Dr John Robb, FRGS, CGeog, Subject Leader: Geography

I am a graduate of Strathclyde University and the LSE and have been lecturing at BSU since 1990.

My doctoral research examined social changes in the notorious Gorbals slums of Glasgow, mostly using raw census data from the nineteenth century. This involved some fascinating work with old maps and photographs, and locating each address and household in a mass of tenements and back lanes.

Landscape is my main interest now, both in terms of how people 'wrote' their landscapes in the deep past, and also how heritage plays around with landscape themes in the present. These interests inspire teaching in Historical Geographies in 3rd year and in Understanding Landscapes in 2nd year, which also includes aspects of town and country planning. A personal interest in sustainability is reflected in a contribution to Sustainable Communities (2nd year). I also give classes in Tourism Geographies (heritage, cultural and environmental impacts, in 1st year) and in Development and Sustainability (also 1st year). I lead the core module in 1st year, Foundations in Geography.

Publications include articles and book chapters on neglected linguistic evidence in Scottish place names, Arthurian tourism at Tintagel, aspects of film iconography, outdoor heritage and modernity in Ireland, Neolithic 'ritual landscapes' and woodland clearance in Wessex, prehistoric depositional practices in 'earth scratches' and what it is to be 'Celtic' in the 21st century.

I have held Chartered Geographer status from the Royal Geographical Society since 2004. This accolade recognises that each year my scholarship and professional development have been relevant to student learning. Since September 2009 I have been subject leader, responsible for co-ordinating the BSc programme and its modules, chairing academic meetings and ensuring that about 200 students taking Geography modules have their say in how the subject evolves to meet the challenges of graduate employability and student satisfaction.