Research & Academic Partnerships
My research sits at the intersection of outdoor learning, eco-social justice, community resilience and environmental education. I am a Senior Lecturer in Environmental Education and Engagement at Bath Spa University, where my work spans sustainability, EDI in the outdoors, climate futures and place-based pedagogy.
→ Full academic profile: [Bath Spa University profile link]
Research themes:
- Land access, equity and outdoor learning
- Nature connectedness and eco-social wellbeing
- Climate futures and children’s imaginaries
- Community resilience and participatory research
- Forest school, place-based and therapeutic outdoor learning
- Creativity, environment and ecotherapy
International partnerships:
I am an active member of international research networks and have collaborated with universities and organisations across Europe, Africa and beyond.
- University of Jyväskylä, Finland: Visiting Research Fellow, Department of Education (2022)
- University of Namibia :ERASMUS mobility exchange, Bath Spa University (2023)
- University of the Basque Country, Spain: Invited keynote, Forest School and Eco-Social Education, Donostia (2024)
- Common Worlds International Research Collective: member, commonworlds.net
- European Outdoor Education Network: member
- ESER UNESCO Network in Europe (EERA): member
Selected recent publications:
Bayley, A., McCree, M. & Thornhill, I. (2026): Hear Water: creative, technology-enhanced pedagogy for music and arts education. Impact: Journal of the Chartered College of Teaching.
Rekers-Power & McCree, M. (2025, 2nd edn): The role of the adult in play, in Waters, J. (ed.) Introduction to Play. Sage.
McCree, M. (2022): The Scenic Route to Academic Attainment via Emotional Wellbeing Outdoors. Palgrave Macmillan.
→ Bath Spa University profile
→ For research collaborations and speaking: info@freerangecreativity.org