Women and Geography Study Group vote on the group's name
The context for the vote
The question of the group’s name was mooted at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) in 2010. It was put on the agenda as a discussion item at the AGM in 2011, when there was discussion on the group’s JISCMail mailing list, where various views were aired, including a universal acceptance that ‘research group’ now included the wider commitments to knowledge exchange, including teaching and advocacy, which the group signalled by its decision to keep the title ‘study group’ in 1997. At the 2011 AGM members suggested inviting groups of contributors (to include postgraduates and early scholars) to prepare position pieces which would be published for wider readership and impact. Three position pieces and one archive-based outline of the WGSG founding aims and constitution were published in Area (2013: 1) and available via free access. It was agreed at the 2012 AGM to hold a postal/electronic ballot which would maximise members’ access to and participation in the vote.
Members of the WGSG who are current members (which includes members, Fellows, Postgraduate Fellows Young Geographers and reciprocal members) of the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) are entitled to vote.
The mechanism and deadline for the vote
The WGSG constitution requires thirty days notification of any postal or equivalent ballot. This ballot on the name of the group was notified to WGSG members by 28 March 2013 and has a closing date for votes of 30 April 2013. Confidential votes will be collected by the RGS-IBG via a secure online survey, with the process being overseen by Dr Georgina Enfield, Secretary to the Research and Higher Education Committee/Chair of the Research Groups' Sub-Committee, who will act as scrutineer.
The result of the vote will be ratified at the group's next AGM. In the event of a name change the group's constitution will require modification which would also be ratified at the next AGM.
Please provide your full name and either your email address or RGS-IBG membership number to confirm your eligibility to vote. This information is for verification purposes only and will be kept confidential by the RGS-IBG (only the vote totals and outcome will be shared with WGSG). Voting data will be destroyed once the outcome of the vote is ratified at the next Women and Geography Study Group AGM.