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After 600 sessions over four days, our Annual International Conference 2026 has concluded. The conference theme this year was Geographies of inequalities: towards just places. From the complexities of injustices, relating to society, culture, economy and politics, to inequalities faced from climate and the environment, 2,886 in-person and online delegates from around the world enjoyed a wide-ranging schedule of workshops, panel discussions, and lectures.

Opening the conference on Tuesday evening was Conference Chair Professor Peter Hopkins, who welcomed delegates and introduced themes for the week. Professor Susan Smith then delivered an insightful keynote, speaking to the shape of inequality in today's world.

A series of Chair’s events followed, taking place in the Ondaatje Theatre and Education Centre across the week. In each of these sessions, experts were brought together around the common theme of inequalities. Highlights included queer and feminist perspectives toward just geographies and a discussion on challenging race and racism. Elsewhere at the conference, environmental geographies and inequalities was a key theme with sessions on experiences of heat, drought and recent wildfires.

Alongside lectures and workshops, a dynamic programme of exhibitions, film screenings and workshops took place. We were also delighted to welcome sessions sponsored by our journals and offer opportunities to meet editors of both the journals and the RGS-IBG Book Series. Many of our Research Groups also convened lectures and panels during the conference, in addition to their many sponsored sessions. This included the first keynote convened by the Middle East and North Africa Research Group and a first keynote in recent years from the Economic Geography Research Group.

While the weather dampened on Friday, the energy did not and we enjoyed another day of enriching talks and sessions. This was followed by a closing reception on Friday evening, a chance for all to relax, unwind and catch up with friends, old and new.

Group of people sit in a circle at a conference, they are sitting on black chairs.
© RGS
  • Group of people sit in a circle at a conference, they are sitting on black chairs.
  • A panel of people sitting in a line in a lecture theatre.
  • Two people in an audience look pensively while they listen
  • A group of people sit around a table and look at maps.
  • Two people look at an exhibition on 'a change in the climate.
  • A large white marquee in the garden of a building. There are hundreds of people filling it and outside too.
  • Peter Hopkins speaking into a microphone.
It was such a privilege to be the Conference Chair and to have the theme focus on geographies of inequalities: towards just places. Many thanks to everyone who participated in Chair’s plenary panels, journal keynotes, book panels, exhibitions, and workshops. Many thanks also to all delegates for buying into the conference theme and organising an important array of sessions focusing on diverse issues connected with the complex geographies of inequalities and justice. Let’s not stop focusing on these important issues and hope to see you in Bristol next year for AC2027!Chair of Conference, Professor Peter Hopkins

The 2027 Annual International Conference will take place at the University of Bristol and will be chaired by Professor Richard Harris. See you there!  

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