Presidential Address¹ and record of the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) AGM 2022

Abstract

Dear Fellows, Members, guests, friends and RGS-IBG colleagues. It is terrific to be able to return to a more normal rhythm of RGS-IBG life and greet you in goodly numbers, face to face for this year's AGM -and welcome too, to those joining us online.This afternoon, I would like to cover three areas: some 'thank yous'; thoughts on the value of geography today; and some of my personal ambitions for the Society during my time as President.At the Medals and Awards ceremony later today, we will recognise the contributions from exceptional individuals, but here I have the opportunity to register my thanks to those that have made my first year as President so enjoyable and constructive.This thanks certainly falls due to your Council of Trustees who support the work of the RGS-IBG -and I have much appreciated the thoughtful, active and far-sighted way they look to progress the work of the Society. This extends to the multiple sub-committees and advisory groups that are well stocked with expert advisers who give very generously of their time to ensure we make the right decisions in the right way. I would like to make special mention of those that help us as reviewers, assessors, or members of regional committees and research groups who worked so hard to support the RGS-IBG and the geographical communities in the last uncertain year.The team at the RGS-IBG, led by Joe, are driving our strategy forward as Joe referenced in his section of the day. My thanks to Joe, Alasdair, Andrew, Caitlin, Catherine and Steve for leading our work here and across the UK and even further afield. Having just returned from the Everest exhibition at the Bowers Museum, California, I could see the reach of that work.And thank you to the wider RGS-IBG team that keep the character and activity in the Society so professional and yet humane. As usual we have received many plaudits from lecturers and visitors for the support they get when visiting -it's a great moment when you get a Disney film maker tweeting that this is 'easily the best auditorium on the planet'!