David Rigby

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Educated in England and Canada, David Rigby has taught 65 classes spanning nine different courses at UCLA since 1988.

He has been ranked consistently as one of the most accomplished instructors within the department of geography, winning the department’s teaching award the past three years.

The teachers of required courses often are challenged because not all students are willing attendees. When Rigby is the professor, however, unpopular geography classes become popular.

Rigby’s enthusiasm and excitement infects students with a passion for learning. A student writes, “I look forward to taking any course professor Rigby teaches. His concern towards students is great and he is very helpful outside of class.” This evaluation was from the very first class Rigby taught in fall 1988 and the evaluations have remained consistently outstanding for 18 years.

Rigby’s graduate students appear to be permanent residents of his office -- all develop a special bond with him.

Among the department’s faculty, Rigby is the official help person for any statistical and spatial analysis advice.

In 2003 and 2004, Rigby participated in a program for high-level Chinese government officials. His course earned the highest evaluations from the Chinese for any component of the program.

Rigby is much sought after as a thesis and dissertation committee member and works hard to bring graduate students and faculty together to create a sense of community within the graduate program.