06/01/2009

Paul Karan Honored by Association of Japanese Geographers

The Association of Japanese Geographers (AJG) presented Pradyumna P. Karan, a distinguished professor (1985-86) in the University of Kentucky Department of Geography and University Press of Kentucky (UPK) author, its Special Award at its annual meeting in March. The award honored Karan for his work in cultural and environmental geography, Japanese studies, and Himalayan studies.

Karan’s research interest is geographic theories to analyze problems of environment, development and social change in non-Western cultures.  He chairs the UK Japanese Studies Committee and is a charter member of the American Institute of Certified Planners. 

Karan has published several books with UPK that contribute to a variety of subjects within the area of Japanese studies. Karan’s book, "Local Environmental Movements: A Comparative Study of the United States and Japan" published in 2008, illustrates how local groups in both Japan and the United States are refusing to surrender the earth to a depleted and polluted fate.

During the award ceremony, Akira Tabayashi, president of the AJG, commended Karan’s work in encouraging dialogue between Japanese and American geographers. 

The Association of Japanese Geographers was founded in 1925 and is devoted to promoting research on various aspects of geography in Japan.

Jennifer Hunt - UK Public Relations