Population Geography

by Sophie Cranston

The anniversary event centred on examining how population geography has adapted over half a century and the role of the research group in shaping these debates. The wider questions of ‘how do we theorise the populations that we research?’ and ‘how do we objectify populations methodologically?’ have been central in discussions around the soul-searching of population geography in the past 30 years. In Population, Space and Place (and its predecessor the International Journal of Population Geography) numerous interventions have both sought and fought to define the intellectual direction of the subdiscipline. Similarly, the methodological diffusion within population geography has been much discussed. As a research group, we have outlined the 50 years of population geography virtual special issue of Area.

However, in the anniversary event four sets of key themes and discussions arose from the event that provided a different perspective.

Collegiately and friendliness. The role of the research group in supporting population geographers was emphasised: How do professional networks and caring for colleagues shape the practices of a discipline? What are the best methods for communicating and coming together as a research group? How can we ensure that these networks remain inclusive?

Geography. As a research group of a British Institution (RGS-IBG), questions were raised around the geographical influence of the group: Should we be discussing the role of the research group in specifically British (population) geography as opposed to geography as a whole? Can theory and methods about population from the UK be applied to different populations across the world? How do we account for colonial histories of demography and their role in shaping our understandings of population?

Plurality. Different methodological and epistemological influences on population geography highlighted for some a fragmentation, but for others a strength in different perspectives: How and where do questions of population sit within a discipline which becomes more larger and more diffusive? How can we ensure a concern for population remains part of conversations about the future of geography as a discipline?

Policy. The long relationship between the population geography research group and policy makers was emphasised. How do we as a research community ensure our research is relevant beyond the academy? How can we best work with policy makers when anti-expert?

Therefore, in reflecting on ‘where next’ the challenges for population geographers reflected those which speak to wider concerns within the academy: inclusivity and diversity of voices and thought; cohesiveness between different methods, epistemologies; how to meaningfully go beyond the academy in terms of policy. However, rather than what is population geography, we explored how a group can both define and answer these questions. Who are and where are population geographers and how do they come to shape what we define as population geography? How can we communicate with different perspectives, including different geographies and non-academic voices? How do we promote the importance of a geographical perspective on population and why we need an understanding of population in geography? These questions can also be seen as critical to the perceptions of, and therefore practices of, the geographies of population. It is these types of questions we will be asking as a committee as we think about setting agendas for the next 50 years of Population Geography.