UCL Department of Geography

28/05/2026

How do global infrastructure projects reshape everyday life?

We're pleased to welcome Professor Timothy Oakes (University of Colorado Boulder) for a seminar exploring infrastructure, precarity and urban transformation in Southeast Asia.

Focusing on Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor, the talk examines how development zones and investment corridors create “new hinterlands”, spaces between rural and urban life where communities navigate uncertainty, mobility and changing livelihoods.

This event will be of interest to anyone working on urban studies, development, migration, political geography and Southeast Asian studies.

Find out more: tinyurl.com/ucl-newhint

📅 Wednesday 17 June 2026
🕓 4–6pm
📍 G01 Central House, 14 Upper Woburn Place, London WC1H 0NN

Free and open to all. No booking required.

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27/05/2026

How does social class shape experiences in higher education?

Geographers Against Classism are hosting a panel discussion exploring how social class is experienced, understood, and addressed within academia.

The event will bring together students and academics from UCL and King's College London to reflect on barriers to educational pathways, cultural and social capital, and the role class plays in shaping academic experiences and curricula.

The discussion will be followed by an audience Q&A and informal refreshments.

📍 Lecture Room LG04, 26 Bedford Way, UCL
📅 Tuesday 9 June, 3–5pm
🎟️ Free and open to all

Find out more: tinyurl.com/ucl-gac

UCL Social & Historical Sciences UCL Geographical Society

22/05/2026

World Biodiversity Day is a reminder that biodiversity isn’t separate from cities, campuses, or everyday life, it’s part of how healthier environments are created and sustained. 🌿

We’re pleased to see UCL commit to becoming a Nature Positive University, building on work across research, teaching and campus spaces to better understand and support biodiversity. From mapping habitats to tackling environmental impacts, this is a conversation geographers are deeply engaged in.

Find out more via UCL and Sustainable UCL: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2026/may/ucl-commits-becoming-nature-positive-university

It’s World Biodiversity Day (22 May) and UCL has committed to becoming a Nature Positive University🌳

This means putting nature at the heart of how we operate, teach and research.

We’re taking action by:

• Mapping biodiversity across our campuses
• Understanding our wider environmental impact, including supply chains
• Setting targets to improve biodiversity outcomes
• Creating a biodiversity working group to lead the work

Across UCL, this builds on the Wild UCL campaign – from greener spaces on campus to projects that support habitats and wildlife.

Our researchers are also leading the way globally, developing new ways to measure biodiversity and exploring how universities can reduce their impact on nature.

Want to get involved?
We’re inviting staff and students to express interest in joining a biodiversity working group and help shape what comes next.

Find out more: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/sustainable/news/2026/may/ucl-commits-becoming-nature-positive-university

Sustainable UCL

22/05/2026

Congratulations to the Class of 2026. 🎓

From late-night deadlines to graduation day in UCL's bicentenary year, you’ve been part of a chapter that will stay in the university’s history long after the photos are taken.

Here’s to everything you built, discovered, questioned and survived along the way 💜



📸: Nikolaos Volkov

21/05/2026

Hat's off to this year's graduates🎓

We’re celebrating every single one of you who is crossing the stage at the Royal Festival Hall this week. Congratulations on reaching such an incredible milestone. We’re so proud of you. 💜

19/05/2026

Satellite launches are transforming how we communicate and navigate the world, but what impact are they having on Earth’s atmosphere? 🛰️🌍

In a new interview with NPR All Things Considered, Professor Eloise Marais discusses emerging research into pollution from rockets and satellite burn-up in the upper atmosphere.

Her research explores how soot particles released high above Earth could unintentionally cool parts of the atmosphere, raising complex questions about geoengineering, climate ethics, and the rapid growth of the global space industry.

As satellite “mega constellations” continue expanding, the interview highlights why international cooperation and sustainable regulation of space activity are becoming increasingly important.

🎧 Listen to the interview: tinyurl.com/geoengin

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18/05/2026

The move away from fossil fuels could create unexpected shortages of critical materials like sulfur and helium.

A new Chemistry World feature includes insights from Professor Mark Maslin on the future of sulfur and helium supplies in a decarbonising world.

Sulfur is essential for fertilisers, batteries and industrial processes, while helium plays a critical role in MRI scanners, semiconductors and scientific research. But both are currently linked to fossil fuel extraction.

The article explores how geopolitical conflict, supply chain disruption and the transition to net zero are raising urgent questions about recycling, resource security and the circular economy.

Professor Maslin’s research highlights the need to reduce demand, improve recycling systems, and rethink how key materials are sourced in the future.

What do you think are the biggest hidden challenges in the transition to net zero? Share your thoughts below.

Find out more: tinyurl.com/ucl-sulfur

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18/05/2026

New UCL Geography research reveals a hidden barrier to solar energy generation.

A new study published in Nature Sustainability and co-authored by UCL Geography researcher Dr Feng Yin has found that aerosols from coal plants reduced global solar PV generation by 5.8% in 2023.

Using a global, facility-level dataset, the research shows how pollution from coal plants can suppress solar energy production by blocking sunlight from reaching photovoltaic panels.

The study also found that annual pollution-related losses from existing solar systems were, on average, equivalent to one-third of the energy added by new solar installations between 2017 and 2023.

The findings highlight the close relationship between air quality, fossil fuel emissions, and the future performance of renewable energy systems.

📘 Read the paper: tinyurl.com/ucl-coal

Take part: What should policymakers prioritise to ensure solar energy can reach its full potential?

UCL Social & Historical Sciences UCL Geographical Society

15/05/2026

Today at UCL Geography.

This evening we host the 9th Annual UCL Lecture on Climate and Human History, featuring Professor David Reich.

The lecture will explore how ancient DNA is transforming our understanding of human evolution and adaptation over the last 10,000 years.

We look forward to an engaging discussion on the deep connections between climate, environment, and human history.

📍 Gustave Tuck Lecture Theatre
🕠 5:30 PM - 8:45 PM

We look forward to seeing attendees this evening: tinyurl.com/ucl-reich

UCL Social & Historical Sciences UCL Geographical Society

13/05/2026

Exciting opportunity to join UCL Geography from September 2026.

We are pleased to share a new vacancy within the UCL Department of Geography: Associate Lecturer (Teaching) in Social Data Science and Cartography

The role will support teaching across the Department, with a particular focus on spatial data, GIS, cartography, and social data science. The successful candidate will contribute to both undergraduate and postgraduate teaching, including tutorial support across our first-year curriculum.

UCL Geography is one of the world’s leading geography departments, with a strong tradition of interdisciplinary teaching and research that connects global challenges with local and real-world impact.

We encourage you to share this opportunity with your networks.

👉 Full details available via UCL Jobs: tinyurl.com/ucl-carto

Share this post with anyone who may be interested.

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