Human Geography
NEWSLETTER School of Anthropology and Conservation | Spring 2020
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School of Anthropology and Conservation
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www.kent.ac.uk/sac
NEWS
University of Kent School of Anthropology and Conservation
Welcome Human Geography at Kent draws on the traditional foundations of geography and energises it to address contemporary issues. Our aim is to train geographers who can creatively address the challenges facing our modern world, ‘the Anthropocene’, by providing opportunities for broad expansion of theoretical knowledge while developing practical field skills, research skills and work-related skills. Our programme is a fusion of familiar geographic themes such as social geography, development, environment, cultural geography, politics and economics, with expertise from across the University. Each year you engage with core modules that establish a foundational understanding of geography brought to life through our innovative teaching and hands-on approach, to practical opportunities for learning through fieldwork and use of analytical tools such as Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing imagery. You also have a large suite of modules that you can choose from to tailor your degree to the areas that most interest you, or you can expand into new specialist areas such as environmental politics, business and law. This exciting approach ensures your learning is grounded in traditional human geography but with opportunities to expand your knowledge beyond a conventional geography course.
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Practical learning is an essential foundation of this programme. Our field courses allow you to apply what has been taught to realworld situations, develop field skills, practise your research skills, as well as being excellent ways to build friendships with staff and students. The first year provides numerous opportunities for trips within Kent, and later overseas, for example to a beautiful Greek island where you can immerse yourself in the experiences of people that live, shape and adapt to the environment they live in.
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Developing knowledge and skills for your future employment forms a core principle of this programme. Each module contains opportunities for you to develop and strengthen your competence as a geographer as well as develop skills sought by employers, such as analytical writing, oral presentations and team working. And finally, you will be studying at our Canterbury campus which is not only beautiful, scenic and rich in history, but perfectly positioned for those with an interest in Human Geography. We hope to see you here!
Professor Jim Groombridge Head of School 370 words
Scholarships – £2,000 per year We are delighted to be able to offer scholarships of £2,000 per year to selected students who have applied for September 2019 entry. The scholarships will be awarded to students who have a good academic background and who can show us their passion and commitment to pursuing Human Geography as a route to addressing the world’s problems.
Interested students will need to apply for the scholarship and provide a short written essay. We will award the scholarships to the students who have a clear and demonstrable enthusiasm and drive. Successful students will receive £2,000 each year, for up to three years, as long as they continue to maintain a good academic record. www.kent.ac.uk/scholarships/search/ FN45HGSSAC01 120 words
STUDENT NEWS
University of Kent School of Anthropology and Conservation
Field trips Practical learning in the field is a valuable part of your degree. Our field trips give you the chance to develop skills of geographical observation and interpretation, and to apply research techniques to real-world situations. You get the experience of working as a team, as well as developing friendships with your fellow students and staff. Throughout your programme, you benefit from frequent local field trips due to the excellent location of our campus. Kent is culturally and economically diverse, and a fascinating environment in which to practice geography. Our varied landscapes encompass major urban settlements and areas of significant population growth, as well as extended open countryside and stretches of coastline, many of which are recognised as outstanding in their natural beauty and environmental significance.
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You can encounter and explore this diversity on our field trips, and as you do, it enables you to develop a variety of key
geographical skills, including the creation and use of maps, visual representation and interpretation, designing social and environmental surveys, as well conducting interviews and landscape observations. Local trips may include exploring landscape management in the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, evaluating regeneration strategies in Margate on the Isle of Thanet and interpreting the food and farming systems of east Kent. There is also a possible three-day residential field course in north Kent.
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Our optional third-year residential to a beautiful Greek island is a wonderful opportunity to immerse yourself in a field research situation, during which you can draw on your three years of study. The trip focuses on learning through research, and from the experience of the people who shape and adapt to the environment they live in.
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STAFF FEATURE
University of Kent School of Anthropology and Conservation
Empty backpacks? Geographies of backpacker tourism
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Many developing countries host tens of thousands of backpacker tourists who travel on buses, ferries and other local transport, stay in simple guest houses and dormitories, and eat at small places and food stalls. Despite stereotypes about their low spending, in reality this type of tourism has surprisingly powerful economic impacts in many low income countries, and can help lift local communities out of poverty. Backpacker tourism benefits host communities since around 70% of the money spent stays in the country, compared with only around 30% for conventional mass tourism. Dr Mark Hampton, Reader in Tourism Management, is a development geographer who has studied backpacker tourism for over 20 years, particularly in South-East Asia, and has written a book and many academic journal articles on this subject. Mark has extensive fieldwork experience in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam and Myanmar
(Burma) and has analysed the geographies of backpacker tourism. This research underpins a key module in the Human Geography BSc programme that focuses on the geographies of tourism and development. Mark’s work has mapped and modelled travel circuits, and the backpackers’ economic development impacts: ‘Backpackers are not made welcome by many developing country governments but there is now clear evidence that backpackers generate powerful economic impacts, with lower economic leakage and stronger economic linkages to the local economy than international mass tourism. Backpackers are also more resilient than mass tourists and are often the last to leave the country if there is a disaster and the first to return, bringing in welcome foreign currency and business for locals.” 250-280 words
STUDENT FEATURE
University of Kent School of Anthropology and Conservation
Chloe Rowlands: Global geography Chloe is studying Human Ecology, here she talks about her experience of studying at the University of Kent and the global nature of our community and her academic studies. ‘When you walk through campus, there are so many languages around you, so many different voices and appearances, and everyone just blends in together. It’s a really nice mix; there’s a community feel to this university. With such a diversity of activities, occupations and ideas all across campus, it truly is an inspiring environment.
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‘The staff are researching in places all around the world, which is really great when it comes to student research projects and going on a professional practice (placement) year. No matter what you’re interested in or where in the world you’d like to go, it is very likely that one of the lecturers or alumni has a link there. Some of the people who took a year in professional practice went to Austria, Czech Republic, Uganda, Malta, India and South Africa.
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‘When I was looking for a university I was really struck by the diversity of modules at Kent. Not only is there an amazing range of module themes but also lecturers from different backgrounds. This school alone has lecturers from 12 countries! All the lecturers are so passionate about their subjects and they communicate their knowledge and enthusiasm very well. Staff also integrate their research into their teaching and link modules with contemporary issues, so you’re always aware of the immediacy of subjects.
‘When I finish my degree I’d really like a job where I can communicate my passion for the environment through art. I’d love to work for a charity like Trees for Life; a charity in Scotland working to regenerate native forests, and an environmental education project, possibly involving art, to help children experience nature. I’m really enjoying the educational aspects of my subject so I like the idea of eventually working with a company providing outdoor adventure trips for schoolchildren. I could share my knowledge and create an enthusiasm for nature.’
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If you’re an academic high flyer, a talented musician or outstanding at sports, you may be eligible for a scholarship. See all the scholarships available at www.kent.ac.uk/scholarships
Got questions about your application? Call our friendly admissions team on +44 (0)1227 768896 or contact us via KentVision.
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