Movement, Environment and Community - research group

Research into experiential education

We believe that principles of social ecology are best learned via experiential education.

Experiential education is a philosophy of education that focuses on the transactive process between teacher and student involved in direct experience with the learning environment and content. So, our research highlights the contributions of physical activity (such as play and games, commuting to school, journeying in nature) to health promotion, wellbeing and sustainable living.

Currently, little is known about the social ecology and experiential education of sports, physical activities and outdoor recreation. MEC aims to fill this gap through scholarly inquiry, rigorous research, a comprehensive and systematic research plan, and their implementation in our undergraduate teaching programs with the next generation of leaders, educators, coaches and policy-makers graduating in sport and outdoor recreation. Meanwhile, we believe education, community development, public policy and local and global populations suffer from this lack of knowledge and evidence.

While MEC is committed to research and research-led-teaching, our undergraduate and postgraduate students will have the opportunity to play a major role in promoting and advocating for our communities' active health, wellbeing and sustainability.