UNI Geography Department Triumphs at AAG Conference
Eight international students from the University of Northern Iowa’s Geography Department represented UNI at the American Association of Geography (AAG) West Lakes Regional Division Conference in Wisconsin.Their participation resulted in four prestigious awards, underscoring the department’s academic excellence and the global perspectives its students bring to geographic research.
A Shared Message
Across their reflections, the students emphasized that conferences are not only about recognition but also about growth. As Eshun advised, such events are opportunities to “refine your ideas, receive constructive feedback, and build networks that extend far beyond the classroom.”
UNI’s Global Impact
The Geography Department’s success at the AAG Conference demonstrates UNI’s commitment to fostering scholarship that bridges local and global issues. From environmental justice in the Arctic to food security in Africa and climate resilience in the United States, these projects highlight the department’s role in preparing globally minded scholars who contribute to solutions for pressing challenges worldwide.
Award-Winning Presentations
- Isaac Eshun earned Overall Best Paper Presentation – First Runner-Up for his paper Extractive Frontiers and Indigenous Resistance: A Quantitative Analysis of Environmental Conflicts in the Arctic. Reflecting on the experience, he noted: “Attending the AAG West Lakes Regional Division Meeting was both intellectually stimulating and personally rewarding. Winning the award was a humbling recognition of the effort invested in this project.”
- Saqib Shahriar received 1st Place Poster Presentation for his project Estimation and Mapping of Aboveground Biomass of the Compartment Number 31 of Sundarbans, Bangladesh Using Geospatial Techniques. He shared: “Receiving first place was an incredible honor, affirming the relevance of my research to both academic and applied contexts.”
- Harriet Quarshie won 2nd Place Poster Presentation for her study RGB UAV-Assisted End-of-Season Maize Yield Prediction Under Small Farm Holding Using Tree-Based Machine Learning Models. She remarked: “The recognition of my poster was deeply encouraging, motivating me to continue refining my methods and exploring applications of machine learning in agriculture.”
- Derreck Asiamah secured 3rd Place Poster Presentation for his work Governance and Government Policies Preparedness and Response to Flooding in Juneau, Alaska. He reflected: “Receiving third place was a gratifying acknowledgment of my work and its relevance.”
Additional Contributions
Beyond the award recipients, other students made significant scholarly contributions:
- Md Shahriar Ahmed presented Assessment of the Impact of Disaster on Agricultural Production and Its Influence on Overall Development, emphasizing that “the discussions and feedback I received helped me refine my approach and consider new dimensions of resilience in agricultural systems.”
- Dela Agbagba shared "Examining the Current and Potential Impacts of Erosion, Flooding, and Permafrost Thaw on Small Businesses in the Lower Kuskokwim Basin, Alaska, noting that “the conversations underscored the importance of integrating local perspectives into climate adaptation strategies.”
- Ruth Abagna, 2024 Poster Presentation winner, presented Gendered Perceptions and Environmental Experiences of Green Spaces for Climate Resilience in American College Terms, stating that “the feedback and discussions helped me refine my arguments and consider broader applications of my work.”