Thoughtful Thursdays #3: Writing and reading and presenting

Welcome to the 3rd of my Thoughtful Thursdays. 

What am I thinking about today?

Here's what I've been thinking about today.

Firstly, I was thinking about some edits I needed to complete for the Discover Geography series, which is out in February 2026. These were dealt with promptly but there will be more to come.

Secondly, I turned my attention to preparing for a webinar I was running for the Royal Geographical Society today. A version of my presentation is here.

There were a few technical issues from my side and ended up on the 3rd laptop that I tried before it would let me share my presentation.

After the session, Claire Brown from the RGS helpfully flagged a few of the key areas that were covered, specifically around the use of the Gatsby Benchmarks, and how the Society can support you in using the Benchmarks to scaffold your careers education.

⭐ For Benchmark 4: linking curriculum learning to careers - we have a bank of teaching materials, activities, career profiles and support that can help you to bring careers education to the geography classroom, showcasing real people with real jobs.
https://lnkd.in/eFWpBS2i

⭐ Benchmark 5: encounters with employers and employees - we have a range of opportunities for you and your students to engage directly with professional geographers, both in person and online. We also offer guidance and ideas for geographical work experience and host a range of free events to showcase geographical career pathways to you and your students.
https://lnkd.in/ebAjY9yM

⭐ Benchmark 7: encounters with further and higher education - We host a range of events that support students with choosing geography at university, including admissions and open days support. We also showcase the opportunities available through your local university outreach programme, and provide information about pathways such as apprenticeships.
https://lnkd.in/eZcsEh-F

Finally, I was thinking about the message contained in my new read. I've not read much by Ian McEwan but his clearly an accomplished author who has explored some interesting contexts in his previous books. His latest is set in 2119, with a climate breakdown context, and explores what we leave behind, and the clues about us that will be left behind to be revealed in the future.

It has started very strongly and I am looking forward to delving deeper.