We recently asked Dr Jonathan Rock Rokem what it means to be a part of the School of Anthropology at the University of Kent.
Dr Jonathan Rock Rokem is a human geographer with research interests in political geography, urban studies and environmental science. He has particular specialism in social and spatial analysis, interdisciplinary methods, with a specific interest in climate change adaptation and mitigation research bridging physical and human geography.
Prior to joining the School in 2019, Jonathan taught at the Department of Geography, University College London (UCL) and held a Marie Curie Research Fellowship at the Bartlett School of Architecture, Space Syntax Laboratory, UCL.
What makes you proud to work at your School? The interdisciplinary nature of SAC is unique on a global scale, as a Human Geographer it makes me particularly proud to work with leading colleagues from the disciplines of Anthropology and Conservation to share knowledge and produce cutting edge research led teaching.
What are some examples of roles that graduates have gone onto taking up? Some recent examples of exciting roles that SAC Human Geography and Environmental Social Sciences graduates have gone onto include the Climate Response Coordinator for the Environmental Services Team at Medway Council, and Film Production Director for a charity working with Homeless People in Kent.
What would you say the best aspect about living in Kent is? Kent it a lovely part of the country and has a great balance of smaller urban communities close to rural areas with large swaths of green space. There is also a rich heritage which is widely celebrated and some of the best beaches in the UK. Beyond that one of the biggest attractions is the short journey to some of the world’s greatest cities with Paris, Brussels and London all being only a short train journey away.
What are some examples of roles that graduates have gone onto taking up? Some recent examples of exciting roles that SAC Human Geography and Environmental Social Sciences graduates have gone onto include the Climate Response Coordinator for the Environmental Services Team at Medway Council, and Film Production Director for a charity working with Homeless People in Kent.
How has technology affected the course/discipline recently? Technology has had a huge impact on the development of teaching the discipline of geography. During the pandemic we have had to switch to full online learning which has been a major challenge but also a great learning opportunity to produce virtual field-trips and workshops allowing for a more immersive integration of virtual spatial experiences and field research into the online classroom environment.
What does Understanding a Changing World mean to you? In Geography it has to do with processes of the changing environment, from one side, but also how human beings adapt and engage with each other across local and global scales.This is something that we tackle in geography daily. We look at processes related to both spatial and social standings of the world and its function on how it relates to a wide range of political, social, economic and environmental impacts. Whilst looking at the world in an interdisciplinary way. Which I would say is something we pride ourselves on here at the School of Anthropology and Conservation.