About the Geographical Society of Ireland

The Geographical Society of Ireland is the professional organisation and representative body of geographers in Ireland and a recognised, consultative stakeholder for national policymaking. The GSI strives to promote the status and study of geography in Ireland and enhance its international reputation. The GSI aims to raise awareness of the value and impact of Geography in Ireland through a variety of activities, and actively lobbies government and other organisations on matters of strategic importance, including the status of the subject in the primary and secondary educational systems.
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The Geographical Society of Ireland actively welcomes new members, who may be Geography professionals and/or members of the public. Information on membership is available here.

Society Publication and Annual Conference

Irish Geography

The premier peer-review journal devoted to the geography of Ireland, which has an international distribution and is read on six continents. To browse current and past issues or submit your research, check out the journal website.

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Annual Conference

The GSI proudly co-ordinates the annual Conference of Irish Geographers, in collaboration with individual Geography Departments/Schools, which demonstrates the high quality of geographical research being undertaken in universities and in other public and private institutions across Ireland.
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Other Activities and Annual Events

  • GeoWeek
  • Awards Programme
  • Event Sponsorship
  • GeoNews
  • GSI PECN
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Annual Geography Awareness Week

GeoWeek is an internationally-recognised annual Geography Awareness Week, started by National Geographic, which attempts to highlight the importance of geography education at primary, secondary, and tertiary levels.

Each November the society supports and promotes an Irish GeoWeek to coincide with international events. A range of educational activities organised by society members, non members and universities are highlighted on our website and Geonews blog. 

GSI Awards Programme

The GSI have a number of awards which run on an annual or bi-annual bases, and are presented during the Annual Conference of Irish Geographers Conference dinner. 

We offer awards recognising Geography researchers across the career stage spectrum, from postgraduate and early career researchers to distinguished Lifetime Contributors to the GSI

Funding for Geography Events

The Geographical Society of Ireland welcomes applications from members for the sponsorship of local events. Examples of past events sponsored by the GSI include public lectures, symposiums, and film viewings. Complete our online form in order to apply for funding.

GeoNews

GeoNews is the GSI's Newsletter, which includes all the latest news from Geography Departments on the island of Ireland. Check out our latest issue and back catalogue for updates on the GSI community.

Our Postgraduate and Early Career Network

The GSI Postgraduate and Early Career Network (PECN) was founded in 2017 to represent the interests of postgraduates and early career geographers within the Geographical Society of Ireland. The Network organises social events, workshops, and panel discussions for Postgraduate and Early Career Researchers in Geography Departments on the island of Ireland. You can find out more about PECN on our website or through the PECN blog.

Current Committee: 2022-2023

GSI Awards Programme
President: 
Dr Ruth McManus, Dublin City University

Vice-President:
Dr Karen Keaveney, University College Dublin

Secretary:
Dr Julian Bloomer, Mary Immaculate College

Treasurer:
Dominic Robinson, University College Dublin

Membership Officer:
Louise Sarsfield Collins, Maynooth University

GSI Liaison Officer:
Dr Susan Pike, Trinity College Dublin

Editor, Irish Geography:
Prof. Gerald Mills, University College Dublin

Business Manager, Irish Geography:
Prof. Mary Gilmartin, Maynooth University

PRO (Communications and Information Officer):
Dr Kathy Reilly, NUI Galway

Website and Social Media Officer:
Dr Maedhbh Nic Lochlainn, University College Cork

PECN Representative:
Maeve McGandy, University of Galway

Committee Members (portfolio):
Dr Liam Coakley, University College Cork
Dr Arlene Crampsie, University College Dublin
Prof. Frances Fahy, University of Galway
​Dr Niall Majury, Queen's University Belfast
Prof. Niamh Moore-Cherry, University College Dublin
Dr Shane O'Sullivan, TU of the Shannon

Annual General Meetings

Each year the society holds its AGM during the annual conference in May. 
The reports from the 2017 AGM can be found here.
The GSI have a number of awards, these run on an annual or bi-annual basis and the awards are presented at the CIG conference dinner.
1. Lifetime Contribution to the Geographical Society of Ireland award 
Members of the GSI are invited to submit up to three names for this award; nominees should all be members of the society. Members should provide a short statement outlining the reason for the nomination(s).
The nominator must be a fully paid up member of the GSI or AGTI. Once a nomination is received the nominee will be contacted by a member of the GSI committee and will be asked to submit a one page personal statement and one-page CV. A nominee may not self-nominate. ​

2. GSI Geographer’s Contribution to Community Award
This prize will be awarded to a geographer working in Ireland who has made a significant contribution to wider society, community, environment and politics at the national or local scale. This award is open to all people working in Irish Geography and residing on the island of Ireland. Members of the Association of Geography Teachers of Ireland (AGTI) are welcome to submit a nomination, and are also eligible to be a nominee, for this award.
The nominator must be a fully paid up member of the GSI or AGTI. Once a nomination is received the nominee will be contacted by a member of the GSI committee and will be asked to submit a one page personal statement and one-page CV. A nominee may not self-nominate. 

3. Contribution to Geography in Ireland
This prize will be awarded to an individual who has made a significant contribution to the enhancement of geography on the island of Ireland. The award is open to all people who have been educated at an Irish institution, or are now working in an Irish institution, and/or someone whose research focuses on geographies of/in/related to Ireland.
The nominator must be a fully paid up member of the GSI.  Once a nomination is received the nominee will be contacted by a member of the GSI committee and will be asked to submit a one page personal statement and one-page CV. A nominee may not self-nominate. 

4. GSI Postgraduate Fieldwork/Travel Awards 
Geographical Society of Ireland postgraduate travel awards to a maximum value of €250 per person/awardee. These bursaries are intended to offer financial support to postgraduate members of the GSI who wish to present papers or participate in workshops at national or international conferences. Awards are also available to postgraduate researchers requiring assistance to undertake fieldwork.
Successful applicants will be expected to acknowledge the support of the GSI in their research and at the relevant conference. A brief overview of how the award was utilised should be submitted to Geonews after the event.