Council and committee elections
Positions on Council are nominated and elected by the Fellowship and bring with them the responsibilities of a Trustee of the Society. Elections take place at the Society's Annual General Meeting.
Council elections
There are no vacancies available on Council in 2026. The next Council elections will take place in 2027.
Committee elections
Committee positions for election in June 2026
Taking note of the current knowledge, experience and skills paper, and of the key skills/expertise that will be lost when Committee members completing their terms stand down in June 2026, the following positions are vacant:
- Chair of Conference 2027
Senior, leading, internationally-renowned scholar. - Research and Higher Education Committee - Member
Expertise in research leadership and impact in geography. In-depth knowledge of the Society’s research groups and their ethos. - Education Committee - Member
Practical expertise, skills and knowledge as an established geography teacher and head of department at secondary level in either the maintained or private sector. - Professional Practice Committee - Member
Active interest in higher level skills training for those in the professional practice, including, but not limited to, professional development courses, apprenticeships and micro-credentials. - Educations and Fieldwork Committee - Member
Expertise in purposeful travel and exploration; strategic approaches to community growth; knowledge mobilisation through creative or civic channels
Consistent with the Society’s protocol, Fellows will be provided with some additional guidance in relation to the elections, relevant both to those standing for election and to those voting, should they wish to use it.
This process does not, of course, preclude others from standing for election.
Guidance for committee elections
If you wish to stand for election to a committee of Council, you should be able to demonstrate:
- A good working knowledge of the Society
- An understanding and support for its breadth of activities and audiences
- Experience and seniority relevant to the position that you are standing for
Each position also requires a sound working knowledge, as appropriate, of geographical education, expeditions and fieldwork, research and higher education or professional practice.
What to include in your application
Those standing for election will be invited to draft 75 words of short biography and 75 words setting out how they meet the guidance on skills and expertise. This approach has been well received by the Fellowship of the Society.
You will also need five Fellows to support your application.
As per the Charity Commission's recommendations, we will ask those standing for election to complete a Conflicts of interest form (DOC).
This form will confirm that they:
- Are willing and eligible to act as a committee member (and are cognisant of the requirements and responsibilities that brings).
- Understand and support the charity’s purposes.
- Have passed a Criminal Records Bureau check (to apply if their role brings them into direct contact with the children or vulnerable people the Society is working with).
Please send the Conflict of interest form and other nomination details to director@rgs.org
The deadline for nominations is 19 March 2026 at 5.00pm.