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
In June we welcomed Clive Sanders to the new role of Deputy Chief Executive. Clive brings a wealth of experience to the senior leadership team at the Society, including of membership development having been part of the team that significantly increased membership at the Ramblers, and of income generation thanks to his time at Save the Children and Cancer Research UK.
Clive is leading a number of cross-cutting areas of work, including membership growth, fundraising and progressing the business planning for a major programme to improve the Society’s home in South Kensington. Following a pause post COVID-19 and its tough fundraising environment we agree now is the time to revisit our strategic plan from architects Caruso St John. This will help us get the most out of this exceptional site, and rebuild momentum for some of our big ideas.
But on your next visit you will see that we haven’t been standing still. You will notice more Collections material with interpretation presented throughout the building. On a more practical note, we have also been improving our toilet facilities. Thank you for your patience while the building has been closed to members to allow this.
The Bulletin is a great record of achievement by the Society’s team and volunteers. It also presents a superb programme of forthcoming events. I hope to see you at some of them.
Image credit: James Tye
Society
News
Election results
Congratulations to our newest Council and committee members who were elected at our Annual General Meeting in June.
Our new Council members are: Professor Jenny Pickerill (Vice President, Research and Higher Education), Dr Simon Oakes (Councillor, Education) and Oliver Steeds (Councillor, Expeditions and Fieldwork).
The new committee members are: Dr Becky Briant (Committee member, Research and Higher Education Committee), Professor Peter Hopkins (Chair of Annual Conference 2026, Research and Higher Education Committee) and Helen Bartlett (Committee member, Professional Practice Committee).
Thank you to our outgoing Council and committee members for their hard work and dedication to the Society.
Summit Photo
Join us from 26-28 September for Summit Photo, a new three-day conference that seeks to interrogate photojournalism’s relationship to environmental and humanitarian issues. We will be bringing together some of the world’s greatest photographers, such as Frans Lanting, Susan Meiselas, Ami Vitale, Chris Packham, Ian Dawson, Sue Flood, Simon Townsley, Poulomi Basu, Esther Horvath, Britta Jaschinski, Benedict Allen and many more, to discuss the salient issues of our time.
King’s Birthday Honours
Congratulations to Society Fellow Professor Susan Page, University of Leicester, who was awarded an MBE for services to Peatland and Climate Research.
Image credit: Sue Flood
The Risman Foundation donation
We have recently received a donation from The Risman Foundation to pilot an annual cycle of a mentorship and travel bursaries, empowering young people through transformative journeys.
Donating to the Society
We’ve recently refreshed our fundraising webpages and now have the ability to accept one-off and regular donations, including Gift Aid, via our website. Each and every gift we receive helps us all better understand our world.
New Deputy CEO
Clive Sanders joined the Society in June in the new role of Deputy CEO. Clive will be leading the development of the Society’s fundraising and commercial capabilities as well as cross-cutting initiatives such as the House project.
Esmond B. Martin Royal Geographical Prize 2025
The Prize, created by a generous bequest from the late renowned geographer and conservationist Esmond Bradley Martin, recognises outstanding individual achievement in the pursuit and application of geographical research. This year the Prize was awarded to two exceptional elephant conservationists, Dr Iain Douglas-Hamilton and Dr Jake Wall.
Rolex Perpetual Planet corporate support
We are very pleased that Rolex have extended their support and will be the Official Partner of our annual Explore weekend and its associated content and events, and the Summit Photo event for the coming three years.
Image credit: Getty Images
Education
News
I can see the sea awarded
The Society’s I can see the sea teaching resource was Highly Commended in the Geographical Association 2025 Awards, acknowledging its significant contribution to geography education. Aimed at KS2-3, the module, produced in partnership with Royal Holloway, University of London, takes a creative look at how humans interact with the sea, with a focus on using aquariums.
Discovering the Arctic
Discovering the Arctic is a website developed by the Society in partnership with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), in collaboration with the Arctic Office / Natural Environment Research Council, British Antarctic Survey and Scottish Association for Marine Science. The site offers teachers and learners a guided tour across the top of the world, revealing how the Arctic is changing, with the help of the people who live and work there. Refreshed for 2025, it features activities, images, video clips and fact sheets, to support creative learning.
Teachers and students may also wish to explore Discovering Antarctica.
Image credit: RGS-IBG
Competitions for schools
The Young Geographer of the Year competition is designed to get pupils thinking beyond the boundaries of the curriculum and engaged with the opportunities geography offers. For trainee and early-career teachers with innovative ideas to engage pupils, the Rex Walford Award celebrates emerging talent in educational resource writing. This year the theme for both pupils and teachers to explore is ‘understanding islands’ and the multitude of geographical themes that a study of islands can uncover. The deadline for entries is 31 October.
The 2025 School Essay Competition, organised in partnership with the Financial Times, invites A Level students to submit well-evidenced essays that answer the following question: What are the implications for different countries of international trade policies in the contemporary world? Entries must be received by 31 October.
Jewel of Arabia resources
The Jewel of Arabia Expedition, which took place from 6 January to 3 February 2025, followed the route taken by the British explorer Bertram Thomas in 1928. Schools resources have now been developed for KS2-5, which help pupils explore the themes of sustainability and biodiversity in Oman.
Image credit: mads schmidt rasmussen/Unsplash
From the field
News
Gino Watkins Fund Awards
We are delighted that the Gino Watkins Memorial Fund has become a linked charity of the Society. Established in 1933 in memory of Arctic expeditioner Gino Watkins, the Fund endeavours to increase our knowledge of the polar regions by supporting and inspiring scientific research, leadership and exploration through a diversity of awards. The partnership will safeguard the longevity of the Fund, while opening up the valuable opportunities it provides to an even larger audience. The next deadline for applications is 31 January 2026.
Society funded projects in the field
Many of the 75 field research projects funded through the Society’s grants programme in 2025 are now in the field studying a wide range of topics in a host of different environments.
These include Veronica White, a PhD student from Exeter University, who is cycling from Land’s End to the Scottish border, interviewing women in agriculture to discover the future of farming in England. While Dr Roseanna Mayfield from the University of Nottingham is investigating historical methane production from wetland systems in Northern Sweden.
Keep an eye across the Society’s social media and digital communications for updates on Society funded projects in the field.
Application deadlines for the 2026 grants programme begin in September 2025, including for the Ran and Ginny Fiennes Award, Journey in Audio programme, as well as funding for students, early-career and established researchers.
Image credit: Kevin Mansell
Research and higher education
News
Geography for all
Ahead of a formal relaunch of the Geography for all programme in the autumn, we have been re-mapping the landscape of support for those studying geography and who are from under-represented backgrounds, by ethnicity and low income. Through this, we are making contact with key stakeholders working with students, in schools, and in further and higher education, seeking to listen, engage, and co-create opportunities with and for the people this work aims to serve.
This is expanding beyond the Society’s traditional networks and deepening relationships with those we already collaborate with, including the Equator Mentoring Network.
This autumn we will be restarting the Geography for all network newsletter to share more of these opportunities and programmes, and to give more details of work by the Society too. Please join the mailing list and share with us what’s going on in your networks.
Fi Wi Road internship
We’ve been delighted to host the fifth cohort of Fi Wi Road interns, supporting the Society’s Annual International Conference. The interns are also conducting archival training at the Stuart Hall Archives in Birmingham, as well as exploring new ways towards creative geographies, in line with the 2025 conference theme.
Image credit: Rob Johns
Geo: Geography and Environment relaunch success
The Society’s first fully open-access online journal Geo: Geography and Environment was relaunched in 2023 with a renewed focus on the environment, climate change, and sustainability.
Editors Karen Bickerstaff, Christopher Darvill, Laurie Parsons and Le Yu invited academic colleagues to curate ‘Geo Themes’ on important topics from the ‘Geographies of Energy Futures’ to ‘Climate Change and AI’. This approach has helped to build a community of Geo authors, with submissions to the journal increasing by 85% in the last year. Geo has also established a new Editorial Board, renewing the journal’s commitment to internationalisation. Geographers from Ethiopia, Ghana, Canada, USA, Brazil, Aotearoa New Zealand, Bangladesh and Austria join UK colleagues on the Board.
Image credit: Digby Oldridge
Professional
News
Pathway to Chartered Geographer
We have launched a new Professional Pathway to Chartered Geographer scheme. The Pathway, which is open to Fellows and Associate Fellows, offers a comprehensive professional development framework ahead of eligibility for accreditation.
This Pathway is staged by year, with activities, resources, mentoring, targeted advice, peer support and networking opportunities – all of which are invaluable for early career professionals. Planning, recording and reflecting on continuing professional development (CPD) through the Society’s MyCPD tool is required by participants, with annual reviews and feedback by the Society.
Organisations and companies can demonstrate their commitment to employee development by registering as a supporter.
Work experience directory
We have relaunched our work experience directory, providing an opportunity for employers to share work-based experiences with young people and schools.
Work experience can be an invaluable step in inspiring young people to follow a geographically based career by demonstrating the practical application of geographical skills beyond the classroom. Employers benefit too, with work experience providing a fantastic way for employers to build long-lasting relationships with local schools, colleges and universities.
We are encouraging organisations to register any opportunities, across any educational stage or location, which will allow schools and learners to learn more and connect with opportunities.
Image credit: Yuri Arcurs/PeopleImages
Events
Highlights
Autumn events programme
In our final event programme of 2025 we are thrilled to bring you fascinating stories of lost maps, the latest research into homelessness in the UK and inspiring stories behind the Neville Shulman Challenge Award.
Our Monday night lecture series culminates with Baroness May, the UK’s first Prime Minister with a geography degree. This autumn’s lectures also provide the opportunity to hear from an explorer, a travel writer, and Society staff who will share their favourite hidden gems from the Collections. Tune in to our live stream or catch up online if you’re not joining us in person.
Make your expedition ideas a reality at the Explore weekend in early November, the UK’s only dedicated event for planning expeditions and purposeful journeys, packed with inspiration, practical advice, and networking.
We look forward to coming together over the festive season with a fantastic range of social events, including our welcome tours for new members (and those looking to be reintroduced to all their membership has to offer), as well as President Jane Francis’ talk in Norwich with personal tales of working in polar research.
Image credit: James Tye
Medals and awards
Meet the Gold Medalists
Børge Ousland
The recipient of the Founder’s Medal for the encouragement and promotion of geographical science and discovery.
What did you want to be, or where did you want to work, when you were a teenager?
“When I was a teenager, I dreamed of sailing the world, visiting faraway places, and exploring. I think that spark came from all the trips we did as a family when I was a kid.”
What role do you do now and how would you describe your work?
“After travelling around Europe after school, I got a job with a diving company, which led to a 10-year-long career as a deep-sea diver. It was through that, that two colleagues and I started to plan the first expedition, which was across Greenland in March and April 1986.
“I worked as a diver for a few more years, conducting expeditions at the same time, until after a solo and unsupported expedition to the North Pole in 1994, I became a full-time explorer.”
Image credit: Børge Ousland
What has been the highlight of your career, regardless of how big or small, so far?
“Although the crossing over of the North Pole and Polar Ocean in the dark with Mike Horn in 2019 was perhaps more extreme and borderline, I still consider the 1994 solo expedition my most significant achievement. It was a defining trip for me, and it marked my biggest mental leap.”
What projects are you working on right now?
“I am currently crossing Ellesmere Island together with Vincent Colliard. This trip is part of our Ice Legacy project, where we are crossing the 20 biggest icefields on Earth to show what we are about to miss and how important snow and ice are for sustaining life on the planet
“We have just crossed the Grant Icefield, which is the 14th icefield we have crossed, so far, on this mission. When we are done with the remaining two here on Ellesmere, there are four icefields left to cross, which we will tackle in the years to come. I am very much looking forward to continuing to share stories and fresh observations from the field on more expeditions.
“I see my role as an explorer shifting to becoming an advocate for the cryosphere, and continuing as an inspiration for others to take care of this wonderful planet, to follow their own dreams, and to keep exploring.”
Image credit: Børge Ousland
Professor Susan J. Smith
The recipient of the Patron’s Medal for the encouragement and promotion of geographical science and discovery.
What role do you do now and how would you describe your work?
“Like most academics, I do a bit of everything, though these days there is more writing and speaking, and sadly less teaching, in the mix.”
How did you get into this field of work?
“I’ve been fortunate to enjoy a wide variety of roles during my academic career. There has never been a ‘master plan’ so I might describe them as happy accidents.
“I suppose my one ‘rule of the game’ has been that it is always worth pushing on an open door – I’ve never regretted doing that.”
What is one thing you wish you had learned earlier in your career?
“I’m tempted to answer how to say no but, in fact, saying yes far too often has been entirely energising, if exhausting at times.”
What are you looking forward to in the future?
“For the next four years I have the honour of being the President of the British Academy, which will involve doing as much as I can to champion the humanities and social sciences, underlining their capacity to enrich people’s lives and address the pressing issues of our age.”
Embedding careers into the curriculum
Encounters with employers
Recognising the deep importance of careers education in shaping destinations of young people, we have been developing our careers resources for schools. This is with the aim of supporting schools in meeting the Gatsby Benchmarks, a framework of eight benchmarks used as a guide to ensure schools are delivering thorough and quality careers provision, as recommended by the Department for Education.
Our approach to supporting schools meeting these benchmarks includes running events for students both online and in person at the Society, and expanding our pool of careers resources. The Society’s wider careers and progression work – our Choose geography programme – provides a wealth of support linked directly to these outcomes.
The benchmarks ensure young people have careers guidance tailored to their educational stage and promote encounters with employers and careers pathways, and there are many ways for employers to get involved.
This summer, we invited Knight Frank to visit the Society to run an interactive workshop with Year 12 students, showcasing the range of geographical careers available in the real estate consultancy sector. The workshop was an invaluable opportunity for students to engage with employers and practice their skills in using geo-located data. Students had the opportunity to apply geographical knowledge learnt in the classroom to real-world scenarios in the commercial and residential property consulting sector, as well as an opportunity to ask questions to geographers working at Knight Frank.
We also ran a student webinar with five geography professionals working in sectors spanning finance and environmental consultancy to the civil service and GIS. Professionals outlined the role that geography has played in shaping their career, including the real-world impact of their work, all with the aim of inspiring students to pursue geography. Students had the opportunity to have their questions answered, helping inform the next steps in their education and career pathway.
To help support schools with meeting Gatsby Benchmark 4 (linking curriculum learning to careers), we have launched a range of careers resources that embed real geographical jobs into specific curriculum topics taught in the classroom. This includes a resource exploring jobs in the food security sector, and a resource that deep dives into the work of geographers involved in humanitarian response to natural disasters. The resources are based on real people with real jobs, increasing young people’s awareness of the range of interesting careers available if they choose geography. View all these resources online and get in touch if you have an opportunity for young people.
Image credit: RGS-IBG
Earth Photo 2025
Award spotlight
Together with Forestry England and Parker Harris, the Society showcases the issues affecting the climate and life on our planet through Earth Photo, a world-leading programme engaging with still and moving image makers.
Now in its eighth year, the open call attracted over 1,582 entries. From these, the judging panel made up of experts from the fields of photography, film, geography, and the environment selected the Earth Photo 2025 shortlist of 195 images and eight videos by 40 photographers and filmmakers. Of these standout submissions the panel recognised 10 images, series and films with prizes.
Earth Photo’s objective is to reveal the narratives behind the pictures, encouraging conversations about our world, its peoples, environments, and the changing climate.
Here we reveal the stories behind some of this year’s award recipients.
Image credit: James Tye
The Earth Photo 2025 Award was presented to Lorenzo Poli for his entry, Autophagy. The impressive black-and-white photograph was taken at the Chuquicamata mine in Chile, the second-largest open-pit copper mine in the world by excavated volume, and one of the deepest, plunging nearly 1,000 metres (3,300 feet) into the Earth.
Capturing an abandoned miners’ town and cemetery gradually being subsumed by mineral ore extraction, the image documents the “gridded impermanence of extractive cycles, overpowering life and death”, according to Poli. Taken from above, the photograph shows the vastness of Chuquicamata, while telling a story of unsustainable mining practices fueled by increased global demand for copper “driven by its role as a critical primary element in the transition to renewable energy”.
Image credit: Autophagy by Lorenzo Poli
Liam Man’s piece Carcass of the Ice Beast was awarded the Royal Geographical Society – Climate of Change Award for projects that explore the impacts of climate change upon people, environments and wildlife.
The striking image comes from The Icebreaker Project, and features the Rhone Glacier, five acres of which was covered by thermally reflective blankets to deflect infrared radiation and slow its melting.
“Today, these coverings hang in tatters, like the torn skin of a dying giant”, Man explains. The piece acts as a “tribute to human effort and a sobering reminder of its limits. Despite the dedication of a few, their interventions could not halt the glacier’s retreat”. The message of the wounded glacial scene becomes clear: “climate change cannot be solved through isolated actions alone”.
Image credit: Carcass of the Ice Beast by Liam Man
Issam Chorrib, a 24-year-old from Morocco, was awarded the David Wolf Kaye Future Potential Award for his photograph La Hepica – Consumed Living Spaces.
Chorrib’s image, taken in Larache, Morocco, captures a turning point where nature and human impact collide: a forest once used for leisure and reflection, is now consumed by fire. Part of his series La Hepica: Consumed Living Spaces, “the image underscores the increasing fragility of ecosystems in the face of climate change”, Chorrib explains. Prolonged droughts and environmental mismanagement have made places like La Hepica increasingly vulnerable to wildfire.
See the Earth Photo exhibition, on display at the Society until 20 August, and seven Forestry England forests, 10 National Trust locations and Sidney Nolan Trust.
Gift membership
As geography students embark on a new term studying our planet’s people, places and environments now is the perfect time to support their passion and learning with a Student Membership.
Starting at £64 this membership is tailored to student needs at GCSE, A Level or university with resources and opportunities that enhance geographical understanding at each stage.
At the Society, we empower people with all interests — whether they are passionate about addressing global challenges through geography, exploring the world through expeditions and fieldwork, advancing their future career, or being inspired as the next generation of advocates for our planet.
Your gift also helps ensure geography’s relevance in policy, education, and public discourse, supporting its critical role in addressing today’s issues.
Image credit: RGS-IBG