Association of American Geographers
National Meeting,
Qualitative Research Specialty Group Business Meeting
Chairs, Fernando Bosco and Dydia DeLyser called the business meeting to order.
Election results:
New board members:
Treasurer: Meghan Cope
Secretary: Rebecca Sheehan
Results of Student Research Grant Competition:
Sasha Davis and Jennifer Fluri managed the competition.
Winners: Heather Castleden, University
Rena
Patell,
Treasurer Report:
from Patricia Ehrkamp (
The specialty group is growing with 243 current members. More than half of the specialty group’s members are students. This is exciting for qualitative research because it points to a fresh, creative interest in the methodology.
Last year, the group awarded two $500 student grants, but because of financial constraints, this year we awarded $500 and $250 grants.
Currently, we have $1100 in checking and would like to maintain at least $1000 in checking at all times.
Plans for next year’s AAG in
Panels:
Dydia DeLyser and Meghan Cope discussed the possibility of organizing a panel on Internal Review Boards (IRBs) and qualitative research. Organizations such as the National Science Foundation want IRBs up front, want to know what the data will look like and how they will be used when, in fact, qualitative methodology requires a certain amount of uncertainty for it to proceed effectively.
Fernando Bosco suggested panels on the challenges of qualitative research including (possibly) its “messiness,” “props” for research, and “mysteries” that surround qualitative research. Additionally, he proposed that panels dealing with mechanics, critical commentary, and analysis may serve an important need at the conference (particularly for graduate students).
Potential panel topics also included “Teaching Qualitative Methods” and “How to Get Funding for Qualitative Research.”
It was suggested that panel series not be labeled I, II, and III, for instance, because then the AAG usually schedules them consecutively on the same day, which most agreed was not optimal for highest attendance and participation.
Other Topics:
Fernando opened discussion concerning plans for QRSG money. He said that no masters’ students applied for the groups’ grant money. Several suggestions arose including:
Ø timing proposal deadlines be later.
Ø keeping flexibility in how the money is awarded (e.g. if no masters’ level students apply and two Ph.D. student proposals are worthy to then award two Ph.D. awards).
Ø to be sure that the wording of the c.f.p. specifically states that masters’ students will be judged against only other masters’ students.
Lawrence Berg suggested that the student money could be awarded as a prize for exceptional research already completed by students. Meghan Cope explained that the goal of the awards in the past was to encourage qualitative research, and most at the meeting showed agreement in maintaining this goal.
Other Announcements:
Fernando and Dydia reported that Karen Till and Stuart Aitkin wanted to approach the AAG Council to make suggestions concerning how the organization can support qualitative research. Perhaps, in doing so, money could be acquired from the AAG to support further activities in geographic qualitative inquiry.
It was also suggested that Mei-Po Kwan the Annals of the Association of American Geographers Methods, Models, and Geographic Information Sciences editor has publicly expressed encouragement for scholars to submit qualitative method pieces to the Annals.
Next Year’s Student Research Grant Competition:
Sasha Davis agreed to be the leader/organizer for the competition. Perry Carter, Geoff DeVerteuil, and Rebecca Sheehan volunteered to be judges for the competition.
With no other business Fernando Bosco and Dydia DeLyser adjourned the meeting.