We’re delighted to share that our work has been spotlighted in Hugh Philpott’s Substack feature, “Seeking the Source with Sophie.” In this thoughtful piece, Hugh celebrates Sophie Ibbotson’s remarkable investigation into an enduring geographical question: where exactly does the Oxus River begin?

The article honours Sophie’s blend of meticulous archival research, rigorous fieldwork, and clear-headed analysis — a combination that goes far beyond cartography into the living geography of Central Asia. What emerges is not just the answer to a long-standing academic riddle, but a reminder that even in our age of satellites and GPS, there are landscapes and questions still not fully explored.

What makes this feature especially meaningful for us is its affirmation of why we do what we do: to champion journeys of curiosity and depth, where history, environment, and lived experience converge. Being acknowledged in this context — as part of the conversation about what it means to think deeply and move boldly across the world — feels like a true milestone.