Unlock the Past to Map the Future: Thrilling Careers in History of Geography!
History of Geography faculty jobs offer a captivating blend of historical inquiry and spatial exploration, tracing humanity's evolving understanding of the world from ancient maps to digital reconstructions. This interdisciplinary field draws on history, geography, and even anthropology, making it ideal for passionate scholars. Students eyeing these careers should pursue degrees in history or geography with focuses on cartography, exploration narratives, or environmental history—key programs exist at institutions like the University of Wisconsin-Madison, renowned for its history of cartography collection. Graduates launch into roles like museum curators, policy analysts, or research jobs, while professors secure tenure-track positions teaching the evolution of geographical thought.
Professors in History of Geography enjoy prestige from unique contributions, such as analyzing fringe cases like the Vinland Map forgery scandal or locale-specific quirks in British imperial cartography at Oxford. Emerging trends include historical GIS and decolonial mapping, boosting demand amid digital humanities growth. Job seekers, check higher ed faculty jobs for lecturer roles or postdoc opportunities. Parents and students, explore career advice at higher ed career advice. With average assistant professor salaries around $85,000-$110,000 USD (AAUP 2023 data), view detailed professor salaries by location. Browse higher ed jobs now!
What Students Should Study in History of Geography
Aspiring scholars start with bachelor's in history or geography, advancing to PhDs emphasizing figures like Eratosthenes, who calculated Earth's circumference in 240 BCE, or Alexander von Humboldt's holistic geography. Key courses: historical cartography, travelogues, and geospatial analysis. Fringe quirk: Study Ibn Battuta's 14th-century itineraries for non-Western perspectives. Top paths lead to scholarships for grad study. Rate courses via Rate My Course.
Faculty Job Opportunities in History of Geography
Rare but prestigious, professor jobs appear in geography/history departments, often tenure-track at R1 universities. Recent postings: Lecturer at Aberystwyth University (Wales), focusing on anthropogeography quirks from Ratzel. Adjunct and adjunct professor jobs suit early careers. UK seekers, view jobs.ac.uk. US hotspots: /us/wisconsin/madison for cartography roles. Remote options growing via remote higher ed jobs.
- Tenure-track: Emphasize publications on exploration history.
- Lecturer: lecturer jobs in community colleges.
Salaries, Earnings, and Prestige in History of Geography
History professors average $105,340 (BLS 2023), geography $95,210; niche experts command premiums in interdisciplinary roles. Fringe: High earners at Ivy League like /ivy-league-schools, analyzing prestige maps. Trends show 5% growth projected to 2032. Explore by state: /us/californialifornia or /uk/england. Detailed data at professor salaries and university salaries.
| Role | Median US Salary (2023) | Top Location Example |
|---|---|---|
| Assistant Professor | $85,000 | /us/wisconsin |
| Associate Professor | $102,000 | /uk/england |
| Full Professor | $130,000+ | /ivy-league |
Rate faculty earnings context via Rate My Professor reviews.
Top Programs and Unique Anecdotes 🌍
Standouts: Clark University (geography birthplace), Wisconsin-Madison (150,000+ maps). Quirk: Perth's (Australia) focus on Pacific exploration histories. Prestige from Humboldt fellowships. Rate professors: rate my History of Geography professor. More at university rankings.
Career Resources and Professor Ratings
Leverage free resume template for applications. Share insights: rate my History of Geography professor or find History of Geography professor ratings. Advice at career advice. Calendar: academic calendar.
Associations for History of Geography
International Geographical Union
A global organization that promotes the study and practice of geography worldwide, including a dedicated commission on the history of geographical thought.
Royal Geographical Society (with IBG)
A UK-based learned society and professional body that advances geography and supports research in historical geography and exploration.
American Geographical Society
One of the oldest geographical organizations in the United States, focused on advancing geographical knowledge with an emphasis on historical and cultural geography.
Association of American Geographers
A US-based nonprofit organization that fosters research, education, and discussion in all fields of geography, including historical geography through its specialty groups.
Hakluyt Society
A UK-registered charity dedicated to publishing scholarly editions of primary records of historic voyages, travels, and documents related to the history of geography.
Society for the History of Discoveries
An international society based in the US that promotes the study of the history of geographical exploration and discovery.
International Society for the History of the Map
A global society focused on advancing the study of the history of maps and mapmaking, which intersects with the history of geography.

