Encompass

What Encompass is

While studying at York St John University, Francisca Rockey founded the Black Geographers as an organisation to address the lack of diversity which she noticed around her within the field of Geography.

In 2018, only 12% of undergraduate geographers were from a Black, Asian or minority ethnic background (Royal Geographic Society, 2021, PDF, 645 kB).

Encompass was established in collaboration with the Black Geographers to empower a more diverse representation of people and places within Geography.

Joining the Encompass scheme is a chance to be part of the next generation of geographers, and tackle some of the most critical global issues facing the world today.

What you will do

As an Encompass participant, you will experience university-level study through a campus visit, lectures and a field trip.

You'll deconstruct dominant narratives, explore our York campus and find out more about Geography as a subject option. You'll explore Geography beyond the classroom through a focus on a theme. This year's theme is Climate Change and Climate Justice.

You will:

• Take part in a visit to our York campus on Friday 8 May 2026 to experience Geography subject tasters led by our Geography academics.
• Take part in a 1 day Geography field trip on Thursday 18 June led by Geography academics.
• Meet current Geography undergraduate students from our York campus and find out what it is like to study Geography at University.

During your day on campus you'll work with expert academic staff who will help you build transferable skills and knowledge. You'll then put these skills into practice on the field trip.

All travel for successful applicants is fully funded.