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Sources of Geography Education Research
The sources of geography education research identified on this page are useful places to start if you are looking to engage with research broadly.
Geography Teacher Educators’ (GTE) Conference
Description: The Geography Teacher Educators’ (GTE) Conference gathers geography tutors from ITE courses all over the UK and further afield together, to exchange ideas, discuss each other’s research and debate current issues within geography education.
Mode of presentation: Presentations
Year of publication: 2006-present
Peer reviewed: No
Publisher: Geographical Association
Scope: International but UK focus
GA Annual Conference ‘Reporting Research‘
Description: There are several reporting research sessions each year at the GA’s Annual Conference and Exhibition. These sessions are used by research-active experts and teachers to report their recent and ongoing research into geography education.
Mode of presentation: Presentations
Year of publication: 2015-present
Peer reviewed: No
Publisher: Geographical Association
Scope: International but UK focus
Description: GeogEd was the GA’s online journal for geography ITE tutors. It published original draft articles reporting research in the field of geographical education, of interest to those involved in teacher education, to teachers of geography and to students on ITE and Higher Degree courses.
Mode of presentation: Draft journal articles
Year of publication: 2007-2012
Peer reviewed: No
Publisher: Geographical Association
Scope: UK focus
Description: The Register of Research in Primary Geography (RRPG) contains a database of action and investigative research. It was designed for collaborative use by primary teachers, teacher trainers and others.
Mode of presentation: Occasional papers
Year of publication: 2000-2004
Peer reviewed: No
Publisher: Geographical Association
Scope: International UK focus
ITE Think Pieces
Description: The GA’s ‘Think Pieces’ are intended to inform and to encourage reflection on a range of themes and issues, and provide practical support for tutors planning ITE sessions.
Mode of presentation: Occasional papers
Year of publication: 2008-2009
Peer reviewed: No
Publisher: Geographical Association
Scope: UK focus
Geography Education Research Collective
Description: A collective dedicated to the promotion of geography education through research and publication. GEReCo is a group of teacher educators who joined together with the shared purpose of creating and disseminating research in geography education
Mode of presentation: Various
Year of publication: 2010-present (from 2019 with IGU-CGE)
Peer reviewed: No
Publisher: GEReCo
Scope: UK focus
Description: The UK committee of the International Geographical Union Commission on Geographical Education (IGU-CGE) holds an annual forum for researchers active in geographical education.
Mode of presentation: Presentations
Year of publication: 2019-present
Peer reviewed: No
Publisher: IGU-CGE
Scope: UK focus
Review of International Geographical Education Online (RIGEO)
Description: RIGEO aims to bridge the gap between theory and practice in geography education. It is open for rigorous research papers as well as for teachers’ experience about good practise in geography education at all levels.
Mode of presentation: Journal articles
Year of publication: 2011-present
Peer reviewed: Yes
Publisher: Eskişehir Osmangazi University, Türkiye
Scope: International focus
Description: Geographical Education encourages school, university teachers and all others interested in geography to share their ideas and experiences in order to promote sound practice, innovative strategies, modern developments and reflection in geographical education.
Mode of presentation: Journal articles
Year of publication: 2013-present
Peer reviewed: Yes
Publisher: Australia Geography Teachers Association
Scope: Australia focus
Description: The Field Studies Journal aims to increase our knowledge and deepen our understanding of the areas around FSC Centres. Articles may cover biological, geographical, geological, and pedagogical themes as well as descriptive natural history.
Mode of presentation: Journal articles
Year of publication: 1959-2003 and 2015-present
Peer reviewed: Yes
Publisher: Field Studies Council
Scope: UK focus
Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) Geography and Education research group
Description: The research group provides a forum for the discussion of issues concerning geography and education. They promote and support teaching and learning in geography within (but not limited to) higher education.
Mode of presentation: Meetings and conference papers
Year of publication: 2019 – present
Peer reviewed: No
Publisher: Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) the Institute of British Geographers
Scope: International focus
Description: The GA’s international journal for academics and specialist teachers of the subject in schools and colleges, as well as post-16 students and undergraduates. It explores the idea of geography within the context of school education, through scholarly summaries and interpretations of current research and debate about aspects of geography or geographical education.
Mode of presentation: Journal articles
Year of publication: 1901-present
Peer reviewed: Yes
Publisher: Geographical Association
Scope: International but UK focus
Description: The GA’s Theory into Practice is a cross-phase book series which takes aspects of research in geographical education and relates them directly to classroom practice.
Mode of presentation: Book series
Year of publication: 2000s
Peer reviewed: No
Publisher: Geographical Association
Scope: UK focus
This series is now out of print but GA members can access pdf copies of the books below, please make sure you are logged in. Readers are urged to exercise caution as they engage with these sources, particularly to recognise that the educational and research landscape has changed since these titles were written and in print.
International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education (IRGEE)
Description: IRGEE publishes research studies within the context of geographical and environmental education from around the world. The journal promotes international interest and dissemination of research in the field, provides a forum for critique, and demonstrates the relevance of research studies to good professional practice.
Mode of presentation: Journal articles
Year of publication: 1992-present
Peer reviewed: Yes
Publisher: Commission on Geographical Education (CGE) of the International Geographical Union (IGU)
Scope: International focus
Description: The Journal of Geography publishes innovative approaches to geography research, teaching, and learning.
Mode of presentation: Journal articles
Year of publication: 1902-present
Peer reviewed: Yes
Publisher: National Council for Geographic Education, USA
Scope: USA focus
Journal of Geography in Higher Education
Description: The Journal of Geography in Higher Education is founded upon the conviction that the development of learning and teaching is vitally important to higher education.
Mode of presentation: Journal articles
Year of publication: 1977-present
Peer reviewed: Yes
Publisher: Carfax Publishing
Scope: International focus
National Research Reports
The professional needs and views of teachers of geography (January 2022)
- In 2022 the Geographical Association published a national research report to present the findings from a two-phase ‘listening exercise’, comprised of an online survey and a series of focus group discussions with geography educators from the primary, secondary and post-16/HE phases and from Initial Teacher Education (ITE). The original survey questions can be viewed here.
Geography initial teacher education (ITE) and teacher supply in England: 2018 update (March 2018)
- In 2015 the Geographical Association published Geography initial teacher education and teacher supply in England: A national research report. This follow-up paper draws on recent research evidence and ITE policy developments (up to March 2018) to review and update the findings of the original report.
A National Research Report on geography and global learning
- Based on its work for the 2013-18 Global Learning Programme, the GA published a National Research Report on Geography and global learning.
If you have any suggestions, comments or notice any errors or omissions on this page please email info@geography.org.uk.
