We share news of our recent Discovery Days at the Fair Maid's House, the presentation of the W S Bruce Medal to Professor Pete Nienow, and a new partnership with the Access to Inspiration podcast. Plus details of our next Meet the Experts session, and the latest news on our educational books which have been distributed to schools across Scotland.
Meet the Experts Tuesday 13th June 2pm-3pm
This month at our Meet the Experts session, we'll discuss the role of nature-based solutions, why the nature and climate crises are intrinsically linked, and what more we need to do and how private investment can help. We'll be joined by Francesca Osowska, Chief Executive of NatureScot, who will reflect on the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy Delivery Plan and Andrew Sutherland, Director of Nature-Based Solutions, Palladium, who will talk about initiatives that Palladium is working on that catalyse private finance into nature-positive land use change, with a focus on some examples in Scotland.
We had a wonderful time welcoming so many visitors to the Fair Maid's House during our Discovery Day tours on Ernest Shackleton, drawing enthusiasts who were all eager to delve into the RSGS collection and the extraordinary life and expeditions of the legendary polar explorer. Guests heard from Chief Executive Mike Robinson, storytellers Lindsey Gibb and Nicola Wright, Writer-in-Residence Jo Woolf, and head of Collections Margaret Wilkes, who brought Shackleton's story and explorations to life. We have been delighted to hear such positive feedback about the tours. Look out for more Discovery Days later in the year!
Access to Inspiration Podcast Collaboration
We are delighted to announce that we will be partnering with Access to Inspiration, to record a series of podcasts giving leading perspectives on how we promote climate solutions and encourage people to be more active. The series with RSGS will feature a number of exceptional guests who will share their insights on ways to create a more sustainable future by using creativity, campaigning, and collaboration across sectors. including JoJo Mehta, Co-Founder of Stop Ecocide, Roisin Hyde, whose TED talk on geopolymers has had over 30,000 views, the remarkable explorer Bertrand Piccard who successfully flew around the world in a solar-powered aeroplane (Solar Impulse II), and RSGS’s current President Professor Dame Anne Glover and former President Professor Iain Stewart.
The podcasts will be airing every Wednesday beginning 14th June with RSGS Chief Executive Mike Robinson. Listen in on Amazon, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, SoundCloud, Spreaker or iHeartRadio, links to which are available through the Access to Inspiration website.
Educational books for schools across Scotland
We were thrilled to send out many copies of our educational books, Horrible Geography of Stunning Scotland and James Croll and his Adventures in Climate and Time to schools across Scotland! We are very excited to be able to bring these resources to more young people and provide a fun and engaging way to learn about the wonders of Scottish geography. Many thanks to RSGS volunteer Anne McKillop for her hard work preparing the books for distribution. Fancy your own copy? - both books are still available to buy on our online shop.
W S Bruce Medallist Pete Nienow
RSGS Chair Professor John Briggs FRSGS (left) with Professor Peter Nienow FRSGS (right)
We were delighted to award the RSGS William Spiers Bruce Medal to Pete Nienow, Professor of Glaciology at the University of Edinburgh, in recognition of his leading work towards improving understanding of global warming in Polar regions.
With a career spanning more than 30 years, Professor Nienow has emerged as a world-leading scientist in the field of glacial processes, researching the intricate relationship between glaciers, ice sheets, and climate change, providing crucial insights into their potential contribution to rising sea levels and their far-reaching impact on global water resources.
Professor Nienow's studies have taken him to some of the most remote corners of the planet, including the Canadian Arctic and Greenland, earning him the prestigious Polar Medal in 2017. Working with the European Space Agency CryoSat mission, Professor Nienow's research also endeavoured to derive accurate ground-based estimates of ice-sheet elevation change.
