Geographical

Official magazine of the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG)

Doug Specht

Dr. Doug Specht is a Chartered Geographer, a Reader in Cultural Geography and Communication, and Head of the School of Media and Communication at the University of Westminster.

His research explores themes related to environmental justice, human rights, and access to education, with a focus on the production and codification of knowledge though cartographic artefacts and in educational settings.

Dr. Specht has authored numerous articles and books, including Mapping Crisis, the Routledge Handbook of Geospatial Technology and Society, and Imagining Apocalyptic Politics in the Anthropocene. He writes regularly on ethics, environmental and human rights, education, and mapping practices in such publications as WonkHE, The Conversation, Geographical, and for Times Higher Education. Dr Specht is a member of the editorial board of the European Journal of Geography and is Chair of the Environmental Network for Central America.

The high cost of disappearing mangroves

4 minutes

As shrimp farming expands, the world's mangroves disappear, leaving coastal communities, wildlife and climate increasingly vulnerable Where the land meets the tropical sea, a strange and vital forest grows with its roots in the tide. Mangroves are nurseries for fish, walls against storms, and some of the most efficient carbon stores on the planet, holding more per … [Read more...] about The high cost of disappearing mangroves

Why Burnham’s ‘No. 10 North’ is about more than politics

5 minutes

With the advent of more and more heatwaves, climate pressures could make devolved government a necessity rather than a choice Andy Burnham wants to move power north. But in the end, it may be the weather, not political will, that forces Westminster to share the stage. That is the uncomfortable message from this summer’s extreme heat in London. As temperatures … [Read more...] about Why Burnham’s ‘No. 10 North’ is about more than politics

The £5billion question: what Britain’s drone splurge really buys

5 minutes

Why investing billions in military autonomy may leave diplomacy as Britain's most neglected security strategy today Keir Starmer chose a drone factory in Berkshire to unveil a Defence Investment Plan worth £298billion, with £15billion of new money to modernise the armed forces. Of that, more than £5billion will be spent on drones and autonomous systems: cheap … [Read more...] about The £5billion question: what Britain’s drone splurge really buys