GeogPod

Episode #87: Alice Gadney – What's your favourite map? Tracing subject connections

John Lyon chats with Alice Gadney in this episode of GeogPod. Alice is a cartographer and also known as Captain Alice, founder of Mini Map-Makers. They discuss many topics, including: her PGCE; William Smith; Steve Backshall; ‘The Hobbit’; Mini Map-Makers; inspiring children with maps from primary age; and of course, their favourite maps.

Resources

https://minimapmakers.com/

Series 14 of GeogPod is kindly sponsored by Discover the World Education.

'As the only tour operator who is a strategic partner of the GA, we're big believers in supporting teachers both in and outside the classroom. From our unforgettable geography trips to our award-winning resources and accredited CPD sessions, for us there’s nothing more rewarding than creating shared experiences that bring learning to life.'

Episode #86: Jess Hill – Championing primary geography and embracing change

In this episode of GeogPod, John is joined by Jess Hill, Deputy Head at Alwoodley Primary School in Leeds. 

They talk about how the geography curriculum at the school has grown and changed over time, to reflect the children and families at the school as well as empower the staff teaching the subject.

The episode also discusses the Primary Geography Quality Mark, the school's Gold Hub status and how to promote whole-school approaches to geography through effective CPD.

Finally they look into practical ideas for fieldwork, building a geography club and how to get children learning 'through the soles of their feet.'

 

Resources

• The Primary Geography Quality Mark
• 2041 School Champions of Antarctica
• Oddizzi school resources

Find Alwoodley Primary School on X: Alwoodley Primary School

 

Series 14 of GeogPod is kindly sponsored by Discover the World Education.

'As the only tour operator who is a strategic partner of the GA, we're big believers in supporting teachers both in and outside the classroom. From our unforgettable geography trips to our award-winning resources and accredited CPD sessions, for us there’s nothing more rewarding than creating shared experiences that bring learning to life.'

Episode #85: Catherine Walker – Climate action research and advocacy

In this episode John talks to Catherine Walker, Newcastle University Academic Track Fellow in Human Geography. They discuss her background and a wide range of topics including: how you can become a geographer in different ways; travel; cultures and landscapes; geography through stories; social science; climate change and climate justice.

Resources:

• Opportunities, complexities, and challenges in collaboration between school and university geography, GA Blog.
• Coffee and geography, episode 407 with Kit Rackley and Catherine Walker.
• Geogramblings website
• Young People at a Crossroads resources including the free book, teacher guide and more.
• Young People at a Crossroads — illustrations by Maisy Summer
• What role for geography in justice-focused climate change education? Geography, Volume 109, Issue 3 (2024)

 

Series 14 of GeogPod is kindly sponsored by Discover the World Education.

'As the only tour operator who is a strategic partner of the GA, we're big believers in supporting teachers both in and outside the classroom. From our unforgettable geography trips to our award-winning resources and accredited CPD sessions, for us there’s nothing more rewarding than creating shared experiences that bring learning to life.'

Episode #84: Steve Brace - Meet the GA’s Chief Executive

This episode, John is joined by GA Chief Executive Steve Brace to discuss: what inspired him to pursue geography; a brief overview of the GA; the different routes into geography; the independent review of Curriculum and Assessment; and his top 4 priority areas of interest for the future.

Here are a few resources mentioned in this episode:

Curriculum and Assessment Review – Department for Education

The GA’s review responses summary

Geographers in the House of Commons – careers poster

Geographers in media – careers poster

GA Subject Knowledge Scholar Programme

GA Online Teaching Resources

GA Journals

GA Events & CPD

GA Annual Conference 2025

Sustainability and climate change strategy – Department for Education

Defra Risk of Flooding from Surface Water Data

OS Open Rivers

ARCGIS - UK Rivers Atlas - ESRI

Series 14 of GeogPod is kindly sponsored by Discover the World Education

'As the only tour operator who is a strategic partner of the GA, we're big believers in supporting teachers both in and outside the classroom. From our unforgettable geography trips to our award-winning resources and accredited CPD sessions, for us there’s nothing more rewarding than creating shared experiences that bring learning to life.'

Episode #83: Black History Month with Pat, James & Francisca

In a special episode to celebrate Black History Month we join Professor Pat Noxolo from the University of Birmingham, Professor James Esson from Queen Mary University of London and Francisca Rockey, founding member of Black Geographers.

They discuss the intersections between race, gender and class that affect young people today. Topics include how to navigate complex ideas in a complex world, the importance of recognising different narratives, and the possibilities for change, revealed by the amazing work done by geography teachers.

Anti-racist work has been a means of support, comradeship and helping keep hold of talented people. Here are a few of the groups and resources mentioned in this episode:

• Black Geographers 
• Salaam Geographia
• Geography Workshop
• Race, Culture and Equality Working Group
• American Association of Geographer
• Black Geographies
• Decolonising geography website & X (formerly Twitter)
• FI WI ROAD
• Black History Month

 

Series 14 of GeogPod is kindly sponsored by Discover the World Education

'As the only tour operator who is a strategic partner of the GA, we're big believers in supporting teachers both in and outside the classroom. From our unforgettable geography trips to our award-winning resources and accredited CPD sessions, for us there’s nothing more rewarding than creating shared experiences that bring learning to life.'

Episode #82: Sabeeha Bhatti - Art, empathy and inspiration

John is joined in this episode by Sabeeha Bhatti, a teacher in her second year working in a school in West London.

Sabeeha talks about how she got into geography teaching and how her personal passions and identity contribute to her teaching style. 

They discuss the impact of inspirational teachers, the benefits of using art in the classroom to exemplify change and how working in a diverse area with a changing population can foster empathy in students.

 

Resources

In the episode they look at a number of artworks, including: 

The Seven Rages of Man which appeared as part of Outside Narration, curated by Keith Piper, at the Graves Art Gallery in Sheffield from September 2021 to December 2023.
Works by L.S. Lowry including Coming from the Mill and Going to the Match.

Frida Kahlo's Self Portrait Along the Border Line Between Mexico and the United States.

Thomas Cole's The Oxbow.

Find Sabeeha on X: @MissSBhatti

 

Series 13 of GeogPod is kindly sponsored by Rayburn Tours.

For over 60 years, Rayburn Tours have been creating tailor-made school geography trips to destinations in the UK, Europe and beyond that inspire, motivate and enhance student understanding. Their expert team craft incredible itineraries of excursions and activities, with the added option of a geographical Field Study Tutor and on-tour resources. The best way to learn is through adventure!

Episode #81: Dr Evelyn Wandia Corrado - Challenging perspectives and stereotypes

In episode 81 our host John Lyon talks to Dr. Evelyn Wandia Corrado, a Senior Lecturer in the School of Education at University of Roehampton. They discuss her childhood in Kenya, the community and education systems as well as challenging perspectives and stereotypes, inclusive practice and pedagogy and the importance of engaging parents and including more representation in classes.

Resources

• View Evelyn's Roehampton profile
• View the Primary Geography article 'Decolonising geography to unshackle the representation of Africa'

Series 13 of GeogPod is kindly sponsored by Rayburn Tours.

For over 60 years, Rayburn Tours have been creating tailor-made school geography trips to destinations in the UK, Europe and beyond that inspire, motivate and enhance student understanding. Their expert team craft incredible itineraries of excursions and activities, with the added option of a geographical Field Study Tutor and on-tour resources. The best way to learn is through adventure!

 

Episode #80: Cath Rule, Rob Parker and Rhian Meara - The 50 year story of the Heimaey eruption

In this special sponsored episode, Cath Rule from Rayburn Tours, Dr Rob Parker from Time for Geography and Dr Rhian Meara of Swansea University join John to talk about their recent expedition to the island of Heimaey to complete a joint project around the eruption in 1973 and its impacts.

They talk about the tectonics of the island, the events of January 1973 and their effect not only on the island's residents but on monitoring systems and impact management today.

They look into the process of putting together a project of this size and how Time for Geography works with academics and organisations like Rayburn tours to put together real and engaging resources for schools.

Resources from the episode:

• Find out more about the project with this expedition summary video
• Get involved with with Time for Geography’s GCSE hazards masterclass and look out for the finished video on their website.
• Watch their Why Study Geography video.
• Check out Rayburn Tours' range of educational trips.
• Follow the project team on X (Twitter):
  • Time for Geography @timeforgeog
  • Rayburn Tours @RayburnTours
  • Rhiann Meara @RhianMeara

 

Series 13 of GeogPod is kindly sponsored by Rayburn Tours.

For over 60 years, Rayburn Tours have been creating tailor-made school geography trips to destinations in the UK, Europe and beyond that inspire, motivate and enhance student understanding. Their expert team craft incredible itineraries of excursions and activities, with the added option of a geographical Field Study Tutor and on-tour resources. The best way to learn is through adventure!

 

Episode #79: Fiona Sheriff – Maps, fieldwork and work-life balance

In this episode of GeogPod our host, John, talks to Fiona Sheriff about several different topics. From Fiona’s journey about how she first got into teaching, discussing her current projects and work-life balance to the direction of the geography curriculum, and something close to her heart - the importance of using maps and taking part in fieldwork.

Resources from the episode:

• Find out more about Fiona’s upcoming book and pre-order it - ‘100 Ideas for Secondary Teachers: Geography Fieldwork’
• Find out more about the charity Fiona is a local representative for - The Maternity Teacher, Paternity Teacher Project (MTPT)
• Find out about the GA’s Fieldwork and Outdoor Learning Special Interest Group (FOLSIG)
• Find out about the National Festival of Fieldwork taking place throughout June 2024
• Fiona recently won awards from the GA and RGS, view the RGS podcast for Fiona winning her OS Award 2024 here
• Follow Fiona on X (Twitter): @fiona_616

Series 13 of GeogPod is kindly sponsored by Rayburn Tours.

For over 60 years, Rayburn Tours have been creating tailor-made school geography trips to destinations in the UK, Europe and beyond that inspire, motivate and enhance student understanding. Their expert team craft incredible itineraries of excursions and activities, with the added option of a geographical Field Study Tutor and on-tour resources. The best way to learn is through adventure!

Episode #78: More than Human Geography

John is joined by Professor Jamie Lorimer and Dr Timothy Hodgetts to talk about what it means when geography is more-than-human. 

In a wide-ranging discussion, they look at the crossovers between geography, environmentalism, anthropology and the sciences. They talk about the importance of multiple and situated knowledge and how geographers can think differently about our entanglements with the world, from the good life for pigeons to follow-the-thing methodologies in the classroom.

Resources from the episode:

Find their new book here: https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/mono/10.4324/9781315164304/human-jamie-lorimer-timothy-hodgetts 

Find them on social media here:

https://twitter.com/jsplorimer 

https://twitter.com/oxfordgeography 

Series 13 of GeogPod is kindly sponsored by Rayburn Tours.

For over 60 years, Rayburn Tours have been creating tailor-made school geography trips to destinations in the UK, Europe and beyond that inspire, motivate and enhance student understanding. Their expert team craft incredible itineraries of excursions and activities, with the added option of a geographical Field Study Tutor and on-tour resources. The best way to learn is through adventure!