Tell us about Geographical Society...
The UCL Geographical Society is your passport to an extraordinary journey through the world of geography – we welcome students who are studying geography, or anyone simply interested in better understanding our world and our society. Whether you’re into climate change, urban development, volcanoes or just eager to explore the world, our society is an inclusive place for you to connect with others. During term time we host talks by experts, lively debates, thrilling field trips, chill socials, networking session and even cultural events to really welcome everyone.
When I was a first year, GeogSoc’s freshers’ events were where I made some incredible friendships and lasting memories. The welcoming atmosphere and vibrant community made the transition to university life so much smoother.
Now, I feel it's my turn to contribute and give back to the society that has enriched me.
I’m motivated to continue the legacy of this society and work towards bringing all year groups and people from different courses together to share our passion for geography and expand further to non-geography students.
What are your biggest goals?
My goal as president is to encourage more members to get involved, share their ideas, and contribute to the growth of the society. I’d like to build on community building within the society – cultural exchange, active sports, interests, or just getting to know more people; educational enrichment, especially providing to those who are interested in geography from other disciplines. We’re doing this by arranging enlightening talks, workshops, and academic opportunities that inspire learning and curiosity; and lastly, sustainability – this is a core focus this year (our ethos), to become more sustainable, both environmentally and organisationally. Seeing people who are not geography students but interested in geographical concepts, news and updates is super exciting. When you have individuals with varied academic backgrounds coming all together in our society, you get a wide range of ideas and it’s super insightful.
Do you see yourself as a leader when it comes to climate change?
Maybe yes, albeit in my own capacity. As President of GeogSoc, I’d say it is my responsibility to lead by example, inspire others, and contribute to positive change. I am lucky to have a committee with similar people, and we are definitely climate and sustainability conscious when making decisions for all of our events.
Why is it so important that you inspire other students to be interested in climate action?
Climate change is definitely one of the most pressing global challenges now. By inspiring students to get involved, we contribute to the collective effort needed to address this critical issue. Even just the awareness would be deeply appreciated. We're also investing in a sustainable future!
Who do you look up to in this world of work?
The professors in our department: for their leadership in the world of climate action. Many of our professors actively practice what they preach. They incorporate sustainability into their daily lives, as well as their choice of transportation modes even for our field trips. It also feels unreal for me to hear first-hand about their involvement in COP meetings and other international climate conferences.
What area of climate change are you most passionate about?
Climate resilience (more on the action bit) – how individuals, communities, and ecosystems anticipate, prepare for, and adapt to the impacts of climate change.
What is Geographical Society doing in the fight for climate change?
Through initiatives: sustainable product procurement –the sourcing of sustainable products for our society. This includes selecting eco-friendly and ethically sourced materials for our merchandise, by supporting Earth Aware brands.
Through events: we use environmentally conscious decorations that are sustainable and made from recycled materials and we minimise the environmental impact of our events. We collaborate with places that supply biodegradable eco straws and limit the use of single-use cups for drinks. We also have an upcoming debate in collaboration with ESG, Environment Law, Energy Socs: about energy. We will also potentially be hosting a panel and guest speaker event with professors who will be attending COP28 once they’ve returned; along with a workshop in our series - ‘Common Ground’ on climate action later in the year; plus Earth Day special events in April.
And last but not least, through campaigns. We provide a platform for climate protesting and activism – we've given our society members the opportunity and resources in climate marches and protesting to amplify their voices. Those also come with educational packs and resources that were circulated.