Research interests revolve around the role of natural and cultural landscapes in economic development. I am neither a physical or cultural geographer but rather a regionalist with a deep interest in mathematical modeling. My specific interests, however, are broad. Rural landscapes and the role of trade and communications are my present fascination. My gallery has some photos and comments concerning location and development. I published an article on international trade in Australia in 2001.

I approach geography as an attempt to understand people and their landscapes; my long-term research goal is reconcile what I observe in both domestic and foreign travels to a conceptual model of socio-economic development. Such a model requires both social (including cultural) and economic variables to be relevant (opposed to logical).

My training is as varied as research interests. My geographic background ranges from coursework in oceanography, regional Africa, economic development, and manual/plane table cartography. Ancilliary coursework includes political thought/theory, point set topology, deviant behavior, and a variety of graduate economics courses. These varied courses allow me to think outside the box and evaluate ordinary rural landscapes, with the ultimate goal of understanding (1) how the place ticks and (2) how to help rural locations obtain the standard of living that its people (NOT what I think) want.

Teaching and research experience has enabled me to develop interpersonal communication skills with a wide array of people-students (traditional and non-traditional), government employees, merchants, farmers, academic scholars, and the general public.

For a "lighter" side of my interests, both professional and personal, please visit my Myspace site at http://www.myspace.com/jalexand.