Welcome

This blog is written by the Environmental and Geographical Sciences team at the University of Northampton. This will keep you up to date with both student and staff activities.

The Environmental and Geographical Sciences team includes staff with interests in biological sciences, conservation, ecology, environmental sciences, environmental statistics, geography and waste management. We offer a range of degree programmes and have a number of postgraduate research students. For more information about studying with us please visit http://www.northampton.ac.uk/.

Thursday 28 November 2019

Second year students explore urban geography in Sheffield

Our second year Geography students recently visited Sheffield for a two-day fieldtrip.

A range of geographies explored in Sheffield (credit: Laura Crawford)
The students explored urban green spaces and civic spaces, such as Devonshire Green and the Winter Garden. They also carried out research projects to examine spaces of consumption and urban regeneration.

The fieldtrip was attended by students doing BSc Geography, BSc Geography (human geography) and Joint Honours Human Geography.

Friday 15 November 2019

Third year students explore Barcelona

Third year Geography and Environmental Science students have had the chance to explore Barcelona this week, as part of a module about climate change.
Students in sunny Barcelona
The students explored a range of issues, including sustainable transport.
Putting sustainable transport modes to the test

Thursday 31 October 2019

Mark returns to class

We love welcoming our alumni back to campus! Each year we invite our recent graduates to return to class to talk with current students about career options. There are so many opportunities for Geography and Environmental Science graduates, and who better to learn from than our own alumni?

Mark Brown (Geography graduate, 2019) recently visited Northampton to tell us about his experiences training to be a secondary school teacher.
Mark Brown with current students

He explained what his training involves, the highs and lows of his time in school, and what he loves about his job. Mark also shared his insights about the recruitment process, and gave tips on work experience.

Friday 25 October 2019

First year Geography students create tourist trails

First year Geography students have recently visited central London to create some tourist trails.


Students worked in groups, each of which was given a particular theme for their trail. They had to choose locations to visit, find out information about these, and write directions for the trail.

Wednesday 23 October 2019

Third year Geography students visit museums

Third year Geography students recently visited the Museum of Childhood and the National Portrait Gallery as part of their studies.
Outside the Museum of Childhood

Playing with the toys at the Museum of Childhood

The students were exploring how ideas of childhood have varied over time.
Outside the National Portrait Gallery

Monday 29 July 2019

Prize awarded for best Geography dissertation

Every year a prize is awarded for the best Geography dissertation.  The prize is awarded in memory of Dr Ken Sherwood, who was a key member of the department for many years.
Nina Garner being presented with the prize by Mrs Sue Sherwood, and Mr John Sinclair (Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Science & Technology)

This year the prize was awarded to Nina Garner, for her work entitled 'Investigating the role of upper air circulation in determining weather variables for the British Isles'.
Nina Garner and Mrs Sue Sherwood

Thursday 25 July 2019

Graduation 2019

On 24th July we celebrated the graduation of our Geography and Environmental Science students.

Some of our Geography graduates
The traditional graduation photo!
It was great to be able to celebrate students' achievements with their family and friends.




Friday 12 July 2019

Second year Geographers visit SW USA

In May 2019 a group of second year Geography students visited SW USA.
At Lake Mead

The trip included visits to the Grand Canyon, Moenave Dinosaur Tracks, and Las Vegas.
At Grand Canyon National Park

Students had the opportunity to walk a trail down into the Canyon
Capturing the sunrise at Grand Canyon National Park
The trip, which lasted two weeks, provided opportunities for the students to learn about landscape development, tourism and resource management.
At Moenave Dinosaur Tracks

Exploring the tourist experience in Las Vegas

Friday 10 May 2019

Second year residential fieldtrip

Some of our Geography and Environmental Science students are just back from a week of fieldwork in Devon.

The students were based at Slapton Ley Field Studies Centre, and travelled to a number of sites in the area, including Dartmoor National Park.


The fieldtrip introduced students to a number of research skills that they will draw upon later in their degree.


Monday 4 March 2019

Learning about homelessness in Northampton

Second year Geography students have been learning about homelessness as part of their Issues in Human Geography module.
Second year Geography students, Market Square, Northampton

Prof John Horton took the students on a walking tour of Northampton town centre to help the students reflect on spaces of homelessness.
Learning about spaces of homelessness
The students have also been learning about the topic through exploring academic research and hearing the stories of volunteers working with homeless people.

Monday 25 February 2019

Geography students research sustainable urban communities

Third year Geography students recently visited Upton, Northampton, to learn more about sustainable urban communities and sustainable urban drainage systems.

Third Year Geography students brave the February weather!

The fieldtrip took place as part of the Geographers at Work modules, which encourages students to reflect on how their learning in the classroom is applicable to real world jobs.

The fieldtrip was led by Dr Chris Holt, who has been researching the development at Upton for several years.

Wednesday 20 February 2019

Graduates return to campus

Ten of our geography, environmental sciences and biology graduates recently returned to campus to talk to current students about graduate careers.
Our lovely graduates!

The session was held as part of a series of careers-related events.
It was great to see the progress made by our recent graduates in their chosen careers.

The graduates spoke with groups of first, second and third year students about their job, career opportunities in their sector, and recruitment processes.
The session provided lots of opportunities for current students to ask questions.

A wide range of job roles and industries were represented, including the Met Office, Environment Agency, BIFFA, Chartered Institute of Waste Management, RPS Group, Olive Communications, Project Centre, local government and GIS.