Sub-fields of Geography*

Because of its focus on space and place, Geography has to necessarily overlap with many other disciplines.  In fact, many people who actually have formal training in Geography—who may even have degrees in Geography—are usually not called "Geographer" by the general public.  For that reason, here is a list of "breeds" within Geography; "types" of Geographers, if you prefer.  While I dislike the practice of “pigeon-holing”, I provide this list as a reference to demonstrate the abundance of people who “do” Geography. Remember, however, that just because someone carries the title “Planner” or “Geomorphologist” for example, does not necessarily mean they have a background in geography, per se. Planners can come from architecture, engineering, or even sociology and have no formal training in Geography (unfortunately). Likewise with a Geomorphologist, who may come from the field of geology and never been required to take a Geography class. In each case, their difference lies in their foundational backgrounds and how (or if) they look at interactions spatially.  See my Belief of Geography and Definition of Geography for more on this topic.

“Breed” (type) of Geographer	Possible Overlapping Field(s)
Behavioral Geographer	Psychology, Environmental Studies, Aesthetics, Landscape Studies, Environmental Perception
Biogeographer	Biology, Environmental Studies/Science, Ecology
Biogeomorphologist	Biology, Geology, Geomorphology, Soil Science, Environmental Studies/Science, Ecology
Cartographer	Mathematics, Art, Computer Science/Technology
Cinematic Geographer	Cinema, Theatre, Landscape Studies, Psychology, Gender Studies, Environmental Perception
Climatologist	Meteorology, Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science/Technology
Coastal Geomorphologist	Geology, Coastal landforms and processes, Biology, Environmental Studies/Science, Ecology, Marine Science, Oceanography
Cultural Ecologist	Anthropology/Archeology, Environmental Studies/Science, Biology, Sociology, Policy, Political Science, Landscape Studies,
Cultural Geographer (general)	Anthropology/Archeology, Regional Science, Social Sciences, Planning, Architecture, Humanities
Demographer	Population, Sociology, Ethnic Studies, Mathematics, Computer Science/Technology
Economic Geographer	Economics, Mathematics, Computer Science/Technology, Business
Environmental Geographer	Environmental Studies/Science, Planning, Policy, Ecology, Biology, Anthropology
Ethnic Geographer	Ethnic Studies, Race, Social Justice, Sociology, Political Science, Anthropology, Migration, Population
Feminist Geographer	Feminism, Feminist Theory/Studies, Women Studies, Gender Studies, Critical Theory
Fluvial Geomorphologist	Geology, Rivers, Streams, Lakes, Oceanography, Environmental Studies/Science
Geomorphologist	Geology, Soil Science, Ecology, (Micro)Biology, Geophysics
GIScientist (Geographic Information Systems)	Computer Science/Technology, Cartography, Art, Psychology, Physical-Natural-Social Science spectrum
Glaciologist	Geology, Environmental Studies/Science, Glaciology, Hydrology
Hazards Specialist	“Natural” Hazards, Environmental Studies/Science, Ecology, Biology, Migration, Population
Historical Geographer	History, Anthropology/Archeology, Architecture, Humanities, Social Sciences
Humanistic Geographer	Humanities (Art, Theatre, etc.), Social Sciences, Critical Theory
Oceanographer (Marine Geographer)	Oceanography, Biology, Climatology, Meteorology, Remote Sensing
Marxist Geographer	Marxism/Marxist Thought, Critical Theory, Economics, Business, Political Science
Medical Geographer	Medicine, Epidemiology, Health Care, Policy, Population, Migration, Business, Transportation, (Micro)Biology
Migration Studies Geographer	History, Demography, Policy, Political Science, Sociology
Musicologist	Ethnic Studies, Humanities, Performativity, Anthropology, Sociology
Palynologist (pollen)	Quaternary Studies, Geology, Environmental Science, Ecology, Botany
Physical Geographer (general)	Natural and Physical Sciences, Environmental Studies/Science
Phytogeographer	Biology—Botany
Planner	Planning, Regional Development, Policy, Architecture, Sociology, Demography, Environmental Studies/Science, Political Science, Business
Political Ecologist	Political Science, Environmental Science, Anthropology, Sociology, Biology
Political Geography	Political Science, Ethics, Economics, Policy
Population Geographer	Demography, Sociology, Migration
Recreation Specialist	Tourism, Travel, Hospitality, Sports, Policy, Environmental Studies/Science
Regional Specialist	Any region(s); may specialize in human and/or physical aspects of region
Seismologist	Geology, Earthquakes
Social Geographer	Sociology, Demography, Population, Migration, Economics, Social Sciences, Critical Theory, Humanities
Soil Scientist/Soil Conservationist	Soil Science, Biology, Geology, Environmental Studies/Science
Sports Geographer	Sports, Exercise Science, Health, Health Promotion, Broadcasting, History
Transportation Engineer	Logistics, Business, Engineering, Economics, Mathematics, Computer Science/Technology, Planning, Architecture
Urban Planner (sometimes synonymous with "Planner")	Planning, Regional Development, Policy, Architecture, Sociology, Demography, Environmental Science
Volcanologist	Geology, Volcanoes, Climatology, Environmental Studies/Science
Zoogeographer	Biology—Zoology

The reason there is no "division" between Human and Physical Geography in this table, is that each may need to draw on aspects of both at any given time, depending on their research.

*This is not an holistic list, but reflects common (and not so common) “titles” people are likely to see in the world.