Chris Lukinbeal

Dr. Lukinbeal has made foundational contributions to the fields of film and media geography, cartographic humanities and geographic information science. Holding a PhD in Geography from San Diego State University and the University of California, Santa Barbara, his work bridges the social sciences, the humanities, and spatial technologies. He is widely recognized for pioneering research in film and media geography and has authored 80 publications and 5 books including Cinematic Cartography: Scale, Analysis, Topography (Routledge, 2025) and Media’s Mapping Impulse (Franz Steiner Verlag, 2019). His scholarship investigates how film, cartography and landscape shape, reflect, and reconfigures geographic knowledge, spatial practices and imaginaries. 

Internationally, Dr. Lukinbeal is an on and off again visiting professor at the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, where he has collaborated for over two decades. He has held fellowships and delivered invited lectures across Europe, including at institutions in Sweden, Scotland, Wales, England, and Germany. His scholarship is frequently supported by major grants from organizations such as the National Science Foundation, National Endowment for the Humanities, and CNRS France. His recent research includes servings as the Head of Applied Geography for Cosmic Explorer, a proposed gravitational wave observatory.

Dr. Lukinbeal’s leadership extends beyond research. Under his direction, the UAGIST program has grown into a nationally recognized model for professional education in geospatial technologies. He has also served as the associate director of the School of Geography, Development, and Environment and chaired the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences Remote Teaching Taskforce during the University of Arizona’s COVID-19 response. 

A dedicated educator, Dr. Lukinbeal has chaired or served on over 300 graduate committees and has taught at institutions including The University of Arizona, Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Arizona State University, Southern Connecticut State University, and San Diego State University. His courses range from GIS and cartographic design to film geography and media literacy. In recognition of his contributions, he has received multiple awards, including the Association of Pacific Coast Geographers’ Distinguished Service Award. Through a unique synthesis of scholarly inquiry, academic leadership, and transdisciplinary collaboration, Dr. Lukinbeal continues to shape the evolving dialogue between geography, media, and spatial technologies.