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Biography

As Professor of Outdoor and Environmental Education, Heather promotes and develops the research and learning and teaching profile and activity within the institute, research centres and across the university.  She is a theme lead for Outdoor Learning in the Learning, Education and Development (LED) research centre.  She is involved in innovative curriculum design and inspiring pedagogic practice and has international experience in curriculum change and development.  She was the first Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (PFHEA) at the university.

Heather is a PhD supervisor and examiner and is involved in researcher development in the university.  She designs new frameworks for postgraduate courses, collaborates on strategic developments and teaches on undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in Outdoor Studies. She is particularly interested in the exciting opportunities presented for enhancing student experience through active and experiential learning with research connected teaching.

After a doctorate in palaeoecology from Aberystwyth University and a PGCE (secondary) in Outdoor Activities and Geography at Bangor University, Heather worked in Outdoor Education Centres and as a Co-ordinator of Outdoor Education in Cumbria, prior to moving into teacher training in higher education.  She established the first Outdoor Studies degree in the UK at St Martin’s College – a legacy institution of the ̽»¨ÊÓƵ.  Her professional, research and personal interests continue to focus on enabling all young people to have the opportunity to experience outdoor learning.

Qualifications and memberships

PhD, PFHEA, PGCE, BSc (Hons), Cert. Nature Conservation.

National Governing Body awards in outdoor activities.

British Canoeing, British Orienteering, Royal Yachting Association, Mountaineering Scotland, Institute for Outdoor Learning.

Academic and research interests

Outdoor Studies

Outdoor & Environmental Education and Outdoor Learning in formal education

Adventure, environment & sustainability.

Place-based & nature-based learning.

Research supervision

Current research students:

• Rebecca Hordern - Outdoor learning, development of professional staff-student relationships in secondary schools and engagement with learning
• Joanna Stanberry - Vital Pivot: A resurgent learning theory applied to reflexive governance for sustainability in the Anthropocene
• Neil Windett - Aethestic value and stakeholder engagement in nature conservation

(7 completions)

Publications

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Thomas, G. J., Dyment, J., & Prince, H. (Eds.). (2021). Outdoor environmental education in higher education: International perspectives. Cham, Switzerland: Springer International Publishing AG. ISBN 978-3-030-75979

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Thomas, G., Dyment, J & Prince, H.  (2021). ‘Preparing outdoor educators to be transformational teachers and leaders,’ in Thomas, G.J., Dyment, J. & Prince, H. (eds.) Outdoor Environmental Education in Higher Education: International Perspectives, 1-11.  Cham, Switzerland: Springer International Publishing AG.

Humberstone, B and Prince, H. (2019)  Research Methods in Outdoor Studies.  Oxford, New York: Routledge.

Prince, H. E. (2016) Outdoor experiences and sustainability.  Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning, 17(2), 161-171.  Doi: 10.1080/14729679.2016.1244645.

Prince, H.E.  (2016) ‘Principal Lecturer to Principal Fellow:  on cloud nine with a few clouds in between. Blog for Higher Education Academy. Available at: https://www.heacademy.ac.uk/blog/principal-lecturer-principal-fellow-cloud-nine-few-clouds-between

Humberstone, B., Christie, B. and Prince, H. (2016) Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning, 16 (1). p. 1.

Humberstone, B., Prince, H. and Henderson, K.A. (2016) International Handbook of Outdoor Studies.  Oxford: Routledge.

Fletcher, E. & Prince, H.E.  (2017) Steering a course towards Eudaimonia: The effects of sail training on well-being and character.  Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning. DoI: 10.1080/14729679.2017.1294490.

 

Recent external roles

Associate Editor and Editorial Board Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning, including co-editor of Themed Edition on outdoor play, 'Child, place and others'

External Examiner: Atlantic Technological University, University of Edinburgh and Plymouth Marjon University

PhD, DProf, EdDoc, MPhil examiner (22 examinations globally)

Visiting lecturer: Phillips University, Marburg, Germany; University of Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Spain

Place-based, outdoor curriculum scoping for Cumbria County Council; Morecambe Bay Curriculum Framework (KE project)

Product design research: Lowe Alpine

REALISE project (Researching Experiential Active Learning Initiatives for Student/Staff Engagement)

Social Impact ̽»¨ÊÓƵ: Ocean Youth Trust North (Sail Training)

Morecambe Bay Curriculum (Eden Project Morecambe) Steering Group

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