23 November 2010

TV presenter to inspire people at public lecture

Professor Iain Stewart, a renowned television and radio presenter and academic, will visit Dundee next week to discuss Making Scotland's Landscape, his recent BBC Two series.

He will be in Dundee on Tuesday, 30th November, to discuss the findings of the series as part of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society's 'Inspiring People' talks programme.

Iain Stewart, Professor of Geoscience Communication at the University of Plymouth, has presented and produced several scientific television and radio programmes including Rough Science, Journey from the Centre of the Earth, Earth: the Power of the Planet, The Climate Wars, How the Earth Made Us and The Ten Things You Don't Know About...

His recent five-part series saw Professor Stewart examine how centuries of human activity have changed Scotland's landscape. Despite the fact Scotland is celebrated for its unique 'natural' beauty, Professor Iain Stewart revealed how every square inch of Scotland's landscape has been affected by centuries of human activity, focussing on five key areas - trees, land, sea, water and climate.

Making Scotland's Landscaperepresented something of a homecoming for the East Kilbride-born academic who has worked mainly abroad or in England in recent years.

'It was really good to get the chance to return to Scotland after so many years living away,' he said.

'If you mention Scotland to geologists anywhere in the world, a kind of slightly misty nostalgia takes them over. Because there is a feeling that somehow the heartland of geology is in Scotland. It's so small - it's a tiny bit of land - but it has given so many ideas.'

The talk will take place at the D'Arcy Thompson Lecture Theatre, University of Dundee, from 7.30pm on Tuesday, 30th November.

Tickets are available from the venue on the night, and cost £8 for adults and £2 for students. Admission is free for RSGS members and under 18s.

Notes to Editors:

The Royal Scottish Geographical Society is an educational charity that promotes an understanding of natural environments and human societies and how they interact. For further information about RSGS or to see the full 2010-11 Talks Programme please call 01738 455050 or visit www.rsgs.org.

For further information about Iain Stewart please visit BBC Website.

For media enquiries, please contact Kirsten Smith of the RSGS on 01738 455050 / kirsten.smith@rsgs.org.

Before delivering his lecture, Professor Stewart will meet with visit third- and fourth-year Geography students from the University. He will deliver a seminar, focussing on tsunamis, storms and other aspects which have been covered in his previous TV series’, to students on the Water Courses Honours class.

For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk
MOBILE: 07854 953277