Our Annual International Conference is fast approaching, and we can’t wait to welcome our vibrant and diverse geographical community again. We are working to deliver a conference that is safer, more accessible, more inclusive and convivial for everyone. Read below for a summary of our recent activities in this space and the support we will offer at conference:
Pre-Conference workshop - preparing for disclosures
We know that anyone could be a first responder to a disclosure of harassment, discrimination, bullying or violence. An online workshop on responding to disclosures will be delivered by the 1752 Group, experts in sexual harassment and violence in higher education on Thursday 18 August from 2.00-4.00pm.
Sharing response strategies for bystanders
Working with The 1752 Group, we have collated guidance on being an active bystander, with concrete suggestions of approaches and interventions in different contexts. These are intended to support positive professional community norms and healthier academic settings.
Support and recovery space
We will have a dedicated recovery quiet space at the conference (Henry Daysh Building, 1.07) with a trained counsellor present to offer support and advice on reporting on Wednesday 31 August from 11.00am-2.00pm and on Thursday 1 September from11.00am-2.00pm. There will also be resources available in the space. You can also speak to Society staff (see details in the Code of Conduct), email harassment@rgs.org or phone or text 0207 591 3022.
Conference code of conduct
All delegates agree to abide by the conference code of conduct. Discrimination, harassment and bullying are unacceptable and constitute serious misconduct which will be addressed with potential consequences including expulsion from the conference and/or reporting to their institution.
Statement on inclusivity and safety
Last autumn, Rachel Pain (Chair of Conference), Alison Blunt and Peter Kraftl (as Trustees of the Society) wrote an open letter to the community drawing attention to unprofessional and inappropriate behaviours that sometimes occur at conferences, and encouraged everyone involved in the conference to tackle this problem.
We want to thank all of you who have led and been active in these discussions, particularly the Society’s Research Groups and the EDI Reference Group at Newcastle University. With all of us contributing, we can work together and build on existing efforts to change the culture of conferences and other professional spaces in our discipline.
If you have any questions please contact the conference organisers at ac2022@rgs.org.
Follow the conference on Twitter using #RGSIBG22.