About this Workshop
The AAG Early Career Faculty Development Workshop is a hands‑on professional development experience designed to support geographers as they prepare for or navigate the early years of academic careers. The workshop focuses on balancing teaching, research, service, outreach, and personal life while building skills essential for long‑term success. Sessions emphasize effective course design, online education, diversity and inclusion, active learning, and strategies for navigating early‑career challenges, including publishing, grant writing, time management, and the tenure process. Learn more about the initiative behind this workshop and how it has evolved over time.
Audience
This workshop is intended for geographers preparing for academic careers or in the early years of faculty appointments who are interested in a hands‑on professional development experience. This includes graduate students, adjuncts, lecturers, assistant professors, and other untenured faculty.
No advance preparation is required; however, participants are encouraged to reflect on key challenges they face as they prepare for or begin their academic careers.
Learning Objectives
One of the most valuable aspects of the workshop is the opportunity to learn from and network with other early‑career geographers across a wide range of institutions. Participants will also take away:
- Practical strategies for balancing teaching, research, service, and personal well‑being
- Guidance on designing inclusive, engaging, and effective courses, including online and hybrid formats
- Insights into active learning approaches and high‑impact teaching practices
- Strategies for navigating the publication process, grant writing, and building a sustainable research agenda
- A clearer understanding of tenure and promotion expectations across institutional contexts
- Tools for effective time management, goal setting, and prioritization
- Opportunities to discuss shared challenges and develop peer support networks
Agenda
Monday, June 22 — Building Support and Belonging
- 1:00 pm – 2:15 pm — Creating Communities to Support Ourselves and Others
- 2:30 pm – 3:45 pm — Demystifying Academia
- 4:00 pm – 5:15 pm — Connecting Service and Advocacy to Your Scholarly Identity
Tuesday, June 23 — Teaching, Writing, and Time
- 1:00 pm – 2:15 pm — Course Planning and Creating Significant Learning Experiences
- 2:30 pm – 3:45 pm — Time Management
- 4:00 pm – 5:15 pm — Publishing and Writing
Wednesday, June 24 — Paths and Possibilities
- 1:00 pm – 2:15 pm — Active Learning
- 2:30 pm – 3:45 pm — Planning the Arc of Your Career
- 4:00 pm – 5:15 pm — Teaching and Advising Students about Geography Careers
Thursday, June 25 — Navigating Challenges
- 1:00 pm – 2:15 pm — Difficult Conversations
- 2:30 pm – 3:45 pm — Assessing Student Learning in the Age of AI
- 4:00 pm – 5:15 pm — Funding Opportunities, Strategies, and Applications
Friday, June 26 — Looking Ahead
- 1:00 pm – 2:15 pm — Questions about Reappointment, Tenure, and Promotion
- 2:30 pm – 3:15 pm — Workshop Debrief and Planning Future Activities
All times are in U.S. Eastern Time. Each day will include a combination of short presentations, facilitated discussions, and small‑group breakout sessions, with scheduled breaks. Time will also be set aside for participants to share and discuss their own concerns and experiences. While participants are encouraged to attend all sessions, the virtual format allows flexibility for those balancing other commitments.
All registered participants will receive an email in advance of the workshop (anticipated around June 12) with full details for joining, along with any suggested readings or materials to help you prepare. Participants will also have the opportunity to sign up for optional “office hours” throughout the week with any of the workshop organizer(s) for informal, drop-in time slots offering dedicated time for one‑on‑one or small‑group conversations on specific questions, challenges, or topics of interest.
Logistics
Modality: Virtual, held on Zoom.
Accessibility: AAG is committed to making this workshop accessible to all participants. Closed captioning will be provided. Participants with additional accommodation needs will be able to share specific requests in the registration form.
Number of seats: No limit
Recording: This workshop will not be recorded.
Code of Conduct: The workshop will follow AAG’s Professional Conduct Policy and Procedures and AAG’s Event Policies to ensure a respectful, inclusive, and productive environment. All participants must agree to these policies during registration.
Organizers
- Ken Foote, University of Connecticut
- Guo Chen, Michigan State University
- Dydia DeLyser, California State University, Fullerton
- Eric J. Fournier, Washington University, St. Louis
- Roberta Hawkins, University of Guelph
- Antoinette WinklerPrins, The George Washington University
- May Yuan, University of Texas at Dallas
- Patricia Ehrkamp, University of Kentucky
- Jieun Lee, University of Northern Colorado
- Laxmi Ramasubramanian, College of Staten Island
- Amy Rock, California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt
- Coline Dony, American Association of Geographers
- Emily Frisan, American Association of Geographers
- Eddie McInerney, American Association of Geographers
Please direct any questions about the workshop’s content to Ken Foote, and any questions about logistics or registration to Coline Dony.
Registration
Registration will open on Mon, April 27, 2026. The last day to register is Friday, June 5, 2026.
Fees
- AAG members: FREE!
- AAG Explorers: $350
How to register?
To register for this workshop, you will need an AAG account: either a free Explorer account or a Member account by selecting the “Join” link in the upper righthand corner of the website.
Make sure you are logged into your AAG account, then register for the workshop.