Session CfP for the RGS-IBG Annual International Conference 2009,
Manchester, UK, 26-28th August 2009
Histories of (un)natural disasters: knowledge, blame and defences
?Natural? disasters are just as social as they are natural. Their
impact depends heavily on social issues such as vulnerability while
the work done by society to mitigate their impact is obviously social.
However, social aspects of ?natural? disasters have often been
neglected and they have frequently been understood as caused solely by
nature or by divine intervention. The different causal narratives of
disasters have given rise to different understandings of
responsibilities and blame. Despite their recurrent nature these
sudden extreme events are often portrayed as exceptional.
This session will explore the histories of (un)natural disasters
across time and space. Paper proposal on any aspects related to any
aspects of this topic are welcome. A general theme may be how
knowledge and practices have worked to change the likelihood, nature
and impact of disasters. How have physical and human geography
interacted around disasters historically?
Papers for the session could for example discuss how natural disasters
have been framed as ?natural? and/or ?social? and the implications of
different framings. How has the knowledge or understanding of
disasters as ?natural?, ?Acts of God? or ?social? developed throughout
history? Who or what was blamed?
Today the impacts of these events are managed by warning systems,
emergency planning and physical defences. These systems have a long
history, and are dependent on complex scientific and social networks.
What is this history and how does it link to narratives of causality
and blame? For example, whose responsibility have extreme events been
seen to be and whose work was it to deal with the consequences of
them? Who paid for defensive work? Individuals or the state? National
or local government? What were views on how defensive work should be
organised?
Many other topics are also possible. If you are interested in
submitting a paper, please contact Anna Carlsson on
[log in to unmask] The deadline for submission
of abstracts is February 3rd 2009. Please include the following
information:
Name:
Affiliation:
Contact email:
Title of proposed paper:
Abstract (no more than 250 words):
Any technical requirements (video, data projector, sound, etc.):
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