About Us

The OU Geological Society (OUGS) supports the study of geology and other earth sciences by providing opportunities for members to learn via field trips, talks, conferences and workshops led by experts

Our field trips cover all of the UK but also across europe. In the past, we have run trips to Iceland, Norway, USA, and Canada as well as many regions of Europe.

OUGS operates from thirteen Branches throughout the UK and Europe. Branches are managed locally to provide a focus for members in a given area. However, all members are always welcome to join events organised by any other Branch.

The Society is open to everyone interested in geology, earth and environmental science, not just to Open University students and staff. We have many family members who join for a nominal fee when living at the same address as a full member.

OUGS Events Calendar: November 2025 – August 2026

A Summary of Upcoming Geological Events, Talks, Walks and Meetings

November 2025

6 Nov: Branch Meeting at Open University Walton Hall Campus - Arrive 19:30 for 20:00 start. Gass Building Seminar Room. Leader: Tom Miller. A talk by Current OUGS President, Dr Hazel Rymer. Contact: Tom Miller, walton.hall@ougs.org, 07799272235 [Walton Hall]
15 Nov: Day of Talks. All Saints Parish Church, Margaret Street, London W1W 8JG. Contact: John Lonergan, john.london@ougs.org [London]
15 Nov: Lancaster Building Stones. Lancaster City. Leader: Vic Parsons. A walking tour of Lancaster's building stones and Georgian heritage. Contact: Ian Thayre, ian.thayre.t21@btinternet.com, 07785 370032 [North West]
18 Nov: The Vosges Mountains have it all: geodynamics of a Paleozoic mosaic. Online: Zoom - 1900GMT. Leader: Dr Etienne Skrzypek. The talk will be based on his lecture and Field Trip from the Nancy Symposium. Contact: Andrew Fleming, east.anglia@ougs.org, +44 7591 055646 [East Anglia]

December 2025

7 Dec: NW OUGS Winter Lectures. St Ann's Millenium Centre, View Rd, Rainhill, Prescot, Merseyside L35 0LE. An afternoon programme of 3 lectures with refreshments. Contact: Dr Chris Arkwright, chrisarkwright1@gmail.com, 07720 729949 [North West]

2026 Events

21 Feb: South East Branch AGM. Aylesford, Near Maidstone, Kent. Leader: Yvonne Cutt. Branch AGM at 2.00 p.m. following talks in the morning. Contact: Yvonne Cutt, cuttyvonne@gmail.com, 07517367506 [South East]
28 Feb: East Anglia Branch AGM and Day of Talks. Great Wilbraham Memorial Hall, Cambridgeshire, CB21 5JG. Our annual AGM and day of talks - please note the change of venue for this event. The memorial hall address is Angle End, Great Wilbraham, Cambridge, CB21 5JG. Contact: Andrew Fleming, east.anglia@ougs.org, 07591 055646 [East Anglia]
March (TBC): Our Neanderthal Neighbours. Leader: Anne Beecham. zoom talk Date to be confirmed. Contact: Marilyn Besford, malbesford@hotmail.com, 07968940255 [South East]
18 Apr: Wessex Branch AGM and talks. Wool, Dorset, D'Urberville Centre. A 'day of talks' and the Branch AGM. Contact: Gill Michaels, wessex@ougs.org, 07817905543 [Wessex]
17–23 May: The Auvergne. France. Leader: Dave Green. To visit and examine some of the volcanic areas of the Auvergne. Contact: Nicole Gay, nicole.london@ougs.org,[London]
7–9 Aug: OUGS Symposium 2026. Queen Margaret University, Musselburgh Campus. More details will become available on the OUGS.org symposium page. Contact: Symposium Bookings, symposium@ougs.org [OUGS Central]
8 Aug: OUGS Society AGM 2026. Queen Margaret University, Musselburgh Campus. 2pm, during the Symposium Weekend Please see OUGS.org AGM page Attendance at AGM and the Geoff Brown Memorial Lecture is free to all Members. Contact: OUGS Secretary, secretary@ougs.org [OUGS Central]
12–18 Aug: Shetland. Leader: Allen Fraser and Robina Barton. To explore the geology of Shetland. Contact: Sue Vernon, sue.london@ougs.org [London]

Contact Information

For each event, the relevant organiser’s name, email and phone number (where available) are provided in the event description above. Please use these to confirm details, register interest, or seek further information.

Notes

All times shown are local (UK time), and dates use the British format (DD/MM/YYYY).
Some events (especially field trips) may require advance booking, appropriate outdoor clothing and/or OUGS membership.
Programme subject to change. Always confirm with the organiser before making plans.