Call for Sponsored Sessions at RGS-IBG 2018.

The Committee of the Participatory Geographies Research Group (PyGyRg) would like to invite proposals for sessions to be sponsored by the PyGyRg at the 2018 Annual Conference of the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) (RGS-IBG).

The RGS-IBG Annual International Conference 2018, which will be chaired by Professor Paul Milbourne (Cardiff University), will have as its theme “Geographical landscapes / changing landscapes of geography.” PyGyRg members and those of the geographical and related communities are invited to propose sessions. We would welcome joint sessions with other research groups. Proposals should relate to our general interest in participatory geographies (http://www.pygyrg.co.uk), linking this in some way to the 2018 conference theme, although this is not absolutely necessary. We have listed the core aspects of our research group below.

Sessions may take the form of presented papers, panels, practitioner forums, discussions or workshops. Innovative sessions and formats are encouraged.

Date of RGS-IBG Annual Conference: Tuesday 28th to Friday 31st August 2018

Location: Cardiff University, Cardiff.

Submitting Proposals for PyGyRg sponsored sessions: Proposals for, or questions about, PyGyRg sponsored sessions should be sent to Rosalie Warnock (r.e.warnock@qmul.ac.uk).  Questions about sessions may also be sent to Sam Halvorsen (sth31@cam.ac.uk).Proposals should be submitted on the RGS Session Proposal form (available here: http://www.rgs.org/WhatsOn/ConferencesAndSeminars/Annual+International+Conference/Call+for+sessions+papers+and+posters/How+to+organise+a+session.htm) by *Friday 22ndDecember 2017* and should comprise:  

(i) Title of session; 

 (ii) Name of Co-sponsoring groups, if applicable

  (iii) Name and Contact Details for Session Convenors 

 (iv) Abstract, outlining scope of session  – 200 words max. 

(v) Number of session timeslots that are sought – this year session may not normally occupy more than 2 time slots. 

(vi) Indication, if known, of preferred organization of session, e.g. 4 x 20min  presentation, plus 20min discussion or 5 x 15min presentation, with 5min question   for each, we  would   encourage you to be creative in your use of the format. Sessions last 1 hour 40 mins.(see http://www.rgs.org/WhatsOn/ConferencesAndSeminars/Annual+International+Conference/Call+for+sessions+papers+and+posters/Conference+session+formats.htm for more idea on session formats) 

(vii) Indication, if known for any non-standard arrangements.

The PyGyRg can sponsor a total of 12 conference sessions.Please also note that individuals may not make more than two substantive contributions to the conference (where a substantive contribution is: organiser of a session of any number of timeslots; paper/poster presentation of any length; panel member). Acting as chair/facilitator or discussant, or being a non-presenting co-author is excluded from this limit, though multiple roles in these categories this can have a significant impact on scheduling.

As per previous years, the RGS is able to provide a limited number of passes for those who would be otherwise unable to attend due to the costs involved. As such we encourage you to think about the inclusion of non-academics in your session.We will confirm whether we can sponsor your session by *Friday 12th January 2018*If your session is accepted for sponsorship you must secure participants and complete the required paperwork by *Friday 16th February 2018* at the latest (preferably earlier).

Best wishes,

PyGyRg