Kenneth Madsen

Kenneth Madsen is a Professor in the Department of Geography at The Ohio State University Newark Campus. His research focuses on border barriers, the impact of border law enforcement on indigenous communities like the Tohono O’odham Nation, legal mechanisms behind border policies, and insights from film and fiction in geographic analysis. He holds a Ph.D. in Geography from Arizona State University (2005), an M.A. in Geography (1999), and a B.A. in International Studies (1989).

Research interests include political and cultural geography, border dynamics, and the intersection of indigenous sovereignty with U.S.-Mexico border security. His work critiques legal waivers enabling border barrier construction and explores interdisciplinary methods in geography education. Publications span peer-reviewed journals, edited volumes, and media engagements, addressing topics like environmental impacts of border walls and indigenous-academic collaborations.

He teaches courses such as World Regional Geography, Political Geography, and Environmental Citizenship. Media contributions include interviews for PolitiFact, NPR, and The New Yorker, highlighting his role as a critical voice on border policy implications.