Holding Space for Spatial Science: Geography's Contribution to STEM

Abstract

Geography, earth and environmental sciences (GEES) is a group of diverse disciplines that occupy many different spaces in the academy. The GEES disciplines increasingly contribute to interdisciplinary research but are often simplified in higher education as two distinct subject areas: geography; and earth, environmental science, and environmental studies (ES3). The identity of these subject areas can lack clear boundaries, and prior research has suggested that the transition between the school geography curriculum and the academic discipline as experienced at university can be problematic for learners. In this seminar, Dr Gemma Collins reports on research into the transition between school geography and academic geography, in particular examining how geography’s STEM status and identity as a spatial science (QAA, 2022) can be strengthened in school geography education in England. From the research data, three proposals are made for how a more connected geography curriculum can be achieved. Firstly, that co-construction with high-quality geography initial teacher training and education (ITTE) has a role to play in strengthening the transition between school geography and academic geography. Secondly, that collaboration across the subject community is required. Thirdly, that curriculum-making is a tool for developing the continuity and progression revealed by the research as being part of a successful transition.

Meet the speaker

Dr Gemma Collins is a geographer and geography teacher educator. Gemma’s research interests span the geography and education nexus (GeogEd, 2019) and includes her doctoral research into continuity, progression, and transition between school geography and academic geography (Collins, 2025). Other research has explored the connections between school geography and future careers (Rawlings Smith and Collins, 2024) and what quality geography education means in practice (Rawlings Smith and Collins, forthcoming). Gemma is an active member of the geography subject community, including as a founding member of the Geographical Association’s Geography Education Research Special Interest Group (GERSIG, 2022) and an associate member of the Geography Education Research Collective (GEReCo / UK IGU-CGE). Formerly an Associate Professor in Geography Education at the University of Birmingham (2010-2023) Gemma has led the PGCE Geography in the School of Education, Community and Society at King’s College London in 2025/26.