Skip over main navigation
  • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
The Royal Scottish Geographical Society
  • Search
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
Join Us Donate
Menu
  • About Us
    • Our Philosophy
    • What We Do
    • Who We Are
    • Our Influence
    • Our Impact
    • Governance Documents
  • What We Do
    • Climate Action
    • The Geographer
    • Public Events
    • Innovative Projects
    • Informing Policy
    • Schools Education
    • University Research
    • Heritage Collections
  • What's On
    • All Events
    • Local Groups
    • Visitor Centre
  • Get Involved
    • Climate Solutions
    • School Resources
    • Nominate for Awards
    • Volunteer With Us
    • Hire a Room
  • Support Us
    • Join Us
    • Appeals
    • Legacies
    • Shop
  • Our Heritage
    • Medallists
    • RSGS People
    • Collections
    • Our History
  • Media
    • Blog
    • Videos
    • News
    • View Point
  • Admin
    • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
  • Our Impact
  1. About Us

Our Impact

We provide informed, intelligent, insightful commentary on world issues from a geographical perspective. At the heart of our discipline is a focus on collaboration and a conviction that geographical thinking is a force for public good. Our broad approach enables us to make a positive impact on policy decisions and people's lives.

Our recent achievements include:

  • the development of progressive climate change policies and activities in Scotland;
  • increasing the level of public and policy engagement around sustainable transport options, including better rail connectivity and electric vehicle infrastructure;
  • improving climate understanding, and transport and agricultural responses;
  • the rising call for action against narrowing choice in the Scottish school curriculum;
  • the reinstatement after a gap of 118 years of the position of Geographer Royal for Scotland.

Innovative Projects & Policy Work

Our Bitesize project assessed ways in which Scotland could make the biggest difference to reducing global climate emissions. The immediate outcomes of the project were an edition of The Geographer on a theme of climate solutions, and a well-informed contribution to the Scottish Government's consultation process on the Climate Change Delivery Plan. Since late 2016, work has continued in several of the key policy areas identified.

Through a series of activities focused on the role and value of Scotland's geodiversity, including the organisation of a conference and the publication of a special edition of the Scottish Geographical Journal, we helped to establish the Scottish Geodiversity Forum.

We encouraged new audiences to look to geography for inspiration by publishing The Great Horizon, a book of 50 amazing tales of adventure and exploration drawn from our past and recent history.

Young people benefited from the training and practical experience offered by our first Young Geographer project, and from the opportunity to present their work to national and international leaders.

Published: 26th April, 2019

Updated: 31st July, 2019

Author: Susan Watt

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Latest

  • Hutton’s Tercentenary

    Hutton’s Tercentenary

    We mark the tercentenary of the birth of James Hutton, who is described as the "Father of Modern Geology".

  • Simon Reeve RSGS Honorary Fellowship

    Simon Reeve RSGS Honorary Fellowship

    Adventurer and presenter Simon Reeve visited RSGS HQ in Perth last week ahead of his sold-out event at Perth Concert Hall, to be presented with RSGS Honorary Fellowship.

  • May 2026

    May 2026

    RSGS E:Newsletter: David Attenborough 100th; Simon Reeve FRSGS; The Balloonists; A Frozen Night.

  • Mock Cop 30 - Inverness

    Mock Cop 30 - Inverness

    The Model Conference of the Parties is an exclusive and inclusive event encouraging voice and change from the perspective of youths. Mock Cop is a youth initiative which strongly connects to the mirroring of Model UN.

Related

  • Innovative Projects

    Innovative Projects

    We develop exciting projects to inspire public audiences, influence policy-makers, and solve complex problems.

  • Heritage Collections

    Heritage Collections

    We conserve and curate heritage collections of more than 100,000 historical and contemporary maps, and a wide variety of books, artefacts and archives.

  • University Research

    University Research

    We promote geographical research in Scottish universities, offer ‘knowledge exchange’ opportunities, and publish a peer-reviewed academic journal.

  • Schools Education

    Schools Education

    We are a champion for geographical education in Scottish schools, involved in policy discussions, promoting geography in schools, and projects.

  • Governance Documents

    Governance Documents

    The RSGS’s governing constitution, current strategic plan, latest accounts and latest AGM minutes can be downloaded here.

  • Informing Policy

    Informing Policy

    We engage in policy discussions with national government departments, international bodies, local authorities, community organisations, schools, universities, companies, NGOs and others.

  • Our Influence

    Our Influence

    We are at the heart of a community of interest – an RSGS family of individuals and organisations working together, part of an international network of geographical expertise and achievement.

  • The Geographer

    The Geographer

    We publish an attractive and informative quarterly magazine, The Geographer.

  • Public Events

    Public Events

    Inspiring People talks (face-to-face and online), award presentation events, and special events at our HQ in Perth.

  • Our Philosophy

    Our Philosophy

    The Royal Scottish Geographical Society is a dynamic educational charity with far-reaching influence and a mission to inspire and inform.

Most read

  • Join Us

    Join Us

    Join us as a Member to support our charitable work, enjoy 100 inspiring events, receive our geographic magazine, and be part of the RSGS family.

  • Who We Are

    Who We Are

    With the support of more than 2,500 Members, c120 volunteers, and six staff, we are a small, flexible organisation, striving to increase geographical understanding.

  • Volunteer With Us

    Volunteer With Us

    It's easy to volunteer with us, and we have lots of exciting projects to work on, including hosting speakers at our talks, giving RSGS talks to external clubs and guiding visitors at our HQ in Perth.

  • Our Philosophy

    Our Philosophy

    The Royal Scottish Geographical Society is a dynamic educational charity with far-reaching influence and a mission to inspire and inform.

  • RSGS People

    RSGS People

    We are associated with some amazing people - explorers, adventurers, travellers, photographers, writers, humanitarians, scientists, journalists...

  • University Research

    University Research

    We promote geographical research in Scottish universities, offer ‘knowledge exchange’ opportunities, and publish a peer-reviewed academic journal.

  • Schools Education

    Schools Education

    We are a champion for geographical education in Scottish schools, involved in policy discussions, promoting geography in schools, and projects.

  • Nominate for Awards

    Nominate for Awards

    Submit your nominations for new RSGS Medallists and Fellows, recognising outstanding contributions in a wide range of geographical fields.

  • Our Impact

    Our Impact

    We provide informed, intelligent, insightful commentary on world issues from a geographical perspective.

  • Informing Policy

    Informing Policy

    We engage in policy discussions with national government departments, international bodies, local authorities, community organisations, schools, universities, companies, NGOs and others.

Tag cloud

Chief Executive Climate Change Climate Change & Environment Opinion RSGS History & People Travel & Adventure Writer-in-Residence

Sign up for our newsletter

Subscribe

* indicates required

Find us

Registered Office
Lord John Murray House
15-19 North Port
Perth PH1 5LU
Scotland, UK

+44 (0)1738 455 050
[email protected]

Links

  • Sitemap
  • Accessibility
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Follow us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin
  • Youtube

Registered as Charity number SC015599
Copyright © 2023 Royal Scottish Geographical Society

Manage Cookie Preferences