Land Rover is supporting a Royal Geographical Society expedition (with the Institute of British Geographers) which will investigate the geographical and political effects of No Man’s Lands on modern day society, while charting their origins and development throughout history.
The No Man’s Land expedition team, led by Dr Alasdair Pinkerton, of Royal Holloway University of London and Dr Noam Leshem of Durham University depart on 12 September, travelling from the hamlet of Nomansland in Devon, England, to Bir Tawil, a disputed territory on the Egypt-Sudan border, often described as ‘the last truly unclaimed place on earth’.
The six-week research expedition is funded through a Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) Thesiger-Oman Fellowship and supported by Land Rover with the loan of a Discovery Sport. With an aim to build on the current research and understanding of No Man’s Lands throughout history, its research findings will also be used to develop educational materials for secondary level geography students in the UK (aged 15+).
‘No Man’s Lands’ have existed within the English language for over 1000 years to describe pieces of un-owned or abandoned land, the cracks between uncertain international borders, or the disputed ground between opposing militaries. Whilst many associate the term with war or think that No Man’s Lands are a thing of the past, Dr Pinkerton and Dr Leshem will use academic fieldwork to link together multiple No Man’s Lands through the expedition, while documenting the lives of those still affected by these challenging spaces.
A Discovery Sport support vehicle will play a crucial role in the expedition. The highly capable and versatile premium compact SUV will be essential in negotiating the challenging route across 19 countries. Its class-leading all-terrain credentials will be put to the test as it transports the team and their equipment across epic landscapes in extreme conditions, covering thousands of miles of varied, inhospitable terrain.
Alasdair Pinkerton, expedition co-leader said: “This is an extraordinarily ambitious project that goes way beyond standard academic research – 6000 miles, 19 countries, a demilitarised Buffer Zone and the world’s last truly unclaimed territory, all in little under six weeks. The support and expeditionary expertise of the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) has been absolutely crucial in the formulation of the expedition, while the training and the Discovery Sport provided by Land Rover will allow us to negotiate some of the most challenging environments and terrains anywhere in Europe and North Africa.”
Mark Cameron, Jaguar Land Rover Global Experiential Marketing Director said: “Land Rover is proud to be supporting this ambitious expedition. Our long-standing relationship with the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) stems from our shared desire to explore and go beyond; this project exemplifies this aspiration, by travelling to some of the most inaccessible areas across Europe and the Middle-East.”
About Discovery Sport:
Discovery Sport is the world’s most capable and versatile premium compact SUV, and the first member of the bold new Discovery family. Unique in its segment, Discovery Sport combines a dynamic design with flexible 5+2 seating in a compact footprint. A suite of Land Rover innovations debut, including the next generation integral multi-link rear axle, advanced pedestrian airbag technology, an all-new touchscreen infotainment system and state-of-the-art bodyshell for outstanding performance, safety and efficiency.
The recent addition of Land Rover’s innovative Ingenium diesel engine delivers impressive torque and power outputs, combined with excellent refinement, reduced CO2 emissions and enhanced fuel economy.
About the Nomansland to No Man’s Land exhibition team:
Dr Alasdair Pinkerton, is a Political Geographer at Royal Holloway University of London who has worked extensively in South America, South Asia and Cyprus. Has published widely in academic journals and regularly appears in print and broadcast media as a commentator on geopolitical and diplomatic issues.
Dr Noam Leshem, is a Political Geographer at Durham University with over 15 years of experience studying conflicts in the Middle East. He has written about contemporary political activism and was the recipient of the 2012 Leigh Douglas Memorial Prize for Best Middle East dissertation by the British Society for Middle East Research.
Mr Elliot Graves is a Geography graduate from Durham University and Director of FOXEP Productions, a creative media production house. Elliot has professional experience in photography, cinematography, design, development and radio production. Beyond his academic and media work, Elliot also has experience in live event production and is a skilled mechanic, having worked on various competitive motor racing vehicles.
To find out more about the project and to follow the journey go to: www.intonomansland.org