Natural history contributions of the University of Glasgow Exploration Society to Scotland and the World

Downie, J. R., Hancock, E. G., White, S. A. , Broderick, A. C. and Godley, B. J. (2017) Natural history contributions of the University of Glasgow Exploration Society to Scotland and the World. Glasgow Naturalist, 26(4),

Abstract

Expeditions with a natural history focus have been organised by University of Glasgow staff and students since the 1930s. The educational benefits of such expeditions to students have been reported by Harper et al. ( Journal of Biological Education 51, 3- 16; 2017). Here, we present a short history of these expeditions, concentrating on their scientific achievements. In addition to expedition reports, a large number of PhD theses, masters and honours project reports and scientific papers have been based on expedition work. Many biological specimens have been deposited in museums, including some new species. We provide case histories of four expedition locations, to demonstrate the variety of work done, and the value of returning many times to the same place: Scotland, Trinidad and Tobago, North Cyprus and Ecuador. A major problem for expeditions is funding. For many years, the Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland ran a funding stream that was crucial to the viability of Scottish university expeditions, but this has sadly now closed. For Glasgow University expeditions, the Blodwen Lloyd Binns Bequest has provided a reliable source since 1994, and we hope that it will continue to do so.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Hancock, Mr Geoff and Downie, Professor Roger and White, Dr Stewart
• Authors: Downie, J. R., Hancock, E. G., White, S. A., Broderick, A. C., and Godley, B. J.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
• Journal Name: Glasgow Naturalist
• Publisher: Glasgow Natural History Society
• ISSN: 0373-241X
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2017 The Glasgow Natural History Society
• First Published: First published in Glasgow Natural History Society 26(4)
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced with the permission of the publisher