Biography
I am comfortable with the label of “economic geographer”, but by temperament and outlook I value most the eclecticism and search for connectedness that geography as a discipline allows one to pursue. Doctoral research on freight transportation led me to work on the mineral sector in Canada and to broader interests in the economy of resource-based regions. Interest in the society/natural environment interface lies behind research on the conceptualisation of economy/environment relations and on the agri-food system. Exploration of geography’s relations to social theory has been shaped by perspectives derived from Christian theology. I think the literature (and especially the textbooks!) of economic geography have still not realised their potential for linking the economic system with the earth system and in retirement I would like to improve on things, though probably not in conventional published formats.
Research Interests
- Economic globalization in the Anthropocene Era
- Human dimensions of global environmental change
- Theology, epistemology and the nature of geography
Recent Publications
“Agriculture and Rural Resources”, in Bruce Mitchell, ed., Resource and Environmental Management in Canada: Addressing Conflict and Uncertainty (4th edition), Oxford University Press, Toronto, 2010, 274-297. (with M. Brklacich).
“Space, Place and the Gospel: Theological Exploration in the Anthropocene Era”, in J.K.A. Smith, ed., After Modernity? Secularity, Globalization and the Re-Enchantment of the World, Waco TX, Baylor University Press, 2008, 123-141.
‘Territory, Typology, Theology: Geopolitics and the Christian Scriptures’ Geopolitics 11 (2), 2006, 209-230.
‘Commentary 2: Classics in human geography revisited Corbridge, S. 1986: Capitalist world development: a critique of radical development geography’ Progress in Human Geography 29 (5), 2005, 603-606.
Reflections from Canada: a ‘nearest neighbour’ analysis’ GeoJournal 59 (1) 2004, 43-44.
A Geography of the Canadian Economy, Oxford University Press, Toronto, 2002, xiii + 265 pp.
“Sustaining Geography; sustainable geographies: the linked challenge,” Canadian Geographer 46, 2002, 98-107.
“Globalization: discourse of destiny or denial?” Christian Scholar’s Review 31 , 2002, 377-391.
“Manufacturing in North America”, in F.W. Boal and S.A. Royle, eds., North America: A Geographical Mosaic, Arnold, London, 1999, 141-154.
“A Christian reading of the global economy “, in H. Aay and S. Griffioen, eds., Geography and Worldview: A Christian Reconnaissance , University Press of America, Lanham, MD, 1998, 37-48.
“The Canadian Shield: the development of a resource frontier”, in L.D. McCann and A. Gunn, eds., Heartland and Hinterland: A Geography of Canada , Prentice-Hall of Canada, Toronto, 1998 (3rd Edition, revised), 227-267.
“Contested terrains: social space and the Canadian environment”, in W. Clement, ed., Understanding Canada: Building on the New Canadian Political Economy , McGill-Queen’s University Press, Montreal, 1997, 386-408 (with R. Shields).
“Societies in space and place”, in F.O. Hampson and J. Reppy, eds., Earthly Goods : Global Environmental Change and Social Justice , Cornell University Press, Ithaca, NY, 1996, 75-95 (with D.B. Knight).
“Restructuring in the Canadian mining and mineral processing industries”, in J. Britton, ed., Canada and the Global Economy: The Geography of Structural and Technological Change , McGill-Queen’s University Press, Montreal, 1996, 123-136.
Memberships
- Canadian Association of Geographers (President 1998-2000)
- Royal Canadian Geographical Society (Fellow)