Homilies for applied geographers

Abstract

Provides three homilies: thin conceptualization; deflationary ethics; and intellectual self-immolation. The first homily refutes the notion that applied research is value-free, or that geographers working in the private or public sector are nonpolitical; there is no such thing as neutral work or research, and applied geographers must constantly remind themselves of this point. Homily number two is directly related to the first. In sum, the call is for a more moral geography, recognizing that our actions are accountable for many short- and long-term events, whether or not we are cognizant of such events; applied geographers, in essence, are policy advisors and must keep this fact in mind. Finally, the third homily implies that self-promotion, in the form of research dollars and government/institutional priorities, often supersedes academic integrity. The warning is that applied geographers, for practical purposes, may indulge themselves solely in areas where there are grants, thereby ignoring the more socially responsible research topics. -from Editor