Much of my work is driven by the idea that human beings should be enabled to live meaningful lives. This requires a number of different features, including (but not limited to) a strong connection with nature, an understanding of the way in which economics and politics influences education and human relationships, and thinking about the ways to liberate people from oppressive ways of seeing and acting in the world. These underpinning ideas have seen me teach a broad array of subjects, which in their own way, have informed the way I think about education and my practice as an educator inside and outside of the classroom. These ideas underpin my teaching approach in modules that I teach on (and have taught on):

Undergraduate Teaching

‘What is Education For?’ Philosophies that Shape Education (Leader)

Pedagogical Creed (Philosophy in Early Childhood Practice) (Tutor)

Outdoor and Adventurous Education (Leader)

Research Project (Part 1 and 2), with a particular responsibility for Philosophy of Education Projects

Historic Modules

Personal and Professional Development (Extended Induction in Learning Theory and Study Skills)

Education: Perspectives over time (tutor)

Education: International perspectives (leader)

Citizenship, Morals and Values in Education (leader)

Thinking Skills (tutor)

Global perspectives on childhood (tutor)

Postgraduate Teaching and Supervision

Education, Social Justice and Social Change

MA Education Framework Dissertation - Supervision

EdD Supervision

DClinPsych Supervision

Historic Supervision

MA Education (China – Scholars programme) Practice-based research supervision

Similar to my teaching interests, my research directly informs the way I educate, value student participation and conceptualise education with a greater purpose than that which is currently in public discourse. I gained my Masters (MSc Practice-Based Research) by undertaking an autoethnographic critical theory exploration of my practice as an early-career academic. The work explored how managerialism and performativity impact on the ethical underpinnings of academic practice. The project looked at both student and staff experience of a curriculum on a marginalised programme in a school of education.

Much of my research, as indicated in my teaching profile, is interested in the moral underpinnings of education, the impact of which means one becomes interested in most areas of philosophy and education. I am currently undertaking my PhD at The University of Edinburgh taking a philosophical educational narrative approach exploring the pedagogical possibilities of canoeing for the future.

Research Interests in brief:

• Philosophy in/of outdoor and adventurous education
• Experiential Education
• Student experience and engagement in Higher Education
• Ethics and Education
• Social Justice in Education
• Education and the meaningful life