As ERM pursues its aim to shape a sustainable future with the world’s leading organizations, we have established a three-year sponsorship of the world-renowned learned society and professional body for geography, The Royal Geographical Society (with IBG), as a Corporate Benefactor.

Founded in 1830, the Society is dedicated to the development and promotion of geographical knowledge, together with its application to the challenges facing society and the environment. Under the leadership of ERM CEO John Alexander, ERM will provide both financial support and technical expertise to enhance and support the Society’s work with professional communities as a whole, and teachers in particular. 

“I am thrilled with our new collaboration with the Royal Geographical Society. While based in the UK, the Society’s global influence has been paramount since its foundation in 1830 and its work continues to be essential in helping us understand the rapidly changing world in which we live and the importance of sustainability. I am proud that ERM is able to pursue common objectives with the Society by investing in the future generation’s skills and knowledge to tackle key sustainability issues,” comments John Alexander.

ERM’s contribution
ERM’s initial focus will be on supporting two main programs of work that aim at developing future leaders with technical skills and understanding to address the sustainability challenges we are facing:

  1. Professional Development in Fieldwork for Teachers - to include a program to upskill secondary teachers of geography with the knowledge, skills and confidence to plan and deliver local, high quality, environmental fieldwork linked to new examinations in GCSE and A level geography (senior high school exams) in England and Wales. This work will focus especially on schools in less advantaged areas;

  2. Regional professional development activities and networking for Chartered Geographers and other geography practitioners, across sectors, starting in Manchester, in northern England which has not had a program of this nature previously. 

In conjunction with a financial contribution, pro bono time will be provided through the ERM Foundation, along with volunteer time from employees. An initial group of forty employees have come forward to provide their support in various ways over the life of the project which range from developing career profiles, case studies, online resources, supporting training days for teachers to general regional development and upskilling of geography teachers.

The identified teaching and educational activities include the development of materials centred on biodiversity, coastal management, air emissions and climate change, water management and other geography-related technical areas of interest. 

“We are very grateful that ERM has decided to support our organisation with their leading expertise and generous funding. Their contribution will be tremendous in furthering the Society’s work to advance professional development of geographers and those working with geography, especially in the area of sustainability” declares Dr Rita Gardner CBE (Director) at the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG).

Learn more about the sponsorship through the Society's news release about ERM’s sponsorship

Learn more about the Royal Geographical Society