By Hannah Edelen

Charles Altendorf, a 2011 University of Kentucky alumnus, is using the skills he developed and honed as a geography student in the College of Arts & Sciences to help improve the mapping system at his current job with the Hardin County Water District No. 1. Working on a pilot project, Altendorf is attempting to convert the water district’s data analysis from traditional digital mapping to an open source method.

From a young age, Altendorf was drawn to maps and mapmaking. “When I was a kid, I would get a new Rand McNally Atlas every year,” he said. However, Altendorf began his time at UK as an engineering major, partly because he was never exposed to geography courses in high school and was not aware that it was possible to study geography professionally. “After struggling my first year at UK, I realized you could major in geography,” Altendorf said

Department of Geography, University of Kentucky, Lexington KY USA

Opportunities for Graduate Study in Digital Geographies

We are seeking graduate students interested in digital geographies to join the Geography program at the University of Kentucky. While we are open to applicants in all areas of geography we are particular focused on students whose interests overlap with faculty expertise. This includes critical GIS and mapping, digital economies and fintech, big data practices, creative coding, smart urbanism, algorithmic governance, and co-production of race, gender, sexuality, and/or disability online and beyond. We particularly encourage applications from individuals from underrepresented groups.

University of Kentucky faculty engaged in digital geographies research include