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The changing face of polar exploration
When
Saturday 6 September 2025
18:00 - 19:30
Format
Hybrid
Cost
Free to book
About
Exploring the legacies of Tom Crean and William Speirs Bruce to today’s polar pioneers
What does it mean to be a polar explorer?
Together with our speakers, we’ll explore the motivations behind polar exploration and how they have shifted over time – from the extraordinary exploits on the ice of Irishman Tom Crean and Scotland’s Speirs Bruce, unsung heroes, during the days of Shackleton and Scott a century ago, through to modern day explorers.
While their era of conquest may be over, the spirit of discovery is still very much alive with today’s explorers driven by the need to understand – from climate science and environmental change to personal endurance and resilience. We’ll also be joined by Luke Robertson – the first young Scot with a pacemaker to ski solo and unsupported to the South Pole.
This event celebrates the spirit of curiosity and connects the legacy of historic explorers with the challenges of our changing world.
Join us as we chart the evolving purpose of polar exploration.
Tickets are free, but booking is essential.
Event type
Curious
Contributors
David Gow FRSE
Writer, editor and consultantDavid Gow FRSE is an author, journalist and consultant who specialises in analysing and reporting on geopolitical change and its impact on Europe. He chairs the RSE Scotland Europe Initiative and is a member of the Society’s programme and international committees. An award-winning journalist with the Scotsman and the Guardian, he now works as consultant editor for Europe-based think tanks and is a trustee for the David Hume Institute and Federal Trust as well as member of the national executive of the NUJ.
Michael Smith
Author and journalistMichael Smith is an acclaimed author and journalist who specialises in the history of Polar exploration. His books have achieved international success, having been translated into several languages and contributed to the development of films and documentaries.
Published books include An Unsung Hero – Tom Crean; Shackleton – By Endurance We Conquer, Polar Crusader – Sir James Wordie, and Icebound in the Arctic – Captain Francis Crozier and the Mysteries of the Franklin Expedition.
Michael has made appearances on television and radio, and has delivered lectures at prestigious venues such as the Queen’s Gallery at Buckingham Palace, the Royal Geographical Society, the Royal Scottish Geographical Society, the National Maritime Museum, the National Museum of Ireland, and the Scott Polar Research Institute in Cambridge. Prior to his career as an author, Michael was an award-winning journalist with The Guardian and The Observer.
CEO, Royal Scottish Geographical Society
Chief Executive, Royal Scottish Geographical SocietyLong standing champion of environment and central figure in climate action in Scotland; volunteer with over 40 charities and government advisory groups.
Mike has been Chief Executive of Royal Scottish Geographical Society since 2008, overseeing the RSGS move to Perth and rejuvenating the charity’s purpose, positioning and profile – and that of geography and geographers in Scottish civic society too. Through this role – and over the course of the last 25 years – Mike has been instrumental in informing policy through joined-up, collaborative action, particularly in sustainability and climate change. In 2022 Mike was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Stirling for dedicating his life to campaigning for the environment, in 2023 an OBE for his services to climate change education and in 2025 made a Fellow of The Royal Society of Edinburgh.
Mike has been Chief Executive of Royal Scottish Geographical Society since 2008, overseeing the RSGS move to Perth and rejuvenating the charity’s purpose, positioning and profile – and that of geography and geographers in Scottish civic society too. Through this role – and over the course of the last 25 years – Mike has been instrumental in informing policy through joined-up, collaborative action, particularly in sustainability and climate change. In 2022 Mike was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Stirling for dedicating his life to campaigning for the environment, in 2023 an OBE for his services to climate change education and in 2025 made a Fellow of The Royal Society of Edinburgh.
Luke Robertson
Polar explorer, endurance athlete and Explorer in Residence, Royal Scottish Geographical SocietyLuke Robertson is a Scottish polar explorer, endurance athlete and Explorer in Residence with the Royal Scottish Geographical Society. In 2016, he became the first Scot, the youngest Briton, and the first person with an artificial pacemaker to ski solo, unsupported, and unassisted to the South Pole – a 730-mile journey completed in 40 days.
Alongside his wife, Hazel, Luke also serves as an Arctic guide for The Polar Academy, a charity that supports young people through transformative polar expeditions. Their joint expeditions, including Due North in Alaska and Arctic Connections in Sápmi, focused on understanding the impacts of climate change and sharing stories of resilience and environmental awareness.
Contact us
If you have an event enquiry, please email us on public_engagement@theRSE.org.uk.
What is Curious?
Curious is the Royal Society of Edinburgh’s (RSE) free festival that celebrates the research, ideas and knowledge shaping society today.
Each year, Curious brings a packed programme of free in-person and online events covering themes from the arts, humanities, policy, science and more. To date, we’ve welcomed over 10,000 attendees for talks, workshops, exhibitions and discussions where you can learn from and speak with Scotland’s leading thinkers. As part of the RSE’s mission to make knowledge useful and accessible for everyone, Curious is open to anyone who wants to learn more about the world around them. No specialist knowledge is needed, just bring your curiosity.
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