Field trips are the best way of learning what the world’s really like in practice, not just in theory. They also boost students’ confidence for future studies and for jobs – they’ve seen the challenges the field throws up, and they’ve learned that they can deal with them!” – Dr Nick McGlynn, Senior Lecturer in Geography.
Second-year students studying our Geography and Environmental Sciences degrees recently took an unforgettable field trip to Sicily! The annual visit is a vital part of our courses, allowing students to put theory into practice in dynamic, real-world environments.
Accredited by the Royal Geographical Society and the Institution of Environmental Sciences, our degrees ensure students graduate with genuine field experience — a vital asset for their future careers.
Preparing for the Adventure
Before setting foot on Sicilian soil, students studied the island’s rich physical, human, and environmental landscapes in our module: Geography & Environment International Fieldwork. This allows students to be prepared before travelling with knowledge of Sicily’s long and complex history, with millennia of colonisation by different cultures that still influence the island today. Contemporary Sicily is also shaped (literally!) by the presence of Mount Etna – one of Europe’s tallest and most active volcanoes
Students were also supported by specialist research skills training they developed through our module: Research Design & Advanced Data Analysis, where they learn a variety of practical and professional techniques – from statistical analysis to questionnaire design, interview techniques to water quality testing, and ethnographic observations to geomorphology surveys.
We brought over the practice into real scenarios which is very important, as practical hands-on experience is vital in getting jobs.”
Fieldwork Highlights
Upon arrival and settling into the sleepy coastal town of Capo Mulini, the students’ first major stop was Mount Etna, where they met expert vulcanologist and professional science communicator Dr Boris Behncke. A global authority on volcanic hazards and Etna in particular, Boris led them around the slopes to demonstrate how to use simple geological observations to date lava flows. He also explained Etna’s unusual characteristics (LOTS of craters!), and its surprisingly positive influence on local people. The rich volcanic soil supports Sicily’s vital agricultural industry, and is why we could see slope after slope covered with juicy citrus trees – volcanoes are more than just hazards!
As the week progressed, students split into BA and BSc pathways for focused investigations:
Geography BA(Hons) students headed into Catania where they put their ethnographic skills to the test by investigating how food is used – by locals and tourists alike – to create a distinctly Sicilian regional identity (rather than simply Italian). They collected observational and interview data at several local markets – picking up some local cheese on the way – and noted the variety of ingredients and foodstuffs (lemons, pistachios, granita and more) originating from Sicily’s multicultural heritage.
Geography BSc(Hons), Environmental Science BSc(Hons) and Environmental Management BSc(Hons) students stayed by the coast investigating water quality. With guidance from our expert technicians, they used specialised GEL bag tests and AquaReed probes to test for waterborne contaminants like E. coli. By the end of the day, they were able to determine whether these sites could be awarded a Blue Flag eco-label for environmental performance. Here, unfortunately, the weather took a turn for the worse – but Geography and Environment students are always prepared!
Other key experiences included:
BSc students visiting the Alcantara Fluvial Park, analyzing river morphology from source to sea, and measuring human impacts on natural systems.
BA students exploring Taormina, investigating how tourism shapes — and is shaped by — the ‘tourist gaze,’ especially in a town famed for its stunning views and recent fame in TV shows like The White Lotus.
Real-World Professional Skills
The field week culminated in a collaborative Environmental Impact Assessment scoping exercise across key sites in Catania. Students gathered data from a mix of quantitative measurements like airborne particulate matter and ambient noise levels, plus qualitative observations like hygiene hazards and evidence of waste-management strategies.
The field trip allowed me to practice my surveying and observational skills. Additionally, I learnt how to use equipment that I had never used or had minimal practice with. A completely new skill that I can now add to my resume is being able to conduct microbiology tests!”
The week was rounded off by students conducting and then presenting their own 48-hour research projects in groups.
An Experience That Stays With You
Nick McGlynn, course leader for the Geography BSc said:
It’s vital that our students get to practice the development, planning, data collection, data analysis, and reporting of a complete research project from start to finish in a low-stress environment. This leaves them much more confident and better prepared for the larger projects they’ll be conducting in their final year.
Want to join them next year?
Come and study with us — and take your learning far beyond the lecture theatre. Find out more about our degrees in geography and environment on the University of Brighton website.
Published by