The Royal Scottish Geographical Society
Our Influence
Informing Policy
Schools Education
Heritage Collections
Opportunities & Grants
Medallists
RSGS People
We work with Scottish universities to promote geographical study and research. We offer 'knowledge exchange' opportunities to help interpret academic geography for non-academic audiences. We encourage dissemination of knowledge through our peer-reviewed academic journal, the Scottish Geographical Journal.
Geography is a unique discipline that connects the sciences, humanities and arts, teaching us joined-up thinking like no other subject. Geography and the Earth sciences are essentially about joining the dots between the physical and the human worlds: you can't fully understand how the world works if you don't understand how people interact with it, and you can't fully consider human activities and policies if you don't take account of the finite nature of resources and the Earth's own complex and powerful natural processes.
So, in this age of globalised markets and communications, and climate change, it is critical that geographical sciences are promoted and pursued, to encourage joined-up thinking and to give people the skills to make sense of this complex world.
Geography in Scottish Universities
With arguably the greatest geological diversity of any country in the world, and a rich tradition of exploring and settling new lands, Scotland has played a strong and inspirational role in the development of geographical sciences. Geography was one of the founding subjects listed in the charter for Edinburgh University in 1583, but it was not taught as a degree subject until 1908, when RSGS Secretary George Chisholm was appointed as the first Lecturer in Geography at Edinburgh.
Geographical or Earth sciences can now be studied to degree and post-graduate level at eight Scottish universities, and at the Open University:
University of Aberdeen: Department of Geography and Environment
University of Dundee: Department of Geography and Environmental Science
University of Edinburgh: School of Geosciences
University of Glasgow: School of Geographical & Earth Sciences
Heriot-Watt University: Geography, Society and Environment
University of the Highlands and Islands: Geography
University of St Andrews: School of Geography & Sustainable Development and School of Earth and Environmental Sciences
University of Stirling: School of Biological and Environmental Sciences
Open University: BSc (Honours) Geography and Environmental Science and BA (Honours) Social Sciences (Geography) and BA (Honours) Environmental Studies
A further three Scottish universities include some elements of geographical teaching within related subjects:
Edinburgh Napier University: BA (Hons) Social Sciences and MSc Environmental Sustainability
Glasgow Caledonian University: BA (Hons) Social Sciences and BSc (Hons) Environmental Management
University of Strathclyde: MSc Sustainability & Environmental Studies and LLM/PgDip Global Environmental Law & Governance
Research Councils and Funding
We are invited to recommend academics to represent geography in the various research councils. We meet with the Scottish Funding Council and others looking at the strategic funding of geographical studies in Scottish universities.
RSGS University Medal
Since 1909, the RSGS has offered silver University Medals, which are now awarded to the outstanding graduating honours geography student in each of the Scottish universities as recommended by heads of department.
Part of our role is to help interpret academic geography for non-academic audiences. We offer opportunities for researchers to communicate their work through public talks, published articles, school activities, public displays, and electronic media. We can do this on an ad hoc basis or as a formal outreach partner in a wider project. If you are a researcher interested in developing a 'knowledge exchange' programme with the RSGS, please contact us on [email protected] or 01738 455050.
We also have a small grants scheme. Since its inception, the RSGS and its members have part-funded hundreds of students, academics and explorers in their careers and research, both at home and abroad. Expeditions have ranged from the 1902-04 Scottish National Antarctic Expedition led by explorer William Speirs Bruce, to contemporary undergraduate research into community renewable energy projects in the UK, and orang-utan response to habitat loss in Borneo.
RSGS Knowledge Exchange Grants help to promote geography by disseminating the results of geographical enquiry and research, particularly by early career researchers, for the benefit of the wider public. Applications are considered once a year (in early spring) and grants are in the range of £200 to £1,000. The next grants round will be announced in autumn 2019.
Scottish Geographical Journal
The Scottish Geographical Journal (SGJ) is the RSGS's peer-reviewed academic journal. International in outlook, the SGJ publishes scholarly articles of original research from any branch of geography and on any part of the world, while at the same time maintaining a distinctive interest in and concern with issues relating to Scotland.
The SGJ is published by Routledge (Taylor and Francis), and is available online or in hard copy. All RSGS Members are entitled to receive the SGJ for free. Join us now to start receiving your copies, and for free access to digital copies online.
Published: 1st May, 2019
Author: Susan Watt
Promoting Science Fund
The Promoting Science Fund supports the costs of awarding RSGS grants, allowing us to fund more geographical research work and expeditions.
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Target amount: £0.00
Amount raised: £0.00
An Interview with Calum Maclean
For our Young Geographer magazine published in 2019, our team of Editors sat down with BBC presenter and wild-swimmer Calum Maclean. The magazine article was published in Gaelic, but we're pleased to share the English version online!
Finding the Spirit of Christmas
Explorers have often been far from home at Christmas, but they have found peace, joy and warm friendship in the most far-flung places…
November e-newsletter of the RSGS: RSGS Christmas Gift Ideas, Levison Wood, Gift Membership, Rob Hain, Great Horizon, First Christmas in Antarctica, Events.
Carsten Borchgrevink and the first Christmas on the Antarctic Continent
Borchgrevink claimed to hold an honour that no other explorer was able to disprove: he proclaimed himself to be the first person ever to set foot on the Antarctic continent.
We develop exciting projects to inspire public audiences, influence policy-makers, and solve complex problems.
We conserve and curate heritage collections of more than 100,000 historical and contemporary maps, and a wide variety of books, artefacts and archives.
We are a champion for geographical education in Scottish schools, involved in policy discussions, promoting geography in schools, and projects.
The RSGS's governing constitution, current strategic plan, latest accounts and latest AGM minutes can be downloaded here.
We engage in policy discussions with national government departments, international bodies, local authorities, community organisations, schools, universities, companies, NGOs and others.
We are at the heart of a community of interest – an RSGS family of individuals and organisations working together, part of an international network of geographical expertise and achievement.
We publish an attractive and informative quarterly magazine, The Geographer.
We provide informed, intelligent, insightful commentary on world issues from a geographical perspective.
We organise a programme of 100 public talks and events across Scotland each year. Our inspiring speakers bring us amazing stories of journeys and adventures, and refreshing insights into current issues.
The Royal Scottish Geographical Society is a dynamic educational charity with far-reaching influence and a mission to inspire and inform.
A Sustainable Wealth Fund to Fuel Transition
With the advent of renewables, there is a great opportunity to generate resources to build a positive future for younger and future generations.
Nine Lessons in Brexit
Amidst the noise and fury of the current debate, it is too easy to lose sight of the fundamental questions we need to address, writes Sir Ivan Rodgers.
With the support of more than 2,700 Members, c120 volunteers, and six staff, we are a small, flexible organisation, striving to increase geographical understanding.
The RSGS has 13 local groups across Scotland, all run by volunteers who man the Inspiring People talks and arrange other exciting local events.
Financing Transition
"To transform into zero carbon societies would require around 2% of GDP, if we take early action. If not, we risk spending more than 20% of GDP in future." Written by Mike Robinson.
Taking a Step in the Right Direction
"We need to start treating this Climate Emergency like an emergency. And having these targets now in place is a welcome and significant first step." Written by Mike Robinson.
Join us as a Member to support our charitable work, enjoy 100 inspiring events, receive our geographic magazine, and be part of the RSGS family.
Chief Executive Climate Change & Environment Opinion RSGS History & People Travel & Adventure Writer-in-Residence
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