Conference Agenda

In recent years, there is a growing emphasis on societal impact in order to respond more quickly to complex societal challenges. Geographers have also warned about the growing gap between the discipline of geography (‘big-G’ geography) and the production and dissemination of other geographic knowledges (‘little-g’ geography) by societal or governmental organizations and other publics (Castree et al., 2008). To bridge this gap and communicate geography to wider audiences, it is of fundamental importance for geographers to understand the basic principles of science communication and communication theory. These fields emphasize that the metaphor of the ‘ivory tower’ academic is outdated, as “all geographical knowledge is pedagogical and all pedagogy is political” (Castree 2008, p.680). Rather, science and society are co-produced; not only is there a two-way relationship between research and policy-making, but also between Geography and its different publics. This contribution brings reflects on how pertinent developments within the fields of ‘public geographies’, science communication and science-and-technology studies can inform geography teaching. Second, it will demonstrate how these insights are translated into a science communication course for second-year undergraduate students in geography, including a reflection on both content, learning activities and pedagogical knowledge. The paper concludes by discussing lessons learned and the potential requirements of a science communication course for post-graduates and early-career geographers.

The dissemination phase of a geographic film (Jacobs, 2013; Gandy, 2021) - a research conducted and presented in cinematic form - constitutes a pivotal step in communicating the significance of its findings beyond the confines of the geographic discipline, promoting a reciprocal dialogue between the academic community and civil society. In this phase, new subjectivities emerge alongside that of the researcher who conducted the study: the multiple viewers reached by the geographical film. These plural and diverse audiences, both academic and non-academic, will generate a new relational assemblage, yet another dynamic through which spatial morality becomes more robust and apparent, or, alternatively, is disrupted and redefined (Loi, Salimbeni, 2022). In this perspective, it is through engagement and dialogue with an audience broader than the academic community (Varotto, Rossetto, 2016) that the initial findings of a geographic research could evolve. This interaction encourages the researcher to continue engaging with alternative visions and perspectives, even after the research has been completed, fostering a dynamic exchange of ideas. At the same time, it contributes to raising new doubts and questions about the investigated topic within less self-referential circles than those of academia, potentially producing a greater impact, in terms of engagement, than research disseminated only in the form of articles or scientific monographs.

Building on these premises, this contribution aims to critically reflect on the dissemination experience of the geographical film 'Movimento Fermo', a PhD research project on the multifaceted phenomenon of the “new mountaineers” (Corrado et al., 2014) reinhabiting the Italian rural mountains. The presentation will focus on the diverse types of audiences that the geographical film has reached, the variety of venues and platforms where it has been presented, and the unexpected opportunities that have emerged from this research project conducted and shared in cinematic form.

The academic debate surrounding the public dimension of geography has explored the processes through which geographical knowledge is constructed and disseminated. Within this context, recognizing the non-neutrality of knowledge raises critical questions: What role should the researcher play? How can participatory tools be designed to amplify voices and practices that challenge dominant narratives? How can research findings be effectively communicated beyond the confines of academia? And who should be the target audience?

Acknowledging the challenges of providing definitive answers to such questions and the necessity of transcending disciplinary boundaries, recent decades have witnessed the emergence of numerous experimental approaches to research. These approaches aim to capture the complexities and relational dynamics that define contemporary socio-spatial processes. In this context, the performative turn has provided a framework for examining how social spaces and individual or collective identities are dynamically enacted and mutually shaped through ongoing interactions, and a lens for examining positionality, research methodologies, and dissemination strategies.

Among the experimental practices inspired by this paradigm, playful performances have emerged as a means to study public space beyond functionalist approaches and as a way for geographers to engage with space interactively through play. Some of these questions and experimental efforts have been explored by different researchers, for example, in connection with a playful performance organized for GeoNight 2023 in Rome.

This contribution aims to delve deeper into this theoretical and experimental framework, starting from initial reflections on organizing a playful performance: a murder mystery game held in Palermo in the spring of 2025. The initiative, part of a research project focused on outdoor and co-creative practices, was developed in collaboration with local associations. The goal is to foster dialogue between academic knowledge about the city and the expertise of local actors, ultimately presenting the results to the public in the form of an urban game. This approach opens new perspectives on public geography, promoting participatory practices and innovative methods of dissemination.

This contribution presents Disabitanti, a participatory theatre and storytelling project that investigates marginal spaces and intangible geographies in Salento, with a focus on the abandoned houses of the small village of Corigliano d’Otranto. The project, realized by myself in collaboration with Magma Aps and Alibi Association, transforms these spaces from inert, neglected backdrops into active loci of creative expression and collective memory, emphasizing their role as repositories of intangible heritage and as catalysts for cultural valorization.

Disabitanti actively involved local communities by inviting homeowners and participants to uncover the memories and histories embedded in abandoned spaces. Through dramaturgical and geo-narrative workshops, participants reconstructed stories inspired by traces left behind - whether an object, a wall marking or an oral history fragment. These processes culminated in a series of site-specific performances that forged emotional and intellectual connections between audiences and the themes of geographical marginality, memory and identity.

The presentation explores the innovative methodologies employed by Disabitanti, including the use of theatre as a medium for spatial inquiry, the co-creation of narratives, and the integration of local knowledge into research dissemination. It further interrogates the potential of disused and marginalized spaces to serve as platforms for community reflection and cultural regeneration, highlighting the dynamic interplay between physical landscapes and intangible cultural heritage.

Reflecting on the challenges and successes of Disabitanti, this contribution offers a replicable model for bridging the gap between academic research and public engagement. It demonstrates how creative practices like participatory theatre and geo-narratives can foster inclusivity, promote spatial justice, and amplify the lived experiences of marginalized geographies. Geographical research often remains confined within academic circles, raising critical questions about how to communicate complex spatial concepts to broader audiences. This contribution aligns with the session's objectives by offering a concrete example of how creative practices can expand the dissemination and societal impact of geographical research. It aims to illustrate how partecipative and interdisciplinary approaches can enhance public understanding of geography and foster meaningful connections between research and communities.