The IAPS Early Career Researchers Network (ECRN) was established following the IAPS Conference in June 2020, when graduate student Everly Jazi, together with Ting-ting Cheng and Ruby Lipson-Smith, proposed a dedicated network for emerging scholars in people–environment studies.

Between 2020 and 2023, the founding conveners organized monthly Paper Exchanges, providing an international forum for graduate students and early-career researchers to present and discuss their work. Topics ranged from Human–Environment Studies in the Time of COVID-19 and Spatial Justice to Learning Spaces and Virtual Reality Applications. A member-curated speaker series featured invited experts, including Dr. Ellie Ratcliffe, Prof. Rich Mitchell, Dr. Alia Dietsch, and Dr. Edward Edgerton. Informal social gatherings further supported collaboration and peer networks. Between 2022 and 2025, Dr. Daniel McKay and Filomena Russo joined the team, expanding the network’s activities. Currently, we host several online events per year, including paper exchanges and talks, covering various topics in the field of people-environment studies.

In addition to our regular virtual events, the ECRN has begun to build a physical presence, hosting dedicated sessions at IAPS 2022 (online) and our first in-person gathering at IAPS 2024 (Barcelona). We are currently preparing for active participation in the IAPS 2026 Conference.

Today, the ECRN is a thriving international community comprising over 80 members, including master’s and doctoral students, as well as early-career researchers from diverse backgrounds, who are dedicated to fostering collaboration, peer support, and knowledge exchange.

To join the ECRN, please complete this Google Form (https://forms.gle/YA7MCZHECG9beM2Q8)