Dr. Ian Muehlenhaus
The
UW-L Geography and Earth Science Department is pleased to
announce the appointment of Dr. Ian Muehlenhaus to our
faculty beginning with the 2011 Fall Semester.
Ian earned his B.A. degree in Geography and International Studies from the University of Minnesota-Duluth. After spending a year as a community planner, he began his graduate studies at the Pennsylvania State University in Geography. There his research focused on the geopolitics of cyberspace, World Systems Theory, and critical geopolitics. His M.S. thesis dealt with the potential role computer hackers and online social movements may play in destabilizing governments and the US hegemonic order. During this time Ian also published on the geopolitics of NATO expansion into Central Europe. In 2010, Ian received his Ph.D. in Geography from the University of Minnesota. At Minnesota, his research interests turned to the intersection between maps and politics, with an emphasis on persuasive map design, cartographic visualization, dynamic cartography, and GIS and society.
Ian's current research focuses on map design issues for smart phones, tablet computers, and other handheld, touch screen devices. He is currently working on a textbook, Map Design for the Web and Mobile Devices, for Taylor & Francis. He also continues his work on the study of persuasive maps and visual rhetoric.
Off campus, Ian enjoys collecting European board games, hacking Android devices, working on freelance map projects, reading sci-fi novels, and watching sports. Most of the time though, he is happiest when he is just hanging out at home with his wife, Birgit, two-year old daughter, Svenja, and Wheaten terrier, Mette.
For more on Ian be sure to check out his website at www.ian.muehlenhaus.com
On behalf of all UW-L Geography Department Faculty, staff and students, we'd like to take this opportunity to congratulate Dr. Muehlenhaus on his appointment and welcome him to our Department.