Steven Semken
@semken Active 11 years, 11 months agoBiographical information
| Name | Steven Semken |
| Biography | I am a field geologist, ethnogeologist, and geoscience education researcher who studies the ways that place, culture, and mind influence how we study and teach about Earth. The research relates to problems of diversity in science, scientific literacy, environmental quality, and sustainability. I focus on the desert/mountain Southwest U.S. and have worked for decades in Native American and Hispanic/Latino communities here. I also collaborate actively with social scientists, artists, and other humanists. |
| Previous Works | As a university professor I publish mostly research papers in professional journals and books, but also less-technical pieces for the public in local and regional media (including some Native American media). Most of my work is available online at https://semken.asu.edu/bibliography. |
| Website | |
| Best known for | Pioneering research in Southwest Native American ethnogeology and studies of the sense of place. |
| Occupation | Associate professor of geology and geoscience education |
| Story Ideas and Burning Questions | I think about near-future environmental issues such as climate change and availability of resources and how these might influence science fiction. I’m fascinated by the idea of merging the science-fiction and western genres in near-future, ethnically diverse Southwest settings, perhaps with an environmental theme. I’ve read a few good short works that do this well. While in grad school at MIT, I took a few SF writing-workshop courses with Joe Haldeman; he encouraged me to continue. Up until now, my career hasn’t allowed me much time for that_but things are changing, and I’m very excited by the opportunities in this Hieroglyph project. |