Geography students learn about Upton, a sustainable urban development

Third year Geography students have been learning about sustainable urban development, with a focus on Upton, Northampton.

Dr Chris Holt outlines the history of the Upton Meadows development

Staff from Geography and Environmental Sciences have been monitoring the site since the initial stages of development. This means that students benefit directly from research carried out by their lecturers.

Dr Chris Holt explains how staff research has been used to inform local residents about sustainability at Upton

This week the students had a tour of the site, learning more about sustainable urban drainage systems, and about the experiences of young people living in Upton.

 

Learning about the sustainable urban drainage system (SUDS) at Upton

Students undertake lots of local fieldwork at Northampton, developing a range of subject-specific and transferable skills

First year geographers explore disabled access in Northampton town centre

First year Geography students have recently been putting their fieldwork skills to the test by auditing disabled access in Northampton town centre.

Thinking about possible barriers to access

The exercise is part of a series of classes on 'geographies of disabilities', which aims to help students to think critically about the ways in which people encounter everyday spaces.

Learning how to measure slope angles.

The students reviewed various spaces in the town centre, comparing a range of measurements (e.g. slope angle, width of paths) and observations (e.g. colour contrast) with published guidance on accessibility.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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.

Second year Geographers visit Sheffield

In early November our second year Geography, Human Geography, and Joint Honours students visited Sheffield for two days to complete fieldwork on Urban Geography. The trip was organised by Dr Catherine Waite.

Geography students - and Prof John Horton - enjoying the sunshine in Sheffield!

Through classroom-based sessions the students had learnt lots about urban geography theory and looked examples and case studies from countries including, France, India and the USA. The overnight trip to Sheffield was an opportunity to see some of the changes that are taking place in cities in the UK. 

Sheffield is a great example of a city with accessible public transport, a wide range of types of public space, as well as being a city that has undergone redevelopment and regeneration since the end of World War II.

The Peace Gardens

On the first day in the field the students had the chance to complete guided activities that helped them explore the city centre. On the second day, the students worked in groups to complete a mini research project that allowed them to focus on the issue that they were most interested in learning more about.

Park Hill Flats

Second year Geography students go on the trip of a lifetime

Our second year Geography students recently had the opportunity to travel to SW USA.
 

Students at Grand Canyon National Park

They spent two weeks visiting a range of fascinating natural and built environments, learning more about landscape development, resource management and tourism.

Bryce Canyon National Park

Arches National Park

Lake Powell

Highlights of the trip included the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas.

In fabulous Las Vegas!

You can read more about the trip here.

The trip is available to students on any of our Geography programmes:
BSc (Hons) Geography
BSc (Hons) Geography (human geography)
BSc (Hons) Geography (physical geography)
BA/BSc Joint Honours Human Geography
BSc (Hons) Geography (4 years with Foundation study)

Geography and Environmental Science fieldtrip to Devon

Our Geography and Environmental Sciences students spent a week in Devon doing a variety of field-based activities.

Prof Ian Foster explains the tasks for the day

The base for the week was the Slapton Ley Field Centre.

Students explored a range of topics, such as water quality and landscape development.

Our intrepid students!

The trip provided an opportunity for students to develop their field skills.

Assessing water quality at Dartmoor National Park

A visit to Dartmoor enabled consideration of human modification of landscapes over time.

A lovely sunny day at Dartmoor National Park

Prof Ian Foster explains about the landscape

Lots of different environments were explored during the field week

There was also an opportunity to spend time on the beach - looking for plastics, rather than just soaking up the sun!

Looking for plastic on the beach

Geography students learn about sustainable housing development

Wrapped up warm!

Final year Geography students recently visited Upton, Northampton, to learn about sustainable housing.

Dr Chris Holt explains about the sustainable urban drainage system

Geography and Environmental Science staff have been researching this site for several years. This trip gave students insights into the sorts of work staff do when not teaching!

Thinking about access to facilities

Third year Geography students visit London

Third year Geography students visited London last week as part of their 'Children's Geographies' module.

At the V&A Museum of Childhood

Our first stop was the V&A Museum of Childhood. We looked at how clothing and toys have changed over time.  There were plenty of toys to play with (Henry was a little too big for the rocking horse!), and it was interesting to see how toys from our own childhoods brought back memories and emotions.

After a lunch break in Trafalgar Square, we visited the National Portrait Gallery

After a lunch break we went to the National Portrait Gallery.  We explored how children were represented in portraits, and how this had changed over time.  You can take a look at these portraits here.

Geography students visit SW USA

Second year Geography students have just returned from trip of a lifetime! They spent two weeks in Nevada, Arizona and Utah as part of the USA Field Module.

The students learned about tourism, geology and landscape development, and resource management.

Learning about tourism and Route 66 in Arizona

Visiting Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument

They visited a number of National Parks during the trip, including the Grand Canyon.

Smiling despite the rain!

The traditional Grand Canyon group photo

Admiring Delicate Arch (Arches National Park)

The glorious Bryce Canyon National Park

The group travelled through iconic landscapes, such as Monument Valley.

At Monument Valley

There was also an opportunity to learn about adventure tourism through rafting on the Colorado River in Moab, Utah.

Rafting the Colorado River

Towards the end of the trip the group spent some time in Las Vegas, learning about the unique tourist experience offered by the city.

The group's Twitter account of their trip can be viewed here (no login necessary).