Autumn 2018 A Photo Exhibit by Dr. Kenneth Madsen
For some the existence of the U.S.–Mexico border fences and walls only recently gained their attention, but Kenneth Madsen, associate professor of geography at The Ohio State University at Newark has had an eye on them for over 20 years. His research has resulted in an extensive collection of photographs and maps.
The exhibit photographs showcase the varying types of barriers along the border and places them in geographic context for communities unable to see the fences and walls in person. Maps accompanying the exhibit are the result of Madsen’s realization of the need for a comprehensive look at the laws being waived for border barrier construction.
“I have been learning about U.S.-Mexico border fences and walls since I undertook a class project on the topic in spring 1998 for a course I was taking on the Arizona-Sonora border at Arizona State University. From there the topic bloomed and it ended up being the focus for my master’s thesis in 1999,” he said.
Madsen has been tapped by news outlets ranging from CNBC to the Los Angeles Times for his expertise on the U.S.-Mexico border barriers and the laws being waived for their construction.
He received his PhD. in geography from Arizona State University in 2005. He has been teaching at Ohio State Newark since 2008.
The Ohio State University Newark
Newark, Ohio 43055