profile

Dr Rachel Manning
ESRC Postdoctoral Fellowship
Baring Court BC01
Baring Court, University of Exeter St Luke's Campus, Heavitree Road, Exeter, EX1 2LU, UK
Overview
I’m an ESRC Postdoctoral Fellow in the School of Education, one of seven Fellows hosted by the South West Doctoral Training Partnership.
Coming from a background in education, my research interests have developed to move towards a focus on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). I am interested in how education, both formal and informal can help develop sustainable competencies in individuals. I am also interested in ways we can reconnect people to our natural surroundings and the benefits that arise from this, in turn linking this into developing effective education for positive social change.
My PhD focused on how educational experiences in the natural environment can support young people's wellbeing. By taking a critical look at theories such as Attention Restoration Theory and Stress Reduction Theory, as well as motivation theories, I explored how young people experience wellbeing in outdoor learning. The research highlighted the need to develop socially and culturally relevant learning experiences for young people in the outdoors in order to support their wellbeing.
My ESRC-funded Postdoctoral Fellowship broadens this work to explore how outdoor educators' perspectives of supporting young people's wellbeing. I will be developing training and CPD resources that will support outdoor educators and schools in delivering effective outdoor learning that supports young people's wellbeing.
I also have a background in Education for Sustainable Development and Knowledge Exchange. I previously worked on a project funded by the Office for Students exploring sustainable and civic knowledge exchange in higher education. I have also carried out research assessing effective practice in Education for Sustainable Development in higher education settings.
Broad research specialisms:
Education for Sustainable Development, Outdoor Learning, Environmental Education, Experiential Education, Systems Thinking, Nature Connection, Sustainability in Higher Education, Informal and Formal Learning
Qualifications
2021: PhD Human Geography, University of Exeter
2015: MSc Learning for Sustainability, University of Plymouth
2014: BA Education Studies, University of Plymouth
Career
2021 - 2022: Associate Research Fellow, University of Plymouth
2021: Primary School Co-ordinator, CoachBright
2021: Research Assistant, Centre for Sustainable Futures
2017-2021: Postgraduate Teaching Assistant, University of Exeter
2016 - 2017: Sustainable and Active Travel Education Officer, Sustrans
2016 - 2017: Associate Lecturer in Education, University of Plymouth
2016 - 2017: Research Assistant, Centre for Sustainable Futures
2015 - 2016: Education Co-ordinator, Education through Expeditions
Links
Research group links
Research
Research interests
Research Interests:
- Young people's wellbeing in education
- Outdoor learning
- Education for Sustainable Development
- Sociology of childhood
- Education Futures
- Connection to Nature
Research projects
- 2022 - 2023 ESRC. Perspectives of wellbeing in environmental education
- 2022 HEIF. Community-engaged learning in higher education
- 2022 HEIF Explore Awards. Connecting community to shifting sites of healthcare
- 2021 - 2022 Office for Students. Sustainable and civic student knowledge exchange in higher education
- 2017 - 2021 PhD. Exploring the role and potential of environmental education for supporting young people's wellbeing
Publications
Key publications | Publications by category | Publications by year
Publications by category
Journal articles
Publications by year
2022
2021
2018
Rachel_Manning Details from cache as at 2023-05-28 23:43:33
External Engagement and Impact
Co-convenor BERA Nature, Outdoor Learning and Play Special Interest Group
Chair of the Wellbeing in Outdoor and Environmental Education Network