Writing Geography for a World on Fire: The Role of Feminist Mentorship in Cultivating Effective Public Engagement

Abstract

What a time to be a geographer—as they say, the world is on fire. In an age shaped by anthropogenic climate change, shifting human dynamics, and increased global connectivity, the work of geographers in addressing pressing global issues has become more crucial than ever. Despite the prevalence of geographical issues in daily news headlines, few geographers routinely connect their insights and expertise with interested public audiences. Although public engagement is being given more attention across the discipline, the public arena is highly politicized; in an era of increased scrutiny and mistrust of scientific expertise, geographers need support to do this work effectively. Following calls to enhance public communication and advocacy among geographers (Alderman and Inwood 2019), this article explores the importance of mentorship in equipping geographers to effectively communicate their research. Drawing on personal mentorship experiences in writing public geography, I conceptualize this process not as a one-way exchange between solitary scholar and ambiguous public, but instead as a careful and courageous dialogue, shaped by caring and collaborative mentorship relationships between geographers across career stages. This article contributes to the discourse on enhancing public communication and advocacy among geographers, addressing the need for mentorship to support the development of a new generation of geographers adept at navigating and engaging with the complexities of our rapidly changing world.

Department(s)

School of Earth, Environment and Sustainability

Document Type

Article

DOI

10.1080/24694452.2025.2545995

Publication Date

1-1-2025

Journal Title

Annals of the American Association of Geographers

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