Making the Case for Geography in Our Classrooms: Lightning Lessons for Transformative Learning (RGS-IBG Annual International Conference 2025)

This event is part of the RGS-IBG Annual International Conference 2025

Panel:

• Convenor, Discussant, Panel Chair: Kenneth Foote, University of Connecticut, 
• Convenor, Discussant: Alan Marvell, University of Gloucestershire
• Convenor, Discussant: Sonja Rewhorn, The Open University
• Convenor, Discussant: Harry West, UWE, Bristol
• Discussant: Gavin Heath, University of KwaZulu-Natal

Description:

This panel discussion will focus on how geography education can address today’s critical challenges, including climate change and social inequities. We invite participants to share persuasive pedagogical materials, practices, and lessons that demonstrate geography’s value in understanding and responding to local, regional, national, and global issues. We are particularly interested in examples that emphasise geography’s role in supporting progressive, inclusive civic education that prepares students to be active, participatory, and empowered citizens.

This session will showcase geography’s transformative potential in the classroom, equipping students to make empathetic and critical spatial decisions regarding community and global issues. Transformative learning emphasises social and environmental justice, highlights the lived experiences and well-being of underrepresented groups, and transforms classrooms into welcoming, inclusive spaces.

In collaboration with the International Network for Learning and Teaching in Geography in Higher Education (INLT), this panel discussion aligns with similar initiatives from the American Association of Geographers (AAG) and the European Association of Geographers (EUGEO). We aim to share teaching strategies that reflect what Sarah Bednarz describes as “geography’s secret powers to save the world,” explore “why geography matters,” as noted by Harm de Blij and Alec Murphy, and address geography’s “wicked” problems, as discussed by David Simm, Alan Marvell, and Alexia Mellor.

Join us for this engaging debate and share your experiences in the classroom. We welcome discussions on classroom ideas, materials, or strategies that invigorate geography education and inspire others. This workshop-style panel allows contributors to pitch and discuss ideas at any stage of development.