I am a broadly trained physical geographer with interest in regional geographies, mapping, and cartography. I teach courses that examine interactions between people and their environments, and provide students with the necessary skills to enter the workforce or graduate school with experience in map design, ArcGIS Pro, and critical thinking & writing skills.
My research projects with undergraduates have explored topics in biogeography, food deserts, cartography, Appalachian geography, and many other topics.
CV & Academic Appointments
2020 - Present Advanced Instructor, Virginia Tech Geography
2014 - 2020 Instructor, Virginia Tech Geography
2012 - 2014 Adjunct Instructor, Virginia Tech Geography
2011 - 2013 Adjunct Instructor, Radford University
Contact Information:
211 Wallace Hall, Virginia Tech Geography Dept., Blacksburg VA
540-231-0457
Email: scaless@vt.edu
My Courses
Publications, Interviews & Works in the Media
2022
Map Publication: Consensus Appalachia. Used in Appalachian Health: Culture, Changes, and Capacity. Scutchfield & Wykoff. Book. UK Press.
2021
Appalachian Voices Documentary. Interview by senior Maddie Haun, senior design project.
VT News Interview: A New Map Reconstructs the Social Landscapes of Southwest Virginia Prior to European Arrival
Map Publication: Eastern Siouan Speaking Peoples. A continuation of the project below, ,expanding the scope of the Siouan language group & area of influence.
Map Publication: Monacan Overland & Water Routes, Towns, & Areas of Influence. Produced for the VT 150th Anniversary, in consultation with the Appalachian Studies & History Departments, and a representative of the Monacan Nation.
Shayer, R., and Scales, S. Tracking Northern Appalachian Political Participation and its Consequences, 2000 - 2020. Poster presentation and lightning talk, OGIS Research Symposium, Virginia Tech.
Map Publication: Transatlantic Voyage. Reference map produced for an upcoming manuscript for Dr. Dan Thorp, VT History Department.
Map Publication: Wildlife Map Suite. A 26-map series used in the revised edition of Mammals of Virginia. Produced for Dr. Don Linzey, VT Fish and Wildlife Conservation Department.
2020
Map Publication: Colonial Virginia Maps - A 6-suite map project for faculty in the Department of History.
Map Publication: Virginia Food Banks Project. Joint project with two undergraduates to produce maps for the Virginia Food Bank network.
2019
Map Publication: Appalachian Trail Poison Ivy Research
Map Publication: Deep Creek Lake – Bathymetry and Topography
Map Publication: Glacier National Park Locator map
Map Publication: Crewe, Virginia Cemeteries. Digitized the town cemetery for a larger GIS project to map all town infrastructure.
Map Publication: Cumberland Gap: First Gateway West. Scales, A. 2019. Overmountain Press, Johnson City, TN. Produced three maps to show regional geology, a general reference guide, and driving distances.
2018
Map Publication: Eastern Hemisphere. In progress, to be published as a reference source in a monograph.
Map Publication: Mapping Appalachia’s Boundaries. A 28-map suite hosted by ArcGIS Online, showcasing previous publications of Appalachia’s physical and political boundaries. Supplement to the Journal of Appalachian Studies Publication above
2017
Map Publication: Study Area Map. Produced for the Ecological and Human Health in Rural Communities Project, Virginia Tech.
CNRE News Magazine - Geography Teacher Training Academy Visits Mining Towns
WUVT Blacksburg– Appalachian Studies Conference interview with Dr. Anita Puckett, Appalachian Studies Program.
WVTF Roanoke – a piece about the Appalachian Studies Conference and Southwest Virginia. Who are the Appalachians?
Virginia Tech News – VT Hosts the Appalachian Studies Conference
Map Publication: Hiking and Outdoor Recreation in Western Virginia. Produced in Google Maps. 8,000+ views (as of July 2020)
2016
Trajectory Magazine: Andrew Ryan A former student wins $10,000 scholarship through the US Geospatial Intelligence Foundation
Map Publication: Southwest Virginia. Reference maps produced for use by the VA Geographic Alliance. Featured topography and significant points in the region.
Map Publication: Geology and Topography of Riner, VA. Geologic and hydrologic map of Riner VA, produced for a private landowner.
Map Publication: Floyd, VA is the Center of the World. Azimuthal equidistant map produced for the Floyd Country Store to be used in determining travel distances of visitors.
2015
NPR - The Crooked Road Links Rural Music Communities
Richmond Times Dispatch: A Crooked Road Leads to Music
Virginia Tech: Save Our Towns website for connecting community leaders in Southwest Virginia
2014
Map Publication: Virginia’s Counties and Independent Cities. Labeled political map produced for APS 3464 – Appalachian Communities Course, Virginia Tech.
Conference Presentations
•Cook, S.; Fergusion, V.; Scales, S. 2022. Eastern Siouan Peoples Mapping Initiative. 17th Annual Southeast Indian Studies Conference. University of North Carolina Pembroke.
• Shayer, R., Scales, S. 2021. Tracking Northern Appalachian Political Participation and its Consequences, 2000 - 2020. Undergraduate research poster & lightning talk presented at the Virginia Tech OGIS Symposium.
• Gregory, E., Scales, S., and Crawford, T. 2019. Tracking Food Deserts along the Transamerica Cycling Route: Northern Tier. Poster. SEDAAG Conference, November 2019.
• Woelk, T., Scales, S., and Balister, P. 2019. Understanding the Public Usage of New River Cave. Presentation. National Speleological Society Meeting, Cookeville, TN.
• August, A., Scales, S., Satterwhite, E. 2018. Mapping Appalachia’s Boundaries: Historiographic Overview and Digital Collection. Exhibit and Presentation. OGIS Symposium, Virginia Tech. 1st place exhibit, $200 award.
• Scales, S., Ellington, M., Howk, J., Mills, M., Sloan, J. 2017. Geography of Appalachia: Strategies for Teaching, Featuring Student Projects. Presentation. Appalachian Studies Association Conference. Blacksburg, VA.
• Scales, S. 2017. Mapping Appalachia: A Beginner's Hands-On Introduction to Creating County Maps Using Appalachian Regional Commission Data and ArcGIS Software. Workshop. Appalachian Studies Association Conference, Blacksburg, VA.
• Scales, S. 2017. Bald Knob and Mountain Lake. Field Experience. Hike showcasing the region’s physical geography, geology and biogeography. Appalachian Studies Association Conference, Blacksburg, VA.
• Scales, S., and Kennedy, L. 2012. Spatial Patterns of Soil Charcoal Deposition after a Prescribed Fire on Middle Mountain, VA. Poster and Presentation. Fire Learning Network Annual Meeting, Warm Springs, VA.
• Scales, S., and Kennedy, L. 2011. Spatial Patterns of Soil Charcoal Deposition after a Prescribed Fire on Middle Mountain, VA. Poster. AAG Conference, Seattle, WA
• Sams, B., Kennedy, L., Scales, S., LeBlanc, A., Bhuta, A.R., Franklin, L., Agriesti, K., Selnick, D., Goff, D. 2011. Potential for Long-Term Fire History from Charcoal Preserved in Small Wetlands on Warm Springs Mountain, Virginia. Poster. AAG Conference, Seattle, WA
• Kennedy, L., Bhuta, A.R., Gibson, G., Powers, J., LeBlanc, A., Scales, S. 2010. Soil Charcoal as Evidence of Past Fires in Longleaf Pine Forest on Virginia’s Coastal Plain. Poster. AAG Conference.
• Gibson, G., Kennedy, L., Powers, J., LeBlanc, A., Durden, A., Carey, J., Scales, S. 2010. Soil Charcoal Patterns in a Rare Montane Pine Barren of the Southern Appalachians. Poster. AAG Conference.