Human Geography students from across Wales came together this week for the annual Wales Human Geography Postgraduate Conference at Gregynog. This is an opportunity for all first and final year PhD students from Aberystwyth, Cardiff and Swansea to present their research as well as meeting and networking with peers from across Wales in the beautiful rural setting of Gregynog Hall.

Emma Spence

Samantha Saville

The conference, on Monday and Tuesday, was followed by a Doctoral Theory School, with activities on Tuesday afternoon and into Wednesday, including a keynote presentation from Professor Clive Barnett. The director of the ESRC Wales DTC Professor David James, who visited the conference, said “This event is a firm part of the calendar for Doctoral students across Wales in the field of Human Geography. I was really impressed by the quality of presentations and discussions, and the clear originality of much of the work going on. Events like this, which combine the rigour and discipline of presenting with a supportive and friendly atmosphere, are a crucial part of Doctoral education. I’d like to thank the staff concerned for continuing to organise an event that so clearly adds to the quality of the student programme”.

Amy Jones of Swansea University, whose PhD is on the Wales Coast Path, said “I really enjoyed Gregynog. It was really good to meet other Geography students and many of us are going to keep in touch and have planned to meet up again (even to walk some of the coastal path) so will be great to have a network of geography Phd friends in the other universities.”

Pictured are Emma Spence of Cardiff University whose paper was titled “Mobilizing Assemblage: A study of ship, sea, and shore” and Samantha Saville of Aberystwyth University who gave a talk on “Polarasing Nature-Culture: An Examination of Value in Svalbard”.