Research in historical geography and in the history and philosophy of geography in the UK, 2001–2011: an overview

Abstract

This report, commissioned by the UK's Economic & Social Research Council (ESRC) as part of an international review of research in human geography in the UK, considers the quality and impact of research within two related fields of particular interest to readers of this journal: historical geography and history of geography. The report, submitted in March 2012 and published here for the first time (with a new introduction) provides an account of the core themes addressed in these sub-disciplines over the last decade; gives examples of key outputs in these fields; and evaluates evidence of the impact of such research beyond the academy, notably in terms of policy and public engagement. The review is particularly concerned with the influence of geographical research beyond the boundaries of the discipline. What we as historical geographers think of ourselves is one thing; our influence within and beyond the academy is another, and it is the latter which provides the focus for the report.