Rgs-ibg Ask The Experts

In this podcast we welcome back Dr Kate Leeming who embarked on a 5-month, 9000km bicycle expedition following the Syr Darya River from its source in Kyrgyzstan to the Aral Sea and from there along the Amu Darya to discover its true source into the Wakhan Corridor in Afghanistan. This amazing feat was conducted by a small team where the use of a bike meant that Kate could make connections with people that are not easily done when in a car. Kate talks about her experiences out in the field, the impacts climate change is having on the region as well as how people are working to try and mitigate these challenges.

Dr Andrew Lee has been a geographer and geography educator for more than 25 years. He holds a doctorate in Geography from the University of Oxford, a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and a Chartered Geographer. He is an Associate Fellow and Honorary Lecturer at the Centre for Climate Change and Sustainability Education at University College London.

Mark Maslin is a leading scientist with expertise in climate change and the major challenges facing humanity in the 21st century. He has published over 230 papers in journals, is a Professor of Earth System Science at UCL and the Lead for Climate, Health and Security at the United Nations University. In this podcast, Mark talks about the ways in which we can make a difference to changing the impacts of climate change.

David Burnip ('aka' The Wandering Turnip) explores different aspects of places and life in the UK, documenting his findings on YouTube. In this podcast he shares insights from his vast and fascinating wandering to many different places - including discussions about the decline of the High Street, regeneration, sense of place and coastal erosion.

Environmental degradation of our land, water and air is not just an ecological but an economic issue which in turn has an impact on development. The World Bank has recently released a report into the connection between the economy and the environment. The report titled ‘Reboot Development - The Economics of a Livable Planet’ explores the issues around a declining environment, its connection to the economy as well as how futures could be managed to improve both areas for everyone. This episode of Ask the Geographer speaks to Richard Damania - the Chief Economist of the Sustainable Development Practice Group for the World Bank who explores these issues as well as how geographers can use the findings from the report.

Join Professor James Evans – Associate Dean for Research at the University of Manchester and a former Head of the Department of Geography and Director of the Manchester Urban Institute, whose specialism focuses on the development of smarter and more sustainable cities.

Listen to Dr. Jessica Tipton and Richard Irvine talk about the National Education Nature Park - an initiative to change school spaces into a biodiverse landscape and encourage children to be more engaged with nature.

Sophie Blake - Head of Geography at Channing School, London has created a new set of learning resources around the redevelopment of Battersea Power Station. Listen to her insights in why it is important to study this iconic landmark and the potential for fieldwork in the area.

This podcast explores the history of the environmental movement with Chris Church and Professor Oli Mould from the Department of Geography at Royal Holloway, University of London.

Join Dr. Toby Butler and Dr. Saskia Papadakis - part of the team behind the History of the Environmental Movement project for the Department of Geography at Royal Holloway University, London as they reflect on the use of oral history interviews as a tool within geography projects and explore the unique insights gained from interviewing environmental activists.

Catch up with explorer Mark Evans as he reflects on his expedition to Oman - the opportunities, challenges and how his adventure compared with 20th Century explorer Bertram Thomas.

Join us for an exciting podcast with expedition cyclist Dr. Kate Leeming who is embarking on a 10,500 km bicycle journey through the heart of Central Asia. Kate will be travelling for 5 months exploring the geography, history and cultural importance of this region with a particular focus on water resources - a topic that is critical not only to Central Asia but to the world.

Russia is often overlooked with respect to its role in climate change conversations. However, this vast country with a population of over 140 million, a wealth of fossil fuels, and diverse ecosystems, has an important role to play in the causes and effects of climate change. Join us as we talk to Professor Jonathan Oldfield from the School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Birmingham as he discusses Russia's past, present and future role in climate change.

In this podcast we speak to Michael Pryke, Colin Lorne and Benjamin Newman who have collaborated on an inspiring project titled 'Voices from the Global South'. An initiative which is part of the Open Learn provision from The Open University, comprises six short films designed to stimulate reflection on how geography deepens our understanding of the climate crisis and its far-reaching impacts.

Listen to Mark Evans, MBE FRGS talk about his incredible 30-day journey across most of Oman’s coast, from Ras Al Hadd to Salalah, retracing the steps of British explorer Bertram Thomas’ 1928 expedition.

In conversation with Dr Martin Parham, lecturer in disaster management in the HCRI at the University of Manchester, talking all things disaster risk with a specific focus on Small Island Nations.

In conversation with Freyja Thomson-Alberts - Ocean Engagement Manager for the Ocean Conservation Trust (OCT) based at the National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth. In this podcast we look at the work the OCT is doing and how communities can become more connected to their blue space.

A fascinating discussion about minerals with Nadine Gabriel, Curator of Minerals at the Natural History Museum in London and how studying Geography at school helped spark her interest in this area of Earth Science.

An insightful podcast with Dr. Rachael Squire and Prof. Kim Peters from Royal Holloway University, London addressing people’s relationships with the ocean. They explore our historic connections, how this can change, and the role aquariums have as a means to help us become more in tune with marine environments.

Discussion with Fiona Sheriff and Dr Cyrus Golding - recipients of the 2024 Ordnance Survey Award for excellence in geography education at secondary level.