Experiential Learning in the Outdoors
Outdoor Studies has been a subject at the university and its legacy institutions for over fifty years. The research group works with international, national and local research needs in outdoor education, recreation, wellbeing and human nature relations, making best use of the location and Cumbrian needs and interests, and promoting research-led teaching and learning.
The group host the Outdoor Learning Research Hub national centre and the NW Outdoor Learning Research Hub which is part of a network that are coordinated by the University of Cumbria in partnership with the Institute for Outdoor Learning. The research team also have significant international collaborations involving partner universities in Norway, Germany, Australia and Canada. Members of the group currently sit on various editorial teams for relevant journals and take part in private research oriented consultancy. Details of our publications can be found on Insight.
Current research activity falls into four main areas; Citizenship and Environment, Outdoor Education, Health and Environment and Outdoor Recreation. This is supported by a growing number of PhD students and research assistants.
The institute looks to work collaboratively with other internal research hubs and centres in the university, the Brathay Research Hub, the Learning Away Consortium and the European Outdoor Education Network.
