“The Summer Institute in Economic Geography, which I attended in Frankfurt in 2014, was a particularly meaningful and memorable academic and personal experience. It was truly a unique event that enabled both the intensive exchange of academic ideas and perspectives as well as the building of lasting community bonds. Going well beyond the script of a strictly academic conference, the Summer Institute’s sessions, meetings and social gatherings cut to the multifaceted heart of what it means to be an economic geographer. It has been inspiring to see that so many people remain in contact, and that the generative process that began at the SIEG has flourished into social as well as collaborative networks. For my part, I would like to remain involved with this project and contribute in any possible way to ensure its continuation, since I consider it an institution that plays a key role in building the present and future of Economic Geography.”

Luis Felipe Alvarez León, doctoral researcher, Department of Geography, UCLA

“The 2012 Summer Institute in Economic Geography is the highlight of my experience with conferences and forums. Whilst fortunate to practice geography in New Zealand it comes with isolation from other economic geographers and geography conferences, and this tends to be reproduced at large events such as the AAG and RGS-IBG. As a platform, the Summer Institute, constituted by a group of prominent and emergent economic geographers, provided five days to specifically come to know each other and our diverse work, and discuss perspectives of economy geography around a set of disciplinary debates. Rather than just giving a paper and/or attending a conference session, I came away from the Summer Institute with an enriched perspective of economic geography (and economic geographers), a new set of relationships and opportunities for future research collaboration, and importantly, a commitment to being an economic geographer and contributing to our discipline.”

Stephen FitzHerbert, doctoral researcher, University of Auckland; Senior Tutor, Department of Geography, Massey University

“I already knew that economic geography is a heterodox and highly diverse field before attending the Summer Institute. But these six days of intense input and exchange helped me to make some sense of this diversity, to feel better equipped for navigating it, and to see my own position within it more clearly. For me, this was a unique opportunity for engaging with scholars and students from a variety of backgrounds beyond the often rather hectic conference gatherings, and to learn and benefit from their rich and diverse experiences.”

Alexander Vorbrugg, doctoral researcher, Department of Human Geography, Goethe University Frankfurt, Germany

“It is when you step outside of your cultural comfort zone that you are given the opportunity to learn the most about yourself. The Summer Institute was one of these opportunities for me. Bringing together participants and mentors from a range of theoretical cultures and backgrounds in a respectful environment, it offered a richness of alternative perspectives and ideologies. It encouraged me to interrogate my belief system, which in turn helped me to question and reframe my own research. As well, an even greater outcome was the chance to connect with a global network of colleagues and friends with whom I will continue to engage with into the future.”

Kirsten Martinus, PhD, Assistant Professor, School of Earth and Environment, University of Western Australia

"A fantastic six-day intensive all around economic geography, from discussing main lines of recent research, different methodologies, publishing strategies and career building, to connecting to peers and leading faculty from all around the world. The summer institute can be highly recommended to PhD candidates and postdocs.”

Melanie Fasche, PhD, Postdoctoral Fellow, Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto