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. 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.  

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. 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 and recognise those impacted by and experiencing the effects of precarity, and encourage DGRG members to offer their support. Please consider signing and circulating petitions (e.g. Save Geography at the University of Leicester), supporting striking colleagues, engaging with upcoming DGRG events on precarity, and/or extending other forms of solidarity to our (digital) geography community.