Category: Career development

Upcoming Early Career Events

We’re thrilled to announce another exciting workshop for our early career event series. Please feel free to join and share.

Social and Cultural Science Policy Interfacing Pathways: Understanding, Knowledge and Career Journey

12.00 – 12.40 (GMT) 28 November, via Zoom

Professor Nidhi Nagabhatla

Registration: https://shorturl.at/yUtS7

In this event, Nidhi will share her rich experience and tips with junior colleagues on how to navigate Social and Cultural Geographies’ Science Policy Interfacing Pathways much more easily and confidently. This event is specifically friendly to junior geographers interested in developing their career, including how to exert larger policy-making impacts of their projects mingling with diverse stakeholders.

The intersection of science and policy has become increasingly vital, creating a wealth of career opportunities for individuals passionate about making a difference. Science policy interfacing focuses on how scientific knowledge can inform public policy decisions, ensuring that evidence-based practices are integrated into governance and societal frameworks. This dynamic field offers diverse pathways for those interested in bridging the gap between scientific research and policymaking, making it an exciting area for aspiring professionals. Entering the realm of science policy often begins with a solid educational foundation.

To succeed in policy interfacing, a strong foundation in social scientific literacy is crucial for effectively translating complex research findings into actionable policy recommendations. The ability to convey complex information clearly and concisely is vital for influencing decision-makers. Analytical skills are also important. Furthermore, strong interpersonal skills are essential for building relationships with stakeholders across sectors—scientists, policymakers, advocacy groups—facilitating effective collaboration. Early career researchers are increasingly as valuable contributors to the science-policy interface. They bring fresh perspectives and up-to-date knowledge of current research trends that can enhance evidence-informed policymaking. ECRs can engage through co-created initiatives aimed at bridging research with policy needs while seeking mentorship from established professionals in the field.

Nidhi Nagabhatla is Senior Fellow and Cluster Coordinator: Nature, Climate and Health program at United Nations University (CRIS) and Research Professor at University of Ghent, Belgium. She is Sustainability Science Specialist and System Analyst. With >23 years of work experience, she has led, coordinated, and implemented transdisciplinary projects in various geographical regions of Asia, Africa, Europe, and Americas working with international organizations, viz., IWMI, World Fish Centre, IUCN, Asia Pacific Climate Centre, and United Nations University (INWEH) leading research and capacity development initiatives. She is also affiliated with leading academic institutes: Oxford University (UK) and Leibniz University (Germany) in various roles, mostly related to sustainability research, science-policy interfacing, and mentoring young professionals. She is Adjunct Associate Professor at the School of Earth, Environment & Society McMaster University, Canada, and Guest Professor at Universidad Mayor de San Andrés, Bolivia. She serves as Chair of The Partnership for Environment and Disaster Risk Reduction (UNEP) and co-leads the ‘Water and Migration Working Group’ of The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. She also served on the Technical Committee of The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) from 2013 to 2018 and was Lead Author in the Global Assessment Report. She also served as Vice-Chair and Chair of the Steering Board for Young Professional Platform for Agriculture Research and Development (YPARD), FAO from 2011 to 2018.

Currently, she is actively involved with three expert working committees of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030). She holds a doctoral degree from the Indian Space Research Organization in Environmental Science, post-doctoral experience working Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), and a diploma in International Humanitarian Law from The National Academy of Legal Studies and Research, India. She holds executive education from Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, where she affiliates as a Chevening Fellow with the Future Leaders Programme of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, UK. She has published more than 200 papers as peer-reviewed journal articles, chapters, conference papers, workshop contributions, and policy briefs and serves on the editorial and review committee of numerous international journals.
 

Upcoming events: early career teaching development

We are pleased to announce an upcoming event for early career geographers, with guest speakers providing insight into their experiences of establishing a career in academia.

When: Wednesday 1 November 17.00 to 18.00 (GMT) ONLINE

Speakers: Aled Singleton, Swansea University, Jamelia Harris, University of Warwick, Anna Guasco, Cambridge University, Chris Herring, University of California Los Angeles

Convenor: Chen Qu

Click HERE to register: https://jbs-cam.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwodu-gpzkiEtEI1KHldEnbSFVRyLaOCrPC#/registration

Aled Singleton worked in community regeneration and local economic development for over a decade. This experience deepened his interests in the attachments to space and place that we all make across the lifecourse. In 2016 he pursued this latter topic through a PhD at Swansea University. Since 2021 he has been a Research Assistant, Researcher Fellow, Research Officer and now a Tutor in Human Geography at Swansea University, Wales, UK.

In this talk Aled balances his experience of both research and teaching, including the experience of applying for funding and FHEA recognition. He also gives some context about teaching and working in Wales.

Jamelia Harris is a Research Fellow at the Institute for Employment Research (IER), University of Warwick. Before joining IER, she was a Research Economist at Fiscus Ltd and a Visiting Research Fellow at the Department of Politics and International Studies, Warwick. Jamelia has taught at various universities – including the University of Cambridge, University College London, University of Warwick, University of Oxford, ISM University (Lithuania) and Fourah Bay College (Sierra Leone). She also worked as a researcher at the University of the West Indies (Trinidad and Tobago) and the University of Oxford, and has gained significant policy experience in international development as an economist working on projects in Ethiopia, Sierra Leone and Trinidad and Tobago.

Jamelia will speak on the importance of teaching to academic career development, and how to manage teaching with research.

Anna Guasco: Reflecting on accessibility in teaching and learning: a postgraduate perspective.

Anna Guasco is a PhD candidate in Geography at the University of Cambridge. Her dissertation analyses gray whale migration and conservation on the North American Pacific Coast. Her teaching broadly has focused on environment and society topics, including political ecology, food geographies, and Anthropocene studies.

Chris Herring is an Assistant Professor of Sociology at the University of California Los Angeles. His research focuses on poverty, housing, and homelessness in US cities. He teaches courses in Urban Sociology, Punishment and Society, and the Sociology of Poverty at the undergraduate and graduate level.

Chris will discuss the division of teaching labour across different types of colleges and universities in the United States, and its role for different types of emerging scholars going on the job market or just starting their careers.

Please email SCGRG@outlook.com for inquires.

Upcoming vacancies on the SCGRG committee

The following roles will be available from September this year. Elections to the Committee will be held at the Annual General Meeting. Nominations for Committee membership will be accepted up to the beginning of the AGM (August 24th). Nominations must be in writing and include the names of the proposer and seconder.

Vacancies:
Dissertation Prize Officer (1 year) – see role description below

RGS-IBG SCGRG Role Description 2020

MonthTaskActionContactDeadlineStatus
January     
February     
March     
AprilIn response to RHED (RGS-IBG), update call for nominations for dissertation awardUpdate call for nominations text (with deadline) and provide for RHEDRHED  
Confirm continuation of Social & Cultural Geography subscription arrangement with Taylor FrancisTaylor Francis
MayEncourage submissionsCirculate call for nominations via membership list and appropriate mailing lists and social mediaMembership secretary  
Crit-geog-forum and other geography mailing lists; Web Officer; Social Media Officer  
June     
July        Coordinate assessment of submissionsCirculate sign-up for judging rounds to members   
Collate submission entries and organise in Dropbox folder; collate contact details for entries   
Send submissions & evaluation matrix to prize panel members,
with target deadlines for assessing submissions (2 rounds)		Prize panel members (expected to be all committee members)  
AugustAgree on award of prize (winner and runner-up)With Secretary and ChairBefore AGM 
Report to SCGRG AGM: number of entries, submitting institutions, prize winner and runner-up, and any other commendationsChair  
SeptemberAward prizeInform successful individual and all submitting departments of outcome   
Put prize winner in touch with RGS-IBG and Taylor Francis to receive prizeTreasurer Taylor Francis  
Update website and tweet news; do profile of winner and runner-up for website (see previous examples); send link to RGS-IBG for information.Web officer  
October     
November     
December     

Conference Officer (1 year) – see role description below

RGS-IBG SCGRG Role Description 2020 – Conference Officer

MonthTaskActionContactDeadlineStatus
JanuaryDecide on SCGRG sponsored sessions Prepare and disseminate submitted expressions of interest for SCGRG sponsored sessions to committee members in a timely fashion for decision re sponsored sessions in accordance with RGS guidanceSCGRG committee  
Communicate outcome with sessions proposers in a timely fashionContacts for EOIs
FebruaryLiaise with session convenorsLiaise with session convenors if requiredSession convenors of SCGRG sponsored sessions  
MarchLiaise with session convenorsLiaise with session convenors if requiredSession convenors of SCGRG sponsored sessions  
AprilInform RGS of sponsored sessions upon request RGS  
MayCheck conference timetableCheck conference timetable for clashesRGS  
Session convenors of SCGRG sponsored sessions  
JunePublicise SCGRG sponsored sessionsLiaise with session convenors, Web Officer, and Social Media officerSession convenors of SCGRG sponsored sessions  
Web Officer
Social Media Officer
July     
August     
September     
October     
NovemberPrepare call for SCGRG sponsored sessions for the RGS Annual ConferenceAwait announcement re RGS Annual Conference for following August. Discuss call for sponsored sessions with other officers and agree timeline (including meeting to decide . Prepare call for sponsored sessions based on agreed timeframe and instruction from RGS.RGS, Chair, Secretary  
DecemberDisseminate call for sponsored sessions. CRITGEOG, Web Officer; Social Media Officer, SCGRG list.  

Website & Social Media Officer (1 year)

Update the SCGRG website on a regular basis and share information via Twitter.

For more information on this role, please contact tracy.hayes@cumbria.ac.uk

Postgraduate Representative (1 year)

Information to be added.

RGS opportunities for postgraduates

Careers From Development: Putting Critical Thinking into Action. A postgraduate careers event hosted by the Developing Areas Research Group

Friday 15 March 2019

9.00am-5.00pm

Royal Geographical Society (with IBG), 1 Kensington Gore, London

Careers events and resources in universities tend to offer an array of options for those looking to work in the corporate sector. However there is less information about careers that utilise the critical debates covered in development and social science courses. As a result, students who have developed a critical understanding in international development, social justice, environmental justice, migration, human rights and globalisation are left with few options of where to take this after university. 

The event will provide a chance for students to listen to and network with experienced professionals who will talk about the challenges and realities of working in development-related careers. This event is the first of its kind, and we are excited to be hosting it on such a large scale. We have confirmed speakers from Amnesty International, DFID, Centre for Global Development, Global Giving, Switched On London, Banyak Films, The Guardian and more.

Price: £8 (including lunch and refreshments)

Book online: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/careers-from-development-putting-critical-thinking-into-action-tickets-54972671741

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New to teaching in geography, earth and environmental sciences (GEES): Workshop for postgraduates

Monday 25 March 2019
10.00am-4.30pm

Royal Geographical Society (with IBG), 1 Kensington Gore, London

Join Dr Lynda Yorke (Bangor University) and Dr Simon Tate (Newcastle University Prof Anson Mackay (UCL), with Dr Hilary Geoghegan (University of Reading) and Professor Anson Mackay (UCL) for a one day workshop to explore issues postgraduates face when teaching in geography, earth and environmental science (GEES). The workshop offers practical advice and ideas for undergraduate teaching through an exploration of the GEES subject signature pedagogies; strategies for engaging, working with and offering feedback to a wide range of learners; an introduction to participatory teaching, teaching lab work and fieldwork; and discussion and reflection upon the role and contribution of teaching assistants in all these areas using case studies and group discussions.

Price: £20 (including lunch)

Book online – https://t.co/2XhbJ1vqfz

Enquiries – m.davis@rgs.org

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Elections for the Postgraduate Forum Committee

Nominations are now open for election to the committee of the Postgraduate Forum, with elections to be held at the AGM at the mid-term conference at Manchester Metropolitan University, 24-26 April. More information about the available roles and how to run for a position on the committee is available here: http://www.pgf.rgs.org/2019-pgf-elections. You can find out more about the Postgraduate Forum Mid-Term conference: http://www.pgf.rgs.org/rgs-postgraduate-mid-term-conference-2019/.

***

Jack Dangermond Award 2019

Applications for the Jack Dangermond Award 2019 are now open. The award provides support to attend the 2019 Esri UC in San Diego for undergraduates, postgraduates or early-career researchers who use the ArcGIS platform for teaching or research. The deadline for applications is Friday 26 April. 

***

Applications now open for the Turing Enrichment scheme

The Turing Enrichment scheme offers students enrolled on a doctoral programme at a UK university an opportunity to boost their research project with a placement at the Turing for up to 12 months. Enrichment places are offered for 6, 9, or 12 months with start dates in October 2019 and January 2020. Places are based at the Institute headquarters at the British Library in London where students will continue their PhD in conjunction with their current supervisor, while enriching their research and making new collaborations during their time at the Institute.
 

Enrichment students may be eligible for a stipend top up of up to £5,500 as well as a travel allowance.

To find out if you are eligible and for details of how to apply: https://www.turing.ac.uk/work-turing/studentships/enrichment/application-process

Applications should be made directly to the Turing by 11 March 2019. 


Rodrigo Mendoza-Smith, University of Oxford (one of the Turing’s first enrichment students), had this to say about this experience: “The Enrichment programme at the Turing has been intellectually refreshing and stimulating. I find the daily interaction with Turing researchers the most valuable experience and I have also greatly benefited from weekly reading groups, seminars, masterclasses and meet-ups. ”

Inaugural SCGRG ‘Teaching Geography Research’ Workshop, Tuesday 11th December 2018

The Museum of English Rural Life, Reading

Inaugural SCGRG ‘Teaching Geography Research’ Workshop, Tuesday 11th December 2018, Museum of English Rural Life (MERL), Reading, UK.

Overview and theme

The Social and Cultural Geography Research Group (SCGRG), the largest research grouping of the Royal Geographical Society is excited to announce the inaugural ‘Teaching Geography Research’ workshop, which will become a regular biennial event of the group, connecting our work as social and cultural geographers with our role in teaching and learning in the subject.

The theme for the first event will be on ‘Teaching Creative Geographies/Teaching Geographies Creatively’. This will be held at MERL, the Museum of English Rural Life, Reading, UK. The event will take place on Tuesday 11th December 2018, 10-4pm.

 It will be a workshop style event – designed for all – from those starting out their research-teaching careers at PhD level, to those who may be mid- career and onwards who are engaging in ‘new’ methods of teaching engagement. The day will be based around supportive, productive, interactive activities and conversation to share ideas for teaching practice, and relatedly assessment and marking.

Details on Attending

The event is £10 (chargeable on the day) and includes all tea/coffee breaks, lunch and a reception afterwards. If you would like to attend the event, which has a limited number of places, please email both: Kimberley Peters (Kimberley.peters@liverpool.ac.uk) and Hilary Geoghegan (h.geoghehan@reading.ac.uk) by Monday 19th November 2018.  Please provide:

·         Your name

·         Your institution

·         2 or 3 sentences on your area of interested in social and cultural geographies

·         1 or 2 sentences on what you hope to get from the day

·         2 or 3 sentences on what you hope to contribute

 Travel Bursaries

We are able to offer travel bursaries to support attendance, with priority given to SCGRG group members who are unwaged/ students who are unfunded and those on temporary, precarious contracts. We are also, where bursary money remains, able to consider those without funding available from research councils or their departments. Membership of the SCGRG is free. If you would like to be considered for a bursary please let us know when you email, setting out the price of your travel. SCGRG bursaries are not fixed, but we aim to distribute funds available to all who require them.

Provisional format

10-10.30 Registration/Coffee

10.30-10.45   Welcome (with Kim, Hilary and Director of the Museum)

 Morning workshop:

10.45   Round the room rapid introductions

1050-11.45   Social and cultural geography through an object – ice-breaker task & outcome sharing;

1145-12.45   Participant showcase

12.45   Lunch/sign up to afternoon small group discussions in PM

Afternoon workshops:

1330-15.00   Case study roundtables: 4/5 options of roundtable workshops and discussions on examples of creative teaching and learning, beginning with a short talk as a launching off point for the smaller discussions.

 15.15  Tea & coffee

 15.30-16.00  Summary discussions 

16.00  Closing reception/Depart 17.00

RGS Geography Ambassador Training 22nd November 2017

Nottingham University are holding Geography Ambassadors training on Wednesday 22nd November

The Royal Geographic Society (with IBG) is running a half-day workshop for undergraduates, postgraduates and graduate geographers who are interested in becoming ‘Geography Ambassadors’.

The event takes place on Wednesday 22nd November, 1pm – 6pm at the University of Nottingham. Registration is free and the deadline for registration is 15th November at 12 noon. The RGS will reimburse your travel and resource costs to attend this event.

For more information, see the tweet below from the University of Nottingham.

 

 

AHRC Midlands3Cities funding for UK/EU students

The Midlands3Cities Doctoral Training Partnership (M3C DTP) is a collaboration between the University of Birmingham, Birmingham City University, De Montfort University, University of Leicester, Nottingham Trent University and the University of Nottingham. M3C is awarding up to 87 PhD Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) studentships for UK/EU applicants for 2017 entry. M3C provides research candidates with expert supervision (including opportunities for cross-institutional supervision), research training and access to a wide range of facilities, cohort events and placement opportunities with regional, national and international partners in the creative and cultural sectors.

The School of Geography at the University of Nottingham (see here) invites applications from students whose research interests include:

  • Environmental humanities and landscape studies
  • Animal geographies
  • Cultural economy
  • Geographies of empire, militarism and internationalism
  • Epidemic spaces and cultural-historical geographies of health
  • Heritage sites and legacies of enslavement and colonialism
  • Histories of geographical and environmental thought

For more information please follow the following links for the cultural and historical geography research theme.

The deadline for M3C funding applications is 16 January 2017, by which time students must have applied for a place to study and have ensured that two academic references are submitted to the home university on the correct M3C form.

For full details of eligibility, funding, proposal-writing workshops and research supervision areas (including use of the supervision search tool) please visit www.midlands3cities.ac.uk or contact enquiries@midlands3cities.ac.uk

Please contact Dr Adam Algar at Adam.Algar@nottingham.ac.uk if you have any questions related to doctoral study in geography at the University of Nottingham.

Engaging in Qualitative Methods Postgraduate Workshop: Friday 22nd April at the RGS in London

The Social and Cultural Geography research group, GFGRG and GLTRG research groups are sponsoring a session at the Royal Geographical Society on Friday 22nd April 10am – 4.30pm. The session is titled ‘Engaging in Qualitative Methods Postgraduate Workshop’ which will be held at the RGS building in Central London, SW7 2AR.

Need some help working out your methodology? Want to learn more about the Royal Geographical Society and it’s research groups? Or just want to meet some other doctoral students and chat through your ideas? This workshop is designed to help those students at the beginning of their PhD or MA journeys to think critically about their methods and methodology and offer a space to meet and chat with other students in an informal atmosphere in the beautiful RGS building in central London.

Sessions:

  • Introduction to methodology & methods
  • Key Note Speaker – Dr Erin Sanders-McDonagh, Middlesex University. Erin is committed to research that has an impact and she has experience using a multitude of methods in extremely diverse contexts.
  • Innovative research methods & methodologies; visual, participatory, feminist approaches. This will be run as an active participatory session, encouraging students in thinking about the methods that they might use, but also to innovate and make them effective for the often unique situations encountered in ‘real life’ research.
  • Be Critical!- Round table exercise designed to get participants to be critical of the research methods that they use and the implications they have on themselves and their participants. When Methods Go Wrong – a session to explore flexibility, lone research safety and to pull from the organisers own experiences to share “lessons learnt”.

Travel Grants Available. Contact Eve at ab7996@coventry.ac.uk for more information.

You can find out more information about tickets by clicking here.