Geographical Association

The Register of Research in Primary Geography is a central database of action and investigative research. It is intended for collaborative use by primary teachers, teacher trainers and those concerned with pupils' perception in the subject of geography and associated disciplines.

The research publications cover all aspects of teaching and learning in the classroom and outdoors, and the outcomes of different strategies used for geography and cross-curricular work (with, for example, literacy, numeracy, citizenship, sustainability, creativity, and environmental education).

The network consists of different kinds of researchers from the UK and abroad:

• Those who have developed classroom research on a large scale, for example, Blyth, Matthews, Spencer and Wiegand, and by their publications stimulate and encourage others.
• Final year and postgraduate students who are developing action research and small-scale case study investigations.
• Newly-qualified teachers and experienced co-ordinator teachers who use their own classes to participate in research projects.
• Academics, teacher trainers, local authority advisers and inspectors.

The GA's Early Years & Primary Phase Committee endorses the Register, which is currently co-ordinated by Rachel Bowles.

The full Register of Research in Primary Geography is updated regularly and we welcome new researchers. The directory is for closed circulation only and personal information is not given to any other organisation. If you wish to be included, provide details as follows:

New correspondents please complete the Registration Form and send it to Rachel Bowles by post: 9 Humber Road, Blackheath, London SE3 7LS, email: Rachel Bowles, or fax: 020 8858 5685. Further information and forms are available on the Geographical Association Network Early Years and Primary Practitioners Group.

Current correspondents are also invited to send new or updated information to Rachel Bowles.

The Register of Research in Primary Geography has led to the publication of several papers:

• Special Publication No.1 Researching Primary Geography - edited by Simon Catling and Fran Martin - includes 24 papers given at Charney Manor conferences, covering the state of research in primary geography and its future direction and development, pedagogy and the development of geography.
• Occasional Paper No.1 Raising Achievement with keynote papers by Anthea Millet (Action Research in the Classroom) and Simon Catling (The Importance of Classroom Research).
• Occasional Paper No.2 Best Practice - with keynote papers by Jean McNiff (Action Research), Simon Catling (Good Practice turned into Research) and Steven Higgins (Thinking Skills in the Primary Classroom).
• Occasional Paper No.3 Bibliography - in preparation. This is intended to guide those entering upon practical classroom research for the first or second time, and to further inform those who have perceived an area for investigation at primary or middle school level.
• Occasional Paper No.4 Place and Space - with keynote papers by Diane Swift (Valuing Places) Bill Boyle (Assessment) and from practitioners who research curriculum matters, place, the outdoor classroom, place and space skills, and ICT.
• Occasional Paper No 5 Classroom research - in preparation.

All current publications are available to buy from the Editor, with a discount if all four are purchased - download an order form.

Reports for publication are invited by the Editor and these may be in addition to material submitted to Primary Geographer. Reports should ideally contain three subheadings: initial stimulation and enquiry, methodology and data; conclusions and consequences together with appropriate tables and images/illustrations. Send to the Register Editor 9 Humber Road, Blackheath, London SE3 7LS.


Rachel Bowles
June 2009