Zen in the art of geography and travels across the Barren Lands of Canada by canoe

25 years ago the RGS Neville Shulman Challenge Award was created to support ambitious expeditions.

Neville Shulman CBE, explorer and writer, will explain his philosophy behind the programme and the 2023 recipients of the Award, Karolina Gawonicz and Michal Lukaszewicz will give a richly illustrated account of their 60-day unsupported canoe expedition across the Barren Lands of Canada.

About the speakers

Neville Shulman, CBE, FRGS, is an international mountaineer, explorer. author, writer, lecturer as well as consultant and advisor to directors, producers and others working in film, television, theater and the Arts. Neville is a Fellow of a number of organizations including the Royal Geographical Society, the Scientific Exploration Society, the Explorers Club of New York, the Travellers Club of London, the Bhutan Society.

For his combined efforts in expeditions and exploration and charitable fundraising he was first made an Officer of the British Empire (OBE) and subsequently made a Commander of the British Empire (CBE): awarded to him by HM Queen Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace.

Michal Lukaszewicz and Karolina Gawonicz received the Neville Shulman Challenge Award in 2023. 

The Barren Lands of Canada constitute the second largest area of uninhabited wilderness in the world. During their 60-day long unsupported canoe crossing that straddles over 1,000 miles, the team connected Great Slave Lake with rivers Lockhart, Hanbury and Thelon through a series of portages.

On top of that geographical challenge, the expedition filmed local fauna as well as their own proceedings to produce a documentary highlighting the importance of preservation of these lands in their natural state.

Booking information

Monday night lectures are open to Fellows and Members and are included in the cost of membership.

Attending in-person

• All Fellows and Members wanting to attend in person must pre-book a free ticket. You will receive an e-ticket with a QR code that will be scanned on arrival. Your ticket can be shown on a mobile phone or printed. If you do not have a smartphone, we can find your name on the door list instead.
• Doors open at 5.30pm. Please use the Society's entrance on Exhibition Road. The lecture will begin at 6.30pm.
• Monday night lectures are held in person in the Ondaatje Theatre. The bar will be open in the Map Room before and after the lecture. Please be advised all payments are card only.
• The Ondaatje Theatre is fitted with a hearing loop. For the best quality sound we recommend sitting on the outside rows of the front seating section.
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Watch online

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About Monday night lectures

Our Monday night lectures are exclusive to Fellows and Members and are included in the cost of membership. Members can book to attend the lectures in-person at the Society, or enjoy them live from the comfort of your own home.

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Accessibility at our events

We want everyone to feel welcome at our events. Key accessibility features of this event include:

• Step-free access to the event
• Accessible toilets
• Assistance dogs are welcome
• Hearing loop

For full details, please visit our accessibility page. If you have any questions or specific access requirements, feel free to get in touch with us on access@rgs.org