A Disciplinary Perspective: Applied Geography and Gender Concerns

Abstract

A prevalent culture of sexism within the United States continues to influence the working conditions of professional geographers. Long-standing gender bias creates daily toxic workplace cultures that limit the potential of geographers and the discipline. This research has identified several areas of concern within the subdiscipline of applied geography. Through a survey, three of those areas of concern were chosen by individuals who self-identify as applied geographers for discussion at a roundtable conversation during the 2019 Applied Geography Conference. The outcomes of the roundtable align with contemporary research across the broader discipline and draw on both natural and social science discourses. Roundtable recommendations to address gender bias in the geography workplace are also supported by literature and are presented here. These recommendations are tailored to offer strategies to the Applied Geography Conference to address gender bias within the discipline, and recommendations for multiple professional networks and mentoring.