Geography - The Subject of our Age

Geography is far more than oxbow lakes and U-shaped valleys; it plays a crucial role in addressing pressing global issues like climate change, health inequalities and biodiversity loss.

The Royal Scottish Geographical Society (RSGS) is a small yet dynamic educational charity promoting geographical understanding across Scotland and beyond. Despite its size, RSGS is recognised globally for informing and inspiring people on key issues and convening cross-sectoral groups to influence positive change.

RSGS operates a broad spectrum of activities, including 100 annual public talks, meetings and events across Scotland. The society also publishes a quarterly magazine, The Geographer, focusing on key geographical themes and providing educational resources, professional development and policy support to schools and universities. Additionally, RSGS maintains a historical collection and Visitors Centre at the Fair Maid's House in Perth.

Collaboration 

To expand its impact, RSGS collaborates with other geographical societies worldwide to address the climate and biodiversity crises collectively. As a small charity, RSGS believes in the power of collaboration, involving universities, companies like Jacobs and Balfour Beatty, and other sectors to tackle problems holistically. In October 2022, RSGS co-hosted a conference with the Open University, bringing together various sectors to evaluate progress since COP26 and identify further actions needed. 

RSGS is heavily involved in agriculture, land use and transport, recently convening key education sector individuals and organisations to promote the relevance and uptake of geography. Collaboration is essential for RSGS, which uses its broad reach to unite multiple sectors and organisations around common goals to improve the future.