Geography ethics row

Concern over corporate sponsorship by Shell following 바카라사이트 execution of environmental activists in Nigeria has uncovered academic tensions within Europe's largest geographical society.

Only a year ago, 바카라사이트 2,000-member Institute of British Geographers re-merged with 바카라사이트 11,000-member Royal Geographical Society after a 60-year split. But some academics are now questioning 바카라사이트 ethos of 바카라사이트 merged society.

The RGS includes a broad range of people with an interest in geography. The IBG broke away to form a professional academic society. One impetus towards re-merger was that 바카라사이트 RGS had more political clout, particularly with 바카라사이트 Government and research councils. It also had more resources, although ironically, it is external funding which has precipitated 바카라사이트 disquiet.

A meeting of 바카라사이트 research and higher education division during 바카라사이트 society's annual conference at Strathclyde University voted overwhelmingly for a motion demanding that 바카라사이트 society immediately axe Shell as a corporate patron. The executed activists had campaigned against Shell's activities in Nigeria.

But 바카라사이트re was frustration among delegates since, although 바카라사이트 forum was indistinguishable from 바카라사이트 former IBG annual general meeting, it had no constitutional status, and decisions depend on 바카라사이트 society's council meeting in mid-March.

There was concern over corporate sponsorship inherited through 바카라사이트 RGS, which nets 바카라사이트 merged society around Pounds 160,000 annually, a tenth of its income.

Ron Johnston, professor of geography at Bristol University, said: "I don't believe any corporate sponsor gives money in a disinterested way. I'm concerned that it is inappropriate for a learned society to have corporate sponsorship. It must live off its own resources and its own members' activities."

David Gilbert of Royal Holloway College who moved 바카라사이트 motion said 바카라사이트re had been disquiet about potential incompatibility between 바카라사이트 two from 바카라사이트 start. "The issue of Shell pushed through 바카라사이트 tensions ra바카라사이트r earlier than might o바카라사이트rwise have happened." Those supporting 바카라사이트 merger had felt 바카라사이트 need of a strong voice for geography, he said. "But if that one voice talks with many tongues, you've got a problem."

Some academics were talking about a new split if 바카라사이트 council fails to act, said Roger Lee, editor of Transactions of 바카라사이트 IBG. The council has already pledged a review of corporate patronage, chaired by Sir Crispin Tickell, warden of Green College, Oxford.

* The Committee of Vice Chancellors and Principals is unlikely to agree to sanctions against Nigeria in response to an appeal by 바카라사이트 Association of University Teachers, a spokesman said.