/Apologies for cross-posting/

Second call for papers: PopFest 2012, Loughborough University, 21st - 23rd June

PopFest is an annual international population studies conference organised by postgraduates for postgraduate students. PopFest has been organised by various universities with the support of sponsors for the past nineteen years. The 20th PopFest is to be held at Loughborough University from the 21st – 23rd June 2012. To mark the 20 year anniversary, the conference will reflect upon the past 20 years of research in population studies and will look forward to the next 20 years, considering some of the key challenges that will be faced.

This year will see a special session sponsored by the Royal Geographical Society’s Energy Geographies Working Group which, drawing on the theme of the “next 20 years”, will encompass papers exploring future pressures and crises facing populations. The last 20 years has seen the emergence of a series of threats to environmental and economic stability alongside resource depletion, which pose a unique set of challenges to humanity, expected to rise to 7 billion people by early 2012. Papers may consider, but are not limited to issues of energy security, energy access or equity, resource depletion and food security, across Global North and Global South contexts.

PopFest aims to provide young researchers from a range of disciplines studying population a supportive environment to present and discuss their work and to meet other researchers working in the field. The conference is a fantastic networking opportunity for postgraduates at both Masters and PhD level and gives attendees the opportunity to get acquainted with how research is conducted in different universities in various countries. The event will provide postgraduates the opportunity to present their work either in an oral or poster presentation and time will be allowed for feedback and discussion of the topics raised.

Sir Jonathon Porritt, founder director of “Forum for the Future” and former chairman of the Sustainable Development Commission will deliver a plenary exploring the “next 20 years”, considering future challenges to populations. Sir Jonathon is an environmentalist and writer, dedicating his time to advising, campaigning, broadcasting and lecturing.

If you have any questions please contact [log in to unmask], or visit our website at http://www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/gy/popfest/index.html

**Travel bursaries available on a competitive basis**