Research Groups supporting early career researchers

As the summer term begins, we want to highlight the ongoing and important work undertaken by the Society’s Research Groups so far this year to support postgraduate and early-career colleagues. 

Groups continue to recognise excellence in early-career work, spotlighting emerging research through their events. These include ongoing series hosted by the Economic Geography Research Group and the Geographies of Health and Wellbeing Research Group, and in sessions organised at the upcoming Annual Conference. They also celebrate early career researchers (ECR) by awarding prizes, including those recognising outstanding postgraduate dissertations. 

Research Groups provide opportunities for ECRs to collaborate. In March, the Development Geographies Research Group hosted a workshop in London, bringing together early-career colleagues to explore art-based methodologies in geography 

Through ongoing work, Research Groups provide support in navigating careers. Workshops hosted by the Geography and Education Research Group and the Social and Cultural Geography Research Group have provided advice on publishing and an upcoming workshop hosted by the Climate Change Research Group will also provide advice on this topic. Several groups continue to facilitate peer mentoring schemes supporting the professional development of early-career colleagues and a number also run programmes of funding to support postgraduates with fieldwork and attendance at academic events.

Groups facilitate social networks for early career academics and support for wellbeing. The Geographies of Children, Youth and Families Research Group, Food Geographies Research Group, and Rural Geography Research Group host monthly coffee sessions providing informal spaces for ECRs with shared interests to discuss their research journeys. In March, the Geographies of Leisure and Tourism Research Group hosted a webinar advising on sustaining well-being throughout the doctoral journey.

Research Groups are making plans for later this year to further the programme of support. The Political Geography Research Group will host a pre-Annual Conference event which is being planned by, and wishes to engage, predominantly early career academics.

Also taking place during the conference, the Digital Geographies Research Group will host a workshop for early career researchers to share and discuss their experiences of academic precarity. Look out for the conference provisional programme going live later this month for further details.