Dr Desmond Bowden CGeog

Biography

Des was formerly Head of Geography at Newman University College, Birmingham (until 2010). He has a BA (Hons) in Geography with Geology, a PGCE from University of Southampton, a Postgraduate Diploma in Quantitative Methods and Concepts in Geography, and a PhD in Tropical Soils and Landforms from University College London. He spent two years lecturing in Geomorphology at the University of Sierra Leone (Njala University College). In addition to lecturing Des has carried out research in Iceland, Sierra Leone, Malawi, The Gambia and India and like most geographers he is widely travelled. He is now co-director of B&C Educational Ltd., which is a small company specialising in three inter-related activities: developing and publishing geography-based curriculum resource materials for primary schools; working to promote the value of geography, global dimension and global citizenship in primary schools through CPD courses and curriculum development; and planning and running study visits to The Gambia for primary school staff (heads, teachers, LAs and governors). These primary school based trips grew out the annual field courses that we used to run for undergraduates and trainee teachers (since 2000). Since 2010 schools have developed sustainable partnerships with schools in The Gambia and many schools have received funding through the British Council Connecting Classrooms. Tri-partite partnerships to include schools from Senegal are currently being planned.