Leticia Stevanato Rodrigues, School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham (UK) and Energy and Environmental Institute, University of São Paulo (Brazil)
My participation in the event took place on 25 and 26 April 2024. As well as presenting the abstract of one of the case studies in my Thesis, I also had the opportunity to attend lectures and learn about the research of doctoral students that were presented in the five sessions during the event. This experience provided opportunities for dialogue with researchers from different areas and places around the world. This encounter of different contexts provided me with enriching insights for the development of my research in Brazil. One of these insights was Dr Vicente Guermond’s lecture on microfinance and climate change in Cambodia. The research presented by Dr Guermond shares similarities with the Brazilian context of the climate emergency. I would like to point out that in some sessions I found it difficult to understand the presentation content due to the speed at which the doctoral students spoke to fulfill the 15-minute time. As English is my second language, this
made it a little more difficult for me to understand the content presented. However, none of this detracts from the enriching experience of taking part in the event during my stay in the UK.
Harry Smith, Department of Geography and Earth Sciences, Aberystwyth University
Attending the RGS-IBG Post-Graduate Conference was a valuable and rewarding experience. As an early career researcher, the opportunity to present my master’s project to a large audience in a professional but constructive environment allowed me to develop vital skills going forward in academia, especially in presenting and networking. It was a privilege to meet fellow post-graduates from outside my university; the feedback provided has been crucial in developing my own project. The opportunity to listen to various presentations from other post-graduates showcased the fascinating depth of research being undertaken in contemporary geography, all in the incredible setting of the Royal Geographical Society. The 2-day conference also saw us take a tour of the Society’s building and its controversial but interesting historical past, allowing us to reflect on the positive path geographical research is now undertaking. In summary, the opportunity to attend the RGS-IBG conference was an unmissable and fulfilling experience in the first steps of my academic career.