GeogPod

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!

 

 

 

 

Episode #77: Dr Philipp Horn – Urban informality

In this episode John’s discussions with Dr Philipp Horn include ‘Urban Informality’ and they explore terms such as ‘slums’ and ‘favelas’ which are less used in geography education these days. It is worth listening to the whole episode to understand the use of the words and how many of them have been adopted and reclaimed by some people who live in informal settlements.

 

Resources

• X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/Philipp__Horn
• Philipp’s staff profile (this includes the links to the publications/films discussed)
• Upcoming textbook on Urban Informality
• Roots Ahead film

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 #76: Donald McClean – Widening participation

This episode of GeogPod was recorded live at the GA’s Annual Conference in April 2024. Our host John Lyon talked to our guest, Donald McClean, from the Sheffield Environmental Movement. In the session they discussed the importance of fieldwork, widening participation in the natural environment, supporting diverse Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic Refugee (BAMER) community groups/organisations around Sheffield.

 

Resources

The Black Barbers Project on the SACMHA website. 
Sheffield Environmental Movement 
Development Education Centre South Yorkshire (DECSY)

Episode #75: AESIG - Progression in geography

In this episode our host, John Lyon, chats with John Hopkins, Katherine Baulcomb and Luke Hinchliffe - members of the GA's Assessment and Examinations Special Interest Group (AESIG). They discuss topics such as progression in geography, the progression and assessment guidance, sequencing, enquiry based learning and more.

Resources:

Progression and assessment in geography
GCSE and A level results
Find out more about AESIG
Follow AESIG on X (formerly Twitter)