Mapping the histories and geographies of water knowledge workshop
15 May 2025 University of Glasgow
Hosted by Prof Simon Naylor, Dr Tara Jonell and Dr Lawrence Dritsas
About
Humans have long laboured to map, measure and manipulate the place of water in the environment. From at least the seventeenth century onwards, new scientific observation, reconnaissance and survey techniques were deployed in the discovery of knowledges about water. Practitioners worked towards greater accuracy and standardisation in scientific measurement and optimising technological efficiency to increase profitability, and establishing control and order over newly acquired territories and existing watery environments. These agendas intensified under processes of agrarian change, industrialisation, modernisation and urbanization, when water was drained, impounded, rerouted, harnessed, commodified and sanitised.
Aims
This one-day workshop seeks to bring together researchers exploring the histories and geographies of water knowledge and infrastructures in historical contexts. We welcome contributions from historians of science and technology, historical and physical geographers, social and legal historians, researchers integrating archival evidence with the digital humanities, and indeed any other researcher interested in how people developed knowledge of water and watery environments and sought to apply that knowledge to practical ends.
Workshop Details
Explore the information below on how to attend and to view our exciting line-up of speakers, the itinerary and details on how to find our venue.
We look forward to seeing you in May!
How to Attend
Workshop Funders
We are grateful for financial support from the University of Glasgow Human Geography Research Group, the British Society for the History of Science, and the Historical Geography Research Group of the Royal Geographical Society /The Institute of British Geographers.
Invited Speakers
The speakers contributing to our workshop are listed below. Please click on each name to read the title and abstract of their talk.
- Rachel Dishington, University of Nottingham
- Lily Toomey, Trinity College Dublin
- Katja Bruisch, Trinity College Dublin
- Neil Macdonald, University of Liverpool
- John Morgan, University of Bristol
- Hannah Worthen, University of Hull
- Briony McDonagh, University of Hull
- Carry Van Lieshout, Open University
- Aneurin Merrill-Glover, University of Bristol
- Lawrence Dritsas, University of Edinburgh
- Simon Naylor, University of Glasgow
- Tara Jonell, University of Glasgow
Itinerary
|
TIME |
ACTIVITY |
|
9.00 – 9.10 |
Welcome and Workshop introduction |
|
Session 1 Chair |
Session 1 Chris Philo (University of Glasgow) |
|
10.00 – 9.50
|
Exploring the impact and legacy of British mills / Contested waters Tara Jonell and Simon Naylor (University of Glasgow) |
|
9:50 – 10.30
|
Ways of Knowing Ireland’s Peatlands Katja Bruisch and Lily Toomey (Trinity College Dublin) |
|
10.30 – 10.45 |
Morning coffee |
|
Session 2 Chair |
Session 2 Lawrence Dritsas (University of Edinburgh) |
|
10.45 – 11.25
|
Aneurin Merrill-Glover (University of Bristol) |
|
11.25 – 12.05
|
John Morgan (University of Bristol) |
|
12.05 – 12.45
|
Working with and against water infrastructures Carry Van Lieshout (Open University) |
|
12.45 – 13.30 |
Lunch |
|
Session 3 Chair |
Session 3 Tara Jonell (University of Glasgow) |
|
13.30 – 14.10
|
Lawrence Dritsas (University of Edinburgh) |
|
14.10 – 14.50
|
Rachel Dishington (University of Nottingham) |
|
14.50 – 15.05 |
Afternoon tea |
|
Session 4 Chair |
Session 4 Simon Naylor (University of Glasgow) |
|
15.05 – 15.45
|
Neil Macdonald (University of Liverpool) |
|
15.45 – 16.25
|
Hannah Worthen and Briony McDonagh (University of Hull) |
|
16.25 – 17.00
|
Roundtable discussion and Closing Remarks All participants |
|
17.00 – 20.30 |
Evening meal (Speakers) |
Venue and Directions
The workshop will be held in the new Adam Smith Building on the University of Glasgow Main Campus in the heart of Glasgow's West End.
Location: 282 Hothouse, Adam Smith Building, University of Glasgow Main Campus, Glasgow G12 8QQ
Getting there: This venue is a six minute walk from the Kelvinhall SPT subway station and a 15 minute walk from the Partick Station (SPT subway, Scotrail, First Bus, McGill's Bus) with direct trains to the downtown Glasgow Central/Queen Street rail stations.
The meeting room is located on the second floor with stair and elevator access. Use the ground floor main entrace that faces Dumbarton Road (elevator and stairs), or using the side entrance following the outside stairs leading up from Dumbarton Road on the right side of the building (stairs).
Facilities: There are all gender toilets located immediately outside of the meeting space on the second level. Drinking water (cold/hot) taps are located on the third and fourth floors, directly above the meeting space. Nursing rooms are located on the ground floor, behind the Tinderbox Cafe.
Contact
Please feel free to contact any of the hosts for details related to the workshop.
Prof Simon Naylor (University of Glasgow)