Cultural Geography Blog

  The Royal Scottish Geographical Society (RSGS) , along with the Scottish Association of Geography Teachers (SAGT) has been concerned for a while about a number of factors which are threatening the condition of geography in Scottish schools.  Recently, the two organisations held a meeting at Dollar Academy, Stirling and invited Alan Kinder and others to do short presentation. I have previously shared the YouTube channel  The key messages are also included in a report which has been made available as a PDF download. Access the full report here 👉 https://t.co/LqxYiWTSkH pic.twitter.com/nOhYXSDy3m — RSGS (@RoyalScotGeoSoc) April 18, 2023  

The Tivy medal is not awarded every year, and is awarded for outstanding contributions to Geography and education. Previous winners that I could find were: 2008 - Jim Carson 2009 - Erica Caldwell 2010 - Anita Ganeri 2011 - Scottish Association of Geography Teachers At the recent Scottish Association of Geography Teachers' Conference, Mike Robinson - the Chief Executive of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society read out a citation describing the person judged to have been worthy of being presented with the medal this year, and it turns out it was me! It was presented by Professor Iain Stewart, who is the President of the Society. Along with the medal, there was a very nice certificate of honorary fellowship. What was equally important to me was to read and hear the comments of others who were there, who appreciated the work that I've created, and shared over the years....

Up to Glasgow for the last few days for the 6th consecutive SAGT conference, this year held in the city for the first of its 3 year residency. The weather was mixed, and the journey up was not without its delays either, but the actual day of the event was bright and cold, and managed to get some nice pictures taken in the evening, as above - looking along the Clyde from the Crowne Plaza hotel and SECC. My presentation was part of the overall conference programme, which included a number of familiar names from previous events, and from English geography circles... I arrived the night before the conference, and over to Hutcheson's Grammar school via a jammed M8 to set up the GA stand. The school was a nice mix of ancient and modern, with a wonderful church for the keynotes. Our hotel was next to the SECC, and the Finnieston Crane  and made my way back there eventually after various diversions to meet with Dan and Noel, and out for a meal with Val Vannet at the City Cafe, overl...

This annual event takes place this year on the 31st of October at the Edinburgh Academy in Edinburgh. This year's SAGT keynote speakers include the mountaineer and author Andy Cave, and Ollie Bray. The theme is "Today's Geography , Tomorrow's World". I will be doing Workshop 10: "A Different View : what's your view ?" Go HERE to download your conference programme and book a place. (PDF download) The conference costs £60 for non-SAGT members , and £35 for SAGT members The description of my workshop is below: A Different View”: what’s your view ? Presenter Alan Parkinson Secondary Curriculum Development Leader, Geographical Association In April 2009, the Geographical Association published its ‘manifesto for geography’. Called ‘a different view’, it explores the nature of school geography, and suggests an approach to teaching the subject called ‘living geography’. The manifesto takes the form of a booklet with stunning images and text, a poster and p...