KSMorris.Net the website of

Kathy Sherman-Morris

Photos from field courses from the TIG (Teachers in Geosciences) program. Click here to go to the TIG website.

I am an assistant professor in the geoscience department at Mississippi State University.  Before coming to MSU, I attended Florida State University, where I received my PhD in Geography.  My dissertation focused on the role of the weathercaster during severe weather and the relationship viewers develop with him (in the market I studied they were all men). Since finishing my dissertation, I've studied response to severe weather and hurricanes, the use of geospatial technology in geoscience ed, enhancing diversity in the geosciences and the use and communication of weather information.  Here at MSU, I've taught the Practicum in Broadcasting Meteorology classes and several of our distance learning classes.  I'm currently preparing classes for our new Master's in Applied Meteorology. I am always happy to talk with prospective graduate students interested in any of our programs.

Click on student's picture to connect to MSU Meteorology

*Personal: I have two dogs, Mopey and Charlie. My husband, John works with me in the department.

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I grew up in the Lehigh Valley, in eastern Pennsylvania.  It's really a beautiful place, and I try to visit my family as much as I can--though not enough. Besides travelling, which I get to do quite a bit of through work--I enjoy cooking (and eating)--especially food we can't get locally.  I have a soft spot for dogs and animal charities.  We've been charitable to the two little ones above!  Some sites where you can visit and be charitable include HSUS, ASPCA, Best Friends and your local animal shelter or rescue organizations. I am also interested in including animals in my research.  A recent project involved interviewing veterinarians to gain more understanding of their preparedness for hurricanes.

*Professional history EDUCATION   Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL (2006). PhD in Geography. Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS (1999). Master of Science in Geosciences. Concentration in Broadcast Meteorology. Mansfield University, Mansfield, PA (1997). Bachelor of Science and Education in Social Studies. Concentration and minor in Geography. TEACHING EXPERIENCE      Assistant Professor, Mississippi State University, Spring 2007- –Responsibilities include teaching courses for the Teachers in Geosciences and Broadcast Meteorology distance learning programs, conducting research, serving on graduate committees and advising undergraduate students along with other departmental and university service. Continue with C.V.

Selected pubs: Tornado Warning Dissemination and Response at a University Campus. Natural Hazards. 52(3): 623-638 Tornadoes, Television and Trust—A Closer Look at the Influence of the Local Weathercaster during Severe Weather. Environmental Hazards. 6(4) 201-210 Enhancing threat: Using cartographic principles to explain differences in hurricane threat perception. The Florida Geographer. vol. 36, pp. 61-83

*Research I have done survey research that led to the two publications on the side bar.  Click on the links below for the actual surveys. Memphis TV Market survey: The goal of this survey was to determine the nature of the relationship people have with their local TV weathercaster, and if this can explain severe weather behavior.  This survey also measured severe weather perception, community ties, and demographics. Hurricane Threat survey: This survey's purpose was to determine whether viewing different satellite images of hurricanes (grayscale visible vs. color-enhanced IR) led to different levels of threat perception. Pet Care Providers Survey: Pet care providers (vets, boarders, pet sitters, etc) were  surveyed regarding their response to Hurricanes Gustav and Ike.   The goal was to determine how this group prepared for and responded to these hurricanes, and if they were influenced by 2005 Hurricanes Katrina or Rita Other topics I've worked on (or have projects waiting to do) include local news coverage patterns, hurricane evacuation fatigue in media, using GPS and Google Earth to teach about mountain climate, tornado response, sports coverage and market size, hurricane information seeking via Google and dog bite media coverage

CV

Surveys

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