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Public Events

Including talks, discussions, travel events and debates, our public events aim to enrich our knowledge of the world's peoples, places and environments.

Society members receive discounts on tickets, but events are open to all.

Coming up:

Discovering Tajikistan (fully booked)
The 1948 London Olympics Garden Party
Britain from the Air in Medway
Exhibition Road music day

Discovering Tajikistan (fully booked)

Tuesday 29 May 2012 from 7pm to 9pm (Kensington Gore doors open at 6.30pm)
Discovering Places travel evening

An informative evening for first-time travellers to Tajikistan. Network with exhibitors and fellow travellers, and ask questions of our expert panel including Huw Thomas, co-author of the Odyssey guidebook Tajikistan and the High Pamirs and former Programme Director for Aga Khan Health Service, and Zarrina Shakir, who grew up in Tajikistan and is an expert on Tajik culture and history and contributor to the Tajikistan and the High Pamirs Odyssey guidebook.

We regret that Caroline Eden is no longer able to take part in this event.

This event is now fully booked.

The 1948 London Olympics Garden Party

Friday 29 June 2012 at 7.30pm (Kensington Gore doors open at 7pm)
Younger Members' event, all welcome

On arrival you will be issued with your ration book, this will enable you to get your complimentary drink, plan your dances and make sure you are au fait with protocol.

So come on, be a 'hep cat', grab your ration books, don your swing step shoes and let's show them there will be no austerity here!

7.30pm Enjoy a complimentary drink on the terrace and try your hand at a few sporting games.

8.15pm Tuck into an English Summer themed, sit down buffet dinner (no rationing here).

9.30pm Dance to 'groovy' 1940s jazz and swing tunes from one of the most respected UK accoustic bands 'The Dixie Ticklers'.

Midnight Carriages

Tickets: Early bird rate (book by 8 June 2012) RGS-IBG members £40, non-members £45. Late bookings (from 9 June 2012) RGS-IBG members £43, non-members £48.

Dress code: 1948/sporting

Book Online: The 1948 London Olympics Garden Party »

telephone +44 (0)20 7591 3100
email events@rgs.org

Exhibition Road music day

Saturday 23 June 2012 from 12.30pm to 5.30pm

The Society will be open to all for Exhibition Road’s annual music festival, with free performances and activities including Indonesian gamelan workshops with the Royal College of Music. Part of Supersonix.

Giant map and drop-in activities for families

12.30pm-5.30pm in the Main Hall.

Why not come and take part in our geography themed musical activities for all the family, with some of our Geography Ambassadors! Travel the world in a few strides on the giant map or make your own souvenirs to take away from the activity stands.

World map © RGS-IBG

Royal College of Music Gamelan Workshops

2.00-3.00pm & 4.00-5.00pm in the Education Centre. All ages welcome. Places are allocated on a first come first served basis.

Try your hand at a new musical instrument at a free gamelan workshop. The gamelan is the traditional orchestra of Indonesia. People of all ages, including those with disabilities, can enjoy playing the gamelan. It is both fun and relaxing, requires no previous experience and is ideal for those who enjoy playing in a group. By the end of the session you will be able to perform a short piece of traditional Javanese or Balinese music!

Exhibition Road music day © Royal College of Music

New Music 20x12: XX/XY

1pm (doors open 12.30pm) & 3.30pm (doors open 3pm) in the Ondaatje Theatre.

Chinatown Arts Space presents New Music 20x12: XX/XY, a new musical battle co-composed by Liz Liew and Andy Leung. You will be taken on an exciting musical battle inspired by the competition of life – from the battle of the sexes to the competitive spirit of the Olympic and Paralympics; victories and defeats, human versus machine, beginning and the end, the UK and the World – all in the space of 12 minutes.

Five musicians perform live on stage mixing Chinese strings with electric luiqin, colliding drums and electronic beats with hip hop grooves – played to a backdrop of video providing a feast of visual imagery. Towards the end of the performance an Urban Youth Junk Band appears to share in the culmination of XX/XY’s musical extravaganza.

This is the first collaboration of its kind that showcases the best of home grown Chinese musical talent. Liz Liew is no stranger to the big stage; her composition credits include Monkey King and she has toured, performed and recorded with the likes of Moby and Gnarls Barkley. Andy Leung and his band Introducing are regulars at the Jazz Café and Bestival and he is the youngest composer to be selected for New Music 20x12.

Chinatown Arts Space XX XY © Kii Studios & Photography

Patagonia through a pinhole

12.30pm-5.30pm in the Exhibition Road foyer.

By utilising an ambient sound design loop based upon the 'white noise' ambient audio levels of Patagonia's incessant gales, Nick Livesey transports the viewer inside the black and white photographs exhibited in the RGS-IBG Show 'Patagonia Through A Pinhole'. This helps the viewer feel that although these were scenes of remote and tranquil beauty, they are in fact brutally raw and unforgiving corners of the Earth.

Nick Livesey would like to thank Sound Designer Andy Carroll at SoundFly.tv for helping to create the soundscape for his exhibition 'Patagonia Through a Pinhole'.

Global health in the 21st century

Wednesday 7 March 2012 from 7.30pm to 9pm

Can societies strike a balance between combating the dangers of viral outbreaks and pandemics, while maintaining the hopes of eradicating established diseases, such as malaria and HIV/AIDS, which claim millions of lives each year?

Discussion will be chaired by Fergus Walsh, BBC Medical Correspondent.

Speakers

Dr W. Ian Lipkin M.D - Director of The Centre for Infection and Immunity at Columbia University, NYC. Internationally recognised for his work with West Nile virus and SARS, as well as advancing pathogen discovery techniques by developing a staged strategy using techniques pioneered in his lab. He finds needles in haystacks throughout the world of infectious diseases, and is on call on at least five continents. He recently worked as the senior technical advisor on set for Steven Soderbergh's thriller Contagion
Professor Peter Piot M.D PhD - Founding Executive Director of UNAIDS and former Under Secretary-General of the United Nations from 1995-2008. He successfully advocated for increased funding for and attention to the epidemic, overseeing the growth of global investments to fight HIV/AIDS from $250 million in 1996 to $10 billion in 2007. He is currently Director of London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. He is a Professor of Global Health, co-discovered the Ebola virus in Zaire in 1976, and has led research on AIDS, women’s health, and public health in Africa
Dr Marie Charles M.D - Widely regarded as one of the key innovators in global healthcare. Founder of Global Medic Force, a non-profit global leader that engages healthcare professionals to rapidly transfer their expertise on HIV care and infectious diseases to emerging nations

Read the full speaker biographies.

Tickets: available to buy from our events team on +44 (0)20 7591 3100 or on the door from 6.30pm.

Geographical journeys: Younger Members’ microlectures

Tuesday 13 March 2012 at 6.30pm
Younger Members’ event
Buy your tickets on the door

Do not miss this year's winning selection of microlectures given by the 'next generation' of intrepid travellers, chosen* by the Younger Members' Committee.

Surviving rocket attacks in Afghanistan and spending the night in an Egyptian Captains' bunk - walking, swimming, sailing and biking - it is not all extreme action, we also investigate sustainability, breathtaking scenery and the kindness of strangers. For the first time, this event takes place in the Ondaatje Theatre. We look forward to seeing you there.

Programme

Doors and bar open 6.30pm, talks start 7pm
(exact order of talks is to be confirmed)

Lake Malawi swim: First female crossing by Abigail Brown Abigail will describe how she became the first woman to swim across Lake Malawi following months of training and one failed attempt; understanding geography and navigating currents whilst dodging both crocodiles and hippos and coping with cold water and sunburn to make this challenging but unforgettable 10 hour geographical journey.

Lemmings and Lycra in Lapland: across Arctic Norway on a tandem by Anne Pinney In June 2011, Anne and David cycled 1100km from the Russian border to Tromso. Instead of taking the direct route, they wound their way along the fjords, coastal roads and high icy plateaux of the Northern peninsulars, hopping from one to the next by ship.

Solo Wakhan: reaching the source of the Oxus alone and on foot by David Higgins In 2011, ex-British Army officer David Higgins walked for over two weeks across the Pamir Mountains, enduring exhaustion, rocket attack and four days of complete isolation from any human contact to retrace part of George Nathaniel Curzon’s 1895 expedition to become the first person to reach the source of the Oxus alone and on foot.

Outer Mongolia: The last place on Earth by Faraz Shibli Exploring the ups and downs of long-distance travel by foot in a country the size of Western Europe, Faraz describes the journeys from north, south, east and west, delving into the fascinating lives of Mongolia's nomadic inhabitants in the world's most sparsely populated country.

Falling off the radar: exploring the remote islands of Vanuatu under sail by Mark Bruno and Quintin Hinxman A chronicle of two months spent under sail visiting the remote communities of Vanuatu’s outlying islands by yacht; the culmination of a double-handed 22,000nm voyage from Southampton aboard a 41 foot yacht.

Living a dream: Plymouth to the Pyramids by bike by Ricky Dixon Discovering a traveller's trust in humanity is priceless, especially when your largest obstacle is a fear of strangers.

From declining a Syrian headmaster's hospitality after being caught in a crossfire to spending a night in an Egyptian captain's bunk, Ricky outlines his 6500km trip.

Coastal fishing in Senegal: From Saint Louis to the Sine-Saloum by Sarah Jones Depleting fish stocks is a growing problem for fishing villages along the Senegalese coast. On a recent visit to the region, Sarah learnt more about the issues faced by local fishermen and about the fish-conservation initiatives that are being trialled by villagers and NGOs.What are the short-to-medium term problems and solutions to coastal fishing as a livelihood in Senegal?

10pm close. Bar open all evening.

Tickets: RGS-IBG members £7, non-members £10.

Sold out: Discovering Sri Lanka

Wednesday 21 March from 7pm to 9pm (Kensington Gore doors open at 6.30pm)
Discovering Places travel evening

An informative evening for travellers wishing to experience Sri Lanka for the first time, discover more at the exhibitor stands and ask questions of our expert panel including the High Commissioner His Excellency Dr Chris Nonis and Royston Ellis, author of the Bradt Travel Guide, who has lived in Sri Lanka for over 30 years. Read more about Royston Ellis (PDF).

Hear our expert speakers’ hidden gems and recommendations to get the most out of your visit and find out more about this beautiful and fascinating island:

Enticing and diverse landscapes from pristine beaches, lowland plains and primary tropical rainforest to rolling tea plantations and misty mountains
A vibrant multi-ethnic culture, colourful festivals and cuisine
Twelve National Parks and 52 sanctuaries, with wildlife including large populations of elephants, leopards and sloth-bears and many endemic species
Inspiring heritage sites from ancient cities and temples to colonial forts, including seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Activities including whale watching, diving and snorkelling, surfing and other water sports, white water rafting, trekking, rock climbing, caving, mountain biking and much more…

Tickets: RGS-IBG members £10, non-members £15. Price includes wine and an information pack.

Last few tickets available. Please phone the events office.

telephone +44 (0)20 7591 3100

Discovering People: Sandi Toksvig

Wednesday 4 April 2012 at 7pm (Due to unforeseen circumstances, this event has been rescheduled from 28 March 2012)

Join Martine Croxall in conversation with author, presenter and comedienne Sandi Toksvig. Hear about Sandi’s influences and travels, from growing up in the USA to exploring Britain and around the world for her stimulating weekly travel programme Excess Baggage.

Tickets: RGS-IBG members £7, non members £10.

Tickets are available to purchase on the door.

telephone +44 (0)20 7591 3100
email events@rgs.org

Sold Out
Michael meets… Dervla Murphy

Tuesday 1 May 2012 at 7pm

Michael Palin talks with author Dervla Murphy about her adventures and passion for cycling, politics and conservation. Dervla’s travel accounts, including Full Tilt: Ireland to India with a Bicycle, have won worldwide praise.

This event is now fully booked.

Keeping pace with a digital revolution (fully booked)

Wednesday 16 May 2012 from 7pm to 8.30pm

The internet is rapidly evolving to play a central role in society, transforming social, cultural, economic and political landscapes.

The benefits are clear, but are societies equipped to keep pace with the consequences of our increasing reliance on this technology?

Chair

Rory Cellan-Jones - BBC News Technology Correspondent

Speakers

Ben Hammersley - UK Prime Minister’s Ambassador to TechCity Editor-at-large, WIRED magazine
Nick Harkaway - Author of forthcoming book The Blind Giant, examining technology’s influence on politics, society, commerce and the individual. Nick has previously written two novels The Gone Away World and Angelmaker
Dr Aleks Krotoski PhD - Academic, journalist and host of the Guardian's Tech Weekly podcast, who writes about and studies technology and interactivity