Geographical Association

President - Dr Mary Rodgers
Treasurer - Richard Greenwood
Secretary Elect - Margaret McMullan

Email: Margaret McMullan

Please note ALL lectures are held in the Geography Building, QUB (except A2/2 on 8 December) and start at 7:30pm  

Marseille – A Tale of Two Cities     
Tuesday 20 October 2009
Lecture by Mr Alan Kennedy, formerly Head of Geography, Banbridge Academy

World Wise Quiz
Tuesday 10 November 2009

The beneficial and detrimental effects of flooding in Bangladesh
Tuesday 24 November 2009
Lecture by Dr Rosemary Charlton, Department of Geography, National University of Ireland

AS Skills and Techniques
AS/2 Decision Making
Tuesday 8 December 2009
Mrs Mary Reid (Dominican College)
Dr Stephen Roulston (C2K)

Annual Spring Conference and Workshop - A Third Runway at Heathrow?

Around 80 sixth formers from nine different schools attended the Annual Spring Conference and Workshop organised by the Belfast Branch of the Geographical Association and held in the Central Building at Stranmillis.

The topic for debate was whether or not a third runway should be built at Heathrow Airport. Dr Patricia Warke from QUB and Dr Stephen Roulston from C2K gave introductory presentations covering atmospheric pollution caused by aircraft, the similar but smaller scale issue of an extension to the runway at Eglinton Airport, Londonderry, and the background to the Heathrow issue. It was stressed that there would be winners and losers at Heathrow - increased flight capacity and flexibility would bring economic benefits but also increased noise and atmospheric pollution, as well as the destruction of around 700 homes around the villages of Sipson and Harmondsworth.

The sixth formers were broken up into seven different interest groups, representing the TUC, the CBI, the owners of Heathrow and travel agents, as well as representatives of local residents and environmental groups. Using background material provided to them as well as access to the internet, they had to come up with arguments to support their positions and deliver them in a five minute group PowerPoint presentation.

Professor David Lambert, Chief Executive of the Geographical Association, travelled over especially for the event - he gave a reasoned summing up and presented prizes to the winning group.


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