Climate Change and Geography

The GA recently released some statistics from a YouGov poll on the public's opinion of the value of geography's curriculum content for the teaching of climate change topics.

79% of UK adults support climate change being taught as part of the geography National Curriculum.
There was majority support for this position across male (76%) and female (82%) respondents, all age ranges 18+ to 65+ (between 75% and 87%), all socio-economic classifications (75-84%) and across all English regions (77-83%).

Submit your GA Conference 2027 proposals now

If you have some head space over the summer, now is the time to submit your proposal to speak at the GA Conference 2027. 

This will take place in Sheffield at the same venue as this year, which worked very well.

Here’s the details - if you haven’t spoken before, I can confirm that it adds an extra level to your conference experience - plus you don’t pay for the day that you speak…. I first spoke in 2005 at the conference in Derby on Gifted and Talented - just a 10 minute contribution to a session ahead of Fred Martin. I was nervous, but so pleased that I did it. 

Here’s a video from Fiona Sheriff on LinkedIn.

The theme is Passionate about Geography.

500 000 page views

An amazing milestone to pass for a blog about the GA and its Presidents, which is one of my GA Presidential legacy projects.

Thanks for reading. I shall continue adding details of future GA Presidents (and updates on past ones...) indefinitely... If you have anything to add about the 100+ people who have held that role, feel free to get in touch...

Another award for Coastcraft

Coastcraft has won another award.

I worked on behalf of the GA to produce the Education materials for the project.

The Geography in Government (GiG) Awards are annual awards organised by the Government Geography Profession, recognisng outstanding applications of geographic knowledge and skills in government policy and practice.

The CoastCraft educational game was shortlisted for in the Communications category, which recognises government teams, individuals or products who effectively use geographic knowledge and skills to improve public communication. This includes creating clear, engaging and informative materials that help policymakers, stakeholders, and the public understand complex geographic data and its real-world impact.

The project is overjoyed that the CoastCraft game won in this category. It is a reflection of the value of educational gaming in improving coastal literacy and helping game users understand the challenges associated with adaptation pathways.’

This follows the BETT Award the project won in January of this year.

PTI Geography Symposium - 9th-10th July

I have been sharing my thoughts from the first Geography Symposium organised by the PTI in association with the GA and the RGS (who hosted the event).

We had just heard Bill McGuire's bleak prognosis for our climate and I noticed this above the rear entrance door to the Ondaatje Theatre. This commemorates the work of Charles Close (who was also a GA President) who was in office as RGS President when the Society celebrated its centenary. We are preparing for the bicentenary of the RGS in 2030.

Two vacancies on the Conference Planning Board

There are currently two vacancies on the GA's Conference Planning Board.

If you'd like to get more involved in planning the GA's Annual Conference, you have until the end of August to apply to fill one of the vacancies.

I served on the board for several years during my Presidential journey and it's an interesting professional development opportunity as well as seeing another side to Conference.

GIS CPD from the GA's Welsh Special Interest Group

This event is presented by Alistair Hamill and Brendan Conway.

Alistair and Brendan will explore three pioneering approaches which will make a significant difference to the full integration of GIS in schools:
- The first knowledge-rich statutory curriculum approach to GIS: Curriculum references to GIS can be high in aspiration but low in detail. How can we scaffold application to bring real impact to such aspiration?
- The first GIS integration within a fully-sequenced curriculum plan and lessons by Oak National Academy.
- The first GIS app for schools created with the help of agentic AI.

Book tickets here. 

Professor Sarah Bednarz RIP

Via the IGU Commission on Geographical Education (IGU-CGE) and Professor David Lambert.

It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the passing of Professor Emerita Sarah Witham Bednarz, a distinguished scholar whose work shaped generations of geography educators and researchers.

Renowned for her contributions to spatial thinking, the educational use of geospatial technologies, and teacher education, she helped strengthen the intellectual foundations of our field. Across borders, she led and anchored many of the international projects and collaborations that have come to define geography education.

For many entering the geography education community, she was a trusted mentor whose nurturing spirit helped young scholars build confidence and curiosity.

She will be remembered for her tireless energy and leadership in defending the place of geography in schools, universities, and public life, far beyond any single nation. A past president of the American Association of Geographers, she was also a devoted, long-standing member of the IGU Commission on Geographical Education.
Her contributions will endure in the research she advanced and the people she mentored.
We will miss the roadmap she drew for our field.

Time to propose a session for the GA Conference 2027

Next year's GA conference theme is Passionate about Geography.

Passion is at the heart of geography. It drives us to explore, question and understand the world around us. Geography helps us make sense of our planet and our place within it, but more than that, it encourages us to care. Passion transforms geographical knowledge into something meaningful, prompting us to make connections and engage with real-world issues.

For many students, that passion begins in the classroom. Through powerful enquiries and meaningful experiences, we can spark curiosity and help shape how young people think about the world. In a time of complex global challenges, from climate change to inequality, geography provides essential understanding, but it is passion that motivates action.

By creating engaging, inclusive classrooms and supporting all learners, we can nurture students’ interests in weather, climate, landforms, processes, places and people.

Being passionate about geography will help us to inspire future geographers to understand and shape our world.

Fiona Sheriff – GA Vice President 25-26

You have until the end of August to propose a session for the Conference.

Guidelines are here.

The proposal form is here.

This short video will be particularly helpful for someone putting together a first-time submission for the conference. Keep it relevant to the theme of the conference!

New from the GA... Subject Leader Development Programme

 

More details are available here.

1000 posts!

I started this blog as a "legacy project" from my GA Presidential journey, and Presidential year in 2021-22.

It has attracted some interest and had over 450 000 page views, which is not bad for a blog.

Thanks to all the GA Presidents - past, present and future for their support and contributions.

I have just passed 1000 posts on the blog.

Thanks for visiting and reading.

GA Conference 2027 - Passionate about Geography

Fiona Sheriff's GA Conference theme is below.

You have until the end of August to submit a proposal for a session. A link will appear on the GA website shortly.

GA Conference video... and GA Strategy video

Two videos from the GA were released this week.

The GA Conference video is here. There's a few shots of the audience at mine and Matt Podbury's session along the way.

There are also new Summer issues of the GA's journals, and the GA Magazine has a conference review as well.

Steve Brace has also shared a video linked to the new GA Strategy which runs from 2026-31.

The GA's new Strategy focuses on:

1. Supporting geography as a subject - particularly at a time of curriculum change
2. Supporting primary and secondary teachers
3. Inspiring and supporting the Next Generation of Geographers

GA Conference 2027 - date and venue announced

The dates and venue for next year's GA Conference have been announced. Fiona Sheriff will be President for 2026-27 and has chosen the theme 'Passionate about Geography'.

The conference will take place at the same venue as this year. It worked really well and is a central location for many, and also very convenient for GA staff as the Association is based in Sheffield. There are plenty of accommodation options and it is a short walk from the train station for sustainable transport options.

Keep an eye out for the announcement of the call for papers, and I hope to see you there.

Two GA Trustee vacancies open for nominations

A high-quality geography education is essential for future generations, as geography has a critical role in solving many of the global challenges we face.
The Geographical Association is looking for two new Elected Trustees to join its Board of Trustees from 1 September 2026.

Details and nomination form are here.

The Board of Trustees meets three times a year in Sheffield, London and online. It comprises 14 Trustees and has responsibility for providing strategic direction and sound governance for the Association.

Elected Trustees serve an initial four-year term with the possibility of continuing for a second term if supported by the Board. GA Trustee positions are not remunerated but travel and subsistence expenses are reimbursed. Nominees for the role of Elected Trustee must be members of the GA and will be asked to show that they actively uphold and support the aims, values and mission of the Association.

Trustees welcome the nominations of colleagues from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences that can strengthen and complement the existing Board of Trustees. 

For example, this might include those in their early/mid teaching career stage, school leaders, primary colleagues and/or those with experience of leading the geography programme of a MAT.

The deadline for the current round of nominations is Monday 4 May 2026. 

If you have any questions about being a GA trustee, please contact the current Chair of Trustees, Alastair Owens via a.j.owens@qmul.ac.uk.