WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE? REFLECTIONS ON THE IDEA OF PROGRESS IN THE HISTORY OF GEOGRAPHY

Abstract

In this short commentary, I reflect on my experience of writing three progress reports on the history and philosophy of geography for Progress in Human Geography. In so doing, I consider the challenges of identifying commonalities and narrating progress in a sub-disciplinary specialism that is often characterised by diversity in its empirical and epistemological foci. I go on to propose three possible priorities for future work in the history of geography that, sitting alongside a wider cosmopolitan and decolonial agenda, are illustrative of the sorts of empirical and conceptual progress that might render future historiography more progressive and inclusive.