Miller, Harvey J. (1962-)

Harvey J. Miller is well known and respected for his research involving time-geography, transportation, and spatial analysis and modeling. His research in time-geography has built on the work of Torsten Hagerstrand by analyzing space-time accessibility. Miller's research involves exploring both theoretical concepts and methodological approaches to better understand how individuals make decisions in a given environment and the patterns that emerge as a result. He emphasizes the need and the potential for people-based spatial analysis to better represent the dynamics of individual activity patterns in both space and time. One application has been substantive contributions to transportation geography. He has built methods for using space-time accessibility measures to evaluate the flow of traffic to mitigate congestion. His research accomplishments have been recognized with several awards, including the Geoffrey J. D. Hewings Award from the North American Regional Science Council in 1997 and a Superior Research Award from the University of Utah in 2004.

Miller is currently a professor of geography and chair of the Department of Geography at the University of Utah. His education began at Kent State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1985, followed by a Master's of Arts degree in geography in 1987. In 1991, he earned his PhD in geography from Ohio State University. On completing his doctorate, he became an assistant professor at the University of Utah, where he has continued on as department chair. He has influenced and shaped much of the department's reputation in quantitative analysis and modeling in urban economic geography, population migration, biogeography, and natural hazards.

Miller has served on numerous national and international organizations, reflective of his areas of interest and expertise. Nationally, he serves on the Committee on Geographic Information Science and Applications, Transportation Research Board (2003–2005, board member; 2005–2011, cochair); he has been on the board of the University Consortium for Geographic Information Science (2000–2003) and on a policy committee of the National Research Council to identify data needs for place-based decision making. Internationally, he serves on several editorial boards, including being the North American Editor for the International Journal of Geographical Information Science (2000–2004).