Summit Photo programme
Find out more about the weekend's line-up of speakers.
Please note: some of the photographs and content on this page may explore intense or emotional themes.
Friday 26 September
9.30am – Doors open
10.00am – Poulomi Basu
Making art in emergency, soft rebellion and action
11.30am – Marissa Roth and Simon Townsley
WAR and PEACE – conflict and humanitarian photography
A powerful and thoughtful investigation of photo journalism and its relevance to our most dire combat and poverty-stricken global regions. Marissa Roth and Simon Townsley examine Simon’s work and the importance (and cost) of shining a light on some of the most difficult subjects.
12.30pm – Lunch (included in day ticket)
12.30pm – Lunchtime lecture with Deborah Ireland
A history of the early photographic collection of the RGS – to inform, educate and inspire
2.00pm – Sue Flood and Ian Dawson
Quiet witness: photography, presence, and the changing planet
Sue Flood and Ian Dawson have spent the past five years collaborating in some of the planet’s most remote and fragile environments. In this joint talk, they explore photography’s role not just as a tool of documentation, but as a means of connection – a way to observe, to collaborate, and to care.
Drawing on their work in the polar regions and beyond, they reflect on how photography can build emotional bridges between distant landscapes and familiar lives, offering both a record of change and a call to awareness.
In a world of shifting climates and communities, Sue and Ian ask what it means to be present, and how thoughtful, purposeful imagery can inspire empathy, understanding, and action.
3.30pm – Benedict Allen, Ollie Steeds, and Martin Hartley
Out of sight, out of mind
Join Benedict Allen, Ollie Steeds, and Martin Hartley for a fascinating and lively discussion between three of our most distinguished explorers aiming to pin down how photography can take research and turn it in to policy which effects real change, balancing this with ethical and at times humorous approaches.
5.00pm – Professor Anjali Goswami
6.30pm – Chris Packham
8.30pm – Doors close
Saturday 27 September
9.30am – Doors open
10.00am – Helen Starr, Jermaine Francis and Kinnari Saraiya
16.5°N and counting
11.30am – Esther Horvath
'Stars of Polar night' - scientific work and changes of the Arctic in the epicentre of global warming
12.30pm – Lunch (included in day ticket)
12.30pm – Lunchtime lecture with Salto Ulbeek
From Endurance to Everest: contributing to the celebration and safeguard of the RGS’s photographic heritage
Magnificent in composition and detail, a select number of Frank Hurley's original negatives from our Collections have been used to produce new platinum-palladium prints and portfolios published by Belgian atelier Salto Ulbeek in collaboration with the Society.
Unparalleled in aesthetic quality and archival permanence, these prints breathe new life into the photographic legacy of these iconic expeditions. In this lunchtime lecture, George Charlier and Jean de Pomereu of Salto Ulbeek present a selection of prints and portfolios.
Discover the editorial and photographic process behind the project, and how it places photography back at the heart of these historic endeavours.
12.30pm – Lunchtime lecture with Deborah Ireland
A history of the early photographic collection of the RGS – to inform, educate and inspire
2.00pm – Britta Jaschinski
Each of us holds the power to shape the future
By integrating evidence-based science with visual storytelling, Britta's work seeks to translate environmental issues into accessible narratives that compel action.
The goal is not simply to inform but to call upon governments, policymakers and lawmakers, opinion leaders and consumers, to implement the urgent and necessary changes to ensure a safe and sustainable future for all humans and animals.
This presentation isn't just about confronting truths. It's about reminding us that there are solutions. Even small actions can ripple outward and spark real, lasting impact.
3.30pm – Anastasia Taylor-Lind
Living with war – perspectives on Ukraine
A fascinating presentation of the effects of the war in the Ukraine on families and communities living just behind the front. Unlike most reporters Anastasia has been present in the Ukraine since 2014 recording the long-term impact of the conflict. Here, she discussed three approaches/responses to covering the conflict.
5.00pm – Halima Begum
Lecture title to be confirmed.
6.30pm – Frans Lanting
The power of story
One of our greatest living biosphere photographers, Frans Lanting will present our inaugural Summit keynote presentation. Through his powerful images, Frans connects personal stories with insights about planetary changes from hot spots to hope spots.
7.30pm – Drinks reception
10.00pm – Doors close
Sunday 28 September
9.30am – Doors open
10.00am – Skinder Hundal and Jack Ky Tan
11.30am – Marissa Roth
One person crying: women and war
12.30pm – Lunch (included in day ticket)
12.30pm – Lunchtime lecture with Salto Ulbeek
From Endurance to Everest: contributing to the celebration and safeguard of the RGS’s photographic heritage
2.00pm – Ami Vitale
Wild hope: framing the future
3.30pm – Susan Meiselas
Reframing the past
Susan Meiselas examines the use and purpose of photographic archives in helping to frame the present. Susan’s work has incorporated the use and consultation of the Society’s historic photographic collections in recent years. Her work seeks to build a record for those communities she works with as well as providing a framework for seeing change.
5.00pm – Frans Lanting, Ami Vitale, and M. Sanjayan
Join us for a discussion between three of the most important voices in environment and conservation today. Frans Lanting, Ami Vitale and Sanjayan have dedicated their lives to recording our world and affecting change by building towards a better outcome for our biosphere and us all.
This discussion is going to be moderated by M. Sanjayan, CEO of Conservation International and board member to the Earthshot Prize.
6.00pm – Drinks reception
7.30pm – Doors close
Exhibitions
For this year’s Summit Photo, we will exhibit a selection of platinum prints from the Everest 1953 expedition, as well as Earth Photo 2025 winners and shortlisted entries, at the Society's Pavilion in London.
Also this year, the Mechatronic Library, in association with Photoworks, presents From Below So Above, an immersive exhibition curated by Helen Starr, featuring new works by Sarah Al-Sarraj, Anna Bunting-Branch, Jack Ky Tan and Kinnari Saraiya.
Ticket information Summit Photo 2025
Single day ticket £75 (lunch sandwich buffet included)
Evening ticket (Friday or Saturday, from 6.00pm) £25
Live stream £25 per day (the talks will not be available to view after broadcast)
Lunchtime lectures max 70 people each day, first come first serve. Sign up in person at the Society. Not included in streaming ticket.
New artworks on display at Summit Photo
Intrducing a new exhibition as part of our inaugural Summit Photo photography event from 26-28 September 2025. ‘From Below So Above’ is an immersive exhibition, which includes art installations inspired by the Society’s Collections and geographical themes.
Summit Photo 2025 speakers
Our Summit Photo biographies spotlight our speakers and their remarkable work.
Summit Photo
Join us from 26 to 28 September for the first edition of our new photography event, Summit Photo. Book now to hear from renowned photographers.