Jerry Shannon

Jerry Shannon is an Associate Professor in the Department of Geography and Department of Financial Planning, Housing and Consumer Economics at the University of Georgia’s College of Family and Consumer Sciences. His research focuses on urban development, inequality, and the use of geographic information systems (GIS) to study food and housing systems. He directs the Community Mapping Lab and co-founded the Georgia Initiative for Community Housing, employing participatory research methods to address health, equity, and community action.

Education:

• BA in English, University of Iowa (1997)
• MAT in English Education, University of Iowa (1999)
• PhD in Geography, University of Minnesota (2013)

Research Interests:Urban development and inequality, GIS, political geography, place-based health effects, participatory mapping, and community engagement. His work examines how spatial analysis and maps influence perceptions of hunger, housing, and poverty, while promoting open-source tools for community-driven projects.

Article Trends:Shannon’s publications emphasize food systems, housing policy, GIS methodology, and socioeconomic disparities. Recent work includes statewide analyses of food pantry networks, historical redlining impacts, and participatory mapping for affordable housing initiatives.

Outreach and Grants:He collaborates with the Atlanta Community Food Bank, Feeding Georgia, and the Georgia Department of Family and Children Services, securing funding for projects like the Georgia Hunger Study and Linnentown Community Assessment. These initiatives combine archival analysis, spatial modeling, and community partnerships to quantify historical injustices and inform policy changes.

Teaching and Labs:Shannon mentors graduate students in participatory research, open-source GIS, and data visualization. The Community Mapping Lab trains students in community-engaged research, emphasizing mentorship and practical applications for local governments.