Call for papers, RGS-IBG Annual Conference 2025

Thinking creatively about futures for geographical research on the economy

Convened by the Economic Geography Research Group (EGRG)

Inspired by the conference theme of ‘creativity’, in this session we invite proposals for a series of 5-minute provocative ‘lightning talks’ which think critically and creatively about futures for geographical research on the economy, broadly defined. Talks will be followed by a panel and/or discussion allowing time for dialogue between presenters and audience.

Themes for the lightning talks might include, but are not limited to:

• Emerging concepts and theories, and critiques of/challenges to hegemonic paradigms
• Alternative/creative visions for future, activism and academic research as subversive (political) practice
• Plurality and interdisciplinarity across and beyond Geography
• Equality, diversity, inclusion and decolonialisation
• New directions/urgent priorities for future research on the economy
• Creative and innovative methods for researching the economy
• Creative and alternative forms of dissemination for non-academic audiences
• Applied research, policy and practice: ‘creative’ possibilities beyond the academy
• Creativity in research-led teaching practice

We encourage academics at any and all career stages to submit to this session. While speakers are welcome to talk about their own research, this is not the key aim of the session, and we encourage reflection on how this research relates to broader themes such as those we highlight above.

Accepted speakers will be invited to submit a brief one-side written provocation ahead of the conference session. It is also hoped that this session will underpin the development of a journal special issue, or other edited written collection, after the conference takes place.

Abstracts (approx. 200 words), along with the title of the talk and author contact details (name, affiliation, email address), should please be sent to Allan Watson (A.Watson3@lboro.ac.uk), Liam Keenan (Liam.Keenan1@nottingham.ac.uk ) and Jessa Loomis (Jessa.Loomis@newcastle.ac.uk) by 21^st February 2025.

Our congratulations to Dr Felicia Liu of the University of York, who has been awarded the EGRG travel award to attend the 2025 Global Conference on Economic Geography!

The Economic Geography Research Group (EGRG) of the RGS-IBG invites applications for a £500 travel award to support participation in the Global Conference on Economic Geography (GCEG) from 4-8 June 2025 at Clark University in Worcester, MA USA. This award is funded by the Royal Geographical Society and the Economic Geography Research Group of the RGS-IBG. 

Please review the eligibility criteria and selection process below. To apply for this travel award, complete the application form here: https://forms.office.com/e/Px5Eg1u6n4Can

The application deadline is 6 January 2025 at 23.59 GMT. All applicants will be notified of the outcome of the selection process before the conference registration deadline. 

Eligibility

• This conference funding award is for an early career or otherwise precarious scholar who will be presenting research in the field of economic geography. Following UKRI, we do not consider years post-PhD or job title to be a sole marker of career progression. As such, we invite applicants to self-identify as ECRs and/or scholars who are precariously employed in the academic biography section of the application. 
• Given the EGRG’s remit to advance economic geography in the UK, applicants should have received their PhD at a UK university and/or currently hold an affiliation at a UK higher education institution. If the applicant does not currently hold a PhD, they must have already submitted their doctoral thesis by time of application. 
• The applicant does not need to be a member of the RGS/EGRG to be eligible for the award.  
• The travel award can be held jointly with the travel awards offered by the GCEG conference. 
• Following conference attendance, the awardee will be invited to share their experiences at the GCEG and/or deliver a research talk based on their GCEG paper with the wider EGRG membership in 2025-2026. 

Selection Process

• The selection process will be jointly managed by a panel composed of the core Economic Geography Research Group board members: Allan Watson (chair), Liam Keenan (secretary) and Jessa Loomis (treasurer). 
• Following the assessment methodology currently piloted by the British Academy, all applicants who provide adequate background information (part 1) and meet the key criteria (part 2) will be eligible for the award. 
• After the application deadline, the assessment panel will review the applications to ensure that each applicant is eligible; we expect all applicants will be. 
• Once eligibility has been determined, the award will be allocated via lottery. If the selected applicant is unable to make use of the award, it will be offered to the next randomly selected eligible participant. 

Questions: For any questions on the application or selection process, please email Dr Jessa Loomis (EGRG treasurer): Jessa.Loomis@Newcastle.ac.uk

Minutes of the EGRG Annual General Meeting held on 7th September 2021 (online) are now available for viewing here. You can also find minutes of past AGMs on that same page.