Biography

With a background in Outdoor Adventure Education, I am dedicated to understanding, conceptualising and studying learning, not just in a traditional classroom setting, but as a lifelong, relational endeavour. With experience of both formal and informal teaching approaches in a variety of classroom and outdoor environments, my expertise continues to shape my research. Recent projects have investigated pastoral relationships with students, peer learning, and digital tools as mediators for relational journeys throughout undergraduate degree programmes. 

At the University of Portsmouth, I am following a career as a Senior Lecturer and Subject Area Leader for Education and Childhood Studies. Qualified in 2014 through Cardiff University with a PGCE, I started teaching in Welsh Further Education (FE), where I completed my Master's degree in Outdoor Education and a Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Research. I am now continuing my studies to complete a PhD by compilation. 

I value professional development highly and strive to innovate my practice, sharing with others, especially focusing on relationality in education. Prioritising learning for students, I have recent, practical experience in optimising the use of digital tools and conceptualising how technology (AI) is evolving within the Higher Education landscape. My research takes a posthumanist, sociomaterial perspective, valuing the contexts, materiality, human and non-human actors that make up webs of connection to impact learning. I aim to be a reflective, relational leader and practitioner, prioritising interpersonal skills and innovating every aspect of my practice; welcoming new projects, and regularly trialling new approaches for effectiveness.

• A dedicated and relational leader for the Education and Childhood Subject Area, formulating and implementing its strategic direction and ensuring its operational success. This involves line management of academic staff, overseeing multiple programmes and focusing on recruitment, retention and curriculum excellence; 
• Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (Advance HE);
• I am currently leading major curriculum reform in Education and Childhood Studies courses, meeting sector demand and prioritising the professionalism of our learners;
• I have experience working in various educational environments, including outdoor settings (UK and abroad), multi-day expeditions, outdoor activities, formal education environments, and online; 
• My expertise is consistently shaped by working with children and young people in outdoor environments, giving me sustained professional insight into various aspects of my discipline (Education & Childhood Studies).