You can't judge a book by its cover

This article introduces the GA's 2003 Annual Conference in Derby, as well as giving a brief personal history including beginnings of interest in geography, of the 2003 GA President The Conference theme, 'Valuing Geography' is looked at from the textbook publisher in the educational world. The article argues that the educational system is becoming more centralised - there has been a change in the National Curriculum from a diverse, eccentric marketplace to a disciplined homogenised one. And because of this the editorial process is now more about bidding for contracts from awarding bodies than creating novel responses to educational opportunities. The Government needs to play an active role in keeping educational publishing vibrant and lively. The article suggests that there are three huge challenges facing the UK industry: first, achieving greater and more sustainable growth to compete on a truly global scale; second, changes in customer behaviour and understanding the needs of the end-user, and; third, digital media within a changing regulatory and technological environment.