Dear Svenja, I would be happy to help if it’s in Scotland and I’m already thinking of venues… Best wishes, Anne
From: Discussion list on participatory geographies [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Svenja Meyerricks
Sent: 11 September 2015 10:35
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: AGM 2015 Minutes
Dear all,
thanks for the minutes, and sorry I couldn't make it.
I am interested in working on the website - perhaps Anne could give me some more detail on what's involved? I did a wee bit of work on it in the past.
I may be interested in organising the Away Weekend in May in Scotland, but I'd feel more able to take it on with a second person. Is any PyGyRGer (based in Scotland or over long-distance, doesn't really matter)
up for co-organising this with me?
All the best,
Svenja
On 10 September 2015 at 13:27, Sam Halvorsen <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
Hi all
Please see below for the minutes from last week’s AGM in Exeter. Thanks to those who attend and to Matej for taking the minutes
Sam
……..
Participatory Geographies Research Group
Annual General Meeting
Thursday 3rd September 2015, 1440-1620
University of Exeter, Peter Chalk building, Rooms 1.2 and 1.3
Draft Minutes
In attendance:
Sam Halvorsen,
Secretary, Sheffield University
Kye Askins,
Librarian, University of Glasgow
Matej Blazek,
Dissertation Prize Coordinator, Loughborough University
Gerald Taylor Aiken, University of Luxembourg
Bridget Holtom, University of Glasgow
Abdou Ndow,
RG Guest, Glasgow
Dorothea Kleine, RHUL
Jayne Jeffries, Newcastle University
Elisabeth van Overbeeke, University of Waterloo
1.
Summary of achievements and events in 2014-15:
a.
Julien’s map
b.
Away weekend
c.
Welcome events in London and Sheffield
d.
Regular blogs
2.
Committee
There are three open vacancies for committee positions: Activist/Community Liaison, Postgraduate Representative, Website-Coordinator (to work with Anne Toomey). In addition, there is a scope
for including Ordinary Members on the committee to act in an advisory/ad hoc role.
At the moment, Chair, Secretary and Treasurer hold regular Skype meetings, and issues are discussed with other
committee members or other individuals as and when relevant. Questions were raised how the wider committee could/should be involved in the regular business. KA will draft an email on this, first to the other committee members, then to be circulated to the
mailing list.
3.
Plans for 2015-16
a.
2016 Away weekend
We are looking for organisers and programme. Preferably in the Southeast or other regions where it has not taken
place before (Scotland), ideally close to an international airport. Proposed date: 27.-29.5.2015 (the late May bank holiday).
b.
Expanding website with more resources and library sections and blogs
A list of selected readings is available on the website, as is a CC licensed lecture on participatory methods.
KA acts as a librarian – to be contacted if anyone interested in the readings cannot access them.
Peter North volunteered to set up a PyGyRG account on
Academia.edu where papers (e.g. pre-published drafts) can be added to make up a “library”.
c.
Developing worksheets of different types of participatory methods/approaches
Discussion about compiling a resources sheet with different methods/approaches and contacts that could serve as
an introductory pointer. No action taken.
d.
Welcome events
After the success in Sheffield and London, it might be worth organising further events elsewhere. They are relatively
easy to put together and do not require much (or any) funding. Anyone interested can contact Jenny Pickerill or Sam Halvorsen for reflections from organising the events.
e.
Writing retreat
Some research groups (SCGRG) run these successfully, while others run similar events (e.g. GFRG has a reading retreat).
GTA expressed interest in organising one, anyone else interested can contact the committee for help.
f.
Finances
Various possibilities of securing future funding were discussed, including producing (collectively) a book with
royalties forwarded to the research group; exploring the possibility of an RGS-IBG prize that would be dedicated to participatory geographies; or a conference/event to generate funding. No action taken.
4.
Masters Dissertation Prize
Four submissions received for 2013/14, three of them from the same institution. With concerns about effects of
the late advertising, no prize will be given for 2013/14. For 2014/15, the advert is in the official RGS-IBG call and was sent out to all geography departments in the UK. Additionally, MB will circulate a reminder in the late September and will contact directly
institutions where Masters programmes are held. Deadline is 30.11.2015.
The prize to be reviewed for 2015/16 in the light of the response we will get, e.g. withdrawing the 1st
Class requirement, including UG dissertations or specifying the meaning of “participatory” work.
5.
Research Group grant applications for the 2015/16 academic year
Discussion about possible sources of grants, and potential beneficiaries. No concrete proposals.
6.
PyGyRG publication updates
A themed section of
Area on “practising participatory geographies” (Eds: Sophie Wynne-Jones, Peter North and Paul Routledge) was published in the spring. The editorial includes an outline of the work and principles of the PyGyRG.
7.
RGS-IBG AC 2016
Next AC will take place in London, 30.8.-2.9.2016. The topic is “Nexus Thinking”. More information should follow
in October 2015.
Low attendance at the 2015 AGM: several apologies were received and there seems to be an overall lower attendance
in Exeter, but some people questioned scheduling the AGM in one of the regular slots, where other sessions might attract potential attendees.
DK suggested organising, ideally with other research groups, a soapbox event on participatory geography, as a response
to the increasing number of groups hosting progressive and critical approaches (RACE being the newest, see point 9) and as a way of establishing connections and strengthening dialogue. Ideally, the event would take place at the beginning of the conference.
There was a discussion about a possible PyGyRG plenary lecture/event, possibly co-organised with other research
groups. There are concerns about the “traditional” format of a one-sided presentation and suggestions are welcome for alternatives/subversions. It was agreed that although it would be good to have the event open to non-academics, it is our intention to speak
critically to the “mainstream” of the discipline, not create a space outside the main conference. Ideas about the speakers include Caitlin Cahill (appeal to the work of various research groups, funding might be a problem) and non-academic/activist speakers.
8.
AOB
A new Working Group on Race, Culture and Equality (RACE) is being proposed to the
RGS-IBG. Support to the application is sought and anyone interested can contact Richard Baxter ([log in to unmask]),
Secretary.
9.
Next AGM
The AGM will be held at the RGS-IBG Annual Conference, London, Tuesday 30 August to Friday 2 September 2016.
……...
Sam Halvorsen
https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/geography/staff/sam_halvorsen
Secretary, Participatory
Geographies Research Group
Latest articles: 'Militant
research against-and-beyond itself: critical perspectives from the university and Occupy London'
‘Encountering
Occupy London: Boundary Making and the Territoriality of Urban Activism’
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