9319015 CROWLEY The scientific discipline of geography plays a central role in economic, political, and social life in the United States. It also has become a major focus of educational reform in the nation, having been designated as one of five core subjects for American schools in the National Education Goals adopted by the President and state governors in 1990. Several significant challenges now face the discipline, however. Among these challenges are: - connecting geography as a science with grassroots interest in geographic literacy, - strengthening the relationship between geographic scholarship and geographic education, - meeting the demand for geographic educators, focusing more research by geographers on national and global issues, - clarifying the role of geography as a discipline relative to the many partly geographic multidisciplinary activities, and - coping with the higher costs of scientific research in geography. With support from NSF and other organizations, the National Academy of Sciences/National Research Council (NAS/NRC) will convene a committee to conduct a comprehensive assessment of geography in the U.S. The objectives of the assessment are (1) to identify critical issues and constraints for the discipline, (2) to clarify priorities for teaching and research, (3) to link developments in the discipline with national needs for geographic education, (4) to increase the appreciation of geography within the scientific community, and (5) to communicate with the international scientific community about the future directions of geography in the U.S. Committee members will be drawn from the academic, public, and private sectors. The committee will use briefings, fact-finding exercises, and discussions to produce a report that will summarize its findings. This report will be subject to NAS/NRC review procedures and will be readily available to geographers and others. This project will provide a valuable and timely examination of the prospects and problems facing geography. Especially beneficial will be recommendations regarding research priorities and steps that can be taken to more closely link basic and applied research in geography. ***
