Talks on demand
Explore our diverse collection of event recordings, talks, and podcasts at your convenience to discover inspiration from a range of engaging speakers.
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Seneca and Franklin were right - Sir Kenneth Olisa
The lecture will explore the work of the National Preparedness Commission (NPC) and its different perspectives. As an independent and apolitical body, the NPC mission is to champion comprehensive, system-wide policies and actions that enable the UK to better avoid, mitigate, respond to, and recover from major crises.
Pristine seas: the last wild places in the ocean
Ocean life is at risk because of overfishing and global warming, but there are still a few remote places that have been saved from human destruction. Enric Sala will bring stories from National Geographic Pristine Seas expeditions and share lessons learned about how to bring the ocean back to life.
Mulu: a remarkable rainforest mountain in Sarawak
Dr Paul Chai was the senior forest botanist on the survey of the Gunung Mulu National Park by the Society and the Sarawak Forestry Department (1977-1978). Now, his son Alvin will join us and highlight past and future research opportunities for those visiting this legendary UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Mulu (Sarawak) expedition 1977-1978
Hear Robin and his colleagues share their first-hand stories, sounds, artefacts, maps and images associated with the original geographical survey of the Gunung Mulu National Park, Sarawak by the Society and the Foresty Department in 1977-1978, and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Mappa Mundi project: changing the world by changing how we view it
Inspired by a map of the world made in 1300 by German nuns, Sandi Toksvig is looking to reassess how we chart what we know.
Informing action: Esmond B. Martin lecture
As one of this year’s Esmond B. Martin RGS Prize recipients, Dr Jake Wall will talk about his work mapping and visualising the GPS data from collared African elephants across the continent.
The Earth transformed: the meeting of geography, history and science
The Earth’s environment affects its civilizations in myriad ways, with prominent historical examples showing the connections between climate and social phenomena. Historian Peter Frankopan will discuss the intersections of geography, history, and science in conversation with the Society’s Cartographic Collections Manager, Katie Parker.
Ancient rainforests and shifting climates: the Falkland Islands’ hidden past
This talk by Dr Zoë Thomas explores the hidden past of the Falkland Islands, spanning millions of years to the present, from fossilized rainforests to today’s unique climate and ecology.
Is ecology contributing to environmental destruction?
Guillaume Bonn will discuss, with Matthew Stadlen, his 20-year journey documenting the last days of East Africa’s natural landscapes and why we need to steer away from idealised portrayals and overused stereotypes.
Mapping Tamazgha: North Africa through eyes of the Berber diaspora
Jonathan Harris will discuss the Berbers of ’Tamazgha’ in North Africa, how their diaspora define themselves and what this says about the contemporary context of Mediterranean integration, new nationalisms and the fear of Islamism in French society.
Our changing climate: why does 1°C matter?
Those who downplay the risks of climate change sometimes suggest that global warming is ‘just’ an increase of 1°C so the consequences cannot be large. This talk by Professor Ed Hawkins will highlight why 1°C matters.
Exploring the relationship between environment and people
Changes in the environment are a global phenomenon. However, some people and communities experience the complexities of climate change more than others. This lecture will bring stories from the Global South of small resource-dependent communities facing interconnected social, economic, and environmental challenges.