Geography Southwest Newsbites – January 2022
Welcome to 2022, and welcome to our new Geography SouthWest Newsbites.
Every month we will feature a summary of topical news items, events, presentations and courses, with links to websites where you can find more information. Do let us know if you have any items to feature in next month's post by email to gswinfo@geographysouthwest.co.uk
Geography talks and presentations:
The Royal Geographical Society (RGS) have a range of forthcoming relevant talks for geography teachers and A level students. Royal Geographical Society - Geographical talks (rgs.org)
On Wednesday 12 January, 5 pm to 5.45 pm, Anya Starling is presenting a free online update for teachers looking at two fluvial case studies: The River Exe and Germany’s 2021 floods. The talk will be presented on teams, and you can register in advance on the website.
Royal Geographical Society - Case study update: River Exe, Devon and Germany’s 2021 floods (rgs.org)
On Thursday 3 February 2022, 7.00pm to 8.30pm, Brian Bleese, CEO Dorset Wildlife Trust, talk on Making space for Nature will show how the climate crisis and environmental degradation is threatening both our wildlife and our way of life, and will then discuss priorities and opportunities for rewilding and nature recovery networks. This is a free online talk. Register in advance to get the link.
Royal Geographical Society - Making space for nature (rgs.org)
The RGS also has a past talks available to view, including their Earth Stories series. Professor Amanda Vincent’s presentation on sustainable fishing “What can be done about ocean clearcutting and annihilation fishing?” is relevant for A level students. Professor Vincent is Director of Project Seahorse. Royal Geographical Society - Earth stories with Professor Amanda Vincent (rgs.org)
BBC Radio 4’s Rethink from 3 to 7 January is focussing on Population issues. The series is available anytime on BBC Sounds or live at 0900 each morning. Monday 3 January looked at worldwide issues of demography including concepts of over or under population, and Tuesday 4 January concentrated on falling fertility rates in the UK under the title The Great British Baby Bust. The remaining three episodes will look at Living with rapid population growth, the experience of an ageing population in Japan and ways of adapting to a society where life expectancy may reach 100 years.
Rethink - Rethink Population - The Great British Baby Bust - BBC Sounds
PhD Studentship Opportunity with Generation Wild
Generation Wild is a programme developed by the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust to engage children from disadvantaged communities and their families and teachers with nature. Generation Wild provides children with opportunities to visit WWT wetland centres and to take part in home and school-based activities. Because it is an intervention, Generation Wild is also a valuable opportunity for researchers to identify and evaluate relations between engaging with nature, human health and wellbeing, and care and concern for the environment.
The studentship builds on a collaboration between Cardiff University and the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust to evaluate Generation Wild. The PhD student will join an interdisciplinary team, including researchers with training in theories and methods from psychology, geography, anthropology, and conservation. More details including how to apply can be viewed at How does engaging with nature impact on the health and wellbeing of children from disadvantaged communities? at Cardiff University on FindAPhD.com
Geography events:
The Geographical Association’s Annual Conference and Exhibition 2022 will take place from Monday 11 April to Wednesday 13 April at the University of Surrey, Guildford and online. A full face to face programme including over 100 lectures, workshops and field visits in Guildford will be supplemented by a slimmed down version online. Visit the website for further details including how to register.
GA Annual Conference and Exhibition 2022 (geography.org.uk)
Recent news: Budleigh Salterton cliff fall
A major cliff fall took place on the cliffs of the Jurassic coast just west of the coastal town of Budleigh Salterton on Monday 6 December 2021 during the period of stormy weather caused by Storm Barra. The rockfall in red Littleham mudstones, of Triassic age occurred after major cracks had appeared in the cliff. It is likely that the rocks had been weakened by heavy rain and undercutting by the sea at high tide. Rockfalls are not uncommon in this area, and further sections may collapse.
PHOTOS: Huge cliff fall at Budleigh beach sparks 'stay away' warning (eastdevonnews.co.uk)