Geography is often thought of as the study of physical entities, but for Dr. Mark Palmer, it is defined by relationships. A member of the Kiowa Tribe and a professor at the University of Missouri, Dr. Palmer joins Key Conversations to discuss Indigenous Geographies and the power dynamics inherent in cartography. From the Eurocentric origins of UNESCO World Heritage nominations to the "intangible" spiritual heritage of sacred sites, this conversation explores how diverse cultural perspectives challenge Western scientific classifications and offer a more holistic view of our world. 
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Mark Palmer

Mark Palmer is Professor of Geography at the University of Missouri. Professor Palmer’s research focuses the social dimensions of geographic information systems (GIS) and Indigenous research sovereignty networks. Archival research has taken him to UNESCO in Paris, France and ethnocartography fieldwork at Tongariro National Park and with the Muaūpoko iwi in Levin, New Zealand. Palmer is currently working on a book describing the processes of translating Otomi calendar knowledge into a dome planetarium presentation as a form of digital heritage. Otomi people have inhabited the central Mexico plateau for at least seven thousand years. Over this period, they have cultivated a vast knowledge of astronomy and timekeeping. Palmer writes about the participatory processes of Indigenous technoscience design as a form of Indigenous research sovereignty. He and his colleagues work were funded by the National Science Foundation, the Royal Society of New Zealand, and the Taylor Geospatial Institute. Palmer teaches Indigenous geographies, GIS, and environmental geography at Mizzou. He is a member of the Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma and Kiowa Gourd Clan.

About Key Conversations 

 

Key Conversations with Phi Beta Kappa is a podcast featuring in-depth conversations between Fred Lawrence, Secretary/CEO of Phi Beta Kappa, and Phi Beta Kappa Visiting Scholars. With a new episode released monthly, each podcast invites listeners to take a seat at the table to learn more about the featured Scholar's background, research, and how they have taken their respective paths to where they are now, and where they are headed. 

Since 1956, the Phi Beta Kappa Visiting Scholar Program has been offering undergraduates the opportunity to spend time with some of America's most distinguished scholars. The purpose of the program is to contribute to the intellectual life of the campus by making possible an exchange of ideas between the Visiting Scholars and the resident faculty and students.​
 

Our Host

Frederick M. Lawrence is the 10th Secretary and CEO of the Phi Beta Kappa Society. An accomplished scholar, teacher and attorney, he is one of the nation’s leading experts on civil rights, free expression, and bias crimes. Learn More.

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