Complete our survey to let us know what geography means to you.

For the past couple of months, we have been asking our members, speakers, medallists and the public – what does geography mean to you?

We wanted to get a sense of what comes to mind when people think of geography – is it landscapes and maps, people and places, climate and culture, exploration and discovery? How does it shape the way people see the world, and how does it make them feel? Geography means something different to everyone, and that diversity of thought is what makes the subject so special, and our charity so unique.

We have been delighted by the response that we have received so far, with many people taking the time to reflect on their interests, experiences and inspirations. Not only have they highlighted the far-ranging importance of geography and how it encapsulates so many interests and topics, but they have also reinforced our slogan at RSGS – that inspiration lasts a lifetime.

So many responses showcase a lifetime interest that was sparked by something that inspired them - whether it was a special teacher in school, the landscape they grew up around, or stories they heard from intrepid travellers – even those in our very own Inspiring People programme.

Something for Everyone

At RSGS, we strive to represent the multi-disciplinary nature of our subject - it’s why we treasure and upkeep our diverse map and artefact collections, why our magazine focuses on so many different topics, and why our Inspiring People talks programme features people from every walk of life doing so many different things - and these efforts also help shape perspectives of the subject within our own community. Like some of our early responses said:

“I’m a big fan of maps. When I think about geography, I think about how the world looks, places I dream of going. Someone makes the maps, and others go out and tell the world what it looks like. I want to be the one who goes out and fills those maps with stories.” - Børge Ousland

“Geography is truly interdisciplinary. In my case I actively integrate knowledge from multiple academic fields like geomorphology, chemistry, and nuclear physics to more holistically understand environmental processes and complex problems.” – Derek Fabel, Inspiring People speaker

Geography provides the view from my window, dictates the routes that I travel, suggests what clothes I need to wear, alters the flora and fauna about me, tells me about my life’s journey and the history of my forebears, provides different forms of energy sources, in fact it affects nearly every aspect of life. - RSGS Member

“Geography taught me about space and that everything has a spatial relationship. I went on from a geography degree to do medicine and continued to think as a geographer- linking disease to environmental triggers is more about geography than pathology. In my view, geography has helped me make sense of so many other disciplines.” - Stephen Cox, RSGS Member

I think it just helps us understand our place on the planet and, crucially, our responsibilities to the planet. You get into fine details like maps and things, but that’s really what it’s about. It’s about our place in our world. And I now better understand my place in the world through all these talks that RSGS has set up. - Colin Mitchell, RSGS Member and Fellow.

Geography in Scotland

There were those that highlighted to us, not only the value of being a geographical society, but the privilege of being one that is based in Scotland, helping to make our country the best it can be - from protecting its landscapes and biodiversity, to championing geographical education, influencing policy, and stewarding historical stories of exploration and innovation:

“Geography has played a huge part in my life since studying it at school and then at university. It has helped me see things that others didn’t and made me curious about the world around me... I have gone on to travel extensively around the world and have continued being curious about landscapes and cultures. Finally settling in Scotland where I have climbed Munros and Corbetts and walked long distance paths, always with a map in my hand and enthusing my fellow walkers with my geographer’s eye on the landscape. Surely there can be no better place for a geographer to live!” - Sally Fowler, RSGS Member

“Geography is unknowingly what I grew up with. It’s a love of scenery, a fascination for places and the memory of four amazing years studying the subject at Edinburgh University in the 60s. Journeys in the car across Scotland to visit relatives were punctuated by the names of all the mountains we passed. I saved my pennies to buy the four separate sheets of a petrol station road map of Scotland at sixpence a sheet.”

Generations of Geography

Some responses went beyond personal experiences - a desire to share knowledge, curiosity, and a love of the world with the next generation. At RSGS we believe that inspiration lasts a lifetime, but it can also last generations too. From supporting the development and uptake of geography in schools, to hosting Expedition Nights, mentoring our Young Geographer Team and influencing the curriculum - we are always keen to help young people, bolster learning opportunities and inform those issues which are most likely to impact future generations:

I have had a fascination with maps since childhood. Geography was my best, and favourite school subject. I have always had a great affinity for the outdoors, in particular mountaineering with its route-finding challenge, and interest in the landforms and geology. We have imbued this interest in our children, who have all also excelled in geography, and now follow our lifelong interest in the physical environment and nature. - Alistair Ballantine, RSGS Member

“I have always been fascinated by maps (more than by books!) and by places and how to link them together. Journeys - especially long ones - have always been as important to me as getting there, and I believe I have successfully passed on to my kids the importance of always returning by a different route!” - Mark Wedgwood, Inspiring People speaker

Creating a Lasting Impression

Many spoke about what first ignited their interest in geography, and there was a common theme that their love of geography was the result of an inspirational teacher at school. These responses in particular show why standing up for Geography in the curriculum and its teachers is such an important part of our work, as well as providing resources for schools where we can see a need:

“I have loved Geography since I began learning it at school. It was fascinating to learn how the Scottish landscape was shaped by glaciers, and through this I wanted to learn more. The more I learned about physical geography the more I wanted to know, and that has continued throughout my career, researching glaciers in polar regions... Geography is such a broad topic that it’s difficult to sum it up, but that’s what makes it so interesting! There’s always going to be more to learn about our fascinating world.” - Alison Cook, RSGS Member

“Geography has shaped my life and informs the way I see the world. I had an interest in, and love of, maps from early childhood, alongside a love of the natural world (instilled by my parents). Then fantastic Geography teachers at school (on the Black Isle, surrounded by amazing physical geography) which led to a choice to study BSc Geography at Aberdeen University.” - Cathy Tilbrook, RSGS Fellow

“I am a retired Geography teacher. My initial interest came from an excitement to find out about the many varied and exotic places around the world. This was nurtured by Geography teachers in secondary school, particularly when they digressed away from the curriculum into the more exotic elements of the subject.” - Alan Smith

Safeguarding the Future

There were also those who highlighted geography’s ability to help safeguard the future, particularly when it comes to the protection of environment. Through our magazine, talks, events, policy work and convening power, we are always working to ensure that geography and science are being heard and are contributing where they can. We help drive positive solutions to critical issues like climate change by producing critical reports, running environmental summits, facilitating our Climate Solutions course and bringing different organisations and businesses around the table to tackle some of our planet’s most pressing issues:

“Geography, to me, is the lens through which I understand how people, places, and natural systems interact, and the discipline that has shaped every stage of my professional and personal life. It is both a way of seeing the world and a responsibility to help care for it… Ultimately, geography means stewardship. It means using scientific understanding, spatial thinking, and global awareness to help Scotland thrive sustainably and to ensure that our decisions today support resilient communities, healthy ecosystems, and a fairer future for generations to come.” – Yvonne Booth, RSGS Member

“Geography coordinates Physiography, Ecology and Human Welfare. It also engulfs research of Human Behaviour according to the area, climate, and vegetation. For the safety and development of our beautiful home geographical research is mandatory.” - Alekh Scund

“In my early twenties I was able to experience living abroad - understanding other cultures and enjoying their scenery.  Such an experience instils in one respect for other people, tolerance and the support of organisations helping to preserve cultures, landscapes and wild places. There are so many aspects to geography - and I look to the RSGS to highlight Climate Change and political decisions affecting our natural world.” – Ruth Fraser, RSGS Member

Help Support Geography

From the responses we have received over the last few months, we have been both interested and touched to hear from those who celebrate the subject's diversity, wish to pass knowledge on to future generations, reflect on how the subject inspired them in the first place, and recognise how it can help safeguard the future. The affection is palpable, and it has made us even more conscious of our responsibility as custodians of geography.

Your support can make a massive difference to our ability to continue this vital work. Please consider donating to support our work, volunteering with us, or perhaps leaving a legacy to make a lasting difference and invest in the power of geography. And please take a moment, if you haven't yet, to respond to our survey and let us know what geography means to you. Thank you.