Join us for a night of inspiration from the next generation of intrepid travellers.
All our speakers have just 10 minutes to entertain, educate and inspire the audience. This year’s microlectures include travelling around Africa by public transport, hunting for Madagascar’s nocturnal lemurs, swimming the Bering Strait, cycling the Baltic states, climbing Green Mountain and exploring the Antarctic Peninsula by sail and ski – whatever your interest there is something for everyone. Listen live to their stories and meet over a drink in the bar to chat and discover more.
Applications to give a microlecture (RGS-IBG members only) are now closed.
Tickets: RGS-IBG members £9, non-members £12.
- Exhibition Road doors and pay bar open at 6.30pm
- Microlectures will start promptly at 7.00pm
- Admittance is by ticket only
- Tickets are non-transferable and non-refundable
About the RGS-IBG Younger Members’ events: A lively programme of social events is organised by the Younger Members’ Committee throughout the year and forms one of the ways in which the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) engages with its younger members. Events are for like-minded members and Fellows to meet each other; most attendees fall into the 20-40 age group, but anyone over the age of 18 is welcome to attend. Regular events include drinks in the bar following RGS-IBG Monday night lectures, wine tasting, quizzes, and an annual evening of microlectures.
Programme
Doors and bar open 6.30pm, talks start 7.00pm.
Encircle Africa: around Africa by public transport by Ian Packham
In attempting the first solo and unassisted circumnavigation of Africa by public transport, a 25,000 mile journey equivalent to circling the Earth at the equator, Ian experienced Africa at a local level, traversing the continent on beaten-up bush taxis, flatbed trucks, dugout canoes, and a van delivering freshly made meat pies.
Reflections from the dark: the hunt for Madagascar’s nocturnal lemurs by Jessica Fisher and Donna Wintersgill
Five female graduates went on a hunt for five nocturnal lemur species in the humid coastal forests of Madagascar, with the aim to provide lemur population data and explore their forest microhabitats. Encroachment of anthropogenic activity, not to mention illegal logging, is now threatening the survival of the coastal forest; but at what cost?
The Baltic states by bicycle by Ed Holt
An impromptu bicycle ride around Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania which evolved into a fascinating, curiosity-fulfilling journey through the history and landscape of the former Soviet Republics. From meteorites to a folk celebration via cartography and a former cattle runner… Six weeks with mosquitoes, no trousers, and my lowest high point.
Bering Strait swim: connecting continents by Jack Bright
An international group of extreme swimmers gathered for a world first swim, crossing from the Eurasian continent to the American continent. They battled fatigue, cold, and seasickness during this unique journey in the far north, above the 10°C July isotherm, in a place described in one word … Arctic.
8.00pm-8.30pm Interval. Bar open.
Exploring the Antarctic Peninsula by sail and ski by Toby Fountaine
In February 2013, nine climbers and four sailors led by Stephen Venables and Skip Novak set sail from South America in Skip’s 72 foot expedition yacht, Pelagic Australis. The aim: to climb some of the highest and most spectacular peaks on the Antarctic Peninsula and come back in one piece. Toby recounts the adventure!
What could be better than travelling the world? by Ed Hewitt
In 2013, Ed left his job to travel (half) the world. He set about completing a journey he’d always dreamed of from Thailand back to the UK by land. But during the journey he came to the realisation – there may be something even better right on his doorstep.
Green Mountain: an experimental journey by David Richards
Climbing Green Mountain is a journey from the dry, barren landscape of lower Ascension Island, through scrubland, tropical rainforest, grassland and bamboo groves, to a summit with no view. But this journey is also the story of an ecological experiment and a man-made ecosystem that could help fight climate change.
Mountains, manicures, men and Messner: Lhotse 2013 by Heather Geluk
A ribbon of rock and ice leads to the summit of Lhotse, the fourth highest mountain in the world. Often overshadowed by Everest, at 8516m Lhotse presents a formidable and unique challenge. Drawing from first-hand stories and images, Heather, aka ‘the Diva in Down’, reflects on her Lhotse adventures and shares how mountains, manicures, men and Messner shaped her recent expedition.
Talks end and bar opens 9.35pm.
All RGS-IBG members were invited to apply to an open audition process in the Spring 2014 Bulletin. The above speakers have been selected by the Younger Members’ Committee from the applications received.