Research-led teaching in Geography

As a student in our Geography programme you will engage with research throughout your degree. In your Fourth Year, to graduate with Honours, you will undertake an Individual Research Project in Geography and write this up in the form of a Dissertation.

A Dissertation is an original piece of research on a geographical topic of your choosing. It is an unrivalled opportunity to select your favourite aspect of geographical research, to deepen your specialist knowledge in that area, and to produce a piece of work that will demonstrate to future employers your ability to work independently and carry a project through to a successful conclusion.

Recently completed Geography Dissertations

Your topic will be supervised by staff with subject-specific expertise. Dissertations may range from small-scale field-based or lab projects to case studies, and experimental work. To give you an idea about the breadth of possible research topics, have a look at some of our recently completed dissertations.

Analysing historic travel writing on Scottish landscapes

Georgina Ogg's dissertation focussed on literary geographies through analysing the use of aesthetic terminology in historical writings about Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.

Mapping groundwater vulnerability to pesticide contamination

Emma Simpson identified zones most vulnerable to groundwater contamination from pesticides in the Ythan catchment

Social conflicts about ecological restoration of agricultural lands in Scotland

Simone Arvid explored stakeholder perceptions and social conflicts arising from ecological restoration projects

Modelling the effects of forests moderating floods in Scotland

Fingal summers modelled the effect of forestation on reducing floods in a Scottish upland catchment

Land reform and sustainable development in the Western Isles of Scotland

Based on the findings of his dissertation, Bruce Donald presented policy recommendations on land reform to the Scottish Government.

Urban green space use in Aberdeen during the pandemic

Jamie Smith analysed the distribution of green spaces across Aberdeen and conducted an online survey to find out about current challenges.

Mapping patterns of tree spreading in the Early Holocene

Eleanor Downie created maps based on data extracted from pollen diagrams to show how trees spread in the British Isles during the early Holocene.