Î÷¹ÏÊÓƵ

I am an educator and researcher with primary interests in how critical and creative pedagogies can forward human and eco-centred conceptions of social justice. My areas of specialism are creativity in education, outdoor learning and sustainability, English and Drama.

At Î÷¹ÏÊÓƵ I am Project Lead for the creation of the Outdoor Learning Hub. The hub will be a centre for learning, professional development and community activity. I co-lead the delivery of the Forest and Outdoor Learning Awards for education students and staff to develop their outdoor leadership skills. I am engaged in research towards a PhD by publication, that will focus on the importance of creative pedagogy in outdoor learning as enacted by leaders and practitioners.

Prior to joining Î÷¹ÏÊÓƵ in 2020 my path as an educator was winding and varied. I began my career as an English and Drama teacher, going on to manage teams in socially and ethnically diverse high schools in Scotland, America and England. During this time, I studied for a Masters in Educational Management and the Scottish Qualification for Headship.  

In 2014 I changed my direction in education and set up social enterprise focused on creative learning. I trained as a Forest School leader and completed research towards an MScRes.  My dissertation was titled, ‘A Good Stick: an inquiry into Creativity in Forest School’.    

I worked as a Further Education lecturer and initiated the Forest College at Newbattle Abbey College in Midlothian. In this role I developed and wrote the Forest and Outdoor Learning Awards and worked with a range of national and community partners to support lifelong learning outdoors.