Join our committee!

The Animal Geography Working Group (AGWG) has the following vacancies in our committee for the 26/27 academic year. If you are interested in standing for one of the below positions please send a short statement of suitability (c.100-150 words) to Catherine Oliver (c.oliver@lancaster.ac.uk), Hannah Dickinson (hannah.dickinson@manchester.ac.uk)  and Kate Goldie (k.f.goldie@soton.ac.uk)  by Monday 7th September. Nominations should also include the name of a seconder from the current committee (but we can help with this if needed). Applicants are required to attend our online AGM on Thursday 10th September at 3pm. We welcome informal inquiries about any of the roles.

Position: Chair 

Term: 3 years

Role: This role provides an excellent opportunity for an ambitious animal geographer to lead the Animal Geography working group, and further establish the activities of this relatively new research group. The role involves a relatively small time commitment, and the position holder receives strong support from the RGS and other committee members. 

Responsibilities: 

• Leading the Research Group, setting the strategic agenda and decision making for the group (in collaboration with other committee members)

• Chairing committee meetings (1 per semester)

• Attending wider RGS research group meetings where appropriate

• Supporting committee members in their role

• Working with Secretary and Treasurer on Annual reporting

• Liaising with the Society 

• Responding to consultations by the Society on behalf of the group

• Responsible for managing and supporting the work done by the Research Group on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.

Note: As an executive position the Chair must be a Fellow of the Society. Those who are interested in taking on a Research Group executive committee role (Chair, Secretary, Treasurer), but whose circumstances prevent them from taking up Society Fellowship, are invited to submit an expression of interest for an executive role bursary [rgs.org] to support Fellowship. The RGS (and wider AGWG committee) offers a lot of support to the Chair, so do not be put off about applying for this more senior role. The current Chair is happy to support a handover process to the new Chair. 

Position: Secretary

Term: 3 years 

Role: This role provides an excellent opportunity for someone with strong organisational skills to help manage the operations of the Animal Geography Working Group. The role involves a relatively small time commitment, and the position holder receives strong support from the RGS and other committee members. 

Responsibilities: 

• Supporting the Chair with setting strategic direction and decision making for the research group

• Organising and minuting the AGM and committee meetings 

• Attending wider RGS research group meetings where appropriate

• Co-ordinating group membership 

• Managing the group mailing list and email account

• Supporting other committee members with tasks (e.g conference planning, dissertation prizes) 

• Working with the Chair and Treasurer on Annual reporting 

Note: The Secretary must be a Fellow of the Society. Those who are interested in taking on a Research Group executive committee role (Chair, Secretary, Treasurer), but whose circumstances prevent them from taking up Society Fellowship, are invited to submit an expression of interest for an executive role bursary [rgs.org] to support Fellowship. 

Position: ECR Rep

Term: 3 years

Role: This role provides an excellent opportunity for an early career researcher to connect with animal geographers across career stages and build links across the discipline. We are looking to recruit an ECR rep who is based in the UK, to support the work of our existing ECR rep who is based internationally. The role involves a very small time commitment and the position holder will receive strong support from other committee members. 

Responsibilities: 

• Promote interests and the needs of early career researchers to the wider Research Group.

• Co-organising relevant ECR & New Developments sessions at the Annual RGS-IBG Conference 

• Co-organising other ECR focused events e.g webinars, seminars, networking sessions, workshops and training opportunities. 

• Maintain connection with the wider ECR community through the mailing list: surveying for interest in training opportunities/workshops; soliciting blog post contributions

• Advocate for the wider ECR community and contributing ECR perspectives on discussions during committee meetings and wider research group meetings

• Support with wider research group initiatives where you can (e.g judging the undergrad/postgrad dissertation prizes).

• Attend committee meetings, typically one per semester.