Our first Be inspired event in 2026. This series spotlights fascinating research on our Collections.
In the spring of 1560, a small ship docked in the Port of London having sailed from the north of Russia. On board was a young Central Asian woman called Aru Sultan, brought to England by merchant adventurer Anthony Jenkinson, who had come across her during his remarkable journey through Russia, down the Volga and across the Caspian Sea to Bokhara.
Within a few months Aru Sultan had become a lady in waiting to Queen Elizabeth and a fashion sensation, introducing the Elizabethan court to high boots and other innovations.
Who was this remarkable young woman? Was she, as some Kazakh historians now claim, a diplomat from a Central Asia khan, or a slave girl picked up by Jenkinson in the wake of Ivan the Terrible’s campaign against the Golden Horde?
- Webinar
Chartered Geographer introductory webinar - January
Join this webinar to learn more about the benefits of becoming a Chartered Geographer.
OnlineProfessionalsWednesday 14 January 2026 - Webinar
States of Precarity in UK Geography - report launch
The States of Precarity team would like to invite all geographers to the launch of the soon to be published States of Precarity in UK HE Geography report.
OnlineResearchersWednesday 14 January 2026 - Webinar
Webinar for RGS Explore Grants applicants session 1
The RGS Explore team are hosting three lunchtime webinars, to provide guidance on developing a successful grant application.
OnlineExplorersWednesday 14 January 2026