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
As we move closer to the workshop date and finalise details, more information about how to attend will appear below.
Workshop Funders
We are grateful for financial support from 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
Tentative Itinerary
Coming soon--an exciting day of talks, discussion and networking!
Once we finalise the schedule for the day, we will post the itinerary here.
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.
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 rail station.
Location: 282 Hothouse, Adam Smith Building, University of Glasgow Main Campus, Glasgow G12 8QQ
Contact
Please feel free to contact any of the hosts for details related to the workshop.
Prof Simon Naylor (University of Glasgow)