Speaker smiling while giving a lecture behind a lectern that says RGS expedition and fieldwork festival.

RGS Explore Weekend speakers and facilitators

Meet the world-leading experts who generously share insights and advice from their deep involvement in geographical exploration.

Find a speaker

Suze Kundu

Dr Suze Kundu is a nanochemist, science communicator, broadcaster, and public speaker with a passion for bringing scientific discovery to life through engaging, accessible storytelling.

Tamsin Murchie

Tamsin is a geographer who has promoted geography for more than three decades. She held a longstanding position at British School Muscat as subject leader for primary humanities. In 2026, she transitioned to independent consulting, working on bespoke geography projects, including resource development and fieldwork opportunities.

Georgina Shepherd

Georgina is an A&E doctor who's happiest in the mountains. She holds the Diploma in Mountain Medicine and prefers to take emergency skills out of the hospital and into wilder places. She's provided medical cover for ultra-endurance events and has worked as an expedition medic on trips to Scotland, Iceland, the Alps and Morocco. 

Matt Griggs

Matt is Programme Lead for the MSc Expedition and Marine Medicine at the University of Plymouth. He has worked extensively around the world as a clinician, academic and photographer, and has a passion for independent travel through a wide variety of terrains and environments.

Will Bonynge

Will is an outdoor instructor and alpinist based in Sheffield, with over eight years of climbing experience. He has spent years in youth work as an outdoor education mentor, supporting neurodiverse young people to build confidence through time outdoors

Amelia Rudd

Amelia is a full-time polar guide, taking clients to the Greenland ice sheet, Antarctica, Norway and the deserts of Oman.  She is passionate about giving people a positive approach to long-term dreams, and encouraging people to be ambitious in their goals.

Dr Gabriella Kountourides

Dr Gabriella Kountourides is an anthropologist and zoologist fascinated by what makes humans and other animals tick, and how we came to be the way we are.

Nathan Beard

Nathan Beard is a consultant and trainer in remote first aid, travel safety and security and wilderness bushcraft, helping people thrive in challenging environments.

Emma Baars

Emma is a registered Social Worker and former charity CEO with a professional background rooted in inclusive outdoor adventure. Emma has witnessed the power of individuals and communities to take action on the issues which matter to them.

Julia Rowlandson

Julia Rowlandson is a filmmaker and ocean accessibility advocate with a background in political science and geography. She is a Journey in Audio recipient at the Royal Geographical Society and a 2026 Ocean Culture Storytelling grantee.

Sophia Scott

Sophia Scott is documentary filmmaker working at the intersection of conflict and the climate crisis. Her work has taken her across Africa and the Middle East to the disappearing sea ice of the Arctic.

Georgie Holt

Georgie is an artist based in Leeds. Their work includes documenting personal stories and splicing them with field recordings to create abstract audio journals.

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Two speakers on a stage at the RGS expedition and fieldwork festival. A slideshow with tips on how to be mindful during expeditions is projected on the wall behind them.