Citizen science and community empowerment a key theme at International Geographical Congress in Dublin City University
The power of grassroots community organisation and citizen science is one of the key themes of the research being showcased at the 35th International Geographical Congress (IGC), taking place this week in the Helix in Dublin City University. The congress, which brings together thousands of geographers from across the globe, is being hosted for the first time in Ireland. The congress’ public engagement programme, which is supported by Dublin City Council will bring the conference beyond the campus to the wider public.
Researchers from six schools in the university will present their work across the six days of the congress, which runs from August 25th through to August 30th
Selected papers from DCU academics being presented include
Monitoring water quality and engaging the community
- Urban Citizen's 6.3.2: the active role of citizens in monitoring water quality and biodiversity in Dublin’s rivers and streams - examining the power of citizen science and community engagement to monitor water quality and how these projects can benefit our society, riverine ecosystems and water management.
- Applying citizen science to monitoring landslides on Ireland's shoreline - coastal landslides are a significant hazard to coastal communities and infrastructure. The ACCOMPLISH project looks at the value of citizen monitoring of these landslides and examining the motivations and challenges of those volunteering.
- Valuing natural capital in communities for health - natural capital is the value of everything that comes from nature; soil, air, water and all living creatures. Focusing on the Ballymun area, this study looks at the benefits we gain from natural capital and its importance in our urban centres.
- Occurrence of Poly- and Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in Transitional and Marine Water along the Dublin Bay Biosphere - determining the concentration of PFAS, often referred to as Forever Chemicals, in the waters in and around Dublin Bay.
- Persistent, Mobile and Toxic as well as very Persistent very Mobile chemicals in surface water and coastal areas - focusing on agricultural and pharmaceutical sources, this study looks at where the chemicals come from and where they end up.
Planning, history and heritage
- Place and street naming in Ireland: identity, conflict and resistance - examining the evolution of multilingual place and street naming on the island of Ireland.
- Challenges and opportunities of planning for adaptation in an overly-centralised country - how Ireland’s overly centralised governance is affecting the response to the climate crisis.
Sustainability and climate justice
- Including children and young people in environmental decision-making - discussing the importance of giving a voice to young people on environmental issues by exploring lessons from Ireland’s Children and Young People’s Assembly on Biodiversity Loss.
- Embedding Critical Climate Justice Literacy in Climate Change Education: A Critical Exploration of Hope, Agency and Resilience
Congress chair Prof Niamh Moore-Cherry, Dean of Social Sciences and College Principal in the UCD College of Social Sciences and Law, said
“Hosting the 35th International Geographical Congress in Ireland is an unparalleled opportunity for us to highlight the central role of geography as a discipline in addressing all of the major environmental and societal challenges facing humanity today. Most importantly, by bringing together geographers from more than 80 countries around the world, we are harnessing the best global knowledge, expertise and insights to generate real impact for communities locally, nationally and globally."
Dr Jonathan Cherry, from DCU’s School of History and Geography said
“I am delighted that this quadrennial Olympics of the discipline of Geography will meet at Dublin City University for IGC Dublin 2024. Geographers from DCU School of History and Geography alongside colleagues from related disciplines whose work embraces geographical education, approaches and themes will present our research and host our international colleagues.
DCU’s Glasnevin campus provides the home for this ‘festival of geography’ and our public engagement programme including the ‘Circus of Climate Horrors’ and the ‘City of Care’ photo exhibition, showcasing the lived experience of long-established communities in the Liberties, will be open to the wider university community and general public ensuring that we create an inclusive conference without walls.”
About the IGC
The IGC is organised by the Geographical Society of Ireland (GSI) and the International Geographical Union (IGU).
The GSI is the professional representative organisation of geographers in Ireland. It was founded in 1934.Over eighty years later, the GSI continues to raise awareness of the value and impact of geography in Ireland and beyond, through a diverse range of activities and collaborations.
The IGU is an international, non-governmental, professional organisation devoted to the development of the discipline of geography. It promotes geography through initiating and coordinating geographical research and teaching in all countries of the world.
The IGU hosts the International Geographical Congress every four years and also promotes regional conferences and other meetings that further the objectives of the union.