Research & Collaboration
Groupes d'étude
Connecting Geographers Through Shared Research Interests
Specialized Study Groups
The Canadian Association of Geographers (CAG) Study Groups provide members with opportunities to connect, collaborate, and exchange ideas within specialized areas of geography.
These groups bring together students, researchers, educators, and professionals who share common academic, research, and professional interests across a wide range of geographic topics.
Study Groups help foster scholarly discussion, support interdisciplinary collaboration, and encourage networking among members from across Canada and beyond. Many groups also organize special sessions, workshops, meetings, and presentations during the annual CAG conference, creating valuable opportunities for professional development and knowledge sharing.
Through active participation in Study Groups, members can engage with emerging research, contribute to important geographic conversations, and strengthen connections within Canada’s geography community.
CAG Study Groups cover diverse themes including urban geography, GIScience, environmental studies, feminist geographies, economic geography, rural geography, health geography, Indigenous geographies, and many other specialized fields within the discipline.
1. Feminist Intersectional Solidarity Group (FIGS)
FIGS aims to provide a forum for people interested in issues of access, equity, and the well-being of women in geography and for those whose research is linked to questions of gender as they relate to relations of class, race/ethnicity, sexuality, nation/ality, and ability. FIGS particularly encourages student membership and participation in FIGS activities, including conference sessions, social events, newsletter contributions, and other opportunities.
Co-Chairs:
slewkowi@uwo.ca |
rwestland@tru.ca
2. Environment and Resources Study Group
The mission of the Environment and Resources Study Group is to promote effective environmental and resource management in Canada and abroad. Through regular meetings and newsletters, the study group serves as a forum for the exchange of expertise, information, and opinion between academics and practitioners on current issues of environmental and resource management.
Co-Chairs:
jonathan.luedee@gmail.com |
lak9@sfu.ca
3. Tourism and Recreation Study Group
The purpose of this group is to provide an opportunity for members to connect their research, work and/or learning pursuits in tourism, recreation and parks with other geographers across Canada. The study group hosts newsletters, conference sessions, and annual meetings while encouraging new and returning members to participate.
Chair:
chris.fullerton@brocku.ca
4. Economic Geography Study Group
The Economic Geography Study Group brings together geographers interested in the relationships between economy and society across different geographic scales. Topics include industrial restructuring, labour geographies, social polarization, institutional geographies, and globalization.
Chair:
pbrouder@tru.ca
5. Marine Studies and Coastal Zone Management Study Group
This study group promotes the study of oceans, marine environments, and coastal zones, encouraging collaboration and discussion among researchers and professionals interested in marine and coastal geography.
6. Health and Health Care Study Group
The Geography of Health and Health Care Specialty Group (GHHCSG) facilitates the exchange of ideas and information among researchers interested in health geography issues, including conference opportunities, research initiatives, and professional collaboration.
Contacts:
jenna.dixon@ubc.ca |
andrea.rishworth@utoronto.ca
7. Indigenous Peoples Working Group
The Indigenous Peoples Working Group supports geographic research involving Indigenous peoples within and beyond Canada. The group promotes collaboration, scholarly exchange, and student engagement in Indigenous geographic research and related studies.
Co-Chair:
geographicindigenousfutures@gmail.com
8. Rural Geography Study Group
The Rural Geography Study Group supports research and discussion related to rural communities, landscapes, and development. The group has organized well-attended special sessions at recent CAG meetings and continues to encourage scholarly collaboration.
Co-Chairs:
Nathalie.Gravel@ggr.ulaval.ca |
gibsonr@uoguelph.ca
9. Canadian Geomorphology Research Group (CGRG)
Established in 1993, the CGRG provides a strong voice for geomorphology research in Canada and supports collaboration among researchers and professionals across the country and internationally.
President:
cgrg.gcrg@gmail.com
10. Public Policy Issues Study Group
This group focused on geographical aspects of public policy, including economic, environmental, social, and urban policy. The group was officially dissolved in 2017.
11. Geographic Information Science Study Group (GIS-SIG)
The GIScience Study Group supports collaboration, academic excellence, and student training in Geographic Information Science across Canada, while also offering travel grants and awards for student members.
Chair:
victoria.fast@ucalgary.ca
12. Geographies of Asia Study Group
This group supports and encourages the study of Asia within the Canadian geographic community by facilitating research sharing, networking opportunities, and conference participation among members and graduate students.
Chair:
twaldichuk@tru.ca
13. Geographic Education Study Group
The Geographic Education Study Group promotes geographic education and geographic literacy at all levels while supporting research, collaboration, and educational initiatives beneficial to CAG members and educators across Canada.
Co-Chairs:
kmcclinchey@wlu.ca |
chantal.dery@uqo.ca
14. Diversity, Migration, Ethnicity and Race Study Group
This group provides a forum for discussions related to social diversity, migration, ethnicity, race, gender, and class. The group promotes collaboration, research sharing, and graduate student engagement within these fields.
Chair:
sutama@torontomu.ca
15. Historical Geography Study Group
The Historical Geography Study Group promotes excellence in historical geography research, teaching, and scholarly exchange while encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration within the academic community.
Chair:
m.dyce@uwinnipeg.ca
16. Urban Geography Study Group
The Urban Geography Study Group creates a forum for researchers interested in urban geography, urban culture, urban development, planning, policy, globalization, and cities in Canada and around the world.
Chair:
evan.cleave@torontomu.ca