NATIONAL COMMITTEE FOR GEOGRAPHY
AUSTRALIAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCE
Minutes of Annual Meeting: 20 July, 2001
The meeting opened at 10.30 am.
Associate Professor Elspeth Young (Chair)
Dr Richard Baker (Institute of Australian Geographers)
Dr Don Biddle (Geographical Society of N.S.W)
Dr Sue Buzer (Mapping Sciences Institute Australia)
Dr I. Childs (Royal Geographical Society of Queensland)
Professor John Dodson
Professor Ruth Fincher
Ms Julia Freeman (Australian Geography Teachers Association)
Professor Rod Gerber
Professor David Gillieson
Professor Iain Hay
Professor Jim Walmsley (Academy of Social Sciences in Australia)
Attendance/Apologies: Mr Geoff Conolly (Australian Geography Teachers Association) was unable to attend because of ill-health and the Chair expressed the committee’s best wishes for his recovery. Ms Julia Freeman replaced Mr Conolly as representative of the Australian Geography Teachers Association.
Welcome: The Chair welcomed all members of the committee, particularly those attending their first meeting.
The Agenda, as circulated, was confirmed.
The minutes were confirmed with no amendments. (Gillieson, Fincher).
All matters arising from the minutes were covered in the agenda.
5.1: Annual Report to Council for 2000: The annual report to the AAS Council, compiled by Professor Holmes and already circulated to members, was adopted after further discussions of the following issues:- Professor Holmes’ proposal to IGU for Special Commissions linking developed and developing country geographers [members commented that such linkages are already a feature of interaction within many existing commissions, and problems of inadequate support of this nature are more apparent in relation to the IGU executive]; the dominance of N American/European geographers in the IGU executive; activities for 2001-2002 (see below, 5.3, possibility of joint Fenner workshop on environmental/resource management issues through AAS); and budget (see below, 5.4).
5.2: Commissioned surveys – publication: The Chair reported that four commissioned articles on current issues in Australian geography had been completed and were currently under review for possible publication in Australian Geographical Studies. They are as follows:- Links between Geography and Environmental Studies (Harvey, Bourman, Foster); GIS and Geography (Lees); Geography in post 1987 universities (Jones); Overview (Holmes).If accepted, publication should be in 2002.
5.3: Australian Academy of Science Committee structures: issues raised by the National Committee for the Environment. The Chair reported that, at its meeting on 2/7/01, the National Committee for the Environment discussed its role in relation to other Academy committees with interests in the environment, including Geography. The Chair attended part of this meeting as a visitor. Major points raised included contrasts in the roles of disciplinary committees (eg Geography), specific problem based special committees which might have a limited life (eg Climate Change), and committees that consider areas of shared interest (eg. Environment Committee); the role of the Environment Committee in advising the Academy on environmental issues; and how environmental issues as a whole might be most effectively discussed and identified within the Academy. Strategies discussed included whether the Academy should change its committee structure, perhaps establishing an over-arching Environment Committee specifically linked, thorough representation, to other National Committees including Geography. The Environment Committee supported a proposal to write to Professor Brian Anderson summarising these issues and asking for further discussion in the near future. They also agreed that the members of the National Committee for Geography should be made aware of the contents of this letter (draft received on 18/7/01, and circulated during the discussion) and discuss the matter within their own context. In the discussion members of the Geography committee identified the following points – the need for much more effective flow of information between different Academy committees to determine the range and focus of discussions occurring on shared interests; exploration of positive ways of improving interaction between such committees, perhaps by running joint workshops; the need to maintain the specific disciplinary focus of committees such as Geography; and the need to involve the other Academies in further discussion of these matters [the existence of a Joint Academies Committee on Sustainability was mentioned, and further information is being sought on this]. The committee felt that it should initially seek the Academy’s advice on political aspects of such collaboration. It was resolved that the Chair inform the Chair of the Environment Committee of these concerns, and that further actions await a response. [Subsequently the Chair contacted members of the National Committee for Geography proposing that the Chair also write to Professor Anderson informing him of their concerns over these issues, and requesting that they be involved in future discussions. This proposal was generally supported.]
5.4: Strategies for future National Committee for Geography meetings: Members of the Committee discussed the problem of rising costs of travel for meetings and, while they are convinced of the importance of periodic face-to-face meetings, agreed that alternatives, including video-conferencing and teleconferencing, should also be explored. The possibility of establishing a chat room through email was also discussed. Wider dissemination within the Australian geographical scene of information concerning the role of the National Committee, and the issues it is discussing was seen as a priority, with future development of the National Committee’s web-site being seen as an appropriate channel for such networking. [Hay to clarify].
6.1: International Programs:
John Dodson’s report focused on the involvement of Australian geographers in the International Geosphere-Biosphere Program (IGBP), particularly within Past Global Changes (PAGES) and the International Human Dimensions Program (IHDP); and the International Union for Quaternary Research (INQUA). He provided information on relevant forthcoming conferences in 2001 – on the last two glacial cycles (Hong Kong, Oct. 2001); and a synthesis Meeting on environmental change across the last two glacial cycles, the last two thousand years and during the historical period (National University of Singapore, November 2001); and commented on the apparent limited involvement of Australian geographers in IHDP – a fact about which members of the Committee expressed regret. He also informed the committee that the next INQUA conference will be in Reno, Nevada in 2003, and that Australia is considering bidding for the INQUA conference in 2007. General discussion canvassed issues concerning strategies for tracking conferences of relevance to geographers; and funding concerns for conferences occurring close to the planned Beijing Olympics in 2008.
7.1: Seoul Congress 2000, Australian Representation and Involvement:
The Chair commented on key points summarised in Professor Holmes report, already circulated to committee members. These included the continuing strong representation of younger geographers, whose attendance was subsidised by the Geographical Congress 1988 Trust Travel Awards; but a lower attendance of other geographers; comment that Australian/New Zealand representation on Commissions and Study Groups appeared to be in decline; the decision that the existing group of Commissions and Study Groups should be retained; proposals to merge the categories of Commissions and Study Groups; and further comment about the numerical dominance of European countries in key IGU positions. Members of the Committee who also attended the meeting confirmed Professor Holmes observations. Subsequent general discussion enlarged on these points, particularly emphasising concerns that budgetary constraints might result in a weakening of existing Commissions and Study Groups and reiterating general unhappiness with current geographical representation in IGU committees. The committee then discussed a letter from Professor Ron Abler, Secretary and Treasurer of IGU, to Professor Holmes informing him of subsequent executive committee decisions to eliminate the distinction between Commissions and Study Groups; and between Full and Corresponding members of Commissions. Concerns raised included possible reduction in Commission membership, which could adversely affect former corresponding members, particularly from developing countries. It was pointed out that corresponding membership has given people recognised status, and this has assisted them in their quest for funding to attend IGU meetings. It should not be watered down. Members agreed that the Committee should reply to Professor Abler raising these concerns. Other general points raised by members of the Committee included possible plans to encourage people to take out individual membership of the organisation, and the question of the Task Forces proposed in 1999. Individual membership, which would inevitably be costly, was perceived as a potential problem as it might further dilute effective representation of geographers from less wealthy countries.7.2: Seoul Congress2000 – venue for Regional conference in 2006. As outlined in Professor Holmes report (already circulated) Israel, with 24 votes from the IGU executive compared to 20 votes for Australia/New Zealand, won the opportunity to host the regional conference in 2006. Members of the committee noted Professor Holmes comments that the decision appeared to have been made behind the scenes, with little credence placed on the actual proposals offered. Committee members together responsible for refining the Australia/New Zealand bid from Cairns (particularly Gillieson, Gerber, Holmes and Professor Bedford (NZ)) were congratulated on the excellent proposal that they had presented.
7.3: IGU Executive Membership: The election of Professor Anne Buttimer as President, Professor Ron Abler as Sectretary/Treasurer and other members of the IGU Executive was noted, along with further observation on uneven geographical representation, particularly of the southern hemisphere (of 9 members, 3 are from Europe, one from USA and the others from South Africa, Mexico, China, Japan and Russia).
7.4: Membership of Commissions and Study Groups: Contrary to Professor Holmes concern about declining Australian/New Zealand membership of Commissions and Study Groups, the situation appears to be quite healthy (a total of 27 geographers in 25 different Commissions and Study Groups). 7.5: Activities of Commissions and Study groups: Members of the Committee continued their discussion of Commission and Study Group activities, reinforcing earlier comments about the high value of information exchange in such fora between geographers from a range of different countries and interests. Other issues raised included the need to deliberately bring in younger geographers as members of these groups and rejuvenate not just the discussion but also the organisation of activities etc.
7.6: IGU Strategic Issues – United Nations and IGU: Members of the Committee discussed the speech delivered by Mr Kofi Annan, Secretary-General of the United Nations, at the Annual meeting of the Association of American Geographers in New York (copy circulated at meeting). Mr Annan commented on the role of geographers in the work of the United Nations, in providing technical mapping skills and understanding of boundary issues, and in tackling key issues such as climate change and sustainability. He identified four areas in which geographers could be particularly useful – education; capacity-building in the developing world; participation in Millenium Ecosystem Assessment; and liaison with the UN Geographic Information Working Group. Members of the Committee, enthusiastically supporting Mr Annan’s suggestions, resolved that a letter, relaying a message of that support, should be sent to Mr Annan and to Professor Buttimer, president of IGU.
7.7: Forthcoming Conferences:
IGU Regional Conference 2002 Durban, S Africa 4-7 August
IGU Congress 2004 Glasgow, Scotland
Representatives from corresponding societies presented detailed reports of their activities (all circulated to the National Committee at the meeting) Some highlights are summarised below.
Membership: Stable, but further increase desirable. Tertiary academics the prime source of membership but extension to geographers in government, private sector and teaching is needed. IAG Council to seek expansion of existing structure to add representation from such groups and also from post-graduate students who are well represented at conferences.
Conferences: Successful and enjoyable 2000/2001 conference held jointly with the New Zealand Geographical Society in January 2001 in Dunedin. The next conference will be in Canberra in June 2002.
Awards: Professional Service Award: Dr Blair Badcock
Griffith Taylor Medal: The presentation to Professor Fay Gale, who was given this award in 1999, will take place at the IAG Conference in 2002)
Australian Geographical Studies: Currently published by Blackwells, with three issues per year. Ever-improving and plentiful range of contributions, which has prompted discussion of publication of four issues per year. While institutional subscriptions have declined slightly, electronic accessing is increased rapidly, particularly from Asia.
Newsletter: Call to extend this to include short articles.
Website: Now moved from Flinders University to ADFA.
FASTS: IAG Council have applied to take up associate membership of FASTS as an alternative to representation through the Australian Geosciences Council. This has been accepted, and in two years time IAG will consider whether to apply for full membership.
IAG Millenium Project: The IAG Millenium project, coordinated by Dr Elaine Stratford, now includes recorded interviews with a wide range of notable Australian geographers and some publications are currently in progress. Appropriate archival storage of the material has proved difficult to arrange but it is possible that South Australian organisations may be willing to accept the responsibility.
General Issues: Issues of concern raised by the IAG and also by members of the National Committee included the problem of gauging geography’s strengths given the geographic diaspora both inside and outside academia, the urgent need to reinforce and recreate geography as a core discipline at school level, particularly in secondary schools; and the need to tap into resources designed to strengthen the teaching of geography in schools, in universities, and in the creation of links between the two sectors. Committee members commented that collection of data on geography’s activities at tertiary level needed to be extended to include information from institutions where geography is taught within other departments; that in some cases such departments should be involved in HOD (or Chair) meetings in future; and that the possibilities of applying for DETYA support for teaching initiatives should be explored.
Publications: The Australian Geographer continues as a highly successful journal, with three issues published in 2000/01. Jim Forrest has recently replaced Graeme Aplin as Editor.
Conferences: Proceedings from the Civics and Citizenship in Geography Conference, held in July 2000, have now been published (editor, Dr Kevin Dunn). The Fourth Year Student Honours Conference, held at Macquarie University in November 2000, included a range of high quality presentations in human geography, physical geography and environmental maangement
Study Tours: Colin Sale has led two study tours in the past year – East Canada and New England in the Spectacular Fall (October 2000), and Colourful North Africa (April/May 2001)
Awards: The Society’s Fellowship Award 2000 was presented to Dr Graeme Aplin.
Griffith Taylor Lecture: The Griffith Taylor lecture 2000 was delivered by Dr Tony Milne, University of New South Wales. His topic was Analysis and Assessment of the Australian Environment using Remote Sensing and GIS Technologies.
Central Coast Geographical Society: This independently operated society continues to provide a focus for geographers and geography teachers outside the Sydney and Newcastle metropolitan areas.
Educational Activities: The society has continued to make a major contribution in the promotion of geographical education through Publication of its long-running study of the Society and Environment syllabus; its initiatives in organising workshops for teachers , particularly in more rural parts of the state; its production of a series of highly attractive posters promoting geography; and its continuing commitment to the Australian Geography Competition. In 2001 over 60000 students participated in the Australian Geography Competition, an increase of 23.4% from 2000. National finalists, representing every state and the territories, spent an action-packed weekend on the Sunshine Coast as part of their prize; final first and second prize winners will join the 2000 winners to represent Australia at the 2001 International Geographic Olympiad in Vancouver. The society plans to introduce a new competition for students in years 10 to 12, focusing more specifically on higher level thinking skills and using up-to-date computer based technology.
Geographical Research: The Society has published the report on the herald Cays Scientific Study and papers from the White Mountains Scientific Study are being refereed. Plans are now in process for a scientific study in the Gulf of Carpentaria in 2002.
Award: The 2001 Thomson medal was presented to Dr Roger Stone.
Community Outreach: The Society continues to provide a range of lectures and fieldtrips.
Membership and Buildings: Membership numbers have declined (now 514) and the society intends to make determined efforts to redress this. Costs of maintaining/repairing old infrastructure of the society’s buildings have escalated and the Society is considering alternative arrangements possibly by sale and acquisition of new premises.
Members held a brief discussion on the role of the Committee in identifying international avenues for strengthening geography’s profile and agreed that this should be more widely canvassed over the coming months.
The Chair closed the meeting at 3pm, thanking the Members for a productive discussion of a range of key issues affecting contemporary Australian geography.