Mobile Malaria Project courtesy of Ezra Byrne
Each year, 30 April marks 'World Land Rover Day' - a celebration of the day in 1948 that the first Land Rover was revealed to the world.
For over 40 years, Land Rover has been a Corporate Benefactor and their support of the Society has enabled geographers to get out in the field by providing vehicles, expertise, funding and training. Land Rover have also supported our provision of advice, training on safe vehicle handling, and grants to support field research and scientific expeditions.
Former Land Rover Bursary recipients have utilised drones to map landscape change (The Grand Alpine Tour), tested the feasibility of portable genetic sequencing technology (Mobile Malaria) and subjected a Defender to a minus 50C winter in Siberia (The Pole of Cold) – these expeditions tell the lived experiences of climate change, water security and vector-borne diseases - to name a few - and fulfil the Society’s core mission of advancing geographical science.
Land Rover’s vehicles have proved an integral tool to these challenging research expeditions, with teams using their vehicles to reach places and people that would otherwise be inaccessible. And this year, Land Rover have extended their support to include the Earth Photo competition and exhibition.
To explore our special relationship, how the COVID-19 pandemic has challenged the way we think about expeditions and fieldwork, and what the future aspirations of the Society are, Land Rover are hosting an Instagram Live with Rich Agnew, Brand Communications Director at Land Rover, and Director of the Society, Professor Joe Smith, tonight at 5.00pm.
Tune in to hear more or follow the hashtag #WorldLandRoverDay on your social channels.