same? Post‐war slum clearance and contemporary regeneration in Birmingham, UK’, City: Analysis of Urban Trends, Culture, Theory, Policy, Action, Vol. 12(3), pp. 356-371.
- Smith, N. (2002). ‘New globalism, new urbanism: Gentrification as global urban strategy’, Antipode, Vol. 34, pp. 427-450.
Example urban geography dissertation topic 3:
The changing nature of urban geography and governance – a study of Rio de Janeiro.
According to Dear and Dahmann (2008), urban politics are being reshaped by the geographies of postmodern urbanism. Using Rio de Janeiro as a case study this thesis seeks to test the reliability of this hypothesis. Having first defined post-modern urbanism and applied its meaning to Rio, this thesis, thereafter, address two penumbral issues. First, it considers the issue of cultural homogeneity and community building across cities that possess a divergent multi-cultural and socio-economic basis. Secondly, the paper explores the extent to which the designation of land use within the built environment of a modern city has been changed so that it addresses not only political-corporate needs but the public needs of citizens.
- Dear, M. and Dahmann, N. (2008). ‘Urban politics and the Los Angeles school of urbanism’, Urban Affairs Review, Vol. 44(2), pp. 266-279.
- O’Hare, G. and Barke, M. (2002). ‘The favelas of Rio de Janeiro: A temporal and spatial analysis’, GeoJournal, Vol. 56(3), pp. 225-240.
- Vargas, J.H.C. (2006). ‘When a favela dared to become a gated condominium: The politics of race and urban space in Rio de Janeiro’, Latin American Perspectives, Vol. 33(4), pp. 49-81.
Example urban geography dissertation topic 4:
Middlesbrough: Urban patterns of social and community cohesion.
Urban identity is built upon social and physical structures within a specific environment. Failure or success in the construction of social and community cohesion can see a city riven by either strife or united by a common aim. This dissertation examines the case of Middlesbrough has seen citizens enjoin with its city council in numerous (unfruitful) attempts to attain city status, and which exhibits a higher level of social and community cohesion amongst diverse groups, including whites with ancestral ties to the town, East Asians, and asylum-seekers and refugees, than other northern cities such as Bradford and Manchester. This paper explores the dimension that urban geography and patterns of community identity bring to Middlesbrough, and seeks to determine whether such patterns have overcome the town’s traditional class barriers.
- Clout, H. (2003). ‘Place description, regional geography and area studies’. In, Johnston, R. and Williams, M., A century of British geography. Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 247-274.
- Leach, S. and Wilson, D. (2004). ‘Urban elites in England: New models of executive governance’, International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, Vol. 28, pp. 134-149.
- Webster, C., Blackman, T., Sapsford, R., Neil, B. and Chapman, T. (2004). A better place to live: Social and community cohesion in Middlesbrough. Middlesbrough: University of Teesside and Middlesbrough Council.
Example urban geography dissertation topic 5:
Planting schemes within the urban landscape to improve security against terrorism.
As a reaction to the World Trade Centre bombing in 2001, there has been a growing realisation amongst urban geographers and planners as to the positives that effective planting can have on issues of security as well as environmental concerns. Strategies such as crime prevention through environmental design and The National Capital Urban Design and Security Plan (for Washington, DC) have graphically illustrated how the planting of shrubbery-disguised bollards and mature trees can be used as architectural barriers for safety whilst also beautifying the urban street scene. This dissertation builds upon such advances in North America and applies the lessons learned there to architecturally, politically and culturally significant parts of London.
- Crow, T.D. (2000). Crime prevention through environmental design: Applications of architectural design and space management concepts. London: Butterworth-Heinemann.
- Kuo, F.E. and Sullivan, W.C. (2001). ‘Environment and crime in the inner city: Does vegetation reduce crime’, Environment and Behaviour, Vol. 33(3), pp. 343-367.
- Sorkin, M. (ed.) (2008). Indefensible space: The architecture of the national insecurity state. New York: Routledge.
The Origins of English Landscape
Ever wondered about how historical landmarks came to pass or even exist in the first place? Take a look at some options listed below to find out more:
Example English landscape dissertation topic 1:
A discussion of cultural provinces of England: How historical geographical analysis can assist in the identification of a distinctive geo-cultural Cornish identity.
The work of geographers such as Langton, Fawcett and Gilbert helped shape contemporary geographic understanding of the concepts of regionalism and cultural provinces within England. The issue of regional identity and cultural traits is not, however, one of merely historic geographical analysis as may be illustrated by the more recent work of Colls on Northumbria. This dissertation uses the theories advanced by Colls with regards to Northumbria and in turn applies them to Cornwall. Through so doing issues of landscape history and evaluation are teamed with geo-political analysis of developing cultural trends within Cornwall. This is a challenging dissertation that, through combining aspects of cultural geography and history, would be particularly suited to a student with a joint-honours background.
- Colls, R. (ed.) (2007). Northumbria: History and identity, 547-2000. Stroud: The History Press.
- Deacon, B. (2001). The reformulation of territorial identity: Cornwall in the late eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. PhD thesis, Open University.
- McLean, F. (2006). ‘Introduction: Heritage and identity’, International Journal of Heritage Studies, Vol. 12(1), pp. 3-7.
Global Environmental Challenges
Want to make a change to challenges facing the world today? Base your dissertation around this topic to gain all understanding needed. Have at look at the following examples:
Example global environmental challenges dissertation topic 1:
An evaluation of the role of the environment in shaping development prospects in Isan (north eastern Thailand).
This is a dissertation that draws predominantly on the collection of new primary data and thereafter contextualises that data into longer-standing geographic debates through the undertaking of a substantive literature review. This provides a balanced academic approach to the overall study. In collating the primary data the researcher will spend three months conducting research and interviews with local leaders and tribesmen to ascertain their concerns relating to the retention of the regional identity and traditional way of life that incorporates an appreciation of the local environment. This is particularly pertinent given the increasingly globalised nature of development with Isan, and the challenges that such development realises.
- Hirsch, P. (2001). ‘Globalisation, regionalisation and local voices: The Asian Development Bank and rescaled politics of the environment in the Mekong Region’, Singapore Journal of Tropical Geography, Vol. 22, pp. 237-251.
- Keskinen, M. (2008). ‘Water resources development and impact assessment in the Mekong Basin: Which way to go?’, AMBIO: A Journal of the Human Environment, Vol. 37(3), pp. 193-198.
- Sneddon, C. and Fox, C. (2006). ‘Rethinking transboundary waters: A critical hydropolitics of the Mekong basin’, Political Geography, Vol. 25(2), pp. 181-202.
Political Geography
This topic focuses on the study of both the spatially uneven outcomes of political processes and the ways in which these processes are affected by spatial structures. If you are struggling with a title, take a look at some examples listed below:
Example political geography dissertation topic 1:
Poulantzas’ interpretation of national territory: A critical evaluation in relation to Scottish independence.
According to Poulantzas (1978, p. 104), ‘National territory has nothing to do with the natural features of the land. It is rather of an essentially political character in that the State tends to monopolize the procedures of the organization of space.’ Combining political geography with concepts of statehood and the meaning of place, this dissertation evaluates the 2014 referendum proposal on independence (as devised by the Scottish government, through the auspices of Alex Salmond and the Scottish National Party) through the vortex of Poulantzas’ academic opinion. In so doing geographical theory is juxtaposed with issues of contemporary politics and public opinion (as measured through the conducting of 100 street-based interviews in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Oban). This is a dissertation that, accordingly, seeks to blend aspects of political geography with not only human geography but also issues of urban space and geographic identity.
- Kasperson, R.E. and Minghi, J.V. (eds) (1969). The structure of political geography. New Brunswick, NJ: Transaction.
- Pittock, M. (2012). ‘Scottish sovereignty and the union of 1707: Then and now’, National Identities, Vol. 14(1), pp. 11-21.
- Poulantzas, N.A. (1978). State, power, socialism. London: Verso.
Example political geography dissertation topic 2:
The desire for an amenable environment: The politics of ‘neighbours from hell’.
In July 2001, the Social Exclusion Unit was created by Tony Blair, the prime minister of the day, who sought to create a nation where ‘no one is seriously disadvantaged by where they live’ (SEU, 2001, p. 6). Between the individual and the community lies ‘the neighbour’; this study seeks to contextualise contemporary geo-political discourses upon neighbourhood renewal by analysing the role of ‘the neighbour’. Through so doing, issues on the fragility of neighbourly relations are discussed, and the (often) self-imposed isolation of the wealthy, as well as the theological and political issues that embody the concept of ‘love thy neighbour’. Further, this dissertation questions the extent to which the ‘Big Society’ has built upon issues of neighbourliness since the Coalition. Finally, the paper makes recommendations on the means by which medium to large firms may negotiate renewed leases in bringing this geo-political issue up to date.
- Field, F. (2003). Neighbours from hell: The politics of behaviour. London: Politicos.
- Fortier, A.M. (2007). ‘Too close for comfort: Loving thy neighbour and the management of multicultural intimacies’, Environment and Planning D: Society and Space: Vol. 25(1), pp. 104-119.
- Social Exclusion Unit (2001). A new commitment to neighbourhood renewal. London: Cabinet Office.
If these example dissertation topics have given you some inspiration and you now feel ready to choose a topic, see our guide to choosing a dissertation topic for further guidance.
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Home > SCIE > GEOG > GEOG_ETD
Geography and Environmental Studies Theses and Dissertations
This online database contains the full-text of PhD dissertations and Masters’ theses of Wilfrid Laurier University students from 1982 forward. These documents are made available for personal study and research purposes only, in accordance with the Canadian Copyright Act and the Creative Commons license—CC BY-NC-ND (Attribution, Non-Commercial, No Derivative Works). Under this license, works must always be attributed to the copyright holder (original author), cannot be used for any commercial purposes, and may not be altered. Any other use would require the permission of the copyright holder. Students can choose to withdraw their dissertation and/or thesis from this database. For additional inquiries, please contact the repository administrator via e-mail or by telephone at 519-884-0710 ext. 2073.
Theses/Dissertations from 2024 2024
Impacts of wildfire on subcanopy energy balance, thermal regime, and permafrost stability in peat plateaus at Scotty Creek, Canada , Maude Auclair
Understanding health and well-being outcomes associated with protected coastal ecosystems: A Fundy National Park case study. , Mhairi K. Chandler
Rates and patterns of permafrost thaw induced landcover change at Scotty Creek, Canada , Mason Dominico
Integrating Biodiversity Protection and Climate Mitigation in Nature-based Climate Solutions: An Indicator Analysis , Tatyana Feiner
ASSESSING ROAD DUST IMPACTS ON MACROINVERTEBRATES COMMUNITY STRUCTURE IN CANADIAN ARCTIC LAKES , Hong Yi Gao
Advancing the Implementation of Connectivity Conservation in Canada: A Case Study of the Policy and Management Environment of the Chignecto Isthmus Region , Rachel Hodgson
Making the Pluriverse Visible: World-Making on the Saugeen (Bruce) Peninsula , Lauren Judge
Investigating the mobility of arsenic in subarctic mining pollution-affected peatlands near Yellowknife, Northwest Territories , Jeremy Leathers
Mapping With the Land: Co-developing a Cumulative Impact Monitoring and Land Stewardship Framework with Sambaa K’e First Nation, Northwest Territories, Canada , Michael s. McPhee
Understanding the Dynamics of Food and Economic Development in the Community of Kakisa, Northwest Territories, Canada , Laura Rodriguez Reyes
Theses/Dissertations from 2023 2023
The Vital Role of Dehcho Dene Knowledges in Climate Change & Permafrost Thaw Adaptation in Jean Marie River First Nation NWT , Mackenzie Bell
The dynamic relationship between permafrost and landcover in northwestern Canada’s discontinuous permafrost zone , Olivia Carpino
Water Stories: An exploration of human-water connectedness in Ontario and the implications for water sustainability , Tracey Ehl
Nitrogen: Both a potential stimulator and suppressor of cyanobacterial blooms in temperate lakes , Catherine Goltz
Contrasting seasonal cycling of arsenic in a series of subarctic shield lakes with different morphometric properties , Jeremy Harbinson
“Bright spots” and Effectively Communicating the Ecological and Social Outcomes of Protected and Conserved Areas in Canada , Jen Hoesen
Distributed Spatial Data Sharing: a new era in sharing spatial data , Majid Hojati
Comparison of permafrost thaw-related changes to hydrological response and land cover in subarctic peatland-dominated landscapes , Mikhail Mack
“ANYTHING FROM THE LAND IS GOOD”: UNDERSTANDING HOW COMMUNITY GARDENING IN KAKISA, NORTHWEST TERRITORIES, CAN CONTRIBUTE TO INDIGENOUS FOOD SOVEREIGNTY , Michelle Malandra
A Machine Learning Approach to Classify Open Water and Ice Cover on Slave River Delta , Ida Moalemi
Exploring the Effectiveness of Ecological Momentary Assessment and Video at Eliciting the Impact of Park Features on Human Health and Well-being in a Protected Area Context , Katelyn O'Bright
Spatial and temporal characteristics of historical surface climate over the Northwest Territories, Canada , Bhaleka D. Persaud
Utilizing Ground-Penetrating Radar to Estimate the Spatial Distribution of Snow Depth over Lake Ice in Canada’s Sub-Arctic , Alicia Pouw
“To be involved in a meaningful way”: Mobilizing Indigenous Knowledge in Environmental Monitoring Practices in Northern Ontario , Alanna Robbins
WILDLIFE VALUE ORIENTATIONS AND RECREATION CONFLICT: A FOCUS ON HUNTERS AND NON-HUNTERS IN ALBERTA, CANADA , Yuvana Sequeira
Controls on Thermokarst Lake Water Balances in the Inuvik - Tuktoyaktuk Region , Evan J. Wilcox
Theses/Dissertations from 2022 2022
Does air pollution cause residents of New Delhi, India to migrate internationally? , Snigdha Basu
Exploring Visitor Perceptions and Behaviours Related to Ticks and Lyme Disease Risk in an Ontario Protected Area , Ryan Brady
Adaptive capacity and mobility in the Bahamas: Examining the social costs of displacement in response to Hurricane Dorian , Kearney Coupland
Coastal Landform Change Influences on Endangered Five-Lined Skink Distribution at Northwest Beach, Point Pelee National Park, Canada , Evan Fortushniok
EXPLORING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DROUGHT AND POPULATION CHANGE ON THE NORTH AMERICAN GREAT PLAINS, 1970-2010 , George Heath
Changes in lake drainage in the western Canadian Arctic , Dilshan Kariyawasam and Philip Marsh Dr
ALPINE SHRUB TUNDRA WATER STORAGE AND RUNOFF DYNAMICS IN THE MACKENZIE MOUNTAINS, SAHTÚ TERRITORY, NT , Geoffrey Kershaw
Walking in Both Worlds: Learning about Youth Priorities and Indigenous Food Sovereignty with Délįnę’s Youth Council , Neala MacLeod Farley
'Indirect Pathways Into Practice': Philippine Internationally Educated Nurses and Their Entry Into Ontario's Nursing Profession , Lualhati Marcelino
BEE CITIES AND MORE-THAN-HUMAN COMMUNITIES: PROTECTING POLLINATORS IN THE ANTHROPOCENE , Jennifer Marshman
Lake Huron Shoreline Analysis , Shubham Satish Nandanwar
Agent-based Modelling and Big Data: Applications for Maritime Traffic Analysis , Marc SIRIZZOTTI
Changing Snowmelt Conditions in the Western Canadian Arctic , Matthew Y. T. Tsui
Theses/Dissertations from 2021 2021
Characterizing Boreal Shield Lakes and Catchments to Predict Dissolved Organic Carbon Concentration and Composition in Relation to Safe Drinking Water Sources with Minimal Disinfection By-Products , Jordyn Atkins
Enhancing Harvester Safety and Traditional Food Access through Participatory Mapping with the Ka’a’gee Tu First Nation of Kakisa, Northwest Territories , Neomi Jayaratne
Evaluating employees’ experiences in implementing COVID-19 Safety Protocols in Ontario parks , Jessica Kaatz
Change detection and landscape similarity comparison using computer vision methods , Karim Malik Wilfrid Laurier University
Collaboration, Knowledge-Sharing and Natural Hazard Risk Management in the Greater Pinery Provincial Park Region , Madeline McFadden
Containment & COVID-19 in the Settler State: Indigenous Incarceration and Immigration Detention in Canada and Australia , Kate Motluk
Park Agency Social Media Communication During the COVID-19 Crisis , Raluca Oprean
The politics of the visible/invisible border: Canada's responses and (in)actions towards refugee claimants' protection , Monica Romero
Characterization of Micronutrient Dependent Growth by Several Temperate Freshwater Phytoplankton , Purnank Shah
Strategies for Reducing Greenhouse Gases from Liquid Dairy Manure , Vera Sokolov
Drivers and Consequences of Alnus Alnobetula (Green Alder) Distribution at the Taiga-Tundra Ecotone of the Northwest Territories , Cory Wallace
DEVELOPING POPULATION CONTROL STRATEGIES FOR WILD BOAR MANAGEMENT IN CANADA , Amanda Wong
A Spatial Perspective on Decarbonization Efforts: A Comparative Analysis of Japan and Singapore’s Decarbonization Strategies , Michelle Rio Yoshida
Theses/Dissertations from 2020 2020
Beyond a Mapping Exercise: Inclusion of Aboriginal Traditional Ecological Knowledge in Parks and Protected Areas Management , David Cook
PROJECTING SPATIAL CHANGES IN SUGAR MAPLE SAP FLOW REGIMES IN A CHANGING CLIMATE , Holly Crawford
Characterizing the hydrological function of treed bogs in the zone of discontinuous permafrost , Brenden Disher
Hydrogen peroxide: A grower’s best friend? , Mitchell Eicher-Sodo
Reconstructing Hydrologic Conditions and Metals Supplied by the Peace River to the Peace-Athabasca Delta , Jelle André Faber
Impact of seismic lines on the hydrology of wetlands in the discontinuous permafrost zone, southwestern Northwest Territories , Angela Hamilton
Investigating diel, seasonal, and interannual variability of dissolved and particulate stable carbon isotope values in a eutrophic boreal lake , Rachel Henderson
Monitoring Environmental Change Using a Participatory Modified Photovoice Approach with Indigenous Knowledge Holders in Kakisa, Northwest Territories , Kaitlin Kok
An Evaluation of Ground-Freezing Methods in the Zone of Discontinuous Permafrost, Northwest Territories , Elzbieta Mastej Ms
Navigating Islands’ Political Geographies: The Case of the 'Maduro Migrations' from Venezuela to Trinidad and Tobago , Shiva Mohan
Seeking a Path to Wellness and Flourishing: Exploring Ecological Citizenship, Systems Thinking, and Environmental Governance in Southwest Yukon , Amanda Solmes
Theses/Dissertations from 2019 2019
Biogeochemical and hydrological impacts of a low-severity wildfire in the wetland-dominated zone of discontinuous permafrost , Caren J. Ackley
Spatial Big Data Analytics: The New Boundaries of Retail Location Decision-Making , Joseph M. Aversa
Toward Using High-frequency Coastal Radars for Calibration of S-AIS Based Ocean Vessel Tracking Models , Ben Freidrich
Cosmic ray sensors for the continuous measurement of Arctic snow accumulation and melt , Anton Jitnikovitch
THE SOCIAL CONSTRUCTION OF A DISASTER TYPOLOGY TO ENHANCE OPERATIONAL EMERGENCY PLANNING FOR K-8 PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN SOUTHERN ONTARIO , Patricia Martel
Use of pre-industrial baselines to assess sources and pathways of metals in surface sediment of floodplain lakes in the Peace-Athabasca Delta (Alberta, Canada) , Tanner Owca
Policy, plans and processes for developing and improving the use of hazard maps in climate change adaptation for Yukon communities , Stephanie Pike
The Geography of Crime: Placing Geographers in the Space of Criminologists , Anthony WV Piscitelli
BORDER DISORDER: 'Irregular Bangladeshis', Xenophobia and Crimmigration Control in India , Sujata Ramachandran
Does perceived ecological integrity affect restorative health outcomes? An examination of visitor experiences in diverse environments in an Ontario Protected Area , Catherine E. Reining
MAPLE SYRUP AND CLIMATE CHANGE IN ONTARIO: ASSESSING TRANSDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH ACROSS MULTIPLE, RELATED PROJECTS , Kendra Serbinski
Using paleolimnology to establish baseline conditions for metal contaminants in advance of proposed mining to inform a northern community-led aquatic monitoring program, Tłı̨chǫ Lands, Northwest Territories, Canada. , James Telford
High resolution spatial variability in spring snowmelt for an Arctic shrub-tundra watershed , Branden J. Walker and Philip Marsh Dr
Understanding Motor Vehicle-Based Travel: Examining the Experiences of Yukon Tourists , Natalia Wegrzyn
Development and application of hydrological and limnological monitoring in lake-rich landscapes of Canada’s subarctic National Parks , Hilary Emma White
Theses/Dissertations from 2018 2018
Situating Community Resilience within the Political Landscape: An Investigation of Rural Livelihoods and Agency in Chile's Bíobío and Araucanía Regions , Julia Ercolani
LANDSCAPE SCALE SPECTRAL-TEMPORAL MODELLING OF BAMBOO-DOMINATED FOREST SUCCESSION WITHIN THE ATLANTIC FOREST OF SOUTHERN BRAZIL , Clara Greig
Permafrost thaw-induced forest to wetland conversion: potential impacts on snowmelt and basin runoff in northwestern Canada , Emily Haughton
Spatial and temporal variability of the snow environment in the Western Canadian Arctic , Philip Mann
The Effects of Fire on Snow Accumulation, Snowmelt and Ground Thaw on a Peat Plateau in Subarctic Canada , Elyse Mathieu
Factors limiting sand dune restoration in Northwest Beach, Point Pelee National Park, Canada , Pritichhanda Nayak and Pritichhanda Mohanty Nayak
“Inconvenient Neighbours, Whom It Was Desirable Ultimately Wholly to Remove”: Differing Factors in the Dispossessions of Studied Anishinaabe Groups of the Great Lakes Basin, 1820-1865 , Heather J. Sanguins
GROWTH DYNAMICS OF BLACK SPRUCE (PICEA MARIANA) ACROSS NORTHWESTERN NORTH AMERICA , Anastasia E. Sniderhan
Capitals, climate change and food security: Building sustainable food systems in northern Canadian Indigenous communities , Andrew Spring
The role of channel fens in permafrost degradation induced changes in peatland discharge at Scotty Creek, NT , Lindsay Elena Stone
Arriving Somewhere, Not Here: Exploring and Mapping the Relationship between Border Enforcement and Migration by Boat in the Central Mediterranean Sea, 2006 to 2015 , Kira Williams
Spatial Modelling and Wildlife Health Surveillance: A case study of White Nose Syndrome in Ontario , Lauren Yee
Theses/Dissertations from 2017 2017
FROM BRAIN DRAIN TO BRAIN TRAIN – A TRANSNATIONAL CASE ANALYSIS OF NIGERIAN MIGRANT HEALTH CARE WORKERS , Sheri Adekola
Impact of Linear Disturbances on a Discontinuous Permafrost Peatland Environment , Michael Braverman
Accountability, Conservation and Community: Measuring the Local Economic Impacts of Protected Areas , Catharine A.M. Brazeau
Permafrost thaw induced changes to runoff generation and hydrologic connectivity in low-relief, discontinuous permafrost terrains , Ryan Connon
First Nations and Adaptive Water Governance in Southern Ontario, Canada , Thomas Dyck
Newcomers, Welcome? Exploring the Connection Between Demographic Change, Immigration Legislation Design and Policy Mobilities in Ageing Japan , Héctor Goldar Perrote
MARINE PROTECTED AREAS IN COLOMBIA: RE-CONNECTING SOCIAL, ECOLOGICAL, AND POLICY ASPECTS THROUGH A GOVERNANCE PERSPECTIVE , Luisa Ramirez
Developing a hydrological monitoring program for ponds in Wapusk National Park, Manitoba, using water isotope tracers , Stephanie Roy
Capturing in-situ Feelings and Experiences of Public Transit Riders Using Smartphones , Rafik Said and Rafik Said
The Political Ecology of Water Justice: A Case Study of Tripoli, Lebanon , Fatima Sidaoui
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Human Geography Research Topics. Urbanization dynamics in developing countries. Social and economic impacts of gentrification in urban neighborhoods. Migration patterns and trends in Europe. Cultural landscapes and identity politics in contested territories. Gender disparities in access to resources and opportunities in rural areas.
Affordable Thesis Help You Can Rely On. When it comes to working on a geography research paper or a thesis for Master's degree, our company is your trusted source for comprehensive writing help.Our team of expert writers consists of experienced professionals who specialize in geography, ensuring that you receive top marks for your school or class.
Geography Dissertation Research Topics. Topic 1: Studying the Fertility of Soil after the Volcanic Eruption. Topic 2: Understanding Global Warming Through Geography. Topic 3: Geography: Determining the Effects Caused by Natural Calamities on a Region. Topic 4: Evaluating the Ecological Value of the Forests. Topic 5: Comprehending the Security ...
Here are some of the best physical geography topics to consider for your paper or essay. How climate change affects the intensity of the Australian bushfire. The meteorology history and its effects on modern research. River ice - The worldwide effects of the high ice loss rate across the globe.
A Statistical Method for Quantifying Animal Interaction; Combining Time Geography and Simulation, Zachary J. Smith. PDF. Isotopic Study of the Waters from the Sulphur Springs Catchment, Tampa, Florida, Esra Zengin. PDF. Inland Tropical Cyclone Intensity Decay in the Continental United States, Yijie Zhu
Masters Theses, 1928-Present. Douglas Broadmore CARTER The Sequim-Dungeness Lowland. A Natural Dairy Community [1948] Clarke Harding BROOKE, Jr. The Razor Clam Siliqua Patula of the Washington Coast and Its Place in the Local Economy [1950] Herbert Lee COMBS, Jr. The Historical Geography of Port Townsend, Washington [1950]
Benbella, Diane, (Ph.D.) A Geospatial Analysis of Uganda's Progress and Challenges Towards the Target of "90-90-90" for Ending the HIV Epidemic. Advisor: Debarchana Ghosh. Buchanan, Mary, (Ph.D.) Exploring Landscape Futures for Local Food Production in Northeastern Connecticut. Advisor: Carol Atkinson-Palombo.
A selection of dissertations from recent undergraduate students, and MPhil Conservation Leadership placement reports*, are now available for reading access online. We regret to announce that paper copies of dissertations submitted prior to 2020 are not included in this service. Paper copies of dissertations between 2015-2019 can only be viewed ...
Geography Dissertation Topics. Geography is a fascinating topic, covering both physical and sociological issues. Concerns over climate change and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are perhaps the two most topical issues, but there are also many other important issues to consider. If you're struggling to come up with an interesting ...
2008. Chiang, Lifang. "Hidden Innovation: A Reconsideration of an "Old Economy" Industry in a "New Economy" Region". Johnstone, James Andrew. "Climate Variability of Northern California and its Global Connections". Lave, Rebecca Anne. "The Rosgen Wars and the Shifting Political Economy of Expertise". Paglen, Trevor.
1000 Thesis Topics and Ideas. This section is meticulously designed to cater to a broad spectrum of academic interests, providing an extensive list of thesis topics across 25 distinct disciplines. By furnishing students with current and forward-looking research ideas, this resource aims to inspire and guide the next generation of scholars.
Above is the best list of geography dissertation titles if you need more help regarding your geography dissertation topics, fill out the form below and get a unique topic along with a topic brief on geography dissertation from experts. Dissertation, Geology, Topics. Food and Nutrition Dissertation Topics and ideas in 2023.
Abstract. Geography is an inter-disciplinary subject. It is an essential academic field, which is needed for all walks of human life and a nation's development. By definition, Geography is the ...
Department of Geography Geographic Information Systems resampling to coarser resolutions or by using inherently multi-scale methods (e.g. wavelets). In a recently completed PhD thesis (Soleymani 2016, Soleymani et al. 2017), several multi-scale methods for movement classification and for movement segmentation have been demonstrated to
These start from the year 2000 onwards. Prize winning dissertations from 1979 to 1999 are located offsite but can be ordered to the Social Science Library by searching for the title on SOLO. A full list of the titles is located with the dissertations in the library and is also here.
Urban Geography Dissertation Topics & Titles. Published by Owen Ingram at January 6th, 2023 , Revised On March 22, 2023. Urban geography is a growing field of study that provides learners with a comprehensive understanding of how cities, towns and other human settlements develop and change over time. As such, it can be an incredibly rewarding ...
We teach and research across the breadth of the geography discipline, also bringing together expertise in the social and natural sciences to examine and develop the principles and practice of sustainable development. The school was ranked first in the UK by the Guardian University Guide for 2016. For more information please visit the School of ...
Your Human Geography Dissertation. SAGE Publications Ltd. 1 Oliver's Yard. 55 City Road London EC1Y 1SP. SAGE Publications Inc. 2455 Teller Road Thousand Oaks, California 91320. SAGE Publications India Pvt Ltd B 1/I 1 Mohan Cooperative Industrial Area Mathura Road New Delhi 110 044. SAGE Publications Asia-Pacific Pte Ltd.
TITLE: Fill it in using title case (that is, capitals for the first letter of all words except articles and prepositions). AUTHOR: In each respective box, enter your names (and/or initials) as they appear on the title page of your dissertation or thesis. You are the sole author; your advisor is not considered a co-author.
Geoscience departments provide information about their graduating students' theses and dissertations to AGI's GeoRef database where they are then made discoverable to the geoscience research community. The trends in theses and dissertations reported over time as well as the topics of these publications provides insight into new research ...
Interdisciplinary Master's thesis topics. Interested in doing an interdisciplinary Master's thesis at the Department of Geography? Have a look at the list of currently available topics involving two or more research divisions of the Department of Geography. Interdisciplinary Master's thesis topics . Further research and teaching units
Example urban geography dissertation topic 3: The changing nature of urban geography and governance - a study of Rio de Janeiro. According to Dear and Dahmann (2008), urban politics are being reshaped by the geographies of postmodern urbanism. Using Rio de Janeiro as a case study this thesis seeks to test the reliability of this hypothesis.
Geography and Environmental Studies Theses and Dissertations . ... Students can choose to withdraw their dissertation and/or thesis from this database. For additional inquiries, please contact the repository administrator via e-mail or by telephone at 519-884-0710 ext. 2073.