Call for Papers:

Joint NZGS/IAG Conference 2018, July 11-14, University of Auckland, New Zealand

Session title:    Islands, Identities and Wellbeing

Conveners:  Robin Kearns and Tara Coleman (University of Auckland)

Format: Papers followed by input from invited discussants - Elaine Stratford, University of Tasmania and John Connell, University of Sydney

Abstract: Islands have obvious and potent defining features: distance from a larger mainland as well as relations with other islands and encirclement by water. For residents, there can be real and/or perceived isolation, potentially strong social cohesion and vigorous expressions of collective identity. Islands can be a destination for visitors seeking wellbeing yet also present a constrained set of options for residents seeking health care. Commodification of island spaces through tourism is placing pressure on local resources, populations and infrastructure. This session seeks papers that might address questions including (but certainly not limited to):

• How are visitors invited to interpret island landscapes? What are the well-being implications for visitors and residents? 
• What are the risks to collective identity and personal wellbeing brought by mass tourism?
• What is the role of the blue space/ sea in generating island identities and wellbeing? 
• How has island heritage been repurposed for tourism and what are the implications for island identities?
• How do communities of care emerge within island spaces? How do such practices enhance collective wellbeing?
• How are urbanised islands maintaining local identity?

We welcome papers that focus on any aspects of the diverse human geographies of islands.

 Paper submission details: Please submit paper proposals (including author name(s), paper title and paper abstract) to Robin Kearns (r.kearns@auckland.ac.nz) and Tara Coleman (t.coleman@auckland.ac.nz) by 4 April 2018. Postgraduate students are particularly encouraged to submit papers.

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Thanks!

Robin Kearns