I am a lecturer in Sport and Exercise Science at the University of Essex and have both a BSc (hons) and PhD in Sports and Exercise Science. I am also a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.
My research interests are focused on the role of natural environments in facilitating physical activity and whether being active in green spaces (Green Exercise) can provide additive benefits for health and wellbeing. I am also interested in the role of Green Exercise in reducing stress and improving health and wellbeing in vulnerable groups of people such as those with mental ill-health, children with attention difficulties, those who have experienced homelessness, abuse or addiction and those with physical illnesses.
Experience
–present
Lecturer in Nutrition and Exercise Science, University of Westminster
2010–2015
Postdoctoral researcher, University of Essex
Education
2014
University of Essex, Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education Practice
2012
University of Essex, PhD Sports and Exercise Science
2009
University of Essex, BSc Sports and Exercise Science
Publications
2015
A case-control study of the health and wellbeing benefits of allotment gardening, Journal of Public Health
2015
Physical education or playtime: Which is more effective at promoting physical activity in primary school children? , BMC Research Notes
2015
Improving health and well-being independently of GDP: Dividends of greener and prosocial economies, International Journal of Environmental Health Research
2014
A repeated measures experiment of school playing environment to increase physical activity and enhance self-esteem in UK school children, Plos One
2014
Interactions between physical activity and the environment to improve adolescent psychological wellbeing: a randomised controlled trail, International Journal of Environment and Health
2014
The effect of playground- and nature- based playtime interventions on physical activity and self-esteem in UK school children, International Journal of Environmental Health Research
2013
A repeated measures experiment of Green Exercise to improve self-esteem in UK school children. , Plos One
2013
The great outdoors: How a green exercise environment can benefit all, Extreme Physiology and Medicine
2012
A randomised control trial of physical activity in a perceived environment on self-esteem and mood in UK adolescents, International Journal of Environmental Health Research