Digital Geographies Research Group

Digital Geographies Research Group | Conference sponsorship Inviting sessions that engage with theoretical or empirical interests in relation to the digital, and particularly those aligned with the conference theme.

📣 The deadline is fast approaching for expressions of interest for sponsored sessions at the RGS Annual Conference 2026.

Get in touch with your session details by 16 February! Follow the link below for more details:

How to take part in our Annual International Conference This webinar advises how you can get involved at the Society's Annual International Conference and make the most of your time at the conference.

Planning to attend the RGS-IBG Annual International Conference?

Join our free webinar to learn how to make the most of the event, including networking tips, presenting guidance, and practical advice.

📅 Tuesday 27 January
🕐 1.00–2.00pm

Register 👇
https://bit.ly/3LlMFD3

A promotional tile for the new collection in Transactions on Geographies of Responsibility, Care and Repair in Digital Worlds of AI. The graphic shows three images of the globe: a satellite image, an image with cities lit up, and a black outlined globe evocative of the world wide web symbol. This collection was organised by Jessica McLean with Louise Read, Karen Lai, Markus Breines and Sneha Krishnan, with contributions from Margath Walker, Jamie Winders, Yung Au, Katarzyna Cieslik, Nikko Stevens and Jack Jen Gieseking. The image has the Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers logo and the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) logo at the top.

New in TIBG:

'Geographies of Responsibility, Care and Repair in Digital Worlds of AI' guest edited by Jess McLean et al.

This collection features four short pieces reflecting on questions of governance of and accountability for AI.

rgs-ibg.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/toc/10.1...

Got to present the book in full for the first time yesterday at the 'Technological Life Research Cluster' (@oxfordgeography.bsky.social). Big thank you to @atmosphericthings.bsky.social and attendees for the wonderful questions and comments.

Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers | RGS Journal | Wiley Online Library Through the case of Snake Awareness Rescue Protection App (SARPA), a digital snake translocation and snakebite prevention mobile phone application in Kerala, India, this paper extends recent geograph...

New article for @tibg.bsky.social. Through the case of digital snake rescue, I merge @digicologies.bsky.social and disease ecology work to develop the lens of 'digital disease ecologies' - a way to analyse how digital encounter and datafication configure disease emergence and multispecies health.

I wrote an enthusiastic review of 'The Smartness Mandate' and 'The Ordinal Society', with added geographies.
@ohalpern.bsky.social @marionf.bsky.social @dgrgrgs.bsky.social

The image is a profile of the Early Careers Rep Olivia Fletcher. On the left is an image of Olivia smiling. She has blonde hair, wears a black jacket and white top and stands against a green and blue background. There is a title on the right, "Introducing...OLIVIA FLETCHER University Teacher, University of Liverpool". The beige text box below reads, "My recent work includes a paper on technology–space entanglements in relation to self-tracking and a creative writing workshop examining women’s access to health technologies. Digital geographies help us understand how technology shapes our lives, movements, bodies, identities and relationships - even when we don’t notice it happening! ". A final black box at the bottom reads, "Research interests: digital geographies of health & fitness, health tracking technologies, social media, embodiment, digital inequalities, feminist new materialism ". The background is made up of interlocking geometric shapes to highlight the photo and text.

👋 Friday spotlight!

Last but definitely not least, say hello to Olivia Fletcher @livfletcher.bsky.social (she/her), our Early Careers Representative, supporting and bringing early-career perspectives to the DGRG. 👇

We hope you've enjoyed learning about the committee!

#DGRGCommittee

The image is a profile of Ordinary Member Richard Müller. On the left is an image of Richard in black and white. It is a headshot of him facing the camera. There is a title on the right, "Introducing...RICHARD MULLER PhD candidate at University College London". Below is a beige text box that reads: "My doctoral research has focused on the 'interstitial' gaps in urban morphology, governance, and temporality through which unofficial, insurgent, and informal practices emerge in Taiwanese and Indian urbanisms. As a heavily interdisciplinary and practice-based researcher, I am interested in how digital tools can bear witness to these alternative urban imaginaries. Find out more about my research: www.latentspace.com". A final black text box at the bottom reads: "Research interests: Digital imaginaries, digital urbanisms, insurgent spatial practices, practice-based research, creative and visual methods." The background is made up of interlocking geometric shapes to highlight the photo and text.

👋 Continuing our committee introductions as we head toward the end of the series!

Say hello to Richard Müller (he/him), an Ordinary Member on the DGRG Committee.

Great to have them involved 👇

#DGRGCommittee

The image is a profile of the Postgraduate Representative Dr Holly Gowland. On the left is an image of Holly, playing a guitar surrounded by purple and pink shapes and lighting. There is a title on the right, "Introducing...HOLLY GOWLAND Postgraduate researcher at the University of Birmingham". The beige text box below reads: "My research explores the intersection of urban transformation and sound composition through the lens of sonic urbanism. I worked recently with Fruit and Nut Village Stirchley on a soundwalk through their sites, and I am currently working on a piece for harpsichord and electronics (premiering by Gośka Isphording in February). As I explore sound, I am able to curate a fieldwork pack of varied equipment from varied fields (environmental science, music, etc.) as digital geographies approaches analysis with an open mind.". A final black box at the bottom reads, "Research interests: sound studies, composition, changing spaces & places. I explore how constantly evolving urban environments are perceived through sound, and how sound contributes to the identity, transformation, & memory of urban landscapes.". The background is made up of interlocking geometric shapes to highlight the photo and text.

🥁Continuing our committee introductions…

Holly Gowland (she/her) serves as one of our Postgraduate Representatives, supporting and representing postgraduate researchers within the DGRG.

She also wins the award for the coolest profile photo - check out her research interests below👇

#DGRGCommittee

States of precarity in UK geography report launch We're invitomh all geographers to the launch of the States of Precarity in UK Higher Education Geography report.

Reminder that tomorrow (14 Jan) the @statesofprecarity.bsky.social Report Launch and Discussion will be held online, 1:00-2:30PM GMT.

Guest speakers: @matildaf.bsky.social, @jaytoddgla.bsky.social, Lekan Adekola, @profgillian.bsky.social.

Register here: www.rgs.org/events/upcom...

register now for the Visual Politics of Digital Ecologies conference, 2-3 Feb 2026 in Oxford! with keynotes @joannazylinska.bsky.social and Daisy Ginsberg www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-visual... 🌳 📹 🦫 🛰️

The image is a profile of the Prize Co-ordinator Dr Jack Lowe. On the left is an image of Jack smiling, wearing a hoodie in front of a multi-coloured wall. There is a title on the right, "Introducing...JACK LOWE Knowledge Exchange Manager, UWE Bristol". The beige text box below reads, "Jack is the creator of Pin the Tale: an online, map-based game about discovering and sharing stories connected to places in the UK: pinthetale.co.uk. Something fun to share with the community: If you’ve ever wandered through an old graveyard, looked at the barely readable headstones and imagined the lives of those buried there, you might enjoy this little free mystery game: https://interment.itch.io/play". A final black box at the bottom reads, "Research interests: Place, digital games, creative methods, locative and mobile media, psychogeography". The background is made up of interlocking geometric shapes to highlight the photo and text.

👋 Now say hi to Jack Lowe (he/him), our Prize Co-ordinator, helping to recognise outstanding research in digital geographies.

@jackalowe.bsky.social recommends you check out Pin The Tale (pinthetale.co.uk) and this free mystery game (interment.itch.io/play) to wave Monday goodbye!

#DGRGCommittee

The image is a profile of the Social Media Co-ordinator Hope Steadman. On the left is an image of Hope smiling at the camera wearing a flowery jumpsuit with foliage behind. There is a title on the right, "Introducing...HOPE STEADMAN PhD Student - School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford". The beige text box below reads, "My PhD research investigates how digital technologies shape the ways rivers are sensed, understood and governed in Oxfordshire, exploring how they influence environmental knowledge, politics and everyday experience. I believe digital geographies are crucial at a time when digital tools increasingly shape how we monitor and govern environmental change. I’m excited to join a community that critically engages with these technologies and to support PGR-led conversations on digital environmental futures." A final black box at the bottom reads, "Research interests: feminist digital geographies, environmental knowledge politics, pollution governance and digital ecologies." The background is made up of interlocking geometric shapes to highlight the photo and text.

📣 Rounding off the week with another committee intro…

Meet Hope Steadman (she/her), the Social Media Co-ordinator for the DGRG, helping share news, events and (yes) these posts 👇 @hope-steadman.bsky.social

#DGRGCommittee

The image shows a profile of the DGRG Events Coordinator, Adam Michael Packer. On the left is a photo of Anna in a stripey shirt and black jacket, smiling at the camera. The heading on the right reads, "Introducing... ADAM MICHAEL PACKER Research Fellow, University of Birmingham". Below this is a beige text box reading, "I am currently undertaking an ESRC-funded Centre-UB Early Career Researcher Fellowship that explores public perceptions and attitudes towards medical uses of drones in Wales, UK, building on my previous work as part of the University of Birmingham’s Future Flight Social Science research programme. DGRG have facilitated and nurtured welcoming and supportive spaces for a friendly collective of scholars that have tangibly contributed to the professional development of my career. I hope we can continue to do that through our events and activities including our annual symposium." A final black text box at the bottom reads: "Research Interests: I draw on geography, STS, political science, and sociology to understand how digital technologies are transforming (urban) life." The background is made up of several interlocking shapes to highlight the photo and text.

👋 Next in the series...

Meet Adam Michael Packer (he/him), our Events Co-ordinator. @adammpacker.bsky.social is a familiar face on the committee and does a truly excellent job helping ensure DGRG events are well organised, welcoming and engaging 👇

#DGRGCommittee

The image shows a profile of the DGRG Treasurer, Anna Jackman. On the left is a photo of Anna in a stripey top, smiling at the camera. The heading on the right reads, "Introducing... ANNA JACKMAN Associate Professor in Human Geography - University of Reading, UK". Below this is a beige text box reading, "I’m currently PI on a British Academy project (with Co-I Dr Paul Cureton, Lancaster University), 'Future drone skies: Planning in volume' which brings together academics in geography and design to explore the implications of drones in UK airspace for the UK built environment. I’m also part of the RGS and Antipode-funded States of Precarity research project, exploring the long and short term effects of precarity in UK HEI Geography. We’ve created a project report, action plans and wider resources, designed to support more equitable working cultures." A final black text box at the bottom reads, "Research interests: Feminist political geographer interested in robotic and digital technologies in everyday, urban and military life and space.". The background is made up of several interlocking shapes to highlight the photo and text.

✨ Hello 2026... and welcome back!

We're starting the new year with our next committee intro. Please welcome Anna Jackman (she/her), our Treasurer and a great person to have on the team.

Happy New Year @ahjackman.bsky.social! 👇

#DGRGCommittee

The image shows a profile for Maciej Główczyński, an Ordinary Member of the Committee. A photo on the left show Maciej outdoors, wearing glasses, smiling and in a puffer jacket. Text on the left reads: "Introducing... Maciej Główczyński Assistant Professor at Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań". A beige text box below reads: "My current research project tackles the problem of posthuman agency and experiences of place mediated through digital technologies. For me, digital geographies help to critically address the entanglements between human and digital technologies, as well as the relations, inequalities, and imaginaries they produce.". A final black text box at the bottom reads: "Research Interests: Digital placemaking, agency, human-place-technology relations, extended realities, qualitative methods". The background shows geometric shapes to highlight the main text.

🎄 Our final committee intro before the festive break...

Meet Maciej Główczyński one of our Ordinary Members and a fantastic part of the DGRG Committee.

A lovely note to end the year on, and more to come in the new year 👇

#DGRGCommittee

This image shows a profile of the Committee's Postgrad Rep, Alfie Greenwood. On the left is an image of Greenwood, smiling, facing the camera, wearing a black jumper with a red logo. Behind him is a green lawn and pillared building. On the right, the title reads: "Introducing... ALFIE GREENWOOD PhD student - UCL, Department of Geography". Below is a beige text box, reading: "My PhD research explores the geographies of AI within the home, exploring how intelligent technologies are increasingly (re)shaping everyday domestic life, as well as what these developments mean for how we geographically understand the home in the era of AI. Digital geography has profoundly shaped my thinking since my undergraduate studies, and I believe this field is more critically important than ever amid the proliferation of pervasive digital technologies across all aspects of life. I’m excited to play a role in a community that is deeply and critically engaged with the impacts of these technologies, and to help positively shape its growth through PGR-led contributions." At the bottom is a final black text box reading: "Research Interests: Geographies of the home, geographies of AI, and exploring how emerging AI systems are reshaping everyday life, spaces and relations." The background is made up of several geometric shapes helping to highlight the photo and key text.

💡 In today’s committee spotlight…

Please welcome Alfie Greenwood, joining us this year as one of our Postgraduate Representatives. Hi @alfiegreenwood.bsky.social!

A new face on the committee helping to bring postgrad perspectives to the table! 👇

#DGRGCommittee

This image shows a profile of the Committee Secretary, Daisy Curtis. On the left is an image of Daisy, smiling, facing the camera, wearing a grey top and yellow cardigan. On the right, the title reads "Introducing... DAISY CURTIS Lecturer in Human Geography, University of Exeter." Below is a beige text box, reading: "Daisy's research examines emerging technologies and their social life, in particular 5G technology. Daisy is interested in technological development and roll-out, the radio spectrum, digital geopolitics, and knowledge controversies including conspiracy theories and their associated communities. For Daisy, digital geographies captures a huge breadth of research interests and also brings together wonderfully generous and thoughtful people from across geography and beyond." The image ends with a final black text box, reading: "Research interests: 5G, digital geopolitics, knowledge controversies" The background shows several overlapping geometric shapes to highlight the text.

❄️ Starting the week with another committee intro...

Meet our Secretary, Daisy Curtis (she/her) helping to keep everything running smoothly as we head toward the end of the year. 👇

#DGRGCommittee

This image shows a profile of an Ordinary Member of the Committee, María Cervantes-Macías. On the left is an image of María, smiling, facing the camera, wearing a pink dress with foliage in the background. On the right, the title reads "Introducing... María Cervantes-Macías Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of British Columbia". Below is a beige text box, reading: "Broadly, I’m interested in how global migration regimes and digital labour markets reshape cities, producing new forms of inequality and belonging. I approach these questions through ethnographic methods, with a focus on North American regional integration. "Digital geographies" allows us to think about all the connections that we have across space and time, it gives us tools to study the infrastructures and networks that keep us all connected." At the bottom of the image is a black text box reading, "Research Interests: My work examines how borders, technology, and inequality shape who gets to move, work, and belong across North America." The background is made up of geometric coloured shapes to highlight the text.

🥁And next up…

Meet María Cervantes-Macías (she/her), one of our Ordinary Members and a new face on the DGRG Committee this year.

We’re excited to have her on board! 👇

#DGRGCommittee

"The image is a profile introducing the International Officer, June Wang. On the left hand side of the image, there is a professional photo of June with dark hair, looking at the camera, seated at a table with a mug of coffee. To the right of the image, the text reads: “Introducing... JUNE WANG Associate Professor, Department of Public and International Affairs, City University of Hong Kong”. Below this is a text box section: “My current research examines how digital infrastructures facilitate Chinese tech professionals’ expansion into BRI countries and the emerging geopolitics of technological standards shaping this process.” A quote follows: “To me, digital geographies reveal how the digital is deeply entangled with spatial politics — from infrastructures and labour to governance and imaginaries of the future.” A final text box at the bottom states: "Research interests: Digital territories, digital infrastructure, digital labour, and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)”

👋 Today we're introducing June Wang (she/her), our fabulous International Officer. Hello @june-wang.bsky.social!

June is an Associate Professor at the City University of Hong Kong, and you can find out more about her research interests in the profile below. 👇

#DGRGCommittee

The image is a profile introducing the Website Co-ordinator, Thomas Dekeyser. On the left hand side of the image, there is a headshot of Thomas with brown hair, looking towards the camera. To the right of the image, the text reads: "Introducing... THOMAS DEKEYSER Lecturer in Human Geography, University of Southampton" Below this is a text box section detailing Thomas' latest projects. He explains that his work, in the form of writing and films, examines the shifting co-ordinates of power and resistance and digital and urban environments. He has a new monograph out in March 2026, titled Techno-Negative: A Long History of Refusing the Machine. He continues to engage with the politics of refusal in a world increasingly saturated with AI. At the bottom is a final black text box, "Research interests: digital technology; refusal; negativity; Artificial Intelligence; pessimism; geographical theory; creative methods." The background is a mix of white and intersecting grey and black geometric shapes to highlight the quoted information.

Next up in the series…

Say hello to Thomas Dekeyser (he/him), our new Website Co-ordinator, keeping all things DGRG online running smoothly! 👇 @thomas-dekeyser.bsky.social

And why not check out the site to see what we're up to: digitalgeographiesrg.org

#DGRGCommittee

The image is a profile introducing the Committee chair, Tess Osborne. On the left hand side of the image, there is a professional photo of Tess with blonde hair, looking off to the side, seated at a table with a water bottle and a microphone pack. To the right of the image, the text reads: "Introducing... TESS OSBORNE Lecturer in Human Geography @ University of Leicester & Honorary Research Fellow @ University of Birmingham." Below this is a text box section titled "Two of my recent projects include:" listing "Biosocial Walking: exploring how movement and emotion shape migrant belonging in cities," and "AI Images: investigating how AI understands and misrepresents place." A quote follows: "For me, digital geographies shows how tech quietly choreographs our lives, sometimes helping, sometimes getting in the way." A final text box at the bottom states: "Research interests: how digital tech shapes movement, bodies and health and wellbeing: from migrant journeys to later-life mobility." The background is a mix of white and intersecting grey and black geometric shapes to highlight the quoted information.

🎉 Meet the DGRG Committee!

Over the coming days, we’ll be spotlighting the brilliant humans who keep the DGRG running, including a mix of familiar faces and new members.

First up (because someone has to go first)… our Chair, Tess Osborne (she/her/hers)! 👇 @tessosborne.bsky.social

#DGRGCommittee

Sign the Petition Save Geography at the University of Leicester

Please consider signing and circulating petitions, supporting striking colleagues, engaging with upcoming DGRG events on precarity, and/or extending other forms of solidarity to our (digital) geography community. 6/6

Save Geography at the University of Leicester petition:

States of precarity in UK Higher Education geography Findings from a discipline-focused research project exploring the lived realities of precarious academic work within UK Higher Education geography.

We recognise those impacted by and experiencing the effects of precarity, and encourage DGRG members to offer their support. 5/6

www.rgs.org/research/hig...

Funding crisis in higher education | RGS The Society is concerned about the current situation in many UK universities where academic and professional staff are at a risk of redundancy and departments at threat of merger or closure.

The current sectoral crises see these issues touch down in our institutions and impact the daily lives of University staff and students. As a research group, we stand in solidarity with the Royal Geographical Society's concerns relating to the current situation in many UK universities. 4/6

Geography remains a discipline vital in understanding and responding to a changing world punctuated by complex and intersecting issues and crises. As a discipline, Geography is underpinned by notions and practices of justice, equity, and activism. 3/6

From announced closures to proposed and potential redundancies, such processes and pressures directly impact digital geography research group members, geography colleagues, and the discipline more widely.  2/6

DGRG A Research Group of the RGS-IBG

Statement from the Digital Geographies Research Group (RGS-IBG)

The Royal Geographical Society’s (RGS-IBG) Digital Geographies Research Group (DGRG) are deeply concerned about the impacts and implications of ongoing crises facing Geography departments in UK Universities. 1/6

States of precarity in UK geography report launch We're invitomh all geographers to the launch of the States of Precarity in UK Higher Education Geography report.

Today, we’re starting a countdown to the launch event for our States of Precarity in UK HE Geography report. Based on 364 responses from across the discipline, it maps how precarity is shaping academic lives. #StatesofPrecarity

Follow along as we share the findings week by week.

Register below👉

💥 New publication out on the alignment of AI & authoritarianism 💥

We argue that AI is not simply extending, but actively modulating, key dynamics of authoritarianism, and present a flexible analytical framework to account for these changes.

rgs-ibg.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...