The Klinger Lab advances critical geographical research in extraction areas, old and new. Our areas of specialization encompass outer space, critical mineral economies, and changing land use and livelihood strategies around the world. Our research takes place in and grapples with the larger contexts of the social, environmental, and climate crises of our time.
As geographers, we study why things happen where they happen, in the past, present, and future.
Our research methods encompass a range of technologies, practices, and approaches, from satellite data and computer labs, to diverse archives and oral histories, to ethnography and participatory action research. We build lasting relationships with many different communities, using our research to advance science, to foster international partnerships, and to improve policies and practices from local to global scales. Our research is grounded and global.
Who are we? Our bios are on the People page!
What do we do?
We take a grounded and global approach to major issues in development, environment, and security, broadly defined. Our research connects the dots between emergent extraction issues and everyday life. It is driven by a commitment to
The research conducted in this lab is guided by the following principles:
- Scientific Integrity
- Mutual respect among all member of the community (including lab members and participants)
- Regular and effective communication of research findings to diverse audiences
- Building equitable and reciprocal relationships with participant communities
- Commitment to ongoing self-education on the roles of systemic racism and colonialism in scientific and academic institutions
The purposes of this lab are to
- Provide a workshop to collaboratively address the many kinds of challenges that arise in the research process
- Foster ongoing scholarly dialogue in a vibrant research community
- Incubate novel research programs
- Host students, scholars, and community researchers
- Formulate effective strategies for public and policy engagement
- Support and develop early-career researchers