There's a lot going on with the Department of Human Geography at UTSC. Check out our news and events listings below to stay up to date on what's happening on campus.
Dr. Sharlene Mollett delivers Jan Monk Distinguished Lecture at 2016 meeting of Association of American Geographers
Professor Mollett has made significant contributions to feminist geography. Her lecture at the annual meeting of the Association of American Geographers (AAG) will be published in Gender, Place & Culture.
Dr. Thembela Kepe wins Professor of the Year 2015-2016
The Underground awards Professor Thembela Kepe as Professor of the Year 2015-2016.
Professor Allahwala’s students team with grade 9 class to tackle Malvern community issues
UTSC City Studies' students, TAIBU health centre, and Blessed Mother Teresa Catholic Secondary School’s grade 9 geography class worked together to create youth-led solutions to problems in Malvern (Scarborough).
City Studies students win CivicSpark’s “Building up the 6ix” competition
Abbas Ali, Robert Tran, and Rebecca Roach of UTSC’s City Studies won first place at CivicSpark’s “Building up the 6ix” competition.
GGRC54H3: Human Geography Field trip (Tokyo, Japan)
This 2016 Summer session the Department of Human Geography will be offering GGRC54H3 with a field tip component in Tokyo, Japan.
City Studies Workshop Professor Zahra Ebrahim talks about City Building and UTSC City Studies Workshop at TEDxToronto 2015
Watch Professor Zahra Ebrahim’s talk on 'why we need to let cities break'.
Professor Farber talks about Toronto transit benefits and controversies in Globe and Mail
Professor Steven Farber points out that the benefits of investing in quality transit are massive in Globe and Mail article.
Professors MacDonald and Han quoted in UofT Magazine article about UTSC’s “Global Outlook, Local Roots"
Professors MacDonald and Han in the Department of Human Geography have partnered with Malvern Action for Neighbourhood Change to develop an urban farm in Rouge Park. Working on the farm gives students first-hand experience with the issues of food security faced by new immigrants and others with low incomes.
City Studies Community Engagement ‘A Model', says President Gertler
U of T president, Meric Gertler, praises UofT Scarborough for community outreach work.
Professor Taylor and students analyze Toronto mayoral election
Professor Zack Taylor is hosting “Seminar in Selected Issues in City Studies: Toronto Municipal Election. Students examine the mayoral lens to uncover how various aspects of the mayoral race, such as social media, shape the elections.
UofT Cities podcast series, featuring Professor Taylor
UofT News is featuring a four-part series of podcasts exploring topical issues in geography, architecture, engineering and more. Our Department’s very own Professor Zack Taylor hosts part-three of the mini-series, where he talks about the politics of traffic.
“Gramsci: Space, Nature, Politics” launched on Antipode
“Gramsci: Space, Nature, Politics”, a book edited by Michael Ekers, Gillian Hart, Stefan Kipfer, and Alex Loftus, was e-launched on Antipode.
Geographic Information Science
Geographical Information Science is a multidisciplinary inquiry into the effective use of geographic data, systems, and methods to inform decision-making concerning diverse aspects of human interactions with each other and with the environment.
Race and the willful ignorance of Margaret Wente, a blog post by Professor Mahtani and Professor Walcott
Dr. Minelle Mahtani and Dr. Rinaldo Walcott contributed a piece to the Broadbent Blog about the importance of taking an honest look at the role racism played in historical (and contemporary) injustice.
City Studies student, Aaron Wheaton, selected in CFL draft
Aaron Wheaton, a political science and city studies major at UTSC, was selected in the recent 2014 Canadian Football League draft.
Professor Hunter and Professor Ekers on international advisory board of Antipode
Dr. Hunter and Dr. Ekers support the editorial Collective of Antipode—a peer-reviewed publication on geographical issues.
Obtaining “youth-friendly” designation for East Scarborough
Since 2012, Professor Allahwala and students of the Department of Human Geography have been working to acquire "youth-friendly" designation for East Scarborough, as part of Play Works' Youth Friendly Communities program. Read about their dedicated efforts.
"Partners on Campus, Partners in Life": featuring Professor Hunter and Professor Hachimi
UTSC Commons featured Professor Mark Hunter and Professor Atiqa Hachimi as one of several couples who are partners at work and in life.
20 years of freedom in South Africa: A reflection
You are invited to attend a symposium at UTSC, “20 Years of Freedom in South Africa” from May 1 -2, 2014, hosted by Thembela Kepe, Department of Geography UofT, Centre for Critical Development Studies UTSC, Bettina Von Lieres, Centre for Critical Development Studies UTSC, Melissa Levin, African Studies New College and Department of Political Science UofT.
Professor Bunce is raising awareness about planning issues in east Scarborough
Professor Bunce is working with the Storefront to draw attention to planning issues in east Scarborough.
Come celebrate second year of "On the Move", April 1
"On the Move: an undergraduate journal of creative geographies" is turning two this year! Come celebrate with us on April 1 at the Ralph Campbell Lounge on UTSC campus.
Final speaker in lecture series: Dr. Wendy Cheng, March 27
The Human Geography and City Studies Speaker Series concludes this Thursday, March 27 2014 at 3:00-5:00 p.m., with an exciting talk by Dr. Wendy Cheng from Arizona State University.
January 2014 career & networking event a success
Did you miss the Careers Event? Here’s a recap.
Get out the vote: Toronto’s mayoral election could depend on it, says Dr. Taylor
According to experts, like Professor Zack Taylor, Toronto’s upcoming mayoral race may come down to which candidate can best get out the vote. Read Dr. Taylor's opinions in a recent Toronto Star article.
Professor Hunter to speak at New Frontiers Seminar Series, March 7 2014
In the early 1990s ‘white’ South African schools began to admit ‘black’ pupils. Dr. Hunter will speak at the New Frontiers Seminar Series to address why white parents voted for schooling desegregation. And, why intense competition emerged between schools and become so focused on improving sports results. Come join us on March 7 2014!
A talk by Dr. Kataoka on global civil society, January 30 2014
Hear about totalitarianism through the intention of sustainability. Dr. Katakoa of Nipissing University will speak about the tension between urban politics and totalitarian planning.
3:00 p.m. to 5:00 pm See poster
Room 324 MS (Social Sciences Building)
Do you see yourself in those who shape the news?
Dr. Mahtani blogs about representation of diversity in the news. Read the blog post.
Get to know Benjamin Potruff, Program Advisor
Benjamin Potruff is the Program Advisor for Geography and City Studies at UTSC. He is glad to advise students on a variety of academic program issues, so if anyone has trouble navigating their way around requirements and schedules, Benjamin is the man.
Newsletter No. 1 (December 2013)
Welcome to the first issue of the Department of Human Geography’s newsletter! Read the latest in upcoming events & announcements, faculty in the news, and students & community news.
Geography and City Studies Careers event, January 23 2014
Thinking about career prospects in Geography and City Studies? Attend our careers event in January.
Date: January 23, 2014
Time: 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Location: UTSC Ralph Campbell Lounge
See flyer
Professor Han discusses student diversity in UTSC Commons
Geography Professor Ju Hui Judy Han joins sociology Department of Sociology Chair Patricia Landolt in discussing how the diversity of students’ global experiences enriches the classroom. Their discussion is featured in UTSC Commons. (Photo credit: Ken Jones).
Professor Hunter and Professor Dahl researching social impacts of HIV/AIDS in Africa
Professor Mark Hunter is motivated to understand the societal, historical, and economic trends driving the HIV/AIDS epidemic in South Africa. Professor Hunter (Human Geography) and Professor Dahl (Anthropology) are examining the social impacts of HIV/AIDS in Africa. Their research is featured in UTSC Commons.
Oral history project uncovers stories of Scarborough
In the fall semester, City Studies students partnered with students from Women’s and Gender Studies and History to uncover the stories of Scarborough. The course was offered through partnerships with the Scarborough Museum, the East Scarborough Storefront, the Toronto Public Library (Morningside Branch) and Women’s Place.
Professor Kepe praises Nelson Mandela’s life and impact
Professor Thembela Kepe shared insights on CTV News and CBC regarding Nelson Mandela's life, death, and funeral. Watch the CTV News clip and CBC feature.
On the Move: Call for submissions
On the Move is currently accepting applications for issue #2, to be published in Spring 2014. The new extended deadline is 12:00 pm (noon) on December 20, 2013. All interested student writers are invited to apply online at http://goo.gl/7TX8xN.
UTSC's community partnership showcased at Community Connections Leadership Forum
Students and faculty from UTSC gathered at the third annual Community Connections Leadership Forum on November 6, 2013 to learn about the collaborative research, educational and community-building programmes in the Kingston Galloway/Orton Park (KGO) and Mornelle Courth neighbourhoods.
President of Geography and City Studies Students Association marks first hike event a success
Janine Jivani, President of the Geography and City Studies Students Association (GCSA), recalls the first-ever student hike event to be a success. Read about the hike and the GCSA.
Help to plan and build Kingston Galloway/Orton Park, November 18 2013
Take your interest in the community to the next level! Join us as we celebrate local planning projects and learn more about community planning boards. 5:00pm to 7:00 pm. 4175 Lawrence Avenue East. See the event poster.
Professor Bunce and Professor Campbell reinvigorate Kingston Galloway/Orton Park region
Professor Bunce (Department of Human Geogrpahy) and Professor Campbell (Department of Biological Science) are leading efforts to reinvigorate the Kingston Galloway/Orton Park (KGO) region in Scarborough. Read the "Edge" publication. (Photo credit: Ken Jones).
Professor Taylor discusses Ford Nation
Toronto city council has ground to a standstill as scandal-plagued Toronto Mayor Rob Ford makes world-wide headlines. Professor Zack Taylor examined the city's political gridlock, which goes beyond Ford's mayoralty, as part of a long-term research project on the political geography of the amalgamated city. Watch Professor Taylor discuss Ford Nation on "The Agenda" on TVO.
Professor Ekers “is truly dedicated to geography and his teaching”, reports The Underground
Read why Professor Ekers is passionate about geography and why he’s committed to the teaching profession. Check out the Underground article.
"Caribbean youth, urban governance and the right to the city", a talk by Dr. Mullings, November 14 2013
Hear about how marginalized youth in Kingston and Montreal are practising their right to the city.
3:00-5:00 p.m. Room 324 MW (Social Sciences Building).
See event poster.
Light food and refreshments will be provided.
Dr. Fujii to speak about housing revitalization in Japan and Toronto, October 31 2013
Challenge of Reform and Renovation Projects of Public Housing in Japan: And What Can Be Learned from Toronto’s Experience?
2:00-4:00 p.m. Room MW 324 (Social Sciences Building).
See event poster.
LIght food and refreshments available.
Occupancy urbanism as a way to expand the 'South' of "Southern' cities, a talk by Dr. Benjamin, September 30 2013
3:00-5:00 p.m. MW 324 (Social Sciences Building).
See event poster.
Light food and refreshment provided.
Lecture series 2013-2014
The department is hosting a year-long lecture series to provide you an opportunity to hear about geography practices and case-studies from around the globe. Read more to learn about our past and upcoming speakers.
Human Geography and City Studies hike
Learn more.
Friday September 28, 2013, 12:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Rouge National Urban Wilderness Park
Can Detroit rise again?
A Q&A with city studies researcher Zack Taylor on what happens when cities go bankrupt.
August 12th, 2013
Jenny Hall
Professor Minelle Mahtani awarded Diamond Jubilee Medal
In February 2013, Professor Minelle Mahtani received a Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal for her work in the field of ethnic media in Canada.