Liz Mallabon | University of Cumbria

My background is in psychology, sports coaching and working with young people, combined with my love for the outdoors has fuelled my fascination in mental health, wellbeing and therapeutic landscapes.

PgC Counselling

PgC Learning and Teaching in Higher Education

PhD, Coach Education and the coaching process within British Paddlesport: A constraints- led approach

MSc Sport Psychology

BSc (Hons) Sport & Exercise Science

I am interested in both the informal and formal aspects of 'therapeutic' activities, and the part that nature and the outdoors can play within this. I am particularly interested in exploring the challenges, and opportunities, resulting from collaboration between counselling and outdoor learning professionals.

Present

Vicki white: A breath of fresh air? Introducing nature to the counselling and psychotherapy process: An ecological dynamics analysis. University of Cumbria (Supervisor)

Completed

2016: Jamie Mcphie - How perceptions of environments help health and wellbeing. Lancaster University (Supervisor)

Examiner

2022: Mark Christie - ‘Digging deep’ (for answers): how specific forms of green exercise contribute to positive outcomes for individuals, groups and communities. University of Cumbria (Examiner)

2017: Hsiao-Pu Yeh - Physical, psychological and emotional effects of nature-based affordances for green physical activity: Sheffield Hallam University (Examiner)

Conferences

Bullivant, Z., Mallabon, L. (2019). Conserving wellbeing: a healthy conservation approach. In: Nature Connections conference 2019, University of Derby, Derby Campus.

Wilson, D., Hunt, A. and Mallabon, L. (2019) Using the CARE (Campus Assessment, Respond, and Evaluation) model at Academic Departmental Level. In: Learning & Teaching Fest 2019, 3 July 2019, University of Cumbria, Carlisle, UK.

Bennett, V.L., Mallabon, L. & Bates, E. (2017). ‘A Natural ‘Healing Space’? Counselling and Psychotherapy in Green and Blue Space as an Alternative to Traditional Settings: An Ecological Dynamics Analysis. Nature Connections Conference 2017. University of Derby, Kedleston Road Campus.

Bennett, V.L., Mallabon, L. & Bates, E. (2017). ‘What makes a ‘Space’ a ‘Healing Place’? An Examination of Settings for Counselling and Psychotherapy within the United Kingdom’. Doctoral Colloquium, University of Cumbria, Lancaster Campus. Thursday 13th July 2017.

Bennett, V.L., Mallabon, L., Bates, E. & Stuart, K. (2016). ‘The Benefits of ‘Nature’ as a Tool in Improving Mental Health and Maintaining Psychological Well-being: An Ecological Dynamics Analysis’. Doctoral Colloquium, University of Cumbria, Lancaster Campus. Thursday 14th July 2016.

Mallabon, L. (2015). The outdoors: Transitional and therapeutic spaces for young people from domestic violence and abuse backgrounds. Cumbria Magistrates CPD training day; University of Cumbria: Ambleside.

Mallabon, L and Taylor, W. (2007). 'The Educational Journey of Paddlesport Coaches', BASES Annual conference; University of Bath, 12th-14th September.

Mallabon, L., Barry, T. and Abt, G. (2007) 'Podcasting in undergraduate physiology; the students' experiences', ALT-C Learning Technology for the Social network conference, Nottingham, 4th-6th September.

Abstracts

Mallabon, E., & Taylor, B. (2007). The educational journey of paddlesport coaches. Journal of Sports Sciences, 25(S2), S95-S96.

Mallabon, E., & Taylor, B. (2007). The professionalisation of sports coaching and the changing face of volunteerism. Journal of Sports Sciences, 25(S2), S96-S96.

Chapters/ Books

Prince, Heather and Mallabon, Elizabeth (2019) Designing effective research projects in outdoor studies. In: Humberstone, Barbara and Prince, Heather, (eds.) Research methods in outdoor studies. Routledge advances in outdoor studies series . Routledge, Taylor & Francis, Oxford, UK.

Ord, J., & Mallabon, L. (2017). Wilderness and Informal Education: The importance of wild places and spaces. In Rethinking Outdoor, Experiential and Informal Education (pp. 92-107). Routledge.

Journals

Clough, P., Hough Mackenzie, S., Mallabon, L. and Brymer, E. (2016). Adventurous physical activity environments: A mainstream intervention for mental health. Sports Medicine, 46(7), 963-968.

Brymer, E., Davids, K. and Mallabon, L. (2014). Understanding the psychological health and well-being benefits of physical activity in nature: An ecological dynamics analysis. Ecopsychology, 6(3), 189-197.

Mallabon, E., & Taylor, B. (2007). Formal coach education programmes: perceptions from coaches. Journal of Sports Sciences, 25(S2), S95-S95.

External examiner/advisor

Hugh Baird College (UCLAN), FdA Outdoor Adventure Studies

South Nottingham College (Nottingham Trent University), FdSc Sport Coaching

Manchester Metropolitan University, FdSc Sport Coaching

Loughborough College (Loughborough University), BSc(Hons) Sports Science and Sports Coaching

Consultancy/advisor

2016 - 2018 South Lakeland MIND outdoor therapy steering group

2004 - 2008 Assistant manager British Climbing Team (Bouldering)