1999 - Prix pour services rendus à la profession de géographe

Mark W. Rosenberg

Dr. Mark Rosenberg has a B.A in Geography from the University of Toronto (1975) and a M.Sc. from the London School of Economics (1976). He earned his Ph.D. in Geography, also from the London School of Economics, in 1980. He has held academic appointments in Geography at UCLA, at the University of Ottawa and at Carleton University.  He has been at Queen’s University since 1985 where he currently holds the position of full professor in the Department of Geography.  Mark has been a member of the CAG for 22 years.

Mark has devoted himself relentlessly to the Canadian Association of Geographers. As Secretary-Treasurer (from 1991 to 1997) he served the association well in a number of ways. Perhaps most importantly he put in a tremendous amount of time on an almost daily basis making sure that the affairs of the association ran smoothly both from the financial point of view, and that the membership of the Association was properly served by its elected officers. This was no mean feat, especially when it is realised that he had to operate with three different Executive Assistants. Mark also led a drive for a balanced budget, which followed years of laxity which had driven the CAG heavily "into the red". This forced Mark to be outspoken, and unpopular in some circles, as it inevitably led to the loss of the Operational Geographer. However, subsequent events and financial issues (such as the recent cuts in the budget occasioned by the loss of 'safe' sources of revenue such as SSHRC) have proven the validity of Mark’s views. If he had not been so determined, the CAG might now be in very serious financial straits. Lastly, Mark was forced to take a leadership role during the difficult and unfortunate times in the summer of 1996 when our Executive Assistant had to be dismissed. The incoming President, Bryan Massam, was out of the country for the early days of this crisis, and the outgoing President, John Everitt, was physically isolated in Brandon.  Mark had to be fully involved in the processes of dismissal and the hiring of a replacement, as well as in all of the attendant hassles and problems with lawyers and accountants. He acquitted himself exceptionally well on all counts.

Mark must also be recognized in broader context as an outstanding scholar, teacher and professional geographer. As a scholar, Mark has done first rate research acceptable on a par with mainstream research in the host disciplines, geography, medicine, gerontology, and demography. This has resulted in many prestigious publications.  The current hiatus of interdisciplinary work in geography and in the social sciences in general comes about because an inordinate number of resources, intellectual and otherwise, are required to develop appropriate expertise in more than one discipline. Mark has been prepared to do this work.

At a time when the discipline of geography faces a severe identity crisis in public circles, Mark Rosenberg is one of the few Canadian geographers who gets geographic research into the broader academic and 'popular' press. This provides good publicity and increased public awareness of the different kinds of activity in which contemporary geographers are involved. Our discipline has been stereotyped by professionals and lay people alike as irrelevant and out-of-date.  Professional geography desperately needs individuals like Mark to raise the profile and keep it high.

Mark has also been a teacher and advisor to a generation of graduate and undergraduate students. In his time at Queen’s, he has supervised some 11 Masters students and three Ph.Ds. (He also supervised 4 Masters students at Carleton.)  Several of his Masters students have continued on to doctoral work and at least one has become a recognized member of the Canadian community of academic geographers. Mark works closely with his graduate students guiding them as a role model as well as in a more formal fashion.

Finally, Mark has maintained a high profile in a large number of professional societies, both national and international and is, or has been, an executive member of several of these organisations. He has attracted research funds, almost at will, and has used these to support the research of both himself and his students. He has also undertaken his share of administrative duties and has helped to organise conferences, including a CAG Annual Meeting at Queen's in 1991.

In conclusion, we believe that Mark Rosenberg has selflessly served the CAG and the profession for many years in a wide variety of ways, and is therefore deserving of the Award for Service to the Profession of Geography.