What is Geography?

As I start on my learning curve, asking this fundamental question seems to be a good starting point. However the question is not as straightforward as it seems. Indeed if I was able to answer the question with a definitive answer, then presumably I can close this blog. Job done!

But I cannot give a definitive answer. I can I suppose begin by reaching into the far recesses of my mind to those days of Geography classes at the Inverness Royal Academy in the mid 60s. I remember learning about glacial features - especially relevant in Scotland. I seem to remember terminal moraines which were not apparently fatal headaches. I remember oxbow lakes. My favourite part of the Geography course was using graph paper to trace the heights of a line drawn through an Ordnance Survey map thus bringing into true perspective the altitudes shown there. For some reason the map we were given for this purpose was always of Clackmannanshire! From Alva over the Campsie Fells if my recollection is correct.

But where can I go to learn what Geography is? Let's try our own AGI website -
'Geographic Information - Information about objects or phenomena that are associated with a location relative to the surface of the Earth'.
Hmmm. A start I guess. So it's all about location?

What has the Chief Executive of the Geographical Association got to say? -
"Successful study of geography brings a rounded understanding to events and processes, and to the way the world works. The subject has the power and potential to educate, through developing with people a way of thinking that keeps the world whole and connected: the physical and the human, the social and the economic, the near and the distant, the familiar and the strange. Geography helps us contemplate our place in the world."
Okay, I'm not sure I understand the first bit, but 'place' I understand.

Let's try the website of the Royal Geographical Society -
'Geography is the study of the earth’s landscapes, peoples, places and environments. It is, quite simply, about the world in which we live. '
There's that word 'place' again.

So I have a general understanding about Geography being about the location of something and about the landscape surrounding that something. So far so good.

But this answer now raises so many other questions for me. Particularly relating to the impact of Geography on the efficiency of our life and on our knowledge base. But that is for another day and that is where I fear that the jargon may get in the way.

For now, as a layman, I am happy to have made a start.

2007 The year Ahead

I work for the Association for Geographic Information known as the AGI.

Quoting from our website, this is who we are -
'The AGI exists to represent the interests of the UK's geographic information (GI) industry; a wide-ranging group of public and private sector organisations, suppliers of GI software, hardware, data and services, consultants, academics and interested individuals. The AGI, by way of its unique membership forum, brings together this previously disparate GI community to share ideas on best practice, experience and innovation, and offers access to unparalleled networking opportunities with significant business benefits.'

I really believe passionately about the relevance of the AGI especially in today's expanding world of GI. But because we are a membership-based organisation, we depend on membership subscriptions for our financial viability. We have to set subscriptions at a rate which is commensurate with the benefits that we offer.

As the Chief Financial Officer, it is my job to maintain our finances and to try to balance income and expenditure. That is quite a challenge for us. In past years we have increased our investment in membership services and benefits. We must now make ourselves known to all practitioners in the world of geography to ensure that we have a large and vibrant membership base. I believe that we are a unique and important resource for all in the world of Geography whether they are large commercial enterprises, government bodies, health authorities, mapping organisations or individuals.

2007 is a critical and exciting year for us. We will be moving into new premises in April, we have a new Director starting in February, we have a new format of Annual Conference in September and we have a talented and committed team of 7 staff in the Head Office.

If anyone who is reading this is interested in Geography, please look at our website. And if you are not a member already, please think about joining us. We offer courses, events, seminars, conferences, website benefits, information and professional development. And parties! The more members we have the more we can do together. Please come on board. You will be made very welcome.

And I hope you will follow this blog. This will be my take on the year as it unfolds, written from a personal point of view but hopefully of interest to others. It will not be a technical blog - my knowledge of Geography is not sufficient for that. It will be as honest as I can be. I dare say it will reveal frustrations as well,I hope, as achievements. I am learning about the world of geography and I look forward to sharing that learning process.

A non-geographer's perspective

Welcome to the blogsite of someone who rather unexpectedly finds himself working in the world of geography without having any particular knowledge of this world and who, even more surprisingly, is getting enthusiastic about geography and all that it offers.

This blog will hopefully record my day to day involvement in geography, the issues and the opportunities.

I am the Chief Financial Officer with the Association for Geographic Information (the AGI). Yes I'm an accountant. Not a geographer. But I am passionate about the importance of the AGI to both those already in the geographic domain and those who need and use geographic information (GI) even if they perhaps do not realise that they do use GI.

I hope that I can simply record my thoughts, my views and my perceptions as a non-geographer for whom the world of geography pays my salary and forms my working environment.

The AGI is an umbrella organisation for individuals, companies and organisations who use geography. It is I believe an important resource. It speaks for its members, and consequently this blog cannot, and will not, make personal remarks against any individual or organisation within our membership. But I hope I can give reactions which might be of interest to those on both the periphery and the centre of the world of geography.

Lets see what happens.