Pre-departure and your return

Applications are now open for a PhD studentship on the Society’s Collections, as part of our Collaborative Doctoral Awards programme.

Regional committees are an excellent way to get involved with the Society. At their events across the country you can meet like-minded people, encounter the unexpected on field trips, and engage in lively discussions.

Peter explores how the strategic location of Singapore has historically made it a contested space and what role the island and its settlements have played across the centuries.

Regional committees are an excellent way to get involved with the Society. At their events across the country you can meet like-minded people, encounter the unexpected on field trips, and engage in lively discussions.

To mark the centenary of Eric Newby’s birth, an exhibition of stunning photographs from his lifetime of travels is now on display in our Pavilion.

The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) has published a new edition of the Subject Benchmark Statement for Geography.

We are delighted that our Migrants on the margins educational resources were finalists in the Free Digital Content or Open Educational Resources category of the 2020 Bett Awards.

The Director of the world’s largest migration research project argues that inequality should be central to our thinking about migration and how inequality is an important analytical tool for understanding migration processes and outcomes.

We’re excited to announce this year’s Earth Photo competition is now open for entries.

The deadline for this year’s Environment and Sustainability Research Grants is fast approaching.

The Framework of Competencies, which sets out the range of professional expertise and other characteristics required for achieving and maintaining Chartered Geographer status, has been refreshed.

Photographer Guillaume Bonn and curator Rozemin Keshvani discuss Bonn's photo essay on East Africa's disappearing past, barely recognisable but through the echoes of architectural ruins and fragile landscapes.

Before she sets off on her regional theatres tour, we caught up with polar explorer, author and former climate scientist, Felicity Aston, to discuss her experiences of the Polar Regions, the Women’s Euro-Arabian North Pole Expedition and challenging stereotypes.

In celebration of the 200th anniversary of the first sightings of Antarctica, the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust (UKAHT) has launched Antarctica in sight, a year-long cultural programme to explore the first two centuries of human endeavour in this fascinating continent, and reflect on what the future might be.

The February issue of Geographical is available now both online and in print.

Isabella tells the story of a daring rewilding experiment at Knepp Estate in West Sussex, showing how a wilder countryside can benefit farming, nature and us.

The RGS-IBG book series turns 20 this year, and to date it has published 57 titles spanning the full range of geographical research topics.

The deadline for applications to the Frederick Soddy Schools Award has been extended to Monday 3 February.

Hear a panel of some of the UK's most highly respected travel journalists share their hints and tips on how to capture and record your journeys in writing, as well as their experiences on assignment.

How many people can the Earth support? Christopher encourages us to think geographically about the Earth’s carrying capacity whilst considering the perils faced by our planet and our species, and how to survive them.

On 29 November 2019, Fellows and members of the Society took part in a special debate in the House of Lords. 

The age of the smart mobile machine is upon us. Paul explores the intersection between artificial intelligence, robots and their environments, and implications for our country and our planet.

Professor Sylvia Chant was a globally renowned feminist geographer, who shaped the field of international development.

Our new membership card for 2020 is now available, with some interesting changes. 

Congratulations to all the geographers who were recognised in the 2020 New Year Honours list.

We are closed completely between Tuesday 24 December 2019 and Wednesday 1 January 2020, inclusive.

The latest addition to the RGS-IBG book series, Geographies of anticolonialism: political networks across and beyond south India, c.1900-1930, is now available to order online.

The Society hosted policymakers, researchers and professionals earlier this month, to explore investment solutions to the challenge of financing net-zero.

Research on microplastics has largely focused on the oceans, but what is the contribution from our rivers? Jamie will explore microplastic contamination in UK river basins and the role of floods in microplastic transport.

Earlier this year, the Society’s Council approved the formation of a Professional Advisory Group.

Every year, the Frederick Soddy Schools Award offers grants of between £200 and £600 to teachers leading groups of pupils, from UK and Ireland schools.

Between 2015 - 2019, award winning photographer Marissa Roth made seven transatlantic crossings on the Queen Mary II, resulting in a poetic photographic study of what it means to cross an ocean.

To celebrate the Higher Education Research Group becoming the Geography and Education Research Group (GeogEd), a conference is being held at the University of the West of England in mid-December.

Hear from a range of experts as they discuss evolving climate science, the current policy stance, what the COP25 climate talks hope to achieve, and what you can do.

Welcome to everyone who is attending the second annual geographers in government conference being held at the Society today.

Last week over 50 secondary geography teachers visited the Society to share their ideas and good practice for teaching geography in the classroom, as part of our annual TeachMeet event.

In response to Professor Danny Dorling’s comments about geography degrees, the Society has released the following statement.

Our spring events programme is full of topical issues and themes - book now to avoid missing out.

Every year we support the Society’s 31 Research and Working Groups through the Research Groups grants scheme, and we are delighted to be supporting a range of activities over the coming year.

Loretta focuses on the challenges of gentrification, including the displacement of people as a result of council estate renewal and the impact that gentrification can have on people. Is regeneration urban renewal or social cleansing?

We are delighted to announce that our river and coastal fieldwork resources were commended at the 2019 Scottish Association of Geography Teachers Annual Conference Publishers’ Awards.

Loretta focuses on the challenges of gentrification, including the displacement of people as a result of council estate renewal and the impact that gentrification can have on people. Is regeneration urban renewal or social cleansing?

Prior to his lecture at the University of Cumbria later this month, we caught up with Education Manager for Our Planet and a member of the Education Leadership Group for the WWF Global Network, Matt Larsen-Daw, to discuss his highlights of working on the series and the challenges for reaching a sustainable future.

Marking 200 years since the discovery of land in Antarctica Professor David Vaughan, Jane Rumble OBE, Camilla Nichol and Professor Klaus Dodds will consider Antarctica’s history and its unique status as a continent reserved for peace and science.

Our next Annual International Conference will be held at the Society in London from Tuesday 1 to Friday 4 September 2020, and the call for sessions, papers and posters is now open.

As part of our recently relaunched 'Environment and Society Forum' series, in early December we are hosting policymakers, professionals and geographers to explore investment solutions to the challenge of decarbonisation.

To mark GIS day, we’re sharing the career profiles of geographers from a wide range of sectors who use GIS in their day-to-day role.

The winners of the 2019 Young Geographer of the Year competition and Rex Walford Award were presented with their awards in a ceremony held at the Society on Tuesday 12 November.

Last weekend, the Society welcomed over 350 enthusiastic and dedicated delegates, speakers and exhibitors to Explore 2019.

‘Young Geographer of the Year’ is a national competition run by the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) to encourage pupils to engage with geographical issues. Each year, the competition receives entries from thousands of pupils from hundreds of schools. This year’s ‘Young Geographer of the Year’ competition was an opportunity for geography pupils to answer the question: ‘Where can geography take you?’

No man’s lands are proliferating in today's turbulent world. Using digital archives and immersive technology, Alasdair, Noam and Elliot explore the stories of places that remain locked behind barbed wire and minefields.

This month’s issue of Geographical explores the divisive legacy of Captain James Cook.

"Everything happens somewhere" will be brought to life in this illustrated conversation demonstrating the power of geography to save and transform lives, working through such charities as MapAction and Addressing the Unaddressed.

Before his UK tour of our regional theatre venues gets underway, we caught up with filmmaker and author Reza Pakravan to discuss his love of travel, his visit to the Sahel and the issue of desertification.

Applications for our Geography Teacher Training Scholarships for those planning to start their teacher training course in September 2020 are now open.

International broadcaster Zeinab Badawi and Nick Westcott of the Royal African Society explore how we need to look in unexpected places to discover Africa's contemporary reality.

From 2020, the Peter Smith Award of £1,000 will be awarded biannually as part of our Geographical Fieldwork Grants.

We caught up with Alikhan Mohideen and Selina Chipo Pasirayi to discuss their research as part of the Migrants on the margins project.

Our panel examines alternative visions of urban futures, covering planning, sustainability, governance and new technology, they give a sense of how everyday city life is being reimagined by geographers.

The Society and the Financial Times are delighted to announce the winner and highly commended students of their joint Schools Essay Competition that asked students to discuss whether it is better for the world to be wealthier or more equal.

The Nekton team reveal the discoveries from ‘First Descent: Seychelles’ in their bid to help conserve 30% of the Seychelles' vast ocean territory.

The RGS-IBG Postgraduate Forum’s 2020 Midterm Conference takes place between 30 April – 1 May and the call for papers is now open.

We are delighted to announce the appointment of five new Editors for two of the Society’s academic journals and the RGS-IBG book series, alongside the appointment of a new Managing Editor for the Society’s academic publications.

Joanna Lowis was Secretary of the Society’s South Region Committee. She served in a range of international roles for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.  

Each November the Society hosts Explore, a weekend for anyone aspiring to undertake original geographical field research, plan a conservation project or travel with a purpose.

Geography and geographers play an integral role in ensuring that communities reduce the risk of their exposure to natural disasters, from earthquakes and volcanic eruptions to flooding and drought.

Congratulations to our Fellows who were awarded Chartered Geographer status last month.

It’s Ada Lovelace Day and we’re sharing some profiles of women working across a wide range of roles – all of whom studied geography at undergraduate or postgraduate level.

Adam Weymouth tells the story of canoeing 2,000 miles down the Yukon River, investigating how the king salmon's decline is impacting on the many communities and ecosystems that depend on it for survival.

We are delighted that our Migrants on the margins resources have been awarded the 4-star award, in the Curriculum Impact category, of the Teach Secondary 2019 Awards.

We are delighted to welcome our newest Collaborative Doctoral Award student, Alice Oates, who has started her PhD project exploring the governance of Antarctica.

The Royal Geographical Society Puzzle Book is now available to buy from all good bookshops.

The ubiquitous use of mobile devices means that citizens can gather information like never before. But can what they contribute be geographically valuable? 

Hanifa and Marina share Hanifa's journey to become the first Afghan woman to summit Mt Noshaq (24,580').

This month’s issue of Geographical features a deep dive into ocean ‘jellification’.

We are pleased to announce that our new app for schools is now available to download on iOS and Android devices.

The Brazilian Villas Boas brothers, RGS gold-medallists for remarkable explorations, used their fame to champion indigenous peoples, change attitudes to them, and protect their rainforests.

With the topic of climate change in the spotlight, the results of a recent online survey, commissioned by the Society and undertaken by YouGov, have revealed that geography GCSE is the most widely recognised subject to study in order to understand the effects of climate change.

Our popular Monday night lecture series kicks off again next week with a diverse range of topics, mixing far-flung travels with scientific rigour, and exploring some of the most topical issues facing society today. 

The latest addition to the RGS-IBG book series, Geopolitics and the event: rethinking Britain’s Iraq war through art, is now available to order online.

This month's Geographical features a dossier on deforestation.

After this summer’s successful exam season, the next generation of geographers are currently enrolling on their GCSE and A Level courses.

The Society has recently responded to two consultations relating to data skills and data use.

The British Science Festival takes place in Coventry and Warwickshire from 10-13 September, and there will be plenty of sessions looking at topical issues through a geographical lens.

Every year the House of Lords opens up the chamber and invites people from across the UK to take part in a lively, topical debate. As a partner in this year’s debate, the Society has a limited number of places available for Fellows and members.

The final day of our Annual International Conference in London concluded on Friday.

Yesterday we welcomed close to 2,000 delegates from across the world to the first day of this year's Annual International Conference.

The 2018 Land Rover Bursary recipients travelled over 6,300 km across Namibia, Zambia, Tanzania and Kenya to investigate the challenges facing those on the front line of malaria control in Africa.

We have launched a new bank of online resources to support those engaged in geographical teaching and learning in higher education.

Congratulations to everyone receiving their GCSE geography results today.

The Society, working with the Association for Geographic Information (AGI), has published a new series of case studies championing and celebrating the critical role of geographical information, technologies and approaches.

Members of the Migrants on the margins team will be presenting their research in a session at this year’s Annual International Conference.

Congratulations to everyone receiving their A Level geography results today.

The latest issues of the Society’s journals are now available online.

This year we are making a concerted effort to raise awareness around the sustainability of our Annual International Conference.

The Society took over the Forum stage for a day at the Wilderness Festival entertaining and inspiring festival-goers with geography.

This month's Geographical takes a look at different projects trying to secure the future of our food.

If you’re a Fellow or member and haven’t yet had a chance to visit our Earth Photo exhibition, why not join us for a member-only introduction on Wednesday 7 August?

The Migrants on the margins team were at the Hargeisa International Book Fair last week to present their research to the local community.

We are delighted to be a supporter of the Gender Action Schools Award, an initiative which promotes and supports a whole-school approach to challenging stereotypes, and ensuring all young people can reach their full potential.

We are delighted that our Migrants on the margins educational resources have been shortlisted for a Teach Secondary Award for curriculum impact.

Congratulations to all our Teacher Training Scholars who have completed either their first year of teaching or their training as part of our Scholarship programme.

Fifty years ago today, Commander Neil Armstrong, Col. Edwin Eugene ‘Buzz’ Aldrin and Lt. Col. Michael Collins successfully completed the first mission to land a person on the moon.

The results of the 2019 National Student Survey (NSS) paint a positive picture of geography student experiences across the UK.

Congratulations to the Chartered Geographers who were approved by the Society’s Council in June.

Today is World Population Day, a UN observance day to raise awareness about how population issues and sustainable development are intertwined.

Our 2019 Geographical Fieldwork Grant recipients are heading out into the field to begin their summer fieldwork.

Elisabetta Zavoli has won the 2019 Earth Photo competition for her work The Landfill Midwife.

Professor Laura Hammond presented findings of the Migrants on the margins research team to members of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office at a meeting at the Society last month.

We caught up with some of the previous winners of the Young Geographer of the Year competition who explained the role the competition played in getting them to where they are now.

New research published in our journal Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers, has revealed that the US military is one of the largest climate polluters in history, producing more greenhouse gas emissions than most medium-sized countries.

Join our panel as they share their insights into how Bangladesh is now on the path to becoming climate resilient, the lessons that can be learned from this, and where things are headed.

Our contribution to London Climate Action Week is a joint event with the International Centre for Climate Change and Development (ICCCAD) to share emerging knowledge on how to tackle climate change globally.

Popular photography magazine Outdoor Photography features our Earth Photo competition and exhibition in their August issue, which is on newsstands now.

This month's issue of Geographical features a dossier on earthquake prediction.

We are delighted to have received funding for the third round of the Collaborative Doctoral Partnerships scheme.

The 2018 Land Rover Bursary recipients have returned from the field after travelling over 6,300 km to investigate the challenges facing those on the front line of malaria control in Africa.

A parliamentary debate held earlier this week about teaching migration in the school curriculum highlighted the Society’s school resources about this issue.

Our 2019 Fieldwork Apprentices are heading out into the field to begin their fieldwork.

To mark Refugee Week, we’ve worked with Professor Heaven Crawley, to produce educational resources for geography teachers at GCSE and A Level.

Ahead of his regional theatre tour around the UK later this summer, we caught up with author, presenter and Professor of Science Communication at the University of Westminster, Professor Lewis Dartnell to discuss his new book Origins: how the Earth made us.

New research, published today in our journal, The Geographical Journal, reveals that children enjoy Forest School activities but can struggle to frame the skills and knowledge they develop in these more informal settings as educational.

New research, published today in the Royal Geographical Society (with the Institute of British Geographers) journal, The Geographical Journal, reveals that children enjoy Forest School activities yet some children struggle to frame the skills and knowledge they develop in these more informal settings as educational when compared with traditional learning activities that are associated with the current National Curriculum.

New research, published today in our journal The Geographical Journal, reveals the daily disruption homeless families living in temporary hotel accommodation experience.

New research, published today in the Royal Geographical Society (with the Institute of British Geographers) journal The Geographical Journal, reveals the daily disruption homeless families living in temporary hotel accommodation experience.

With over 750 Chartered Geographers now accredited, we caught up with two of our CGeog assessors, Angela Baker and Dr Stephanie Davidson.

Our current exhibition, Observed on Paper, is on display in the Pavilion until Friday 14 June.

We are delighted to announce the recipients of our 2018 Excellence Awards, and congratulate the pupils who achieved the highest marks nationally in last summer’s geography examinations.

The Royal Geographical Society (with the Institute of British Geographers) has given Excellence Awards to the school pupils who achieved the highest marks nationally in the 2018 geography examinations.

Our academic journals are now being delivered to subscribers in 100% compostable packaging.

Congratulations to the newest members of our Council, who were elected at our Annual General Meeting (AGM) yesterday.

A shortlist of 50 exceptional photographs and four films that document the Earth in all its diversity, have been selected for the Society’s Earth Photo exhibition which opens on 6 July.

This month's issue of Geographical features a look at the way in which the Earth's natural geography has shaped human societies throughout history.

Our panel of experts discuss the various approaches you can take to reduce the impacts of your holidays on the planet and answer the question: what does it mean to travel well?

The deadline for early bird registration for this year’s Annual International Conference is fast approaching.

Congratulations to this year’s recipients of our Innovative Geography Teaching Grants, Dr Lisa Ficklin and Grace Healy.

New co-editors are being sought for the Society’s book series and two of our academic journals, Area and The Geographical Journal.

The first Ron Cooke Award has been awarded to Gregory Pearson for his A Level Independent Investigation An investigation into the form and nature of scree slopes on the North side of the Ogwen Valley.

To mark International Day for Biological Diversity we have made the recording of our recent Monday night lecture Food security: a global challenge available for everyone to watch online until Monday 27 May

Congratulations to the Geography Spatial Analysts Team at the Office for National Statistics who have won the overall inaugural Geography in Government award.

RGS-IBG grant recipients, Katie and Karen recount their separate journeys along two rivers; the Murray and the Naryn. Whilst challenging themselves, they discovered the difficulties faced by the people who rely on rivers for their livelihoods.

The provisional programme for this year’s Annual International Conference is now live.

Congratulations to this year’s recipients of our Environment and Sustainability Research Grants, Dr Agatha Herman, Dr Thomas Smith and Dr Max Martin.

We held a physical geography fieldwork day for teachers to support the better use of local sites for fieldwork and strengthen local teacher networks.

The latest issues of the Society’s academic journals are now available online.

Feeding a growing population from finite resources is one of the major challenges of the 21st century. Peter explores how we can achieve more sustainable and healthy systems of food production and consumption.

The Society’s new series of online careers profiles showcase the diversity of jobs that studying geography can lead to.

This year's Research Group dissertation awards and prizes are now open.

To mark Geoweek, we have selected a collection of Discovering Britain walks to help you discover the remarkably varied geology of the UK and learn more about our rocky heritage.

This year, our medals and awards recognise 21 different people for their extraordinary achievement in geographical research, fieldwork and teaching, artwork, and public engagement.

This year’s Journey of a Lifetime Award recipient, Redzi Bernard, has begun her two week journey travelling through northern Ethiopia to uncover the stories of everyday women.

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Dr Julian Leyland as a new co-editor for our academic journal Area.

We have plenty of freely available resources on our website to help you with your revision during exam season.

The Society is delighted to have been the focus of an episode of Audible’s new podcast series ‘How to outperform: what Britain’s best brands can teach the world’.

Andy Miller, a heritage consultant specialising in post-conflict environments, gives an overview of ongoing restoration projects in the Old City of Mosul in the aftermath of its occupation by ISIS.

The current issue of popular photography magazine Photography News features an interview with award-winning photographer and Earth Photo panel chair Marissa Roth, along with our Director, Professor Joe Smith.

Today is World Malaria Day, an international day to raise awareness of malaria as a curable and preventable disease. The Mobile Malaria Project are currently investigating the front line of malaria control in Africa.

A new section of our website allows teachers to share their ideas on how to inspire students about geography.

This month's issue of Geographical takes a closer look at child labour in the tobacco industry. 

To mark Earth Day this year, the Society, in partnership with Forestry England, are calling on aspiring and professional photographers alike to submit their images of what a changing forest means to them as part of our Earth Photo competition.

We are delighted to announce the recent election of two new Research Group Representatives to the Society’s Research and Higher Education (RHE) Committee.

This year’s Hong Kong Research Grant has been awarded to Marine Roger to support her research assessing seismic hazards along the Chelungpu fault in Taiwan.

After 25 years in the business, Kate explores how geographers are influencing the digital media industries - using their knowledge of cartography, cultural systems and environmental challenges, to build engaging digital worlds.

The Migrants on the margins team have presented their findings at a stakeholder meeting with local community groups in Dhaka.

New research, published today in the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) journal Transactions, reveals the emotional impact experienced by the partners and families left behind by mobile workers.

Congratulations to Dr Peter Martin who has successfully completed his PhD research as part of the AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Awards.

Recently appointed Deputy Head of Geography, Patrick Rickles, is committed to building a geography profession which showcases the wide variety of vibrant and successful careers, and the diverse range of individuals in geography roles.

We have launched a new set of educational resources based on our Field Research Programme, Migrants on the margins.

With the Earth Photo 2019 competition deadline only one month away, we caught up with competition judge and award-winning photographer Marissa Roth.

This year’s Young Geographer of the Year competition is now open for entries.

Dr Maria Beger from the University of Leeds has received this year’s Ralph Brown Expedition Award to explore whether subtropical coral reef ecosystems could be a refuge for tropical coral communities.

We are delighted to announce the appointment of three new editorial board members for the Society’s book series.

In 1969 four men successfully completed the first surface crossing of the Arctic Ocean, led by Sir Wally Herbert. On the 50th anniversary of this exceptional achievement, Kari tells their story.

The Society has responded to the Ofsted consultation on the Draft Education Inspection Framework, which sets out how Ofsted proposes to inspect schools, further education and skills provision, and registered early years’ settings.

The 2019 Walters Kundert Fellowship has been awarded to Professor Alun Hubbard to investigate the processes of submarine melting and iceberg calving on four of Greenland’s tidewater glaciers.

Two members of the Society’s field research programme, Migrants on the margins, presented at the Mobilising Global Voices 2019 conference held at the Houses of Parliament earlier this month.

On Shifting Foundations: state rescaling, policy experimentation and path-dependency in post-1949 China, by Dr Kean Fan Lim, is the newest addition to the RGS-IBG book series.

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the successful completion of the British Trans-Arctic Expedition led by Sir Wally Herbert, his daughter will tell the story of the four men who were the first to reach the North Pole on foot at the Monday night lecture on 1 April.

The Arctic is changing. But how and where is it changing, and why does it matter to those who call it home and those who don't?

The current Land Rover Bursary recipients have begun their eight week journey.

Today is World Water Day, an annual observance day that highlights the importance of fresh water. 

In the wake of recent strikes by young people across the UK to protest climate change inaction, this month’s issue of Geographical takes a closer look at the growing global youth protestor movement.

The Society congratulates the nine geographers elected this week as Fellows of the Academy of Social Sciences.

The Society’s Immediate Past President, Nicholas Crane, is giving the 55th Annual Tyneside Geographical Society Lecture in Newcastle at the end of the month.

Scientific sensors are typically very expensive, but you can learn how to design and build your own for much less at our workshop on 1 April.

Living with the tribes of the Sinai, EmmaLucy experiences the Dahiyya – a largely forbidden dance where genders freely interact.

Focusing on the local and engaging the environmentalists of the future, Taylor realises the role of adventure in our struggle with one of today’s big challenges. 

James journeys by foot and canoe along a remote and unvoiced coastline, to discover why the rainforest and its inhabitants are at risk.

A trip to the eastern Mediterranean becomes a journey into action in the face of the ongoing refugee crisis. Tom responds through food. Half a million meals later, he is still serving.

Daniel goes in search of the castaway experience in an archipelago of 99 islands. Without support, and increasingly without water, he finds it.

Alice travels to South Africa to work with the Black Mambas on tactics, self-confidence, and the fear of lions.

With another nationwide climate change strike planned for tomorrow, our Head of Education and Outdoor Learning, Steve Brace has highlighted that climate change is a key part of geography.

Drone technology is helping to identify potential malaria hotspots by mapping aquatic mosquito breeding habitats in Zanzibar, thanks to a pilot project funded by our grants programme in 2015.

Later this month, the Society’s South Committee are welcoming Professors Danny Dorling and Klaus Dodds to Bournemouth for an evening of geopolitics.

The panel of expert judges for this year’s Earth Photo competition has been announced.

Today is International Women’s Day, and to mark the occasion we’re acknowledging the work of female geographers in developing the discipline.

It's been just over a year since geography was established as a sub-discipline within the Government Science and Engineering Profession - here's an update 12 months on.

It is National Careers Week, so what better time to remember that if you want to understand our world, help to shape the future, and have a rewarding career that pays well, geography is th