Join us
Conference delegates listening attentively to a presentation.

Annual International Conference

The RGS-IBG Annual International Conference regularly attracts over 2,000 geographers from around the world.

The Annual International Conference 2027 will be chaired by Professor Richard Harris (University of Bristol, UK). The Conference will take place at the University of Bristol and online, from Tuesday 31 August to Friday 3 September 2027.

More details on the conference theme and the calls for sessions, papers and posters will be published in November 2026.

Dead leaves on dark soil next to a mirror showing bright living leaves and branches.

Chair's theme

The Chair's theme for the 2027 conference will be selected by Chair of Conference, Professor Richard Harris.

Closeup image of a person typing on laptop computer keyboard.

Call for sessions, papers and posters

The call for sessions, papers and posters is now open.

Aerial view of the University of Bristol campus with a prominent Gothic-style tower surrounded by autumn trees and academic buildings.

Conference venue

More information about the venue of the upcoming conference.

Two people having a conversation. One person on the right is sitting with their back to the camera and is blurred out.

Accessibility at the conference

Find out how we are making the conference accessible for all.

Pile of orange conference lanyards with white lettering reading RGS-IBG.

Code of conduct

The Society's annual conference code of conduct applies to all delegates and participants.

A circular orange sign reading 'Royal Geographical Society with IBG' and 'Welcome', next to a green plant with pink flowers.

Inclusivity, respect, and professional conduct at the conference

Find out more about how we make the conference as inclusive as possible.

Folded cardboard boxes stacked in rows.

Sustainability at the conference

The steps we're taking to ensure the conference becomes a more sustainable event.

Stack of printed RGS-IBG Annual Internaion Conference 2016 programmes.

History of the Annual International Conference

The origins of the conference can be traced back to January 1933. From the beginning, the conference has been chaired by a leading academic.

Audience member with a notebook and pen on their lap, seated next to other people.

Future conferences

The Society hosts the conference in our building in London for one out of every two years (hiring additional space at Imperial College London), and then every second year we take the conference out of London.