Global Action Plan is an environmental charity focused on issues where the connection between the health of people and our planet is most tangible. We mobilise people and organisations to take action on the systems that harm us and our planet. Our work with youth and schools is driven by the belief that education has a vital role to play in nurturing young people's ability and desire to make change happen.In this role, I am responsible for the management and strategic direction… Show more Global Action Plan is an environmental charity focused on issues where the connection between the health of people and our planet is most tangible. We mobilise people and organisations to take action on the systems that harm us and our planet. Our work with youth and schools is driven by the belief that education has a vital role to play in nurturing young people's ability and desire to make change happen.In this role, I am responsible for the management and strategic direction of Transform Our World, and the project team. Transform Our World runs a programme of work in schools across England to engage young people in youth social action, and our online hub provides teacher-reviewed learning resources from partner organisations, a range of free online events for educators and a bi-weekly newsletter. Show less

Head of Youth Networks at Global Action Plan. As Head of Youth Networks, I oversee the UK Schools Sustainability Network (UKSSN) https://www.transform-our-world.org/ukssn/. UKSSN brings together regional networks of school students and staff to connect and collaborate on youth action projects. UKSSN provides educators and a students with a way to connect with peers, share ideas and resources, collaborate on local, national, and international initiatives, and develop personal, social, and… Show more Head of Youth Networks at Global Action Plan. As Head of Youth Networks, I oversee the UK Schools Sustainability Network (UKSSN) https://www.transform-our-world.org/ukssn/. UKSSN brings together regional networks of school students and staff to connect and collaborate on youth action projects. UKSSN provides educators and a students with a way to connect with peers, share ideas and resources, collaborate on local, national, and international initiatives, and develop personal, social, and workplace skills. Show less

ESRC-funded fellowship to amplify my PhD research on curriculum-based environmental education's impact on young people's well-being. Whilst there is considerable research into young people’s experiences of wellbeing, there is a lack of research exploring how outdoor and environmental education practitioners feel about supporting young people’s wellbeing in curriculum-focused environmental education.This study investigated educator's perspectives of the growing emphasis on… Show more ESRC-funded fellowship to amplify my PhD research on curriculum-based environmental education's impact on young people's well-being. Whilst there is considerable research into young people’s experiences of wellbeing, there is a lack of research exploring how outdoor and environmental education practitioners feel about supporting young people’s wellbeing in curriculum-focused environmental education.This study investigated educator's perspectives of the growing emphasis on promoting wellbeing in outdoor and environmental education, particularly within the framework of curriculum-based environmental education. The study sought to understand their perspectives on the enablers and barriers to supporting the wellbeing of young people in their teaching practice. As practitioners are tasked with delivering curricula and interacting with young people, their experiences are understood.Key outcomes:- Hosted the first National Conference on Wellbeing in Outdoor and Environmental Education attended by over 150 people - Established Wellbeing in Outdoor and Environmental Education Network - Non-academic reports on research - Academic papers -Carried out further research exploring practitioner perspectives on supporting young people's wellbeing during outdoor and environmental education Show less

Research: The development of sustainable leadership in higher education students through community-engaged learning: effective practice in Knowledge ExchangeLead the Future Leaders Programme: a 3-month internship programme that connects University of Plymouth students to community organisations to develop projects that tackle social and sustainability issues in the local area. The project has a focus on co-constructing community-engaged learning, and enhancing the civic agenda of the… Show more Research: The development of sustainable leadership in higher education students through community-engaged learning: effective practice in Knowledge ExchangeLead the Future Leaders Programme: a 3-month internship programme that connects University of Plymouth students to community organisations to develop projects that tackle social and sustainability issues in the local area. The project has a focus on co-constructing community-engaged learning, and enhancing the civic agenda of the University of Plymouth Show less

Funded by the Field Studies Council, my research explored the relationship between environmental education and psychological wellbeing.Details of the relationship between curriculum-based environmental education and wellbeing remain unclear. There has been little insight into the impact of curriculum-based environmental education on the wellbeing of young people and reveals little of the everyday emotions experienced within pedagogically based experiences of the natural… Show more Funded by the Field Studies Council, my research explored the relationship between environmental education and psychological wellbeing.Details of the relationship between curriculum-based environmental education and wellbeing remain unclear. There has been little insight into the impact of curriculum-based environmental education on the wellbeing of young people and reveals little of the everyday emotions experienced within pedagogically based experiences of the natural environment.The research undertaken during my PhD examined the perspectives of young people taking part in curriculum-based environmental education. My work specifically concerned opportunities foryoung people’s wellbeing to be supported yet highlighted several novel barriers to supporting wellbeing that are present within these settings. Using the Field Study Council (FSC) centre, based atSlapton Ley, Devon, I conducted multifactorial qualitative research to understand young people’s perspectives on outdoor education. Focus groups and participant diaries were used to obtain previously unexplored experiences of how curriculum-based environmental education plays a role in supporting young people’s wellbeing.Whilst much of the discourse suggests that environmental education is invariably beneficial for one’s wellbeing, I discovered several factors that detrimentally impact the wellbeing of young people. My PhD research highlighted that many young people, particularly those from urban settings can have a negative perception of natural environments, this can lead to feelings such as anxiety and fear whentaking part in curriculum-based environmental education where there is little time to connect with nature on a meaningful level. The very act of engaging with environmental education, when notframed appropriately to young people’s differing perspectives of the natural environment can negatively impact their wellbeing. Show less

Delivering Active Travel campaigns in schools and colleges across Devon. Working with young people to support them in choosing sustainable travel choices for more of their journeys.

Lecturer and Module Lead on Early Adventure module on BA Education Studies at Plymouth University

I am currently part of a small group of students called Future Leaders. The groups aims are to tackle sustainability issues within the university and the surrounding community. One focus of the group waste management and recycling on campus. Together we organised meetings with high profile managers, including the sustainability officer of Plymouth University and the manager of Absolute Recycling in Plymouth. As a result of these meetings the universities sustainability agenda will now have a… Show more I am currently part of a small group of students called Future Leaders. The groups aims are to tackle sustainability issues within the university and the surrounding community. One focus of the group waste management and recycling on campus. Together we organised meetings with high profile managers, including the sustainability officer of Plymouth University and the manager of Absolute Recycling in Plymouth. As a result of these meetings the universities sustainability agenda will now have a focus in freshers’ week and a recycling bin specifically for Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) will also be placed on campus. I am now helping to run the programme and lead sessions based on Education for Sustainability. Through the Centre for Sustainable Futures at Plymouth University I am also helping to create a new initiative for their work - the idea of Student Sustainability Ambassadors helps to provide a student perspective and an innovation/enterprise dimension to how The centre takes its work on Education for Sustainability forwards. Show less

Assisting in the research for the 2020 Project. Following 20 students and gaining information about their sustainable education experience at Plymouth University

Supporting the Chief Executive in leading the strategic development of Education through Expeditions

Working with the Centre for Sustainable Futures to develop ways to increase student connection with sustainability across Plymouth University . -Working with sports and societies to improve the sustainability of their clubs in relations to the 3 pillars of sustainability-Running summer school sessions for local schools-Working with the NUS to help increase the universities sustainability action plan