Daniel Trudeau

I am an urban social geographer with expertise in qualitative research methods. My work is rooted in the belief that thinking geographically is a powerful tool for understanding and improving the social fabric of our cities. As a scholar and educator, I am dedicated to mentoring the next generation of urban thinkers to view the world through a lens of social justice.

My scholarship focuses on neighborhood and district-based urban development initiatives. I am particularly interested in the intersection of urban design and the politics of belonging. My research critically examines how the built environment – from the layout of neighborhoods implementing New Urbanism design principles to the management of city parks – shapes who is welcomed into or excluded from our communities.

In the classroom, I prioritize active learning and specialize in community-engaged scholarship. I believe in the power of “learning by doing” and facilitate this through fieldwork-based research and projects that partner with community organizations to solve real-world problems. I frequently collaborate with students by publishing original research in peer-reviewed journals, disseminating findings through digital platforms like A Field Guide for Public Spaces, and developing reports, tools, and applications for community organizations to connect empirical research with lived experience.

I have mentored dozens of honors students navigating original geographic inquiries. My work in this area has received national recognition, including being named a finalist for the Thomas Ehrlich Civically-Engaged Faculty Award by Campus Compact.

I am a firm believer that research should serve the public good. As a public scholar, I translate academic findings into actionable insights through public-facing outlets such as The Conversation and guest editorials in newspapers.

Beyond the classroom, I serve on the Minnesota Parks and Trails Legacy Advisory Committee. I have also contributed to award-winning initiatives, such as the Innovation in Equity Award presented to Ramsey County Parks & Recreation. My goal is to ensure that urban development and public space management prioritize inclusivity and equity for all residents.

SELECTED WORKS OF DANIEL TRUDEAU in the Macalester Digital Commons

Courses

• GEOG 111: Geography, Environment, and Society
• GEOG 241: Urban Geography
• GEOG 248: Political Geography of Nations and Nationalism
• GEOG 277: Qualitative Research Methods in Geography
• GEOG 341: Social Justice and the City: Segregation, Integration, and Gentrification
• GEOG 342: Field Methods in Geography: Investigating Public Space
• GEOG 478:  Cities of the 21st Century: The Political Economy of Urban Sustainability
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Links for Geography course syllabi can be found on our Course Syllabi page.