Project team members

Alexia Sabbe

Lecturer and researcher

Alexia is a lecturer and researcher at VIVES University of Applied Sciences where she conducts practice-based research on the wellbeing of children and professionals at the intersection of education, health and human rights. She is driven by a passion to create positive impact at a personal, organizational and societal level.

Marie Seghers

social worker and sociologist

Marie is a social worker and sociologist and works as a researcher and lecturer at VIVES University of Applied Sciences where she conducts practice-based research on social inclusion, social inequality, and diversity in educational and urban settings. She believes in the power of outdoor learning to create positive effects on learning, wellbeing, and social inclusion of student from different social backgrounds.

Katrijn Schelstraete

Teacher

Katrijn is a primary school teacher at Freinet Context at Bruges, Belgium. Outdoor education is a common school practice at Context. Katrijn stimulates play, learning and exploring in nature with all the materials and resources the outdoor environment has to offer. 

El -Devits

Teacher

Els is a kindergarten teacher at Freinet child centre the Tandem, currently teaching in the first grade of primary education. As a trained kindergarten teachers Els is familiar with active teaching, going outside and let children work independently. Outdoor play is more than going outside but integrated in the schools’ learning activities offering many possibilities for learning and play. Els believes that once you get the taste of it, you will know how enthusiastic children get and will experience the endless opportunities of outdoor learning. Risky play adds an extra dimension and an even greater involvement. Dare to go for it.

Hana Svobodová

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Tereza Češková

assistant professor

Mgr.Tereza Češková, PhD is an assistant professor at the Department of Primary Education at the Faculty of Education, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic. She received a master‘s degree in Teaching at primary schools and a doctoral degree in Educational Sciences. She gained her practical experience primarily at a tiny village school, where teaching outdoors was simply natural. In her current practice at the university, she strives to leverage this experience and guide her students toward meaningful utilization of the resources available in their surroundings, as she believes it just makes sense.

Olga Novotná

Teacher

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Eliska Romo Sanchez

Teacher

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Orla Kelly

Associate Professor

Orla is an Associate Professor in Social, Environmental and Scientific Education in the School of STEM Education, Innovation and Global Studies at the Institute of Education, Dublin City University. Her teaching and research activities reflect her passion for science education, education for sustainability and outdoor learning. She aspires to support children’s and teachers’ appreciation of and kinship with nature.

Maura Coulter

Associate Dean

Dr Maura Coulter is the Associate Dean for Research at DCU Institute of Education and Associate Professor in primary physical education in the School of Arts Education and Movement.

She is currently engaged in research projects relating to collaboration in higher education with a particular focus on international communities of practice, outdoor learning and education, adventurous/risky play, social justice pedagogies, and pedagogies of vulnerability.

Maura’s teaches modules on physical education, outdoor and adventure activities, outdoor physically active play and outdoor learning on pre-service and in-service teacher education programmes.

She is Co-editor of the Irish Education Studies journal (2023-2027) and has received two All-Island SCOTENS John Coolahan Awards (2017/2023) for outstanding research in Teacher Education and has received the DCU President’s Gold Medal for Engagement (2021).

Lorna Murphy

Primary school teacher

Lorna is a primary school teacher at St. Patrick’s N.S., Slane, Ireland. She has been advocating the benefits of outdoor learning and in particular outdoor play for young children in her school.

Ruth Collins

Primary school teacher

Ruth is a primary teacher at St. Patrick’s N.S. in Slane who promotes outdoor learning and play, embracing the benefits of risk-taking in children’s development. She believes these experiences are vital for nurturing resilience, creativity, and problem-solving, empowering children to learn and grow beyond the classroom walls.

Irena Hergan

Assistant Professor

Irena is Assistant Professor of Social Studies in Education at the University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Education, Department of Primary Teacher Education. Her research interests are geography for primary education, didactics of social studies, cross-curricular integration and teaching practise.

Katarina Susman

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Mojca Černigoj Bizjak

Assistant Principal

Mojca is assistant principal at Primary School Koseze in Ljubljana and former primary school teacher. She is a trainer of getting cycling licence in 5th grade and Erasmus coordinator.

Špela Žibert

Primary school teacher

Špela is a primary school teacher at Primary School Koseze in Ljubljana. She is also ski instructor for higher grades in our school and school found coordinator.

Andreja Duh

Primary school teacher

Andreja is a primary school teacher at Primary School Koseze in Ljubljana. She is dancing teacher and ski instructor for higher grades in the school.