Dr. Brian Berry, Professor Emeritus of Economic, Political and Policy sciences at UT Dallas, passed away on January 2, 2025, at the age of 90. An influential geographer of the 20th century, Berry’s pioneering work in spatial analytics and urban studies sparked a scientific revolution in the field during the 1960s. His refinement of central place theory and innovations in geographic information systems established him as a global leader in urban and regional planning.
Berry’s career spanned over six decades and included prestigious roles at the University of Chicago, Harvard University, and Carnegie Mellon University before he joined UT Dallas in 1986. As founding dean of the School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences, Berry helped shape the school into a leading institution for interdisciplinary research and education. He also established the Bruton Center for Development Studies, furthering his commitment to applying academic insights to real-world challenges.
“Dr. Berry was a groundbreaking researcher and eminent educator,” said Dr. Jennifer Holmes, Dean of the School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences. “There is no way to overstate the impact he made on his areas of research and on the students he shepherded to PhDs and careers in the field. Brian’s passing is a great loss to the community and to his colleagues and friends, including me.”
A prolific scholar, Berry authored over 500 books and articles and mentored hundreds of PhD students, many of whom went on to distinguished careers of their own. His work was recognized with numerous honors, including the Victoria Medal from the Royal Geographical Society, the Vautrin Lud Prize (the “Nobel Prize of Geography”), and the Kondratieff Medal from the Russian Academy of Sciences. Even after his retirement in 2021, Berry’s influence on geographic and urban research continued to inspire new generations of scholars.
Dr. Berry’s legacy lies not only in his transformative contributions to geography but also in his dedication to teaching and mentorship. “I have enjoyed most the mentorship of teaching,” he once reflected. “I loved the excitement of being able to put discoveries to useful application.”
