THE FUTURE OF CRITICAL GEOGRAPHY
Day session at the RGS (with IBG) Conference at Exeter, January 1997
The last few years have been one of considerable activity for a 'critical
geographer'. There has been a proliferation of new critical philosophies
entering geography; a range of new approaches to doing critical geography;
an explosion of critical geographies on new and old forms of alienation,
domination, exploitation, oppression, and resistance; a heightened
recognition of the links between power and knowledge, and a greater
sensitivity to the innumerable ways in which the practices of geographers
themselves need to be brought under critical scrutiny; and burgeoning
linkages between critical geographers and the critical theories and
practices of other disciplines. In Britain there has also been practical
challenges such as the merger with the Royal Geographical Society, the
sponsorship of this body by Shell and the establishment of a 'Critical
Geography Forum'. Rarely have so many geographers been engaged in so much
critical work. And yet never before has critique itself been so much
brought into question -not just in terms of its form and its practice -
but also in terms of its purpose, its legitimacy, and even its possibility.
This raises such issues as: whether there exists (or can ever exist) a
shared ideal of what critical geography is about? Whether geographers have
failed, yet again, to adequately examine the notion of critique and to
consider geography's 'critical' relationship to issues of space, place,
landscape and environment? What forms of critical geography are there and
what forms could and should there be?
This day-length session seeks to facilitate reflection on the various
existing and potential relationships between critique and geography. It will
proceed through a mix of 'formal' papers (of about 20 minutes which review
issues and/or state a particular line of argument), shorter 'position'
papers (which seek to raise a few specific points for discussion) and panel
discussion and open debate. Anybody wishing to participate in this session
either by presenting a paper or participating in the panel discussions
should contact one of the convenors listed below as soon as possible and
no later than the _1st July_. Offers of papers should include an abstract
of no more than 200 words while those offering to act as panel discussants
should include an indication of what issues they would particularly like to
discuss. We are keen to make this session as open as possible and would
therefore particularly encourage younger researchers and people working
outside formal academia to consider participating in the session.
Convenors:
Dr. Marcus Doel, Department of Geography, University of Loughborough,
Loughborough LE11 3TU (Tel: 01509 228191; Email: [log in to unmask]).
Dr. Steve Pile, Faculty of Social Sciences, The Open University, Walton Hall,
Milton Keynes MK7 6AA (Tel: (01908) 654551; Email: [log in to unmask]).
Dr. Martin Phillips, Department of Geography, University of Leicester,
University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH (Tel: (0116) 2523886; Email: [log in to unmask]).
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