Field trips
At the Department of Geography and Environment, we’re proud to offer undergraduate students exciting opportunities to undertake fieldwork in the UK and abroad.
These immersive trips support students in applying classroom learning to real-world settings and gaining hands-on experience in geographical research methods.
Please note that destinations and content may change from year to year.
Why join a field trip?
Our field courses are designed to:
- Develop practical research skills in real-world environments
- Deepen understanding of global and local geographies
- Build confidence in working with communities, organisations and datasets
- Create lasting friendships and networks
Portland, USA: exploring urban geography in Cascadia
This second-year field course brings students to Portland, Oregon, one of the most dynamic cities in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. Known for its progressive policies and distinct urban culture, Portland offers a rich case study in urban development, environmentalism and regional identity.
Students conduct qualitative research projects in collaboration with local organisations, agencies and neighbourhoods. Through engagement with local food systems, public transport, music scenes, and environmental initiatives, students gain a deeper understanding of Portland’s place in global and regional urban systems.
Read reflections from students and staff in Transformations in Portland & Cascadia: Geographic Reflections.
My time in Portland emphasised to me how important it is that everyone is included and engaged in the governance and planning of Portland (or any other city) to ensure that resources are aimed at those who most need them and that the values of residents are fairly represented at all levels of decision-making.
Juniper Hall, UK: fieldwork foundations in first year
All first-year undergraduate students take part in a field trip to Juniper Hall, located in the Surrey Hills near Dorking, UK. This trip introduces students to core research methods, including ecological surveys, mapping exercises and collaborative analysis of rural and peri-urban landscapes.
This foundational experience strengthens cohort bonding and provides the essential skills for more advanced fieldwork in later years.
Having all the Geographers together at once made it so easy to get to know the people I’m going to be spending the next three years with. While we’d all had opportunities to meet each other before, on campus or through other Geography department events, Juniper Hall allowed us to really cement those friendships.
The activity involved a guided walk to the top of Box Hill followed by a guided tour of Denbies Vineyard. The purpose was to interrogate two important prospects for comparative advantage in the Mole Valley region. Both parts offered important insights into the economic geographies of the Valley region, and both were a lot of fun.
