New Director of the Royal Geographical Society

A few months ago, Rita Gardner announced that she was stepping down as Director of the RGS-IBG after 22 years, and a search for her replacement began.

The new Director has now been announced, and it is somebody who I have met a few times, and who has a strong education background, which is always good to see.


Joe Smith is currently Head of Geography at the Open University.

Joe Smith was ‘thrilled’ with his appointment. ‘The breadth and scale of the Society’s reach is extraordinary and makes this a rare and compelling role’ he says.

‘The Society is well positioned with an ambitious and comprehensive strategy in place, a loyal membership base and secure finances. I look forward to building on these foundations and taking the Society on to the next phase of its illustrious history.’

The very first meeting I had after being appointed as Secondary Curriculum Development Leader of the GA back in 2008 was over at the Open University, and alongside Clive Barnett and Doreen Massey from the OU, and David Lambert from the GA, Joe Smith was also involved in the meeting. We were discussing potential collaborative work, and about four years later I started working with the OU, managing their VITAL Geography portal for teachers as part of a very successful multi-million pound project.  (Sadly, when the funding ended all the material was mothballed...)

This is a terrific appointment for the RGS-IBG, and I look forward to continuing to support the Society as much as I can

Image credit: Royal Geographical Society

GIS CPD

Details of a new option for GIS training were released earlier. Steve Richardson, who wrote quite a lot of the resources that are available on the ArcGIS Schools Resources section has organised a day looking at embedding GIS in the curriculum to support the progression of some key geographical skills and knowledge.

The price is £160 for the day, including lunch and refreshments and the first course is being run down on the South Coast in June.
More details here on the Eventbrite page.

Beermeet at the GA Conference

One of the elements of the GA Conference for the last 8 years or so has been the Beermeet.
This has grown in size over the years, and we even managed to 'drink the pub dry' a few years ago in Guildford. This follows on from the Teachmeet now that has been added to the programme, and this year's venue has been revealed. I know it well, having stopped off there quite a few times over the years.

The Sheffield Tap is an excellent bar, which is located in the Railway Station in three splendid large rooms. The range of beers is superb, and there is a micro-brewery there too.

Click the link, or scan the QR code to find out more from the Facebook page, and please let us know that you're coming, or planning to come... and feel free to buy me a pint...