GA Annual Conference 2026

This research paper session will introduce delegates to research currently being undertaken into the effectiveness of retrieval practice and whether this makes a difference in supporting GCSE geography students’ memory and motivation. It will discuss initial research findings from data collected with year 10 students. 

The session will begin with a brief introduction to character education and its connection to enhancing geographical understanding, drawing on findings from my MA research in Character Education. This will be followed by a review of how my department has selected and mapped character traits within our geography schemes of work. Attendees will participate in a short group activity to discuss and prioritise character traits and begin matching them to topics in their current schemes of work. Next, there will be an overview of practical classroom strategies for building character through geography. Participants will have the opportunity to trial some strategies in small groups and use stimulus materials to explore how these strategies could be applied in other areas of the geography curriculum. The session will close with attendees sharing some of the ideas they plan to use to embed character in their own teaching.

In this session, Sandra will share insights from her research as part of an international research group working on addressing the Dream Gap, then attendees will identify areas where these insights can be implemented in their own organisations. 

This session invites critical geographers to explore Islam and geography through critical pedagogy in deep and meaningful ways with the rich influential and intellectual traditions it encompasses. It will provide an opportunity to learn about Critical Muslim Geographies to better understand Muslim geography students and teachers. Based on the recently published paper 'Critical pedagogical engagement with Muslim geographies' (Sammar, 2024 - https://doi.org/10.1177/20438206241289).

This session will explore how regular reading groups can bridge the gap between theory and classroom practice. Drawing on a Master’s-level project based in a geography department, it will highlight how collaborative engagement with research supports teacher development. Participants will gain practical strategies for creating effective, sustainable reading groups that enhance professional growth and pedagogy.