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Research Mission

The WVU Department of Geology and Geography has a broad and extensive research mission in terms of subject matter and geographic reach with over 45 funded projects totaling over $10 million dollars of new awards in academic year 2020. These project span multiple continents and positively impact our state, region, and the world in multiple ways. 

A small sampling of the diversity of subjects includes:

  • Using the information stored in tree rings to understand past environments and the people who lived in them in the Montane Forest Dynamics Lab.
  • Challenging food system inequalities in the Food Justice Lab.
  • Providing critical geographical information for the state and region through the West Virginia GIS Technical Center.
  • Providing a long-term field site for improving recovery efficiency and minimizing environmental implications of unconventional hydrocarbon development at the Marcellus Shale Energy and Environment Lab.
  • Contributing to international development through research grants and strategic partnerships with Federal agencies.

Additional projects are listed under research areas.