The Postgraduate Forum is meeting at the RGS-IBG Annual International Conference in Manchester on 27th August 2009. All postgraduates in geography are welcome, see you there!

Special General Meeting

The RGS-IBS Special General Meeting was held on the 18th May. Fellows of the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) have voted decisively to support the Society’s present policy of funding a wide range of research projects and scientific expeditions studying important contemporary issues in many different places across the world.

Please follow the link for more information:
http://www.rgs.org/AboutUs/Governance/SGM

SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING AT THE RGS

As you may know, the Society is holding a Special General Meeting (SGM) on 18th May 2009 at the request of some Fellows. The Fellows calling for the SGM wish to see the Society carrying out its own expeditions and regularly raising the funds for, and leading, its own multidisciplinary field research programmes - single large projects. Council's current strategy is to support research and scientific expeditions by increased grant-giving to a much wider range of established researchers and topics, which it has been doing since 2005.

You can refer to further information on the SGM at:
http://www.rgs.org/AboutUs/Governance/SGM/SGM.htm

Whatever your views, we urge all Postgraduate Fellows of the RGS-IBG to exercise your vote (please note that research group-only members are not eligible to vote). This is an important vote for the Society as it will affect how the Society delivers its Charter objective 'the advancement of geographical science'. Fellows should by now have received voting papers from Electoral Reform Services, so please return your ballot paper to reach ERS by first post on 18th May using the pre-paid envelope provided. Or if you wish to vote in person, go to the SGM at the Society at 3.00 p.m. on 18th May.

Aberystwyth Voted 2010 PGF Conference Venue!

Aberystwyth	335
Brighton	13
Hull	113
Oxford	19
UWE	26

Total Votes: 506

New Committee for 2009-2010

We are very grateful to all the people who took part in the election and all the departments which expressed a wish to host the mid-term conference. They made a very strong competition and show how important it is to continue providing a group and space for postgraduates within the RGS-IBS and the discipline of geography in general. I hope that everyone will continue to be involved in the future work of the Forum. After this election, this year's committee stands as follows:

• Chair-Elect: Tamsin Smith, University of Aberdeen
• Mid-term Conference Organisers: Aberystwyth University (organisers TBA)
• Treasurer: Kirstie O'Neill. Geography Department, University of Hull.
• Equal Opportunities and Accessibility Officer: Carl Lewis, University of Hull.
• Webmaster: Martin D. Jones, Aberystwyth University/Prifysgol Aberystwyth
• Annual Conference Sessions Organiser 2010: Wendy Miller, University of Plymouth
• Annual Conference Sessions Organiser 2008 & 2009: Heather Smith, University of Aberdeen
• Social Co-ordinator: Sally Murrall, University of Plymouth
• Chair: Rosa Mas Giralt, University of Leeds

Thanks for making the 2009 PGF Midterm Conference a success!

Visit our Midterm Conference page for presentations and photos from the event!

PG Forum 2008 Annual Report now available

The RGS-IBG Postgraduate Forum's 2008 Annual Report is now available online. Additional information on the Forum's inner workings can be found at http://www.pgforum.org.uk/pgf/background.html .

RGS-IBG Geobyte

Geobyte lists news and updates for the geographical community involved in higher education with frequent announcements, vacancies, events and postgraduate opportunities. Check it out at: http://www.rgs.org/OurWork/Research+and+Higher+Education/Geobyte/Geobyte.htm

Grants for postgraduates

Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) Postgraduate Research Awards

Purpose: Several awards for PhD students undertaking fieldwork/ data collection. These awards, offered to individuals, aim to help students establish themselves in their particular field. Preference will be given to research that both furthers geographical knowledge and also demonstrates applied benefits. Two awards will be offered in each of the following areas: physical environment; conservation/ sustainability; and society/ economy. Each award is worth £2000.

Eligibility: Postgraduate students enrolled in a PhD course

More complete details: W: www.rgs.org/rgs-ibgpostgradresearchawards

Geographical Club Award

Purpose: A single award of £1000 to support a postgraduate student (Masters or PhD) undertaking geographical fieldwork/ data collection in the UK or overseas to advance geographical knowledge or understanding.

Eligibility: Postgraduate students enrolled in a Masters or PhD course

More complete details: W: www.rgs.org/geographicalclubaward

Hong Kong Research Grant

Purpose: The grant is a single annual award worth £2500 offered to a postgraduate undertaking research in the Greater China region (People's Republic of China, Taiwan, Macau SAR and Hong Kong SAR). Strong preference is given to individuals and to projects working closely with host communities. Fieldwork must exceed 4 weeks.

Eligibility: Postgraduate students enrolled in a PhD course.

More complete details: W: www.rgs.org/hongkongresearchgrant