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Apologies for cross posting- please note the abstract deadline is Friday 19th Feb. RGS Planning and Environment Research Group Workshop 2010 FINAL Call for papers: 'Sustainable Futures: Climate Change and the Geography of Transition' 6th-7th May 2010, University of Birmingham The collision of environmental and economic crises has generated unprecedented interest in transitions to more sustainable modes of existence. A plethora of exciting responses are emerging in response to climate change, all of which are closely related to PERG's core interests. From Transition Towns and climate change communities to the Green New Deal and adaptive planning, it is clear that planning and the environment have a central role to play in addressing the signature issue of our time. Similarly, though, it is clear that this plurality of transitions has a distinctive geography that will, by necessity, be uneven and situated in specific times and places. This workshop brings those with research interests in the planning and environment field together to consider geographies of transition. Themes for the workshop might include (amongst others): * Climate change negotiations / the geo-politics of climate change and planning * Spaces of the Neo- Keynesian state and the Green New Deal * Uneven geographies of transition * The politics of 'resilience' and adaptive governance * Everyday utopias * Activism in a post-political context * Grassroots movements like Transition Towns and climate change communities * Behaviour change and political mobilisation * Political strategies to influence legislation * The intersection of grass-roots and government, for example, challenges of co-operating with authorities/establishment without being co-opted Participants are invited to submit abstracts of no more than 250 words by February 19th to either of the organisers (James Evans: [log in to unmask] or Phil Jones: [log in to unmask]). Acceptance will be confirmed by the end of February. Papers of approximately 5000 words will be requested two weeks before the workshop (drafts are fine as long as the argument is substantive enough to allow for serious discussion). Rather than asking authors to present, we will distribute papers to all participants and assign specific discussants for each paper. The workshop format is designed to bring those with research interests in the planning and environment field together, in a way that maximises dialogue and produces firm publication plans. The preliminary programme involves paper discussions (afternoon) on Day 1, followed by paper discussions (morning) and an urban transition field visit (afternoon) on Day 2. There will also be a workshop dinner on the first evening and a committee meeting on the second. The event will be preceded by the New Researchers Workshop for postgraduate students and postdoctoral researchers on the morning of the first day, which will include sessions on getting published and career development amongst others. Please indicate if you would like to take part in this prior workshop - all academics and postgraduates are welcome. There is no cost for attending the workshop, and refreshments throughout the day will be provided. Participants are expected to cover the costs of accommodation, travel and dinner, and bookings can be made on behalf of delegates at competitive rates once attendance is confirmed. A limited number of bursaries are available for postgraduate students to contribute towards travel and accommodation costs for those who would not otherwise have funds to attend the workshop. Postgraduate students wishing to apply for a bursary should contact the workshop organisers in the first instance and will need to provide a brief statement as to their circumstances accompanied by a supporting statement from their PhD supervisor. Contributions are welcome from both members and non-members of PERG, with postgraduates and early career academics particularly encouraged to submit.