Research Areas
Our research spans the physical earth, environmental systems and the ways people interact with the places where they live. Many projects cross traditional disciplinary boundaries and involve collaboration across K-State and with partners around the world.
Earth systems, climate, and environmental change
Researchers investigate how Earth systems have changed in the past, how they are changing today, and how they may respond to future stresses. Work may draw on geology, geography, geochemistry, geomorphology, remote sensing, climate science, and environmental monitoring.
Water, soil and the Critical Zone
Research examines the movement, availability and quality of water; interactions among rock, soil, water and living systems; and the processes that shape Earth’s near-surface environment. These questions can support better understanding and management of water and soil resources.
- Das, Barnali
- Goodin, Douglas G.
- Kirk, Matthew F.
- Langston, Abigail
- Martin, Charles W.
- Moley, Laura M.
- Panthi, Jeeban
- Shu, Song
- Spencer, Joel Q.G.
Landscapes and earth surface processes
Faculty and students study how rivers, coastlines, soils, sediment and landforms develop and change. Research may include geomorphology, Quaternary geology, sedimentary systems, landscape dynamics, and the effects of natural and human-driven change.
- Langston, Abigail
- Shu, Song
- Spencer, Joel Q.G.
Geospatial science and environmental assessment
Geographic information systems, remote sensing, spatial analysis, modeling, and big spatial data help researchers monitor land and water resources, map change and identify patterns that are difficult to see from the ground alone.
- Avocat, Helene
- Caldas, Marcellus M.
- Das, Barnali
- Goodin, Douglas G.
- Joslin, Audrey
- Panthi, Jeeban
- Shu, Song
Human-environment systems, population, and culture
Research explores how people shape — and are shaped by — the environments and places around them. Topics include population and culture, land use, human-environment interactions, environmental decision-making, and the social dimensions of environmental change.
- Caldas, Marcellus M.
- Joslin, Audrey
- Lu, Max
- Moley, Laura M.
- Sanderson, Matthew
- Smirnova, Vera
- Smith, Jeffrey S.
Rural places, sustainability, and land use
Researchers investigate the challenges and opportunities facing rural communities and working landscapes, including sustainability, land-use change, resource management, and the long-term relationships among people, communities, and environments.
- Caldas, Marcellus M.
- Joslin, Audrey
- Lu, Max
- Moley, Laura M.
- Sanderson, Matthew
- Smirnova, Vera
- Smith, Jeffrey S.
Energy, minerals, and carbon storage
Geoscience research addresses the responsible development of energy and mineral resources as well as emerging approaches such as geologic carbon storage. Projects may involve geochemistry, geophysics, petroleum geology, petrology, structural geology, and related methods.
Solid Earth and geologic hazards
Research reaches deep into the earth to examine the processes that shape the crust and mantle. Faculty expertise includes tectonics, magmatism, geodynamics, earthquakes, volcanoes and the formation of mineral deposits.
Interdisciplinary environmental science
Environmental science connects research across geology, geography, biology, agronomy, and other K-State disciplines. Students can pursue interests in areas such as water resources, conservation and sustainability, earth systems, geospatial and analytical methods, and agroecosystems while learning how natural and human systems interact.
- Das, Barnali
- Kirk, Matthew F.
- Panthi, Jeeban
- Shu, Song