Annual review 2018 The Society Vision Society objectives A world-leading learned and The Royal Geographical Society (with professional body for geography, IBG) exists for ‘the advancement of widely respected for its independence, geographical science’. For the current quality, innovation, and for the breadth strategy, 2017-2021, this purpose has of its activities promoting and been expressed as six strategic supporting geography as the means objectives for the organisation. These for everyone to discover, understand focus the activities of the Society and and respect the world’s people, ensure that the Society’s operational places and environments. development is planned, integrated and responsive to the needs of the Mission discipline, its practitioners, the public A world centre for geography and at large and the membership. Three geographical learning dedicated to objectives concern first and foremost the development and promotion of the discipline. These are to safeguard knowledge together with its application the discipline, to develop and share to the challenges facing society and geographical knowledge and the environment. understanding, and to support practitioners and students. Three objectives concern the Society. These are to grow our reputation, enhance our membership and sustain the future. The Society’s work is organised into thematic departments, each of which The Society is a charity that exists for contributes work to several objectives. public benefit and which also has a broad-based membership that supports its mission and aims. The Society was independently recognised in 2013 as the leading scholarly geographical society in the world. Registered Charity 208791 Rt Hon Baroness Lynda Chalker From the President President Having been an Honorary Member together people of all backgrounds of the Royal Geographical Society who share an interest in the world, its (with IBG) for many years, and a former places, its people and its environments. member of Council, it is a great honour As President, I have also had the to find myself as President and to pleasure this year to oversee the have the opportunity to assist in the induction of our new Director, Professor Society’s ongoing development at Joe Smith. Joe joined us from the a time when geography is playing Open University where he had worked such an important role in tackling with a broad range of stakeholders the challenges facing the world. from academia, business, policy In my first six months as President, and the media on a series of I have been amazed and delighted interdisciplinary research and public to discover the breadth of activity engagement projects. undertaken by the Society, and Taking over the running of an the depth of its engagement with organisation as complex as the Society audiences ranging from school pupils has been made a little easier for both to teachers, members of the public of us by the existence of an ambitious to policymakers, and academics to and comprehensive five year strategy expeditioners. That our organisation and secure finances. During the three successfully balances the needs and years that I am President, I will be expectations of these diverse elements supporting Joe, and the wider staff of the geographical community team, to deliver the agreed strategic is a testament to the talents and objectives and take the Society on to commitment of both the membership the next phase of its illustrious history. and the staff. I would like to thank everyone who has Among my many highlights of 2018, made me so welcome as President. I have relished the opportunity to I would also like to thank you for your meet so many Fellows and members ongoing support of the Society and through our meetings and at Monday all that it helps us achieve. night lectures, and discover first-hand the ability of geography to bring 2/3 Professor Joe Smith From the Director Director When I took over as Director of the calibre of Scholars. This work is helping Finally, the ongoing success of the Society on 1 May 2018, I had little real to define and catalyse leadership in Society’s exhibition celebrating the understanding of the scale of the geography teaching in our schools. centenary of Shackleton’s Endurance task I had taken on. Coming from an expedition highlights the appetite for There is a clear focus in the Society’s academic background, it was easy for contemporary interpretations of historical current strategic plan to increase the me to underestimate the real extent of geographical events. Its installation in support we provide for professional the Society’s work with schools, with the Hull Maritime Museum saw over geographers in the workplace, so it geography teachers, with expeditioners, 35,000 people visit the show, many has been satisfying to see the Society’s and with the public. After nearly a year of whom also contributed their own relationship with the Geographers in post I now have a renewed admiration stories connected to the expedition. in Government group and the pan- for an organisation that achieves so government Head of Geography While I am in no doubt about the fact much, and that serves such a diverse thriving. Working with these partners that I have plenty more to learn, I can body of audiences. and others, we have been able to say that I now feel very much at home. Of the many achievements in 2018, generate a real groundswell of activity This is in a large part due to the warm, there are four that stand out in particular that is leading to greater recognition friendly and encouraging welcome for me. among employers of the value of that I have received from you all geographical skills and knowledge – thank you. The Society was successful in a in the workplace. competitive bid to the Department for Education (DfE) to continue running It was also very satisfying to see the the Geography Teacher Training amount of media coverage generated Scholarship scheme for a further three by geographical research presented years. Scholars from the first year at the 2018 Annual International of the scheme are now working in Conference. Stories as varied as schools as newly qualified teachers, why men find it hard to eat less meat, while the second year of Scholars are the way commutes are becoming mid-way through their training. The part of the working day and the over- scheme’s combination of a tax-free exploitation of public parks were bursary and membership of the Society, covered by local, national and alongside bespoke training and international outlets, helping to support throughout the training year show public audiences the relevance and beyond has attracted a very high of geography. 4/5 1 Geography Promoting and sustaining a vibrant discipline Objective Represent, promote During 2018, the Society continued to be an influential and effective advocate and advocate for geography as for the discipline, particularly in relation to geospatial skills and knowledge. a leading discipline, so that its contribution to understanding our The Society also sought to keep recognition of the value of geography among changing world is appreciated by parents, employers and government high in response to a small drop in the the public and it maintains a strong number of A Level and undergraduate students, which follows 17 years of growth. position in education, research, fieldwork and expeditions, in civic society and in informing policy In particular 1.1 Making the case for geography and business. The Society’s existing strong networks with • The Society worked closely with the newly key individuals and organisations across Context Geography has an formed Geospatial Commission to highlight essential role in the 21st century the government, business, education, and the key role of geography and geographers in helping everyone to understand research sectors were sustained successfully our world. 2012 to 2016 saw in the geospatial sector. significant strengthening in the during the year, helping to maintain the standing and study of geography. • Strong links were developed with the new Society’s central position of influence within 2017 to 2021 has uncertainties cross-government Head of Geography, and the geography community. in the face of UK political and with his new team of Deputy Heads – many economic change. After a series of meetings with the newly of whom are Chartered Geographers. formed Geospatial Commission, and • A social media campaign was run over the responding to their call for evidence by summer to raise awareness of the benefits highlighting the key role of geography and value of studying geography at school and geographers in this sector, the Society and university. developed a programme of work that aims to support the development of geospatial • Over 30,000 pupils took part in sessions run skills and raise awareness of their value. by the Society’s Geography Ambassadors. The Society’s support for professional geographers and the role of the discipline in good policymaking was developed further during 2018 as effective links with the cross-government Head of Geography in the Government Science and Engineering Profession (GSE), David Wood, and his team of Deputy Heads were formed. In early autumn, a Professional and applications by raising awareness 1.2 Advising on geography Policy Manager was appointed, leading of the value of studying geography After consultation with the wider to the reinstatement of proactive through a social media campaign geographical community, the Society policy monitoring and, with input using the hashtag #ChooseGeography responded to four consultations from across the research community, and press work that resulted in national including those on Qualified Teacher the reinvigoration of the Society’s press and broadcast coverage. Status and Career Progression for the programme of knowledge exchange Department for Education (DfE), the The Society’s reputation and convening events.