Matt Turner

Dr. Matt Turner is Vilas Distinguished Achievement Professor of Geography at UW–Madison, specializing in political ecology and environmental governance. His research examines human-environment interactions in African drylands, focusing on pastoralist systems, climate vulnerability, and resource conflicts. Current projects investigate transborder pastoral movements, climate-related migration, and afforestation impacts.

Teaching includes Global Poverty, Environmental Conservation, and Geographical Analysis courses. Fieldwork spans Mali, Niger, Benin and Burkina Faso, analyzing:

• Land access patterns in West African villages
• Food consumption dynamics in rural households
• Environmental rehabilitation equity implications