Ask the Geographer

Lieutenant Colonel Kenny Nixon of the Royal Engineers (British Army) talks about the role of geography in military operations and global geopolitics. Kenny shares insights into how geography influences conflict and relationships between regions. He highlights the importance of understanding terrain in military strategy and the impact of resources and climate change on global conflicts. The convers...

Elena is a Professor of Chinese and International Politics at the University of Manchester. Elena discusses how migration connects with issues of citizenship, race, identity, and belonging, particularly in the context of China and the Chinese Russian borderlands. Elena looks at marriage migration, the experiences of culture on migrant communities. This podcast highlights power, relationships, and...

This podcast looks at the most extreme environment on Earth – Antarctica. Max Worsley who is planning an expedition to ski over 1,300km across Antarctica in November 2026 - a 2 month unsupported two person trek to raise awareness about Antarctica’s role in global systems from sea level to climate regulation.

Risk assessment in insurance and reinsurance relies on many of the skills developed through studying geography. This podcast explores how insurers evaluate risk and how it is evolving with growing threats from climate change and urbanisation. Dr Tina Thomson also shares real-world examples of where hazards have - and have not - been effectively managed from an insurance perspective.

Join us in our podcast where we speak with Professor Ilan Kelman on the role people play in hazard management. Ilan uses well known examples such as the 2010 Haiti earthquake to show the impact of poor planning and management has affected communities long after the hazard event.

This episode of ask the Geographer features a discussion with Chrystiann Lavarini, a senior fluvial geomorphologist at the environmental and engineering consultancy - WSP. The conversation explores how rivers behave, the impact of human activities on them, and sustainable management practices in the context of climate change. Chrystiann shares insights on river regimes, systems, and the factors in...

Join us as we talk to Island Geographer - Chloe Searl on all things fieldwork. From why it is more important than ever to how schools can weave it into their curriculum Chloe explains how fieldwork can help students learn beyond the classroom and how participating in meaningful fieldwork they can develop valuable skills for working life.

In this episode, Paul Turner discusses his journey in integrating climate and nature education into the core school curriculum through the Ministry of Eco Education. Paul gives examples of places which are becoming more sustainable using practical measures. He also gives advice to students who are thinking of entering a green career.

Discover how climate change is reshaping our coastlines and what strategies can help us adapt. Larissa Naylor, a professor of Geomorphology and Environmental Geography at the University of Glasgow, shares insights on coastal processes, landform creation, human impacts, and future management.

In this episode of Ask the Geographer, we look into the role of nature-based solutions in addressing climate change. Join us as Dr. Stephen Cornelius from WWF explains how ecosystems can be part of the response and why this is crucial for sustainable geography practices.

In this episode of Ask the Geographer podcast, Dr. Angus McNelly, a lecturer in international development at King's College London, discusses the intricate relationship between fossil fuels and the development of countries, particularly in China and Latin America. He explains how the post-World War II era marked a significant shift in global politics and economics, leading to the rise of fossil fu...

Dr David Anderson joins us to talk about wetlands; how they can provide a nature-based solution to climate change and their importance to an abundance of different species which use them. He reflects on their current status and methods which are being adopted to restore them.

In this podcast we hear from members of the Climate Adapted Pathways in Education (CAPE) and how it is working to improve today’s education for tomorrow’s climate. This podcast aimed at teachers and educators talks about their vision to equip teachers and school leaders with the knowledge and skills to help all children and young people take climate action and protect the environment.

Professor Andrew Charlton-Perez OBE, Head of the School of Mathematical, Physical & Computational Sciences at the University of Reading. He has played a key role in shaping the National Climate Education Action Plan (NCEAP), which brings together more than 80 organisations working on transformative climate education. As chair of the NCEAP Group, he helps ensure that these organisations’ efforts su...

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 peo...

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 impac...

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...

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.