The waves of disclosure from new CGF members seems to have
subsided somewhat in recent weeks so now seemed like a good time
to step forward. Like many other recent disclosee's I too have to
admit to experiencing the fear and anxiety of coming out in this way.
Perhaps this is linked to our wider anxieties and insecurities about
Geography and geographical research.
Being part of the CGF has been useful to my research in a variety of
ways. In practical terms the forum has given me a greater awareness
of forthcoming conferences and meetings and has brought to my
attention a whole variety of useful critical and contemporary resources
for both teaching and research. The Forum has also given me a
stronger sense of a critical geographical community and of the
possibility of enabling co-operation/collaboration. What I have
enjoyed most about being part of the forum however is the way in
which many contributors have used it as a space for linking a wide
variety of contemporary issues which have recently made the news to
wider intellectual streams of critical thought (as for example in the
case of today's messages about the questions raised by
'institutionalised racism' in Her Majesty's police forces).
My research to date has centred on the study of the geographies of
development particularly with reference to Southern Africa. I feel a
little uncomfortable with describing myself as a 'development
geographer' and would prefer to think that my research interests lie
somwhere between the borders of cultural, political, historical and
development geography. My PhD dissertation examined 'Territory, The
State and cultural identities in 'post-colonial' Mozambique' and was
completed at the University of Birmingham in Decemeber 1997. My first
academic post has taken me to the School of Geography at the
University of Leeds where I am now a Lecturer in Human Geography.
Leeds University also has an African Studies Unit (ASU), a
Centre for Development Studies and an Institute for Communication
Studies where I have been busy trying to build links. Leeds is a
cool, 'happening' city too so there's plenty to do and see.
I'm currently interested in the relationships between language and
media communications technologies in Southern Africa and I have
continued my interest in Portuguese Imperial history and geopolitics,
themes initially raised in my doctorate. I am also currently
looking at the history of British 'development geography' and at the
reinvention of development under Clare Short and New Labour.
One recent disclosure on the CGF recommended that we identify our
favourite peice of music as a point of introduction. Though I go
through phases of liking different tunes at different times I would
recommend Cassius 99' to anyone.
Marcus Power
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