Wendy is Professor of Human Geography and Sociology and the Research Director for the Faculty of Social Sciences and Law at the University of Bristol. Her research examines globalisation, governance and gender. She links critical social theory with empirical research and her aim, she notes, “is to challenge conventional understandings of globalisation as an inevitable ‘new reality’ by showing that it is a contested and contradictory process in the making.”  We believe her work is a perfect match for the theme of the 2010 Conference of Irish Geographers and so we’re thoroughly looking forward to welcoming her here at the end of April.

Paddy is the “founding father” of the Geography Department here in NUI Maynooth and has recently retired after forty years service within the Department. A native of Co. Monaghan, his main research interests lie in the fields of cultural and historical geography, and rural and landscape studies.

Unlike many other conference web sites, we thought we’d make it possible for you to interact with us, the organizers, via the conference’s web space hosted here on WordPress. As such, we welcome any comments, ideas, questions, etc. For example, maybe you could tell us what you make of the conference theme; or if there’s a particular session you’d like to host at the conference. Anyone like to get the ball rolling?