The Geography Faculty Development Alliance (GFDA) Early Career Workshop class of 2017 gathered for a photo at the close of the conference on June 24 at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tenn

Geography Faculty Development Alliance (GFDA) Early Career Workshop

The AAG’s GFDA workshop offers an engaging, hands-on experience for geographers preparing for or in the early years of an academic faculty career, whether on the tenure-track or annual contingent appointments at all types of higher education institutions. Workshop sessions cover numerous topics including course design, grant writing, publishing, time management, and inclusive teaching, while offering participants a chance to network and interact informally with other participants and facilitators.

June 13, 2022, 11:00am Eastern Time – June 17, 2022, 5:00pm Eastern Time

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Participants of the 2013 GFDA workshop gather for a photoThe Geography Faculty Development Alliance (GFDA) Early Career Workshop is a program designed for graduate students and faculty who are beginning their careers in higher education— including adjunct instructors, lecturers, assistant professors, and other untenured faculty. The goal of the workshop is to help participants balance the many responsibilities of academic life and to understand how their teaching, research, service, outreach, and personal lives intersect and interconnect.

Enrollment is limited to 30 participants and the registration deadline is June 1, 2022.

The 2022 workshop focuses especially on teaching and learning topics, particularly issues revolving around designing effective courses, online education, diversity and inclusion, and active pedagogy. Other sessions will address some of the most frequent sources of stress in the first years of a faculty appointment. In the past, these topics have included:

  • Writing grant proposals
  • Publishing
  • Time management
  • Academic conferences & networking
  • Professional ethics
  • Preparing for the job search
  • Promoting collegiality
  • Understanding the tenure process
  • Balancing personal and professional life

Sessions will be scheduled in the mornings and afternoons, with plenty of time for breaks. Participants will also have an opportunity to meet, learn with, and interact socially with those attending the Department Leadership Workshop being held virtually during the same week. Most participants have built lasting networks among themselves and with workshop leaders.

Questions about the workshop may be sent to the AAG’s Senior Advisor for Geography Education, Dr. Michael Solem.


Registration fees

AAG members: FREE!

Individuals whose AAG memberships are current may attend the 2022 GFDA Early Career workshop at no cost. Registration is required and may be completed by selecting the button above and following the directions to sign in to your AAG account.

Non-AAG members: $150

The fee for non-members includes access to all sessions and materials. Select the button above to register and follow the instructions to sign up for an AAG account. If you already have an account sign in to your account.