Volume Five
This season of Confluence has been one of reflection. The Department of Geography and Environmental Science (GES) welcomed the journal’s pioneer, Sarah Melotte, back for a homecoming visit this semester. During this visit, the journal team took a moment to celebrate the foundation that Sarah, and subsequent editors Jonathan Burton and Amy DePierre, laid for Confluence and their vision for the continuation of this legacy. Their work has led Confluence to this volume. Our team has grown from one editor to three, as we welcome co-editors Lauren Kuraganti and Sofia Lambert, who have been instrumental in the publication of this volume. This volume would not have been possible without their efforts! With every editor, nominator, author, reviewer, and reader like yourself, we are writing the next chapter of this journal.
In this volume, you’ll be invited to explore what “Place” really is with Olivia Young. You'll have the opportunity to apply these concepts throughout the journal in each new place an author takes you. Kaylee Gonzalez highlights “The Development of Chicago River’s Three River’s Branches” and the impact on vulnerable communities, while Dylan Nordeck takes us to Yosemite National Park to better understand the drivers of search and rescue incidents.
Next, our authors explore the urban landscape, starting with myself, Taylor DuPree, where I consider critical spatial perspectives through public space. With Denver as the area of focus, Ryan Goodale analyzes the impact of bicycle infrastructure on crash rates while Jennifer Newcomer investigates household churn and economic mobility. Following this, Thomas Russell offers an approach for prioritizing upgrade sites in Kibera’s deprived urban areas.
Our authors then bring the spatial scope outward. In the seagrass meadows across the globe, Rachel Thody offers advancements in research for restoration efforts. Lauren Parkinson’s atlas investigates the ancient disease of Tuberculosis on a global scale with considerations for risk factors. Focusing on Africa, Bahar Nabiyar shares how foreign influence and colonial legacy shape the continent’s political transformations.
The diversity and breadth of work presented in this volume exemplify the commitment to research in GES. The growth of this journal and its team is a testament to the passion and care of our predecessors, as well as our contemporaries. I invite you to explore this volume. Whether this is your first time reading Confluence or if you are a longtime supporter, welcome. We are so glad you’re here.
Enjoy!
Sincerely,
Taylor DuPree
Each article in Confluence undergoes a rigorous peer review prior to publication. A special thank you to our peer reviewers for their thoughtful comments and suggestions. Your contributions to this journal are appreciated.
