Bulletin Spring 2025

About the Society

Need to know

The Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) is the UK’s learned society for geography and professional body for geographers. We are also a membership organisation and a registered charity.

The Society was founded in 1830 to advance geographical science and this remains our core purpose. We achieve this through supporting geographical research, education, and fieldwork and expeditions, as well as by advocating on behalf of the discipline and promoting geography to public audiences.

We value our independence as well as the breadth of our activities that support the understanding of the world’s people, places and environments. Everyone with an enthusiasm for geography, travel and exploration is welcome to join.

A message

From the Director

I am extremely grateful to the very many of you who took the time to contribute to our recent membership development survey and focus groups. The high response rates are a very positive measure of our committed and engaged membership. The data show that we are getting many things right. However, we commissioned the work to understand how we can serve you better and grow the membership.

One message is that we need to be clearer about the many and varied opportunities for members to get involved with the work of the Society and engage with each other.

Our regional committees, and their events are one way of meeting like-minded people. If there aren’t events near you, why not volunteer to help organise some? If you are looking for practical support in your geographical career do look at our career resources.

For those seeking ways of supporting the next generation of geographers, why not sign up for our Professional Ambassador scheme, which helps get geographical expertise into schools? Or sponsor School Memberships? This gives teachers and learners access to additional events and materials beyond our free content.

Thank you for joining us in our long-established mission to ‘advance geographical science’. Today that implies playing a prominent role in making the world a better place. The bigger our community the greater our positive impact. Hence one of the most positive things all of us can do to aid us in our mission is to help us grow the membership.

Professor Joe Smith

Image credit: Lucy Pope

Society

News

Society survey

Thank you very much to those who took the time to contribute to our recent member research project. We commissioned an agency to conduct a survey and series of focus groups throughout August and September. The survey received 6,600 responses, from members and non-members, helping us develop a clear view of challenges, perceptions and values of the Society and across the discipline of geography.

Council nominations

We are inviting nominations from Fellows for a number of Council positions to be elected in 2025. The following positions are open for nominations: Vice President Research and Higher Education, Councillor Education, Councillor Expeditions and Fieldwork. Read the full criteria online and submit your nominations by 5.00pm on 20 March.

In December we will announce opportunities to join the Education, Research and Higher Education, Professional Practice, and Finance committees, and the Enterprise Board and Investment Sub-Committee.

Endurance documentary

Meshing historic and modern-day adventure, Endurance tells the story of Sir Ernest Shackleton‘s attempt to traverse Antarctica and, more than a century later, the expedition to find the wreck of his famous ship. The NatGeo documentary film is available to stream now on Disney+.

As a partner on the Endurance22 expedition, the Society created a series of inspiring learning resources accessible to all schools which complement the film in bringing both expeditions to life.

Map Room artwork

London-based British-Indian artist Hormazd Narielwalla has collaborated with the Society to create a new artwork, Expanding Universe, a body of abstract work that will hang in the Map Room for the next five years. It was developed after Hormazd’s research into the Society’s map collection and the artwork incorporates references from the Society’s historical archive.

BBC Academy Climate Creatives conference

The Society was a partner of the BBC Academy Climate Creatives conference in October which brought industry leaders and creatives, commissioning editors and thought-provocateurs together to explore the power of creativity and collaboration in response to climate change. This connection grows out of the BBC’s partnership in Earth Stories, our support for the media and cultural sectors’ engagement with sustainability. Find recordings and follow up resources online.

Land Rover corporate support

We are very pleased that our longest serving Corporate Benefactor, Land Rover, have renewed their support of the Society for another year.

Image credit: RGS-IBG

Education

News

Curriculum review

The study of geography is integral to understanding the modern world, and it has never been more important.

The Government’s curriculum and assessment review is now under way, taking a wide look at Key Stages 1 to 5. Its objective is a broader, richer, cutting-edge curriculum, that drives standards and sets all young people up for life and work. The views of experts, parents, teachers and education leaders are expected to be central to the review’s recommendations, which will be published autumn 2025.

As the UK’s learned society for geography, the Society has responded to the open call for evidence as part of our active role ensuring quality geography is embedded in young people’s education.

Throughout October we asked for the views of members to help formulate our response, which will be published on our website.

We know that not only do the skills of geographers provide a strong basis for employability, lifelong learning and a positive difference in the world, but exposure to the discipline at a young age also helps foster critical thinking, global awareness, and environmental responsibility. The importance of issues such as climate change, migration, environmental degradation, epidemiology and inequalities, make geography one of the most relevant subjects in schools.

The Society will continue to participate in discussions with the Department for Education and is working closely with the Geographical Association on a document of key principles for geography in schools.

Image credit: RGS-IBG

From the field

News

Apply now for our upcoming grants

Deadlines are approaching for a variety of funding opportunities to help support students, researchers and schools undertake fieldwork in 2025. Apply for the Frederick Soddy Schools Award, which supports primary and secondary school fieldwork, or the Geographical Fieldwork Grant scheme for undergraduate and Masters students. The Fieldwork Apprenticeships also offer first year undergraduate students, who would otherwise not have the chance to do so, the opportunity to join a summer field research project.

Explore festival resources

The Explore 2024 festival event recordings are available to watch online. Search for ‘explore’ to catch up on talks centred around travel and exploration today.

Read our grant stories

Find new grant stories on the Society website to hear more from our grant recipients as they reflect on their research and experiences in the field. These include Kendall Jefferys, a PhD student at the University of Oxford, who is studying plant pollinators to create a baseline biodiversity dataset in the Cerrado biome in the highlands of central Brazil.

Expansion of Expeditions and Fieldwork team

We are pleased to announce Tom Allen has joined the Society as our new Expeditions and Fieldwork Manager. An explorer, author, and responsible travel advocate specialising in the Caucasus, he will support fieldwork and expedition practitioners while helping the Society reach a broader audience.

Image credit: Kendall Jefferys

Research and higher education

News

Reimagining the Himalaya

Dr Rohini Rai, an interdisciplinary scholar of race, migration and racism with a keen interest in postcolonial and decolonial theories has curated a new online exhibition, Reimagining the Himalaya through the lens of diasporic indigeneity.

This exhibition is part of a wider British Academy-funded public engagement project in collaboration with the Society, Indigenising the Himalayas: Reimagining its Past, Present, and Futures.

The project focuses on three key elements: archives, dance, and storytelling. Through workshops with the Society’s Collections, members of UK-based Himalayan diaspora communities from Nepal and Northeast India commented on and recaptioned imagery. Their insights are woven into the exhibition to reclaim archives as tools for reviewing understandings of historical material, from the viewpoint of diasporic indigeneity.

Image credit: Magar women making mustard oil, Captain C.J. Morris, Nepal, 1926 (c) RGS-IBG

Other Everests

Bringing together international scholars, archivists, curators, learned and professional societies and the UK mountaineering community, Other Everests: Commemoration, Memory and Meaning and the British Everest Expedition Centenaries, 2021-2024 was a research network funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) for which the Society was a research partner.

Critically assessing the legacy of the Everest expeditions and re-evaluating the symbolic, political and cultural status of Everest in the contemporary world, the network reflected and debated on commemorative activities for the centenaries of British climbing attempts. The network questions commemoration, memory and meaning and the role of contemporary archives in understanding Everest today.

The project network included the Society as a custodian of significant archival collections relating to Everest, enabling contributions to the discussion.

Fi Wi Road interns

The Society again hosted Fi Wi Road undergraduate interns as a partner of the scheme, and welcomed their support in the delivery of this year‘s Annual International Conference. The internship was developed to support young Black geographers across the UK in building their networks, skills and experiences, encouraging a future in the discipline.

Visit our website to learn more about this year’s interns and their experience.

Image credit: Cynthia Nkiruka Anyadi

Professional

News

Call for Professional Ambassadors

We have relaunched the Society’s Professional Ambassador scheme and encourage you and your colleagues to sign up. The scheme provides a platform for professional geographers to share their interests and expertise with young people through in-class talks, workshops, career events, fieldwork and more. Our online register also allows teachers to search and find a Professional Ambassador.

Exposure to professional role models can inspire and inform young people through real-world learning, and increasingly schools are required to provide opportunities to engage with professionals or employers in schools. In addition, advocating for your profession is a rewarding way to showcase your geographical knowledge and amplify the relevance of geography in study and careers. Register with the scheme now.

Online CPD tool

Planning, recording and reflecting on your training and continuing professional development (CPD) is integral to career progression. In many roles it’s also expected and is essential in applying for, and maintaining, Chartered Geographer accreditation.

The Society is launching a new online tool, MyCPD, to allow you to track CPD and to record your reflections. Chartered Geographers can then use this to submit their annual CPD log, and those working towards Chartership will find it a convenient record of CPD when applying.

MyCPD will be available to all Fellows and Members, although only Chartered Geographers will be expected to submit their records for review.

Image credit: RGS-IBG

Events

Highlights

Spring events programme

Throughout our spring programme of events we will bring you closer to geography’s past with stories from our Collections, advance your knowledge with workshops, and inspire you with lectures which showcase geography’s great power to change how we see the world.

Across England, Wales and Northern Ireland our regional events will take you on a journey through topics entwined with geography’s core issues, as well as themes which meet the discipline at its many intersections.

Delve into Devon and Cornwall’s unique geology in the South West regional committee’s online lecture, or meet Jan Morris’ biographer and hear stories of Jan’s role on the 1953 Everest expedition in Oxford. This term Belfast brings you a talk uniting art, architecture and great gardens, while in Chichester you’re invited to a sociable evening of storytelling.

If you live in, or are visiting, London, don’t miss our iconic Monday night lecture programme which brings you great thinkers, ideas and stories each week. The Map Room bar is open before and after each lecture, giving you somewhere to socialise with your guest or make new connections. Wherever you are you can watch lectures live streamed or recorded in broadcast quality video and sound.

Book your tickets early to secure your place and allow us to accurately assess interest in a particular event.

Don’t forget, members get more. With free or reduced rate tickets and exclusive access to our Talks on demand you can explore more of what you love.

Image credit: James Tye

Meet the President

Q&A with Professor Dame Jane Francis

Professor Dame Jane Francis was elected in June as the Society’s new President. We caught up with Jane to find out more about her and her life in geography.

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I am a geoscientist by training and my research has focused on ancient climates of the Earth, millions of years ago. I have worked on rocks and fossils in the polar regions, which have changed from warm tropical landscapes (even when close to the poles) to the amazing icy worlds that we know today. This has provided me with insight into how our planet might change as our climate warms.

Why are you interested in geography? Why is the subject important?

I have always been fascinated by the complex interactions of landscapes, climate and life on our planet. Like many, geography was my favourite subject at school, especially because I had an inspiring teacher.

You’re Director of the British Antarctic Survey, what does this involve?

The British Antarctic Survey (BAS) is a government research centre within the Natural Environment Research Council, studying the Antarctic – and the Arctic – especially how the polar regions are changing today.
I oversee an amazing range of people and activities, from mariners who crew our icebreaker the RRS Sir David Attenborough, pilots who fly our aircraft in remote icy regions, expedition guides who support the scientists in field camps and keep them safe, and more. There’s never a dull moment!

What has been the highlight of your career, regardless of how big or small, so far?

The highlight has been working in Antarctica. It is an amazing continent, so remote and so unlike other parts of the planet in its vast icy cover – I often think that it’s like visiting another planet. I never ever thought when I was younger that I would have a career that literally took me to the ends of the Earth.

What decision has had the greatest impact on your career?

I spent five years in Australia at the University of Adelaide for a research project on ancient climates of Australia.
I was offered a research post, had to make a quick decision, said yes and soon found myself doing field work in the beautiful red rocky deserts of central Australia, with kangaroos, parrots, snakes and spiders and a few huge gum trees. I worked with an Antarctic geologist in Adelaide and ended up also working in the Arctic and Antarctica. Living overseas was a great experience and was the start of many great polar adventures.

Why did you volunteer for the role of the Society’s President?

I have been lucky enough to have gained experience from many activities related to the Society – research and teaching in geoscience, exploration of remote and fascinating landscapes, advocacy for understanding our changing world. I hope I can support the Society with this experience.

What do you hope to achieve during your four-year tenure as President?

I hope that I can help to promote the Society and the wonders of geography and our planet to as wide of an audience as possible. In practical terms, the Society has an outstanding archive of items that are not easy to access. It would be great to open up the building for visitors to be inspired by the Collections, but that also requires some modifications to the building and raising funds.

What are you most looking forward to as President?

I look forward to meeting all members of the Society but especially the younger members who are passionate about our planet and its people and are the future generation who understand how to live in balance with our world, more than we have done in the past.

Neville Shulman Challenge Award 2023

Across the Barren Lands

During Michal Lukaszewicz and Karolina Gawonicz’s 60-day-long unsupported canoe crossing through the Barren Lands of Canada they connected Great Slave Lake with rivers Lockhart, Hanbury and Thelon through a series of portages. On top of that geographical challenge, they filmed local fauna as well as their own proceedings. Here they share how the award brought their expedition to life.

“Being five times larger than the UK, the Barren Lands are widely considered the second largest area of uninhabited wilderness in the world. For Canadians it’s a little known corner yet it covers 15% of the country’s territory, consisting of tundra habitat north of treeline. For First Nations it’s home where nobody resides. For the Canadian Government it’s a prosperous mine which largely cannot be mined. And for the small group of adventure canoeists it’s a temple, free from dams and guarded by lack of roads and airports.

“The Neville Shulman Challenge Award supported our canoe journey across the Barren Lands from Yellowknife in Northwest Territories to the Inuit hamlet of Baker Lake in Nunavut. Our motivation was to take a snapshot of this rarely visited land and follow in the footsteps of James Bullock’s expedition of 1923/25. To achieve our goal we had to cover over 1,000 miles of pure wilderness with no option to resupply.

“In 1923 James Bullock and John Hornby set across the Barren Lands hoping to secure first ever motion pictures of musk oxen. Their journey was filled with hardship, hunger and loneliness. In July of 1925 they decided to lessen their load by burying 10,000ft of film tape in the middle of Hanbury River. A photo of that cache emerged alongside Bullock’s journals in 2015. Following analysis of Bullock’s letters we wanted to check whether the cache site survived. Indeed, when we made it to the Grove Rapids on Hanbury River, a small cairn rose in front of our eyes. Beneath the boulders we found rusty pieces of film cans from the 1920s – definite proof we’d found the right cluster of rocks in all the Barren Lands.

“The Barren Lands haven’t changed much since Bullock and Hornby passed across them. However, they will change dramatically over the next century due to climate change. Melting permafrost will increase water permeability to the ground, washing out carbon compounds that have been frozen for thousands of years. Rising temperatures will push the treeline further north, allowing species from the south to invade this delicate ecosystem. Day after day, we saw evidence of these changes. Lakes were bubbling as methane gases were released from thawing lake bottoms. We also recorded many pairs of nesting bald eagles in the Barren Lands on the tundra, far from the trees where they normally nest.

“During the last stage of the expedition the Thelon River helped us with our mileage. We were now passing through the Thelon Wildlife Sanctuary, a protected area the size of Belgium that was created in 1927 by Bullock and Hornby, who, after returning, lobbied the Canadian government to protect the habitat they had come to know so intimately. As a result, musk oxen, bears, wolves, wolverines, and, most importantly, caribou, gained protection. Bullock and Hornby’s efforts were, in a way, far ahead of their times, and today we would call them not so much explorers as conservationists. Unlike inhabited areas elsewhere in the world, the Barren Lands do not have capacity to self-determine the future. What happens next to subarctic regions depends on the actions of us all.

“Having had the privilege to witness the scope of that wilderness first hand it feels unimaginable that it could be lost.”

What challenge of yours could this award support? The application deadline for the 2025 award is 30 November.

Image credit: Michal Lukaszewicz

Building a network

The value of accreditation

One of the great driving purposes of the Society is to advance the reach and influence of geography, and its wider value in society. For professionals, accreditation provides proof of a high level of understanding, experience and professionalism. In advocating for chartership in their workplace our Chartered Geographers (CGeogs) help build the prominence of chartership, the standing of the discipline and quality of their own networks.

Chartered Geographer status awarded by the Society is the only internationally recognised accreditation for geographers. Not only does it enhance career progression, but it also demonstrates a commitment to ongoing development. Chartership is also important to the future of the discipline because it provides independent assurance, placing geography specialists alongside other recognised professionals, reflecting well on their expertise and on the organisations that employ them.

With the creation of the Society’s new champion’s pack, Chartered Geographers will be better able to act as ambassadors for the scheme and connect with people who share their vision. The pack contains information to assist peer support within organisations and to prepare CGeogs for talking about chartership. The intention is to encourgage the building of internal networks, made easier with our expertise and backed by support from the Society.

Networking is an important way to develop mutually beneficial professional relationships. It supports the giving of assistance, which can help progress individual or organisational goals. By networking and being visible within communities of professional practice, it is more likely that exciting opportunities arise. More importantly, it allows an ongoing exchange of ideas, especially when expanded beyond one organisation, sector or profession. Developing a network that has contacts at many different career stages allows professionals to look ahead, to identify goals and aspirations or different pathways for career growth.

Chartership itself opens the door to a global network of geographers. Those curious about becoming chartered can join regular introductory workshops, while established CGeogs can meet informally through virtual coffee mornings.

In our fast moving world, CGeog accreditation not only recognises personal achievement but is a vital tool for strengthening our community and fostering connections which ensure the discipline remains central to understanding and addressing today’s most pressing challenges.

Image credit: Digby Oldridge

A gift that broadens horizons

Give membership this Christmas

Geography fosters a deeper understanding of our planet’s people, places and environments. It is a subject that inspires awe and expands knowledge. Give someone you care about a gift that lasts all year and unlocks a world of discovery.

Membership is for everyone, and brings each individual more of what they love, whether that’s moving journalism, inspiring lectures or opportunities to connect with like-minded people.

If you know someone studying geography at any level between GCSE and university then Student Membership will showcase the breadth of innovation and challenges across the discipline, with the addition of study resources to supplement their coursework and advance their learning.

When you give a gift of membership you are not only sharing your love for the discipline but you are actively supporting the work of the Society as a charity, learned society and professional body.

Corporate Partners

Cover image credit: Michal Lukaszewicz