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The University of Southampton
Geography and Environmental Science

Geography at Southampton, Our 100th anniversary

Global in its reach and collaborative in nature, geography at Southampton has over the last 100 years addressed some of world’s major challenges, including climate change, social and health inequalities, poverty and global recession.

From coastal Kenya to eastern China and beyond, our work has benefited some of the world’s poorest communities. By helping people to protect themselves against the impacts of climate change, to develop sustainable livelihoods or to enjoy access to safe, clean water, we are making a difference to millions of lives.

Closer to home, we have contributed to making our railways safer, and we are using population data in new ways to help decision makers plan vital public services as well as to explore the evolution of the UK’s high streets in the context of economic uncertainty. In all this, we have continued to use cutting edge technology and approaches, leading the discipline in its quest to understand the earth’s environments and our relationship with them.

Since 1914 we have taught and trained over four thousand students in geography, journeying with them on trips from the Arctic to the Tropics, from Berlin to Singapore. Our courses have covered all aspects of geography, combining our distinctive blend of theory and application to make our graduates among the most employable in the country. Many alumni will recall our innovative approach to teaching that has characterised Geography at Southampton, exemplified by our field course to Arolla in Switzerland which is now in its 46th year.

From modest beginnings in a wooden shed, to the state-of-the-art laser scanning facilities and palaeoecology laboratories, our facilities for geographical research and teaching are now truly world class. The PLUS (Palaeoecology Laboratory at the University of Southampton) and Environmental Sensing Facilities are internationally recognised. Students and researchers now enjoy the ability to work with high class survey, computing and modelling facilities, that back in 1914 would have been unimagined.

Stay in touch and join in our centenary celebrations including our photographic competition, our Alumni day, and the Centenary Celebration Day taking place Friday 11th July 2014.

 

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