appologies for cross posting
Booking is now available for the second of the ESRC-sponsored seminar series “Engaging Geographies”: Geographies and policy
"Engaging geography" aims to explore and respond to two key challenges facing the discipline of geography in 2009 and beyond: the ‘state’ of the discipline, its disciplinary identity and public face, lack of interaction between academic, school, and other geographers, and the perceived inability to engage with and influence the world and public(s) ‘out there’ (see Castree et al, 2007); and the increasing calls for academics to play more prominent public roles outside their ivory tower offices, at a time of developing growth in ‘public’ variants of many social science disciplines (see Attwood, 2007).
Geographies and policy
• Do policy makers take any notice of geographers’ expertise on what are quite explicitly geographical issues (such as inequality, climate change and development)?
• Are geographers willingly obtuse and prone to using inaccessible, irrelevant language?
• Do geographers focus on abstract issues of concern to the academy, but of little relevance to dealing with real world issues?
This event will bring together academics interested in working in policy-relevant but critical ways in a discussion with members of research consultancies, ‘think tanks’ and government researchers to discuss how geographers might maintain their independence and ability to make fundamental critiques, while ensuring that their research has more of an impact on real life issues.
Date: 19 November 2009 10.00am – 5pm (there will be a meal available afterwards at your own cost).
Conveners: Peter North (University of Liverpool) & David Featherstone (University of Glasgow)
Location: The Foresight Centre, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK – walking distance from Lime Street.
http://www.foresightcentre.co.uk/Pages/Article.aspx?id=216
Accommodation: we would recommend The Feathers:
http://www.feathers.uk.com/feathers/
or you can find other options here.
http://www.visitliverpool.com/
(If you unsure about where is and isn’t convenient for the Foresight Centre, contact the organizers.)
Speakers confirmed:
“Can we draw a road-map out of obscurity and irrelevance or would the world be better off without 'Geographers'?"
Professor Danny Dorling, University of Sheffield
Geographical knowledge informing international trade union strategy
Dr Jeremy Anderson and Dr Paula Hamilton, International Transport Federation
Food fights and quarrelsome science wars: engaging policy makers in critical geographies of obesity
Dr Bethan Evans, Manchester Metropolitan University
Policy and Labour rights: the case in Sierra Leone
Dr John Stirling, University of Northumbria
What forms of social research do move policy on? A research commissioner’s perspective
Dr Bev Bishop, Social Science Unit, Analytical Services Division, The Health and Safety Executive
There is no charge for the seminar or for refreshment, but participants must book a place in advance and are expected to meet their own costs. To book a place please contact Pete North ([log in to unmask]).
Please inform us of any special requirements (eg. dietary, access etc.). We will do our best to address these:
A limited number of travel/accommodation bursaries are, however, available for postgraduate / unwaged participants or people without access to funding for such activity. To request a bursary please contact Pete North ([log in to unmask]) specifying your status and (briefly) the reasons for your request.
The seminar series has a dedicated website to facilitate as wide and open exchange of ideas and information as possible. Information gathered from the participants in seminar one has been posted at:
http://engaginggeography.wordpress.com/seminar-participants-and-interests/
If you would like to join this discussion, tell us a bit about yourself when you book your place.
We look forward to welcoming you to Liverpool in November!
Pete ([log in to unmask])
Dave ([log in to unmask])
Peter North
Department of Geography
School for Environmental Sciences
University of Liverpool
0151 794 2849
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