GIS Professor Appointed as Associate Editor
Timothy L. Hawthorne, Ph.D., assistant professor of geographic information systems in the University of Central Florida Department of Sociology, has been appointed as an associate editor of the “Journal of Geography.” The academic journal is an online and print publication that showcases the research of geographers and spatially-oriented scholars.
The journal’s website describes the publication as “a forum to present innovative approaches to geography research, teaching, and learning. The Journal publishes articles on the results of research, instructional approaches, and book reviews.”
Hawthorne is grateful to have been chosen.
“I am humbled and excited by this unique opportunity to shape the future direction of the discipline of geography through an associate editorship with the journal. It’s an incredible responsibility to support scholars as they publish the highest quality research in geography and GIS,” he said. “Throughout my career, I have always stressed that research, education and outreach are not separate boxes to check for promotion and tenure, but they are fully integrated. Journal of Geography supports such a scholarly vision.”
The assistant professor said that his research informs his teaching, and his teaching informs his research. He believes that sharing research is very important for scholars in the field, and hopes to make this research even more accessible.
“Tim is thoughtful, responsive, and a new voice in geography education,” Jerry Mitchell, editor of the journal, said. “Dr. Hawthorne is personally involved in several of these areas, and because of these efforts, he will help the Journal of Geography maintain its leading role in guiding and shaping our dialogues about geography education well into the future.”
Along with being an assistant professor in the Department of Sociology, Hawthorne is the principal investigator of the National Science Foundation’s Citizen Science Geographic Information Systems Research Experience for Undergraduates. The research experience is a summer program that places students in Belize to do research.
Hawthorne will be serving with three other associate editors for a three-year term.
Elizabeth Mustaine, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Sociology, expressed her excitement of Hawthorne’s appointment.
“We are thrilled that Tim was selected for this position,” Mustaine said. “It brings great recognition to the university and the Department of Sociology as well as opening up opportunities for students to study geography here at UCF. Dr. Hawthorne is part of our new GIS research cluster and curriculum and this will help get the word out to current and prospective students that UCF should now be considered a preferred destination for GIS scholars.”