Scott Kirsch

Professor Scott Kirsch (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill) is a historical geographer examining spatial dimensions of American colonialism in the Philippines (1900-1913). His recent open-access book American Colonial Spaces in the Philippines: Insular Empire (Routledge, 2023) analyzes territorialization, cartography, landscape planning, and infrastructure development under figures like William Howard Taft and Cameron Forbes.

• Focuses on material and ideological production of colonial spaces
• Examines intersections of aesthetics, coercion, and governance
• Highlights American empire-building through Manila waterfront projects and Baguio's 'City Beautiful' planning

Research explores spatial policies as tools for extending state control over diverse populations and environments, employing Henri Lefebvre's spatial theories.

Scientific Awards:

• Luce Foundation Award for Open Access publication

Collaborations include working with UNC's Carolina Asia Center for open-access dissemination.