Updated Presidents image

Every year, I need to update the word cloud of previous Presidents.

Here's the latest version, made with WordArt.

Geography and the Creation

There's an interesting 'dilemma' for some teachers who have a religious belief, when teaching about the origins of the Earth and the way it has been shaped since.  The Bible is quite clear on how the Earth was created. All faiths have some sort of creation story.

I was interested to come across this piece about an interview with Sarah Buckland.

An early GA President was very much connected with theology.

Sir William Mitchell Ramsay (1851–1939), was a skeptical Scottish archaeologist and Geographical Association president in 1918.

After reading the geographical locations of Paul’s travels (named in Acts), Ramsay tried using them to disprove the Bible’s accuracy. 

With extensive excavations in the Middle East, he tested the existence of variously mentioned New Testament places. But every single detail was so accurate when Ramsay retraced Paul’s journeys that he became a little more convinced in the stories being told.

You can read Ramsay's biography here on my GA Presidents blog.

This Bible Hub page explains more.

Ramsay’s fieldwork took him to various locations such as Galatia, Phrygia, and Lycaonia (regions frequently referenced by the Apostle Paul). He meticulously followed ancient roads, recorded inscriptions, and studied the ruins of cities mentioned in the New Testament. His expeditions resulted in critical site identifications and discoveries, including:

• Confirmation of ancient city locations (e.g., Antioch in Pisidia) that aligned with Luke’s geographical references (Acts 13:14).

• Findings of inscriptions that supported political and cultural details recorded in the Book of Acts (e.g., local governance structures, official titles, and the presence of synagogues).

These archaeological contributions provided robust contextual evidence that lent credibility to the historical details in Scripture, causing Ramsay to describe Luke as a historian “of the first rank.”

Major Publications and Impact on Biblical Studies

Among Ramsay’s notable works are “St. Paul the Traveller and the Roman Citizen” (1895) and “The Church in the Roman Empire” (1893). In these volumes, he presented detailed arguments for the historical trustworthiness of biblical records, particularly regarding the missionary journeys of Paul. Drawing on inscriptions, architectural remains, and ancient documents, he provided corroborating data that supported the reliability of the narrative found in Acts.

His findings have been frequently cited as evidence that Luke was intimately acquainted with the political and cultural realities of the Roman world. Scholars across various theological traditions have referenced Ramsay’s work to fortify claims that the New Testament is grounded in legitimate historical events rather than merely religious speculation.

50 years of 'Teaching Geography'

The final episode of GeogPod for 2025 (and the 96th in total) is out now on your preferred podcast platform.

In another special episode to round off 2025, John talks with three members of the editorial board for the GA's journal Teaching Geography to celebrate 50 years of the publication.

Listen to conversation with Eleanor Rawling, Dr Emma Rawlings Smith and Katie Richardson and find out what makes Teaching Geography such an important publication for teachers and the GA community, with personal stories about getting involved with the GA, their favourite articles, and what's next for the journal.

PTI Geography Symposium - July 2026

News of an exciting joint event that's being organised jointly between the Prince's Teaching Institute, the RGS and the GA.

It's called the PTI Geography Symposium.

It will take place at the RGS on the 9th and 10th of July 2026.

The event's co-chair, the ebullient John Wilkinson - here he is introducing the event in his inimitable style.

It's great to see that my GA Presidential theme of "Everyday Geographies" is front and centre here.

More details:

Our first-ever Geography Symposium is designed to empower and inspire teachers to be advocates for their subject inside and outside of the classroom for a curriculum that is challenging, innovative and enriching for all learners.

Through academic talks, workshops and sharing of best practice, the Symposium will celebrate Geography, enrich and develop your knowledge and love of the subject, and motivate you to consider how to inspire your leaners through engagement, enjoyment and empowerment. 

In celebrating Geography's interdisciplinarity, this event captures how Geography's cross-curricular core can ignite learners’ enthusiasm across a diverse cross-section of subjects at schools and colleges. This Symposium will capture, cultivate and celebrate the zeitgeist.

Themes:

• Everyday Geographies
• Supra-curricular concept capture
• Fieldwork

Confirmed guest speakers include:

• Dr Olivia Taylor
• Professor Iain Stewart MBE
• Dr Jonathan Higham

Many more speakers and details to be announced...

Central London accommodation, meals (including a formal dinner on Thursday 9th July) and course materials are included in the course fee.

All details are here.

£100 discount for RGS members, so it's worth becoming a member just for that... and gain all the other benefits of membership.

Your views on teaching geography...

Your views are needed by Dr Susan Pike and her fellow researchers. Details below and scan the QR code to find out more.