Frequently asked questions about the Annual Conference
Find answers to your question or contact us via email at ac2026@rgs.org for guidance.
This page answers some of our most frequently asked questions about the conference
Don't see the answer you need? Contact us via email at ac2026@rgs.org
Preparing for the conference
I'm confused. How do I navigate the Ex Ordo online platform?
Please see our guide about making the most of the online programme.
Why can't I access the online programme?
From Monday 17 August you will need to login to access and view the online programme. Please use the email address that you used to register, and contact ac2026@rgs.org if you have any questions or problems.
I'm chairing a session at the conference. What do I need to know?
See our detailed guidance for session chairs.
Where can I find out more about accessibility at the conference?
We are committed to making the conference as accessible as we can to all delegates, in person and online. Please see our guide on accessibility at the conference. If you have questions or specific requests please do contact us at ac2026@rgs.org
How do I request my certificate of attendance?
Certificates of attendance can be provided by the conference organisers upon request.
If you require a printed copy (available for those attending in-person) this must be requested before Monday 24 August 2026. For all other requests, certificates will be provided in digital copy after the conference.
Presenting at the conference
Please also see our detailed guidance for presenters.
How long will I have to present?
Check with your session organiser about how long you will have to present. If you are in an open session (i.e. you submitted your paper via the open call), expect to have 15 minutes to present, plus 5 minutes for Q&A.
Do I need to submit my paper in advance?
No, you are not required to submit your paper to the conference organisers in advance. Your session chair or discussants may ask to see a copy in advance of the session; contact them to confirm this.
The only exception to this is if you are scheduled for a session in the Ondaatje Theatre or Education Centre, in which case we will be in touch directly to request a copy of your presentation for our AV team.
You have the option, should you wish, to upload a copy of your presentation in the online programme, and we encourage you to make the most of this opportunity - see below.
Can I upload additional/asynchronous content to presentations in the online programme?
Yes. This year session organisers and presenters will be able to upload additional content to presentations in the online programme (such as pre-recorded presentations, posters, papers, slides, and so on), to be viewed before, during, and after the conference. We encourage you to make the most of this capacity.
To upload material, please login to Ex Ordo and navigate to the Presentations tab. Follow the instructions for presenters to upload your chosen additional material.
If you are attending the conference in person, you must still bring your presentation with you on a USB, to upload to your session room computer.
What's the technical set-up in my session room?
The technical set-up varies by the type of session you are in. All session rooms use Windows; your presentation files must be in a format that is playable on a Windows machine (ideally PPT or PDF). You must bring your presentation with you on a USB drive.
Session rooms at the Society are set up to support hybrid sessions, and will include: a laptop running Windows; projector screen; clicker to advance slides; camera; microphone; audio speakers; wired internet connection. There will be a Zoom meeting running on the session room laptop, to connect any remote presenters and audience.
Session rooms at Imperial College London are set up to support in-person sessions and will include: a computer running Windows; projector screen; audio speakers; wired internet connection. Larger lecture theatres will be equipped with in-built microphones at the lectern.
Can I connect my own laptop or device?
No, you must not connect your own laptop or device to the room's AV equipment. This is especially important for any hybrid sessions, as disconnecting the session room laptop will end the Zoom meeting and disrupt the connection for any remote presenters or audience.
What should I do as a Mac user?
Please ensure to save your presentation in a format that can be viewed or played on a Windows computer. Please contact ac2026@rgs.org if you have any questions.
Attending in person
Please see our guide about attending the in-person conference.
Ahead of the conference, we recommend:
- Set up your Eduroam account if you are eligible and ensure you have updated this to the latest version.
- Download the conference 'mobile guide' so you have the programme in your pocket (COMING SOON)
- Download and print a grid view of the programme (COMING SOON) - check the mobile guide or online programme for the most up to date programme each day.
- Pack your reusable water bottle, a reusable coffee cup, and your laptop and headset for joining any online-only sessions.
Where should I go first when I arrive at the conference?
Please come to the Registration Desk to collect your name badge. This is located in the Pavilion at the Society. If you can, please come on Tuesday 1 September from 12 noon, as we expect the Registration Desk to be very busy on Wednesday morning.
The Registration Desk will be open:
- noon–8.00pm on Tuesday 1 September
- 8.00am–8.00pm on Wednesday 2 September
- 8.00am–8.00pm on Thursday 3 September
- 8.00am–3.00pm on Friday 4 September
How do I find my session room?
Navigate the conference venue with our step-by-step guides. Maps of the conference venue will be available on that page and in the mobile guide (COMING SOON!)
Where do I collect my lunch?
Lunch is a grab-and-go lunchbox, which you exchange for one of the lunch tickets in your delegate badge. All lunches served are vegetarian or vegan; if you noted other dietary requirements in your registration, we will be in touch with further information if required.
Lunch will be served from the Marquee, the Main Hall, and the Kensington Gore serving point each day, serving 12.30pm-2.00pm. We're expecting the busiest times to be from 12.45pm-1.10pm each day - if you can avoid those times the queues will hopefully be shorter!
We expect fastest service to be from the Kensington Gore serving point - grab your lunch and head straight over to Hyde Park.
Where do I find tea and coffee?
Tea and coffee will be served all day at the Society, in the Marquee and Main Hall. At Imperial College London, tea and coffee will be served during the morning and afternoon breaks in the Sir Alexander Fleming Building and the Physics/Blackett Building.
What if I have access requirements?
Please see our detailed guide to accessibility at the conference. If you noted an access requirement as part of your registration, we will contact you with relevant information ahead of the conference. If you have any concerns or further questions, please contact ac2026@rgs.org, or come and find us at a conference helpdesk/.
I need a private space. What should I do?
You may require a private space for prayer, breastfeeding, or other purposes. Please come to one of the conference helpdesks and ask for assistance. These are located in the Exhibition Road entrance at the Society, and in the Sir Alexander Fleming building and Physics/Blackett Building at Imperial College London.
Is there a quiet space/decompression space?
Yes, we will provide a dedicated quiet space in the RGS-IBG building. Details will be confirmed asap.
I'm new to the conference. How do I meet people?
Welcome! We're delighted that you are joining us for the first time. Do check out our newcomers' guide for advice and tips about making the most of the conference.
We also warmly encourage you to attend receptions and social events organised by our Research Groups. Unless marked invitation only, these are open to all.
Attending the conference online
Please see our detailed guide about attending the conference remotely and about making the most of the online platform.
Ahead of the conference, we recommend making sure you have the latest version of Zoom installed on your computer.
The conference theme and programme
What is the Chair's theme for this year's conference?
The 2026 conference theme focuses on charting the complexities of spatial inequalities and injustices, including those relating to society, culture and politics, to the economy, and community, and to development, climate and the environment.
How do I find out what's happening at the conference?
The programme is now live, with nearly 600 sessions taking place over the conference. You can also explore programme highlights, including our:
- Chair's events
- Journal-sponsored sessions and author-meets-critics panels
- Receptions and socials
- Photographic installations and film screenings
- Walking tours
- Workshops
How do I find out the dates and times for sessions?
Please see our programme page for more details on conference dates and session timings, as well as the structure of the conference day.
How do I tell whether a session is in-person, hybrid, or online?
Sessions are in-person, hybrid, or fully remote. The format of the session is given in the session title and displayed alongside the location in the programme.
- The Chair's plenary conversations and the majority of the journal-sponsored sessions will be taking place in the Ondaatje Theatre at the Society in London. Join us there in-person, or via the online platform. These will be also available to watch on-demand after the event.
- Hybrid sessions will have an in-person room at the Society, and a Zoom link for any remote presenters or other delegates to join.
- Online-only sessions will have a Zoom link to join.
- In-person-only sessions will take place in a room at Imperial College London with no option to present or participate online.
How many papers can I present at the conference?
Delegates will be limited to ONE paper presentation and ONE panel/workshop contribution, OR, TWO panel/workshop contributions. The role of discussant is included as a panel/workshop contribution.
A single paper may only be presented once at the conference.
Registering for the conference
How do I register for the conference?
Registration for the conference remains open. You can find out more about registration, including fee categories, and prices, on our registration page.
By registering for the conference, you agree to abide by the conference's code of conduct.
What rates are available for registration? Can I attend just the virtual sessions?
The conference will take place in-person in London and online. To reflect this, there are two sets of registration fees:
- In-person, which include access to all in-person sessions for the day(s) you select, and to all virtual content.
- Virtual only, which allow access to all online and some hybrid sessions, asynchronous content and session recordings
Please see our registration page for more details.
Do I need to register for the conference before submitting an abstract?
No, you do not need to register for the conference before you can submit a proposal for the programme. However, if your contribution is accepted, you must then register and pay the appropriate fee to attend. Both online-only and in-person rates are available. In-person registration also includes access to all online elements.
Planning your attendance
Where can I find out more about accommodation and travel to the conference?
Please see our guide to planning your attendance at the in-person conference, as part of our wider guide on planning your attendance.
Can I request proof of my registration to support my visa application?
Yes. All conference delegates who need a visa to enter the United Kingdom are advised to arrange this as early as possible.
Proof of registration to support a visa application can only be provided by the Society after the delegate's submission has been accepted for the conference programme, the full in-person registration fee has been paid, and complete contact details from a recognised institution have been provided.
Please find more information in our guide on planning your attendance at the in-person conference.
Will a crèche be offered at the conference this year?
The conference organisers are pleased to offer registered conference delegates a crèche service for children of all ages. The crèche is provided by Little Hens Childcare, an Ofsted-registered provider, whose staff are all first aid-trained, reference-checked, and CRB-checked.
There is more information in our guide on planning your attendance at the in-person conference. Please note the crèche is now at capacity and we are operating a waiting list.
Chair's theme
The Chair's theme for the 2026 Annual International Conference is Geographies of inequalities: towards just places.
Call for sessions, papers and posters
The call for sessions, papers and posters is now open.
Guidance for session organisers
Read this guidance before circulating your call for papers and submitting your session proposal.
Guidance for presenters at the conference
Information about presenting at the conference for prospective presenters.
Calls for Research Group sponsorship
Learn how you can get a Research Group to sponsor your session.
Conference session formats
Conference sessions can be in-person, online, or hybrid, and they can be structured in a variety of ways.
Conference venue
More information about the venue of the upcoming conference.
Programme
Read our information about the conference programme, including programme start and end times.
Registration
Registration is now open.