Conferences

Some EUROGEO Conference topic proposals :

· Geospatial technologies and remote sensing
· Geographic science and Artificial Intelligence
· Geography Education
· Geopolitics and geostrategy
· Urban geographies, transportation, mobility, migrations
· Environmental challenges, water geography, human health, global and climate change, landscape
· Human geography. Social, economic and cultural geography
· Geography in film, media and art
· Spatial humanities

Keynote speakers

Professor Ph.D., Ivan Radevski, Institute of Geography, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics-Skopje, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, North Macedonia

The Abrupt Descent of Great Prespa Lake – Natural Causes or Shared Responsibility

Great Prespa Lake, shared by North Macedonia, Greece, and Albania, has experienced a substantial decline in water levels (proven by Mann-Kendall test and Sen’s slope), driven primarily by human activities and climatic changes. Anthropogenic factors, including dam construction, irrigation, and canal operations, have significantly disrupted the lake’s hydrological balance. Pettit’s test reveals multiple statistically significant water-level shifts, closely linked to periods of increased human intervention. While climate change, characterized by moderately rising temperatures and precipitation variability, has amplified the lake’s vulnerability, the evidence underscores the dominant role of human influence in this decline. These findings highlight the urgent need for collaborative transboundary water management strategies to mitigate further damage and preserve Great Prespa Lake’s ecological and socio-economic functions.

Keywords: Great Prespa Lake, multiple abrupt declines, Mann Kendall test, Pettit’s test, transboundary water management

Dr. Ivan Radevski is a geographer, and full professor specializing in hydrology, and physical geography. He has taught these subjects at the Institute of Geography, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics in Skopje.
His research expertise is river discharge analysis, flood extremes, and climate change, published in over 60 peer-reviewed publications and conference proceedings. He has authored three books, including Hydrology, and co-authored numerous book chapters on water resource management and water quality in North Macedonia, published by Springer. His international collaborations have led to significant research contributions, with papers in journals such as Nature Geoscience, Nature, and Science.
He also had two public positions as a State Member of The Evaluation Board for High Education (2021-2023) and a Member of the State Statistical Council, both in North Macedonia (2023-).
With a strong focus on practical applications, Dr. Radevski’s work continues to advance the understanding of hydrological and climate change systems in the Balkans and beyond.

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Professor Ph.D., Martin Hanus, Charles University, Czech Republic

Developing Students’ Geographical Thinking Through Maps

In an age of rapid technological evolution and growing environmental challenges, geographic thinking has emerged as a critical skill for understanding and addressing complex global issues. This keynote explores the pivotal role of maps in fostering geographic literacy and critical thinking. Drawing on empirical research and practical applications, we will discuss how maps transcend their traditional function as information carriers to become dynamic tools for education and exploration.

The session will highlight innovative strategies for incorporating map-based activities into education, the significance of developing map skills, and their impact on students’ ability to analyze, interpret, and propose solutions for spatial and environmental challenges. Therefore, attendees will gain insights into how maps contribute to shaping student’s powerful disciplinary knowledge. This will be supported by the examples from the empirical and applied research.

Dr. Marin Hanus is a dedicated scholar in geographical education, specializing in didactics and modern educational technologies. He serves as an assistant professor at the Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, and is an active member of the Czech Geographical Society. Since 2020, he has been a member of the Steering Committee of the International Geographical Union’s Commission on Geographical Education, recently stepping into the role of co-chair for 2024-2028 Steering Committee.

Martin has led and contributed to numerous national and international projects, and founded a research group focused on the educational use of maps. His research addresses critical topics in geography education, such as curriculum design, teaching strategies, spatial thinking, GeoCapabilities, and world-mindedness. He has also explored nuanced aspects of maps in education, including students’ misconceptions, cognitive strategies for map use, the quality of sketch maps, and the integration of geographic information systems (GIS) in classrooms.

In addition to his research, Martin demonstrates strong academic leadership by serving on Czech and international PhD committees, and teaching core courses in teacher training programs. As an associate editor of International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education, co-chair of the IGU-CGE, and head of the Geography Teachers’ Network in Prague, he remains committed to advancing geographical education both nationally and globally.

EUROGEO-Conference-session proposals