{"id":564,"date":"2017-09-21T20:40:09","date_gmt":"2017-09-21T20:40:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/160-geography\/facultystaff\/danieltrudeau\/"},"modified":"2026-09-24T18:49:23","modified_gmt":"2026-09-24T18:49:23","slug":"danieltrudeau","status":"publish","type":"profile","link":"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/geography\/facultystaff\/danieltrudeau\/","title":{"rendered":"Daniel Trudeau"},"content":{"rendered":"

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

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 \u2013 from the layout of neighborhoods implementing New Urbanism design principles to the management of city parks \u2013 shapes who is welcomed into or excluded from our communities.<\/span><\/p>\n

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 <\/span>peer-reviewed journals<\/span><\/a>, disseminating findings through digital platforms like<\/span> A Field Guide for Public Spaces<\/span><\/i><\/a>, and developing <\/span>reports, tools, and applications<\/span><\/a> for community organizations to connect empirical research with lived experience.<\/span><\/p>\n

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<\/span> Thomas Ehrlich Civically-Engaged Faculty Award <\/span>by Campus Compact.<\/span><\/p>\n

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<\/span> The Conversation<\/span><\/i><\/a> and\u00a0<\/span> guest editorials<\/span><\/a> in newspapers.<\/span><\/p>\n

Beyond the classroom, I serve on the<\/span> Minnesota Parks and Trails Legacy Advisory Committee<\/span>. I have also contributed to award-winning initiatives, such as the <\/span>I<\/span>nnovation in Equity Award<\/span><\/a> 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

SELECTED WORKS OF DANIEL TRUDEAU in the Macalester Digital Commons<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Courses<\/h2>\n