Geographical Perspectives on the Spread of Epidemics

Hosted by the Nottingham branch of the Geographical Association - School of Education and School of Geography

Presented by Professor Matthew Smallman-Raynor, Professor of Analytical Geography, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Nottingham

The second in this year’s lecture series, organised by the Geographical Association and in conjunction with the University of Schools of Geography and Education.

Communicable diseases continue to represent one of the foremost threats to human health and the economy. Geographers have long been intrigued by the complex manner in which epidemics of communicable diseases spread in space and time, and by the ways in which that spread is shaped by aspects of the social and physical environment. Rooted in the research tradition of medical geography, this lecture will explore key themes in the geographical analysis of epidemics, including: map patterns and environmental controls; legacies of the Vaccination Acts and time-sequenced maps; and spatial transmission velocity. Viewed at different geographical scales, the themes will be illustrated by the examples of cholera in nineteenth century London, smallpox in the counties of inter-war England and Wales, and the twenty-first century spread of Covid-19 and SARS-CoV-2 variants.

School teachers are encouraged to bring A level students. 

Refreshments will be available from 4.30pm. 

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