Geography Newsletter – December 2019

GEOGRAPHY 2013

GEOGRAPHY 2019 Issue 8, December 2019

Geography Fieldtrips StARs 2019-20

Our current Student Academic Representatives (StARs) are:

Lake District Field Trip 2019 tics and geomorphological processes… to name a few.

This was followed by a beautiful boat tour on Ullswater from Glenridding to Pooley Bridge, and then on to High Force waterfall and Cockermouth in the evening where we were lucky enough to have a tour of Jennings Brewery and try out the local beer, along with pie, peas and gravy for dinner. Delicious.

Level 6: Joseph Caldwell Lydia Gardiner Jowan Sleep

Level 5: Nolwandle Lebede Islay Rhys-Davies

Level 4: Ashleigh Harwood Robyn Maslen

@BathSpaGeog

Inside this issue: Fieldtrips to the Lake District and Barcelona

1

Student International Travel

4

Geography Research News

5

Dissertation Publication Success

8

Geography Prizewinners

8

New Geography Society

9

Get Involved with Geography

9

In the third year we run specialist residential fieldtrips to Barcelona (Human Geography) and the Lake District (Physical Geography) as part of our Advanced Geographical Fieldwork module. Fieldwork takes place during the autumn term.

At the end of October, myself and nine other students travelled to the Lake District to explore geomorphological mapping, glacier reconstruction, and to evaluate surveying and mapping methods along with different equipment. We stayed at the Field Study Centre near Blencathra, which gave us stunning scenes and the perfect mountain to climb up before sunrise to catch the views.

On the first day we travelled to Glenridding to learn about environmental and human impacts on the Lake District, including; mining, agriculture, settlements, river characteris-

On the second day, we had a project day where we looked at geomorphological mapping and glacier reconstruction of

Pasture Beck. Here, we mapped the spatial extent of the glacier using geomorphological evidence and reconstructing the glacier by plotting ice-surface contours.

This was also a chance to do a reconnaissance walkover of the site for the second project day.

Myself and four others woke

up early to catch the sunrise from Blencathra on the third day of the trip. It was absolutely freezing but the brisk walk up the side of the mountain soon woke us up and got us warm. I can’t recommend doing this enough, you won’t regret it! After a big breakfast, we set off to Pasture Beck again for the second project day where we used equipment such as the Total Stations and GPS to survey the area. It was so good to be able to put the practice we did with the Total Stations at Uni into good use in the Lake District. A chilly day outside called for an evening at the pub!

On the final day we visited Keswick for the afternoon where we were able to walk around the town centre, before the journey home the next day. The Lake District fieldtrip was absolutely amazing and I am so glad I took part in it. We got so much out of our days, and the evening lectures with Dave and Andy were so useful in guiding us for the next days’ project. I didn’t know anyone on this trip very well before going, and with there being only ten students in total I was nervous but the trip is well worth it and I can’t emphasize how good of a week it was.

Before I came to Bath Spa University, I was sure I was

Page 2

GEOGRAPHY 2019

more of a human geographer, but by taking part in trips like this it has opened up a whole new array of geography that I never knew I would enjoy as much as I have.

It was chilly… but so worth it!

By Holly Brimson (Third Year Student) Photo Credits: Holly Brimson

Barcelona Fieldtrip 2019 The Barcelona fieldtrip is designed around student-led fieldwork, where students choose and develop their own projects during workshops which take place prior to the trip. Topics may include urban planning/ regeneration, urban sustainability issues and green space, Catalan politics and identities in the landscape, impacts of tourism, city rebranding, heritage and memorialisation and Olympic legacies. Students lead a 90 minute segment of the fieldtrip for which they develop the academic rationale, logistics and field based activities, which might include observational surveys, stakeholder debates and interpretation of the urban or cultural landscape.

In November 2019, the first field-day was based around familiarisation activities, where students explored the medieval Barri Gotic area of the city and consider the relationships between urban development, architecture and heritage tourism. We also explored part of L’Eixample (‘the Expansion’) area of the city where the gridded street layout contrasts sharply with the medieval street patterns of the Old City. This area features many examples of modernista architecture, which is a Catalan style of architecture, incorporating a wide range of construction materials and styles. Many of these houses were built for the wealthy classes as a result of industrialisation in the nine-

Memorial to Catalonians executed at this site under Franco between 1939-1952, Parc del Forum

Group presentation at Parc Industrial Espanya

teenth century. We also visited Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia (still under construction!) where we explored aspects of religion architecture, and national identity.

On the second day student groups undertook a recce day at their sites, where they are able to make any final adaptations to the plans for their presentation and field activity and discuss these plans with staff. The student- led presentations took place over the third and fourth days of the trip. This year we ran 7 different projects. On day 3, these included urban development, regeneration, com-

munity identities and resistance in the El Raval area of the city, which is a traditional working class area, with a strong immigration history; Catalan Nationalism and identity, where we explored key sites linked with the political power in Barcelona and considered the historical background and contemporary arguments for and against independence; and a comparison of two urban parks where we considered community use of the parks and sustainability issues. On day four, the projects focused on Olympic Legacies at the former Olympic Village site on the waterfront; Civil War and Franco era histories and memoriali-

Page 3

GEOGRAPHY 2019

Group photo El Carmel

sation at Parc del Forum, which was redeveloped for the 2004 Forum of Cultures, but was originally the site of mass shootings under

Franco; mass tourism and community resistance in the Park Guell / Gracia area of the city; and investigating the concept of ‘superblocks’ which includes a focus on environmental sustainability and improved living conditions, involving reduction and restriction of traffic within designated blocks and includes narrowing of roads and redesign of the streetscape for community use. Following the presentations we enjoyed the ‘magical mystery tour’ followed by tapas. On the final day the group visited El Carmel, which was the site of an informal settlement or shanty town until the late 1980s/ early 1990s

where the remnants of these settlements still exist. The site also has amazing views across the city.

The incorporation of the studentled element enables students to develop skills in group-work, presenting in unfamiliar/ changing environments, confidence in public communication, developing activities to engage peers and logistical planning.

Did I forget to mention the amazing hot chocolate and churros and icecreams?

By Dr Heather Winlow, Subject Leader, Geography. Photo credits Heather Winlow

Student Stories ERASMUS, Travel and Education My travel story starts with me having absolutely no idea what to do with my life after A-levels, and having never done anything that had inspired me to follow a particular career path, I decided to step back from studies and go on a year long walkabout of my own. Thinking that travelling and time abroad might help inspire me, I booked a flight to Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam and planned a backpacking tour around South East Asia. The following article summarises what travelling abroad means to me and how it has impacted my life and education so far…

Going away and travelling for a year was in many ways a huge turn in my life with a complete change in lifestyle, people and language, but at the same time has also turned out to be just a stepping stone. I definitely conformed to the stereotypical gap year kid, with no experience and looking to spend time working, travelling in

South East Asia. Alongside other backpackers in similar situations and within the confines of a well-trodden path, I became more comfortable with new experiences, new challenges and new people.

realise is that Bath Spa has great international exchange programs which definitely caught my eye. A friend of mine who had graduated from Bath Spa as I was coming into my first year recommended I apply for the Eras-

second semester as smooth as possible.

My time in the Netherlands was a roller coaster ride. At first it was a bit hard to get to grips with living and studying in a different country, but I soon settled in comfortably as I got used to the new surroundings and people. I took advantage of the opportunities on offer at the orientation/welcome events which got me involved and fully integrated me into Radboud University. There were a number of obstacles I faced in the Netherlands, especially when it came to my studies. With Radboud being an international university, group Nha Trang Beach, Vietnam work for example proved to be By the time I came back and mus exchange program which notably challenging, however being exposed to an internafinally settled for Bath Spa is carried out in the second tional setting and community University, I was still in travel year of studies. As a Global mode and found adjusting Development and Sustainabil- gave me the chance to better my communication skills and back into education/uni life ity student I was offered a also make new friends from quite challenging. Having placement at Radboud Uniabroad! All of my modules inbeen on incredible advenversity in the Netherlands. tures and without doubt The international team were cluded a written exam, which I dreaded to begin with, mainly caught the travel bug, 3 years very helpful and guided me because I have always proof uni seemed quite daunting through the whole process and to be honest quite demaking the transfer to study- duced coursework at Bath Spa. However, I found this to be a pressing. But what I didn’t ing in the Netherlands for

Page 4

GEOGRAPHY 2019

experience in itself, which pushed me out of my comfort zone and pushed me into an environment where I had to learn and develop new skills. The International team were really helpful in arranging an internship for me that complimented my Global Development and Sustainability course, setting me up with The Dariu Foundation, an organisation which aims to empower low-income women and disadvantaged children through microfinancing and education. The work was inspiring and motivated me for my last year at university.

Travelling before and during, and hopefully after university has definitely benefited my life personally as well as academically.

Being exposed to new places, people and cultures has helped me develop a wider world, expanding my perspective and givNijmegen, The Netherlands ing me the chance to learn about and appreciate new experiences and people I really great opportunity to work under a mation about a summer internship in encounter. I have had the chance to relax Vietnam. After my previous travels in different kind of pressure, and found and rejuvenate, build and strengthen relathat I actually work better under written Vietnam, I knew I wanted to live tionships and become comfortable with abroad either in Vietnam or someexam conditions as opposed to only being out of my comfort zone. I definitely where in South East Asia after universicoursework. Overcoming these chalrecommend travelling as a way to personty. So I jumped at the opportunity to lenges has brought me academic confially and academically develop in ways see what living and working in Vietnam dence and energy for future tests. My which cannot be taught in class. would be like. Again the Bath Spa indissertation is also highly influenced by ternational team were super helpful my time in the Netherlands and has Kerry Boonzajer (Third Year Student) which made the transfer easy. provided a strong foundation for my Despite having been to Vietnam beongoing research.

Photo credits: Kerry Boonzajer fore, nothing could have prepared me for living and working in Ho Chi Minh While in the Netherlands, I received an City, Vietnam’s largest and most diemail from my course leader at Bath verse city. It was an altogether unique Spa University which included infor-

Kerry at the Imperial City of Hue, Vietnam

Keukenhof, The Netherlands

Page 5

GEOGRAPHY 2019

Fieldwork in Nepal I went to Nepal in the summer of 2019 to complete research for my dissertation. My dissertation research focussed on the advantages and disadvantages of voluntourism and how it positively and negatively impacted the local villagers in Nepal, specifically within the village of Gaunshahar in Lamjung where I was volunteering. I undertook qualitative research methods such as interviews and participant observation to gather the information I required, from both volunteers and local villagers to gather a wide range of responses. I used a local interpreter to translate the interviews I completed with the local villagers, helping me to complete over my target number of interviews and I now have more than enough information to complete my dissertation.

Whilst completing my research I stayed with a host family, allowing me to be fully immersed within the culture and community, whilst also providing me

with an insight into their lives, helping me to further strengthen my research. I volunteered within the local community and school, helping with activities such as cooking, construction and teaching. I met so many amazing locals and volunteers who helped me with my work and also taught me skills such as rice planting, corn picking and eating curry with my hands!

I received a grant from the International Travel Fund at Bath Spa University which allowed me to travel abroad for my research, without which I would not have had this amazing opportunity.

This experience was invaluable and provided me skills and knowledge that I would not have been able to get anywhere else.

Emily Oldfield (Third Year Student)

Photo credit: Emily Oldfield

Memorandum of Understanding with GB Pant Institute, India ed in the Indian Press. BSU Geography were at the centre of these negotiations.

This relationship enables both institutions to promote exchanges of information for joint research and teaching activities, student study abroad programmes, staff exchange, and joint research and entrepreneurial activity. This

Shah Times, 21st June 2019

BSU and ‘GB Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment and Sustainable Development’ (an autonomous institute of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government India), signed an MOU in June 2019, as report-

extends our existing collaborations in the Indian Himalaya, were GBPNIHESD and BSU Geography have worked together closely since 2014, spanning our mutual teaching and research activities.

Dr Richard Johnson (Reader in Physical Geography)

Page 6

GEOGRAPHY 2019

University of Delhi Exchange Visit Dr Richard Johnson (Reader in Physical Geography) and Dr methods, discussion of future exchange opportunities and Esther Edwards (Research Fellow- Geography) were invited celebration of Diwali. guests at two of the University of Delhi’s undergraduate colDr Richard Johnson (Reader in Physical Geography) leges in October 2019; Shaheed Bhagat Singh College and Kirori Mal College. Both visits provided the opportunity for staff and student interactions, including lecturers on research

Page 7

GEOGRAPHY 2019

“The Last Hurrah”: Geographers and Actors working together to explore climate change

Photo by Jack Offord

For three nights in October 2019, the University Theatre hosted performances

of The Last Hurrah (and the Long Haul), a play devised by BSU Acting students and their lecturer Rew Lowe, in collaboration with three (now graduated) Geography students, Siôbhan Corbin, Victoria Harris and Georgia Martin, and their lecturer, Matt Law. The play tells the story of how climate change impacts the lives of a

close-knit community who rely on the sea and the seasonal movement of animals for their way of life, and also the story of the actors who want to tell you this story, but can’t because climate is changing the story. The shows attracted a diverse crowd of students, staff and the general public, and played to a packed theatre each night. The show will be staged at the Cornerstone Theatre in Didcot in February 2020, and will taken on tour from the summer.

Dr Matt Law, Senior Lecturer in Environmental Change & Sustainability

Recent Research Publications by Geography Staff Jeffers, J.M. (2020) 'Barriers to transformation towards participatory adaptation decision-making: Lessons from the Cork flood defences dispute' Land Use Policy, 90 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2019.104333 (published online 2019) Johnson, R.M., Edwards, E., Gardner, J., and Mohan, B. (2019) Village heritage and resilience in damaging floods and debris flows, Kullu Valley, Indian Himalaya. In Convery, I., Corsane G., and Davis, P. (Eds.) Displaced Heritage: Responses to Disaster, Trauma and Loss. Boydell & Brewer, Woodbridge. Paper back Republished in paperback- November 2019.

Kuniyal, J.C, Edwards, E and Johnson, R.M. (2019) 'Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) in the Kullu District, Himachal Pradesh: developing pathways to enhanced resilience in mountain regions.' Current Science, 117 (4). pp. 557-559. ISSN 0011-3891 Law, M. (2019) Beyond extractive practice: bioarchaeology, geoarchaeology and human palaeoecology for the people. Internet Archaeology, 51.https://doi.org/10.11141/ia.53.6

Law, M., and Madgwick, R., (2019) Hand-collected shell. In Greenslade, S., ed., Butrint 6: Excavations on the Vrina Plain. Volume 2: The Finds. Oxford: Oxbow. pp. 237-244.

Lewis, J, Rosen, C, Booth, R, Davies, P, Allen, M and Law, M (2019) 'Making a significant place: excavations at the Late Mesolithic site of Langley’s Lane, Midsomer Norton, Bath and North-East Somerset.' Archaeological Journal, 176 (1). ISSN 0066-5983 Thomas, R, Law, M., Browning, E, Hill, A and Small, R (2019) 'The changing exploitation of oysters (Ostrea edulis L. 1758) in late medieval and early modern England: a case study from Dudley Castle, West Midlands.' Environmental Archaeology. ISSN 1749-6314 Visser, F., Woodget, A., Skellern, A., Forsey, J, Warburton, J and Johnson, R.M. (2019) 'An evaluation of a low-cost pole aerial photography (PAP) and structure from motion (SfM) approach for topographic surveying of small rivers.' International Journal of Remote Sensing, 40 (24). pp. 9321-9351. ISSN 0143-1161 Winlow, H., 2020. Darwinism and Social Darwinism. In: Kobayashi, A. (Ed.), International Encyclopedia of Human Geogra-

phy, 2nd edition. vol. 3, Elsevier, pp. 149–158. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08-102295-5.10249-5 Winlow, H., 2020. Lamarckianism. In: Kobayashi, A. (Ed.), International Encyclopedia of Human Geography, 2nd edition. vol.

8, Elsevier, pp. 77–86. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08-102295-5.10665-1 Winlow, H., 2020. Mapping, Race and Ethnicity. In: Kobayashi, A. (Ed.), International Encyclopedia of Human Geography, 2nd edition. vol. 8, Elsevier, pp. 309–321. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08-102295-5.10571-2

Page 9

GEOGRAPHY 2019

Dissertation publication success

Plastic packaging irresponsibly disposed of outside of a small supermarket convenience store. Photo by Megan Bendall. Reprinted from Geoverse (CC-BY-NC)

Recent BSc (Hons) Global Development & Sustainability graduate Megan Bendall’s dissertation research has been published as an article in the journal Geoverse. The paper, called Plastic Packaging: What are we doing to our planet?,

looks at single use plastics in the food retail industry, and through interviews and analysis identifies areas where single -use plastics have been reduced, and where more work is needed.

The reference for the paper is Bendall, M. (2019) Plastic Packaging: What are we doing to our planet? Geoverse, https://www.brookes.ac.uk/geoverse/ original-papers/plastic-packaging--whatare-we-doing-to-our-planet-/

Geography Prizes 2018-19 Congratulations to our student prizewinners this year!

***** The Best New Geographer Prize Isabella Mann The Most Promising Geographer Prize Francesca Lipscomb The Excellence in Global Development and Sustainability Prize Shauna Vandermeulen The Geography Project of the Year Prize Megan Rundell-Evans The Henry Burke Prize for Geography Community Louis Hatchett and Jessica Seviour *****

Page 9

GEOGRAPHY 2019

New Geography Society Launched opment and Sustainability students whilst enjoying events and activities promoting the many sides of the subject. We hosted our first taster social in Newton Park SU bar a few weeks ago. We started to get to know each other over drinks and live music, planning ideas for what our new members want to get out of the society.

be starting the new year off with a hearty 12km circular walk around Wells and the southern flank of the Mendip Hills. We also have arranged for a speciality lecture in late January surrounding the effects of anthropogenic climate change in Iceland. We hope the range of activities we organise will appeal to geographers of different interests as well as widen On the 10th December, the Geography their curiosity even further.

Society hosted a festive mixer for Geography and GDS students. It was a huge success - everyone enjoyed a Rhiannon Lloyd (President of the GeogThe Geography Society is brand new private venue, fantastic quiz and even raphy Society) for 2019/20 open to students on any free food! We are really proud of this course and any year. We, as students, event as it was the first time all three decided to set up the society to inacademic years have mixed and socialcrease the sense of community ised together. In the future we have amongst Geography and Global Develsome exciting things planned. We will

Get Involved With Geography At BSU There are plenty of ways to get involved of, and enthusiasm for geography at with geography activities at BSU, beyond BSU, and add value to your CV at the attending timetabled sessions. Here are same time. some examples: Become a StAR: represent your peers and help to improve your course and university. You will receive training from the Students’ Union and you will be required to act as a liaison between students on your course and the geography lecturers. Your role involves gathering feedback, attending meetings each term and discussing new ideas. Find out more by visiting the Students’ Union website and stand for election as a Student Academic Representative in the autumn term.

Attend public lectures and seminars: learn more about current research and contemporary issues by attending lecBe an Ambassador: work as a BSU geogtures and seminars beyond your modraphy ambassador during recruitment ules. These are organized by subjects events. Get paid to improve your comacross the university, are held regularly, munication skills, impart your knowledge

and are advertised on the BSU website.

Be an RGS Ambassador: train as an ambassador for the Royal Geographical Society, and promote the benefits of studying geography to school pupils. Training is held every year at BSU and you will have an opportunity to design and deliver a session to a school group. The experience will help you to gain valuable transferable skills.

Join the GeogSoc: become a member of the student-run Geography Society and get involved with geography-related activities. These can include participating in, or even organising, social events, walks and other field excursions, and fundraising activities.

Watch out for emails and notices about these and other events and opportunities throughout the academic year.