Sean Thatcher

Lecturer

My name is Sean Thatcher, and I am a Lecturer in the Department of Engineering and Environmental Science, the Undergraduate Coordinator for the Earth and Ocean Science Program, and an experienced land surface scientist. My work focuses on creating more inclusive spaces within the geosciences, utilizing hybridized field course models, and understanding environmental and climatological changes through the use of geospatial information systems (GIS). This has allowed me to integrate students into all aspects of my work, from geospatial data collection and analysis to field mapping and photogrammetry at field sites. A hallmark of my work has been collaborating with the GeoSPACE Field Program (NSF Award #2023124. Current program supported by other grants and donors) based out of the University of Florida. This exemplar program creates one of the nation's only truly accessible field courses for students with and without disabilities, utilizing a unique hybridized field course model.

Student professional development is also a hallmark of my pedagogical instruction, allowing me to bring professional development opportunities into my classroom, field sites, and onto our campus to benefit the students within our community. Throughout the academic year, I organize and host various workshops, professional development seminars, and significant events, including our annual GIS Day and Speaker Series. I feel privileged to be a part of watching my students grow and become the scientific leaders of tomorrow. From our Undergraduate Research Conference to various international ones, my students consistently impress me with their ideas and commitment to a more resilient future. For more information on my scholarly activities, service, community engagement, and active projects, feel free to review my personal website and reach out to me via e-mail or my office number.

Degrees

MSc Geography, Rutgers University

BS Biology, College of Staten Island

Scholarship and Publications

Alexander, J. L., Thatcher, S. T., Tobon, J., & Rivelli, V. (2025). Evidence for subsidence rate variation in the Newark Basin and its influence on the deposition of fluvial sediments of the Stockton Formation. The Depositional Record, 11(2), 637-653. https://doi.org/10.1002/dep2.322

Thatcher, S., Atchison, C. Marshall, A., Piatek, J., Collins, T., From GEOPath Participant to Collaborator - the Profound Personal Transformation These Programs Bring About in Recruiting and Retaining the Future Geoscience Workforce. ED43A-02. American Geophysical Union. 2024.

Thatcher, S., Marshall, A., Meier, M., Piatek, J., Gallant, E., Arroyo, Y., Collins, T., Williams, D., Baker, A., Bearden, A., Redding, S., Elardo, S., Williams, A., The Hybridized and Collaborative Mission Control and Astronaut Model to Facilitate High-quality Field Education Through GeoSPACE. American Geophysical Union. 2024.

Gallant, E., Marshall, A., Arroyo, Y., Thatcher, S., Piatek, J., Collins, T., Meier, M., Williams, A., Elardo, S., Williams, D., The GeoSPACE Project: Insights from the Pilot Years of a Hybrid Accessible Field Course. American Geophysical Union. 2023.

Morales, N., Guice, G., Martin, C., Thatcher, S., Mantle Slivers Found in New York City and New Jersey: Evidence from Spinel-Group Mineral Chemistry. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 55, No. 6, 2023
doi: 10.1130/abs/2023AM-393217

Arroyo, Y., Collins, T., Marshall, A., Meier, M., Thatcher, S., Gallant, E., Going Live – Enabling Real Time Access to Field Sites Using Video Streaming and Discord. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 55, No. 6, 2023 doi: 10.1130/abs/2023AM-394620

Meier, M., Thatcher, S., Piatek, J., Marshall, A., Arroyo, Y., Elardo, S., Williams, A., Gallant, E., Williams, D., Collins, D., GeoSPACE: Mission Control and Astronaut Exploration Field Course Teachings. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 55, No. 6, 2023 doi: 10.1130/abs/2023AM-393154

Thatcher, S., Meier, M., Piatek, J., Williams, A., Gallant, E., Marshall, A., Arroyo, Y., Elardo, S., Collins, T., Williams, D. Enhancing Spatial Reasoning Utilizing a Hybridized Field Course Model. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 55, No. 6, 2023 doi: 10.1130/abs/2023AM-392479

Marshall, A. M., Piatek, J. L., Williams, D. A., Gallant, E., Thatcher, S., Elardo, S., Williams, A. J., Collins, T., & Arroyo, Y. (2022). Flexible fieldwork. Nature Reviews Earth & Environment, 3 (12), 811. https://doi.org/10.1038/s43017-022-00375-9

Rennermalm, A., Thatcher, S., Xaio, J., et.al. Designing a Physical Geography Field Course to Improve Accessibility and Inclusion for All Students. ED43B-01 American Geophysical Union. 2022.

Sloan, V., & Haacker, R. (Eds.). (2020). GEO REU Handbook: A Guide for Running Inclusive and Engaging Geoscience Research Internship Programs (1st ed.). doi:10.5065/ycba-qw42

Marshall, A. M., and Thatcher, S. (2019), Creating spaces for geoscientists with disabilities to thrive, Eos, 100, https://doi.org/10.1029/2019EO136434. Published on 02 December 2019.