Dr Colin Wood

colin-wood-new

Course Leader for MA Outdoor Education and Senior Lecturer in Outdoor Adventure, Leadership and Management

School of Sport and Exercise Science

Academics

Contact Details

email: c.wood@worc.ac.uk
tel: 01905 542235

Colin teaches Outdoor Education and Work-Based Learning at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. He is involved in research in both areas and leads the innovative MA in Outdoor Education, which supports outdoor professionals wishing to study in their workplace. Previously, Colin taught at Herefordshire College of Technology and before that had a long career in Outdoor Education working in senior posts around the world for a variety organisations. Colin's work spanned corporate development, outdoor recreation, sail training and expeditionary learning including leading numerous jungle expeditions.

Qualifications:

  • Doctor of Education, University of Worcester
  • Outdoor Education MSc, University of Edinburgh
  • PGCE, University of Wales
  • Development Studies BA (Hons), University of East Anglia
  • Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA)

Teaching & Research

University Roles:

  • Course leader for MA in Outdoor Education
  • Link Tutor for BSc (Hons) Outdoor Adventure Leadership and Management
  • Chair of the School Employability Action Group

Teaching Interests:

Colin teaches on a range of undergraduate and postgraduate modules which covers:

  • Research Methods
  • Environmental Education
  • Outdoor Facilitation
  • Contemporary Issues.

His teaching is strongly influenced by his background in outdoor adventure and his experience in management in the outdoor recreation industry. Colin's teaching is informed by the need to prepare students for their future careers through practical involvement in the work place and active engagement with professional issues.

Research Interests:

  • Outdoor Education
  • Work Based Learning
  • Trust in the Outdoors
  • Social Aspects of Outdoor Learning
  • International Aspects of Outdoor Learning
  • Residential Adventure Education

Professional Bodies

  • Institute for Outdoor Learning
  • Royal Yachting Association
  • British Canoe Union
  • British Mountaineering Council
  • Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA)

Publications

Peer Reviewed Papers:

Hubbard, P. and Wood, C. (In process) Rock climbing as a craft: How relationships between the rock and the craft of climbing co-create skills development and pro-environmental behaviour in outdoor climbing. Journal of Outdoor and Environmental Education.

Wood, C. (2023). An exploration of how primary school children’s social values are influenced by their experiences during residential outdoor learning. (Doctoral dissertation, University of Worcester).

Renfree, G., Cueson, D., and Wood, C. (2021) Skateboard, BMX freestyle, and sport climbing communities’ responses to their sports’ inclusion in the Olympic Games. Managing Sport and Leisure, 1-15.

Wood, C., and Jones, G. (2020). Evaluating the nature of summative feedback on electronically submitted work at a UK University: implications for post-compulsory education. Research in Post-Compulsory Education, 25(4), 420-444.

Wood, C., Goodall, D. and Farmer, M. (2016) Changing professional identity in the transition from practitioner to lecturer in Higher Education: An Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis. Research in Post-compulsory Education. Volume 21, Issue 3, September 2016, pages 229-245.

Wood, C. (2012) Exploring the retention of students studying higher education at partner college. Research in Post-compulsory Education. Volume 17, Issue 1, March 2012, pages 21-37.

Peer Reviewed Conference Presentations

Wood, C. (2022) An exploration of how primary school children’s social values are influenced by their experiences during residential outdoor learning. 9th International Outdoor education research conference. Ambleside, UK.

Wood, C. (2020) Exploring the role of outdoor adventure in the development of young people. Herefordshire University Centre talks.

Wood, C. (2016) Exploring young peoples’ attitudes to society after a residential outdoor learning experience. 7th International Outdoor Education Research Conference. Cape Breton University, Canada.

Wood, C. and Cattell, C. (2014) The motivations and outcomes of studying for part-time mature students completing higher education programmes at further education colleges. FERA Conference (presentation and paper). Oxford, UK.

Wood, C. (2012) Outdoor Learning in the commercial sector – how do commercial operators in the UK incorporate health, sustainability and social inclusion with their commercial imperative? European Outdoor Education Conference, Derwent, UK.

Wood, C. (2011) IOERC Conference 2011 paper - Trust formation theory and the conscious use of risk in outdoor education. International Outdoor Education Research Conference, Denmark.

Professional Journal Articles:

Wood, C. and Pritchard, L. (2014) Using Accreditations and Memberships to assess the size of the Outdoor Sector. Horizons.

Practitioner Conference Presentations

O’Brien, K. and Wood, C. (2019) How Unconscious Bias affects your Leadership. Institute for Outdoor Learning Conference, Staffordshire, UK.

Wood, C. (2015) Benefits of outdoor learning (presentation). Worcestershire Environmental Education Liaison Group.

Wood, C. (2014) Viva Ronald and Mickey: values and value formation in commercial outdoor education. Association of Heads of Outdoor Education Centres Conference. Staffordshire, UK.

Book Chapters:

Wood, C. (2024) ‘Heutagogy and outdoor learning: designing postgraduate studies that support self-determined learners. In Garnham, W. and Oprandi, P. (editors) Outdoor Learning: Education beyond the seminar room. London: Routledge

Wood, C. and Pritchard, L. (2017) Creative approaches to teaching through adventure.  In Pickering, S. (Editor) Teaching Outdoors Creatively.  London: Taylor and Francis.

Waite, S., Passy, R., Rea, T., Williams, A. and Wood, C. (2012) Outdoor learning policy development in England and Wales. International outdoor research network papers.

Obrey, D. and Wood, C. (2011) Tracking the entry of vocational learners in higher education in a rural area of England.  In Shaw, J., Wise, J. and Rout, A. (editors) Research in the Lifelong Learning Networks. Lifelong Learning Networks National Forum.

Other Research Outputs:

Wood, C. and Obrey, D. (2008) Research into Higher Education course choices for students studying L3 sports courses in Herefordshire and Worcestershire. Herefordshire and Worcestershire Lifelong Learning Network.

Wood, C. and Obrey, D. (2008) Research into Higher Education course choices for students studying L3 travel and tourism courses in Herefordshire and Worcestershire. Herefordshire and Worcestershire Lifelong Learning Network.

Wood, C. and Obrey, D. (2008) Further Education lecturer research into Higher Education choices amongst Sports students in Herefordshire and Worcestershire. Herefordshire and Worcestershire Lifelong Learning Network.

Wood, C. and Obrey, D. (2008) Further Education lecturer research into Higher Education choices amongst Travel and Tourism students in Herefordshire and Worcestershire. Herefordshire and Worcestershire Lifelong Learning Network.