PRE-CONFERENCE

38th Annual Preconference to the 2026 AAG Annual Meeting

(San Francisco, CA – March 15-16)

We’re excited to invite you to the 2026 San Francisco Pre-Conference to the AAG annual meeting!

 

Draft Program: 2026-PGSG-Preconference-Program_draft_1.13.2026

Dates

  • Sunday, March 15: Choice of two walking tours guided by the Shaping San Francisco team (~12-3 PM)
    • Cutting Corners: South of Market, A Transformed Landscape: On this historical walking tour we discuss the social, economic, and cultural forces which influenced the mid-to-late 19th century transformation of the South of Market and Mission Bay landscapes in the making of a new urban and industrial center on the West Coast.
    • New Deal Murals, Italian SF, and Trash! Starting with an in-depth guided tour of the panels of Anton Refregier’s murals encircling the upper walls of the lobby of the Rincon Annex, we discuss federal art programs, censorship, and depictions of San Francisco’s past with all its blemishes.
  • Monday, March 16: Paper sessions at McLaren Conference Center, University of San Francisco (approx. 9am-6pm)

Location

  • The McLaren Conference Center, University of San Francisco. 2130 Fulton St, San Francisco, CA 94117

Local Institutional Host

  • Ilaria Giglioli, University of San Francisco, International Studies Department

Funding Sponsors

  • Political Geography Specialty Group (AAG)

Events  

  • March 15
  • March 16
    • Paper Sessions: throughout the day
    • Lunch: small groups, near McClaren Conference Center (self-pay)
    • Dinner: restaurant near McClaren Conference Center; space is limited (self-pay)

Deadlines and Registration

  • Abstract Submission (presenters only): Dec. 15, 2025
    • Complete all sections of this form, including paper title and 250-word abstract.
    • Abstract acceptance notifications will be distributed in late January
  • Registration (non-presenters): February 1, 2026
    • Complete ‘All Attendees’ sections of this form. 
    • For events with limited space (March 15 walking tours, March 16 dinner), space will be allocated on a rolling basis. There will likely be a waitlist. 
      • You will be notified regarding your participation status as soon as possible, but no later than March 1.
    • If your plans change prior to the event, please re-submit or edit your form.

Costs and Payment

  • Walking tours on Sunday, March 15
    • All participants: $35
      Please wait to pay until you have been notified regarding your participation. Cost may decrease depending on attendance. 
  • Paper Sessions on Monday, March 16
    • Tenure-Track and Permanent Faculty: $25 
    • Students, Contingent Faculty, and Members of the Public: free 
  • Payment
    • We will use electronic payment via the AAG’s central infrastructure. Payments will be accepted via credit card or PayPal. 
    • Submit your payment via the AAG’s Political Geography Specialty Group site here. 
      • Click “Donate.” 
      • Ensure that “Political Geography Specialty Group” is listed under “Fund.”
      • Please write “Preconference” in the “In Honor/Memory Of” section.
      • Include your full name and contact information. 
      • You will receive a receipt via email. 
    • Please maintain a printed or digital copy of your receipt (or screenshot). You will be asked to confirm your payment at event check-in.

Lodging and Transport

  • We recommend using the same lodging that you will use for the main AAG conference.
  • The McLaren Conference Center is an easy commute from the main conference location using public transportation (San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency) or rideshare.    

Funding Opportunities

  • Graduate students are encouraged to apply for a $225 PGSG Student Travel Grant to attend the preconference. Deadline: Dec. 15, 2025. We expect to award 7-10 grants. Preference is given to individuals presenting a paper at the preconference.
  • The PGSG will fund a $300 Morrill Engagement Travel Award to support the attendance of an individual who has used their political geographic work to affect change. Deadline: Dec. 15, 2025.
Questions? Updates will be posted to the PGSG website. Please direct any questions to the Preconference co-organizers Kate Coddington (kcoddington@albany.edu) and Lindsay Naylor (lnaylor@udel.edu)

Past Preconferences