Meeting in Detroit, and Meeting the Moment
When I first considered “Making Spaces of Possibility” as the theme for our 2025 Annual Meeting, it would have been difficult to imagine how much the world of geography and higher education would be in turmoil by now. Rapid policy shifts in the U.S. with regard to funding for geographic research and the scientific enterprise more broadly, restrictions on academic freedom and the topics we can teach, drastic challenges to the institutions of democracy, and the looming upheaval in geopolitical alliances in the world were not what I anticipated when envisioning our Annual Meeting this year. Alas, this is where we find ourselves.
As our conference in Detroit is approaching, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the importance of such a gathering as geography scholars, educators, and practitioners come together. We do so in order to exchange scholarly findings and insights, think about geographic futures, and collectively contribute to geographic knowledge production. Gathering, collaborating, thinking, debating—sometimes fiercely, and organizing for better futures strike me as critically important in the current moment, a moment that seems intent on undermining the very foundations and principles of our work. My hope is that gathering in Detroit will energize us and strengthen our commitments to working toward more equitable futures. The Annual Meeting program is a testament to these commitments, and I am very much looking forward to learning from and with geographers later this month.
Speakers in this year’s presidential plenary will address how geographers and interdisciplinary scholars may contribute to Making Spaces of Possibility, spaces that allow for imagining and enacting more equitable worlds, that are tuned into local and global processes, and respect and validate the experiences of diverse residents, advocates, and activists. Drawing on their respective fields of expertise, Kyle T. Mays, Natasha Myhal, and Jessi Quizar take on these questions with regard to racial capitalism, land, sovereignty, ecological restoration, and repair. Thinking through questions of reparations, ecological restoration, and care, as these talks will do, the speakers highlight how geographers can engage in meaningful scholarship and political actions that affect positive change. Their scholarship also reminds us that organizing for change takes time, energy, and dedication. I look forward to hearing our speakers’ arguments in depth, and to the questions and conversations that these talks will spark.
After all, geographers have been making spaces of possibility for a long time. Whether these are our classroom spaces, research labs, reading groups, activism, or community mapping efforts (we honor Gwendolyn Warren this year for her innovation and advocacy in this field!) As an institution, the AAG has been fostering geographic research, education, and geographic careers for over 120 years, through journal publications, annual and regional meetings, and advocacy on behalf of our discipline and members. Along the way, our organization has evolved—for the better, as far as I’m concerned. We have been working toward broadening the tent of geography, insisted on valuing different viewpoints, affirming different research approaches and a broad range of topics, and considering how, as geographers, we can continue to make significant contributions to making this world a better place for all its inhabitants. At the same time, we have created more inclusive and accessible spaces for participating in meetings and the discipline more broadly.
While we prepare for the Annual Meeting, write our talks, and make plans to meet up with colleagues, collaborators, and friends, I also wanted to highlight opportunities for taking immediate action. If you are able to and feel so inclined, please join this week’s Stand Up For Science March in Washington DC or the numerous local events across the U.S. And please continue to call your elected representatives. There are numerous good reasons to urge Congress to protect NOAA, restore funding for science and/or for international education and exchange programs such as Fulbright, which have long been supporting geographers, geographic research, and teaching.
I also wanted to highlight opportunities for taking immediate action. If you are able to and feel so inclined, please join this week’s Stand Up For Science March in Washington DC or the numerous local events across the U.S. And please continue to call your elected representatives.
Over the past few weeks, AAG has continued to build coalitions with other scientific and professional organizations. We have signed on to several initiatives, including a letter to Congress to restore access to Federal public data. Earlier this week, AAG was one of 48 professional organizations to call on Congress to protect the future of science. The full letter, representing 100,000 scientists and experts through their professional organizations, is available here. Similarly, just last week AAG signed on alongside more than 550 organizations to urge Congress to protect the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency (sign-ons are still being accepted). The AAG JEDI Committee issued a confirmation last week that the work to uphold diversity, equity, and inclusion in geography will continue. And of course, we will continue to champion NSF and work toward restoring funding and staff to the Human-Environment and Geographical Sciences Program.
As important as these activities are in the short term, we cannot stop there. One of the priorities for AAG’s next 10-year long-term plan is to strengthen support for geography departments. Among other ideas, we’re working on expanding our year-round offers of online workshops and webinars, including those for department leaders. All of these new plans will take some time to map out and implement. I am heartened to see, however, that our colleagues are already thinking about the consequences of policy shifts. Beth Mitchneck and Stephanie A. Goodwin encourage departments and institutions to consider amending tenure and promotion rules for early career scholars who experience research delays or interruptions while lawsuits and advocacy for restoring funding play out. It is wonderful to see that their arguments build on AAG’s JEDI and advocacy work, and research collaborations fostered by AAG.
As we return to Detroit, I very much hope that the meeting will energize us, allow us to build better support structures, and generate a variety of ideas and conversations about geography, catalyze future research, and inspire geographers to continue making spaces of possibility. I look forward to seeing many of you there.
Please note: The ideas expressed in the AAG President’s column are not necessarily the views of the AAG as a whole. This column is traditionally a space in which the president may talk about their views or focus during their tenure as president of AAG, or spotlight their areas of professional work. Please feel free to email the president directly at P.Ehrkamp@uky.edu to enable a constructive discussion.
