Royal Holloway Department of Geography

This , we are spotlighting a student who conducted their dissertation research right here on campus, working with our Head Gardener, Dan, and the Estates Team to investigate innovative approaches to managing our natural environment. Saskia’s dissertation explored the effectiveness of natural flood management on the Canada Copse stream at Royal Holloway.

The stream has been managed using leaky log dams in its upper section and restored meanders further downstream. These measures are designed to slow water flow, manage sediment and reduce the risk of flooding in nearby areas.

To investigate how well these measures are working, Saskia collected data at different points along the stream, looking at factors such as water depth, flow speed, channel morphology and sediment size. Her research also compared normal conditions with higher flows created through controlled water releases.

Even though we haven’t seen much rain lately, the next big downpour will put these natural flood management measures to the test! With climate change likely to increase the intensity of heavy rainfall events in the UK, understanding how natural flood management works is becoming increasingly important.

Research like Saskia’s demonstrates how our campus can provide a valuable living laboratory for student research. Saskia also received a Geography Excellence Prize for her outstanding performance during her degree at last month’s graduation. A well-deserved recognition of her hard work and achievements! We wish you all the best for the future, Saskia! 🎓🌍

We expect to have vacancies available through Clearing and would love to welcome keen Geographers to our department!

📅 On A-Level Results Day, please check our website for the latest list of available vacancies and information on how to apply. If you have any questions, give us a call on the number provided here, we would love to hear from you and help you explore your options.

In the meantime, take a look at our social media channels to get a feel for departmental life, meet our community and see what it’s like to study with us !

Good luck to everyone receiving their results!🤞🎉

Did you know we offer Placement Years? 🌍

Our Placement Year is available between Years 2 and 3, giving you the opportunity to gain valuable experience alongside your degree. You can spend the year studying abroad, working or carrying out voluntary work. You apply for the standard degree through UCAS, then apply for a Placement Year in the autumn term of Year 2.

Our student Will is wrapping up his industry placement year and has shared why he chose to undertake a placement:

“One of my main motivations was to explore the wide range of career opportunities that a Geography degree can lead to. I wanted to gain real-world experience, develop practical skills and build confidence before graduating. I am looking forward to returning to my studies next month and am particularly excited about the modules Applied UAV Use in Geoscience & Bioscience, Global Conservation Challenges and Volcanoes. I like that no two areas of the degree are quite the same.”

We look forward to hearing more on Will’s placement experience in September!

Recent graduate Gonçalo has shared his , reflecting on his dissertation: “Impacts, Perceptions, and Sustainability of Tourism Development in Ponta do Sol (Madeira): Employment, Space, and Environment.” 🌍

With anti-tourist protests emerging across popular destinations such as Barcelona and Venice, sustainable tourism development is becoming increasingly important for understanding and mitigating tourism’s impacts. Gonçalo’s research explored Ponta do Sol, Madeira, a rising destination where anti-tourist sentiment had yet to be reported despite the island’s post-pandemic tourism boom.

His research drew on interviews with both local residents and visitors, exploring their experiences and perspectives on tourism development and its impacts across three key areas: employment, spatial use and the environment.

“What was at first an intimidating task, interviewing strangers became one of my favourite experiences of my degree. It pushed me out of my comfort zone, strengthened my communication skills, and deepened my understanding of perspectives across different global contexts. I also had the opportunity to apply GIS skills developed throughout my studies, thanks to Dr Varyl Thorndycraft and Dr Gwilym Eades.  A special thank you goes to my dissertation supervisor, Professor Vandana Desai for her attentive guidance throughout my research.

My time at Royal Holloway has been full of fieldwork adventures. From Nerja (Spain) to Nicosia (Cyprus), these experiences remain prominent memories of my academic journey. Our dissertations gave us the freedom to investigate a destination of our choice, near or far.”

Congratulations, Gonçalo, and thank you for sharing your research with us! 🎉

Last week, our technical team enjoyed a fascinating and informative visit to the Grundon Waste Management Centre in Slough.

The visit provided a great opportunity to see where the waste collected from our laboratories and across the wider campus more widely ends up, with a tour of the Energy from Waste facilities.

They learned how non-recyclable waste is safely incinerated at high temperatures, with the heat generated used to produce steam that drives turbines, generating electricity for the National Grid.

The majority of byproducts from this process are also recycled or reused in products such as construction materials and metal works-pretty neat!