Image courtesy of Rob Johns
This spring we are bringing in the changes to how some of our membership categories are named or structured that were agreed at the Special General Meeting in September 2021. These changes will make it easier for new members to find the right membership for them, and for existing members to transition to different categories as their needs develop.
Here is a summary of what to expect from 1 March, and more information is available in our FAQs.
Fellowship
The need for Fellowship applications to be seconded by an existing Fellow has already been removed and there are no further changes that affect Fellows.
Associate Fellowship
We are introducing the new membership category of Associate Fellowship from 1 March for geography graduates up to five years post-graduation. Associate Fellowship is open to anyone with a degree in geography (or related field) whether they are undertaking postgraduate study or in the early stages of their career.
Associate Fellowship replaces Postgraduate Fellowship, and all existing Postgraduate Fellows will be automatically moved over to become Associate Fellows. As an Associate Fellow, postgraduate students will continue to have the same support from the Society including access to the Postgraduate Forum and research groups, regular email updates with news and opportunities, and access to resources, events and personal development opportunities.
Associate Fellows who are already in, or are seeking, employment will be able to access support tailored to the needs of early career professionals, including webinars on careers topics such as applying for jobs, interview skills and CPD, as well as networking opportunities and regular email updates.
Membership
From 1 March, Ordinary Members will be known simply as Members. There are no other changes to this membership category.
Student Membership
From 1 March, Young Geographers will be renamed Student Members to be clear that it is open to people of all ages who are studying geography at GCSE, A Level or undergraduate level (or their equivalents) or completing a recognised training programme, such as an apprenticeship.
Current Young Geographers who have graduated from their undergraduate degree (or equivalent) will be automatically moved to become Associate Fellows, where they will be able to access support more suited to their needs.
We will contact existing members who are affected by these changes with details of exactly how their membership will change from 1 March.
New Fellows and Members can continue to join the Society using the forms on each category page and the relevant name or category changes will take affect once they are introduced in March.
If you have any questions of would like to hear more about what membership of the Society offers, please email membership@rgs.org.