An event for PhD Students, Early Career Researchers and Outdoor Education Practitioners aiming to promote research-based discussion of outdoor education, and to consider the relationship between educational youth work in alternative spaces and social justice.

This seminar brings attention to the definition of learning, learning in the outdoor space, and the educative value of learning beyond the walls for youth development and for pedagogical development. There is no one fit all solution in the realm of education, exploring alternative approaches of learning and education is always significant, not only regarding the quality of education, but also the contribution to education equality and even the learners’ physical and mental health. ‘Diversity’ in learning is a prescient concern at a time when social and political change has subjected young people to growing inequalities. This event will explore to what extent the possibilities for experience and collective association afforded by outdoor learning can address the exclusionary effects of traditional educational spaces.

The event will include a plenary talk from Dr Simon Beames Senior Lecturer in Outdoor Learning at the University of Edinburgh, and a series of workshops exploring new research on the relations of outdoor spaces, pedagogy and learning.

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS: We are taking abstracts (300 word limit) for those interested in contributing to this seminar. Presentations of 20 minutes are welcome from both researchers and practitioners of outdoor education. Please email abstracts to Frances.Howard@ntu.ac.uk by 5pm on Friday 10th May. Selected presentations will be notified by Tuesday 14th May.