Department of Geography and Planning

Education

PhD, University of Wisconsin-Madison 

Research Interests

• Political Geography
• Violence and Peacebuilding
• Nationalism and Geopolitics
• International Forced Displacement

Courses Taught

• GHY 5130: Human Geography Seminar
• GHY 3230: Political Geography
• GHY 1040: Human Geography
• GHY 3017: Mediterranean Empires and Globalization
• GHY 3011: Europe Past and Present
• GHY 1020: Exploring People and Places Globally

Research Profile

Dr. Dempsey is a political geographer with interests spatialized violence, reconciliation, and forced displacement. 

• Recipient of the Early Career Scholar Award for solo-authoring the Article of the Year from the flagship journal Political Geography, “Spaces of Violence”
• Recipient of UNC BOARD OF GOVERNORS Appalachian State University School/EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING AWARD, Appalachian State University
• Recipient of TEACHER OF THE YEAR AWARD, College of Arts and Sciences, Appalachian State University
• Recipient of Virginie Mamadouh Outstanding Research Award, Political Geography, American Association of Geographers, “Spaces of Violence”
• Recipient of George L. Mosse Research Award, International Mosse Research Association of European Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison
• Recipient of the American Conference of Irish Studies (ACIS) Donnelly Prize for History and Social Science Book, Honorable Mention, for An Introduction to the Geopolitics of Ireland: Conflict, Nationalism, and Reconciliation
• President Emeritus of Political Geography, American Association of Geographers
• President Emeritus of the European Specialty Group, American
 Association of Geographers
• Inducted into the Appalachian State University Academy of Outstanding Teachers in 2021
• Dr. Kara Dempsey authors book exploring geopolitics in Ireland
• Dr. Dempsey has authored or co-authored 4 scholarly books and over 35 scholarly publications in various disciplines.

Books

An Introduction to the Geopolitics of Conflict, Nationalism, and Reconciliation in Ireland. © 2022 Routledge (Details)

Dempsey, K.E. and Myadar, O., Making and Unmaking Displacement. © 2023 Routledge. (Details). 

Flint, C., and Dempsey, K.E., Making Geographies of Peace and Conflict. © 2023 Routledge. (Details). 

Peer-Reviewed Publications & Chapters in Edited Volumes

Dempsey, K.E. and Myadar, O. (2026). “Geographies of Displacement, Belonging, and Home.” Geographical Review. 116(2), pp.143-153. (PDF).

Please see Dr. Kara Dempsey's CV below for more publications.