We are thrilled to be a part of the emerging network devoted to studying place!  The five participants from South Carolina are all from Greenville and work at Furman University, a small, private liberal arts college with 2700 students.  In preparation for the summit, however, we have begun conversations with our counterparts in the public school system and with the Upcountry History Museum, where much of our public outreach will occur. 

As a delegation from South Carolina, we are most focused on place-based study in academic departments.  The emerging research initiative, which we are calling Greenville Geographic to mirror Burlington Geographic, will be housed in the David E. Shi Center for Sustainability, an academic center at Furman University.  The Shi Center's mission is to promote the study and practice of sustainability on campus and in the greater community, and the Shi Center serves as a hub for interdisciplinary research.  

Our broad vision for Greenville Geographic is to serve as an umbrella for all place-based research in the South Carolina upstate occurring at Furman by both faculty and students.  Over time, we plan to expand the program to include the public school system (beginning with the connections for sustainability program and the livability educator at the City of Greenville), community organizations, and members of the Greenville community, but the core and beginning of the project will be place-based research conducted by Furman.