Students shine at Outdoor Conference

UCLan Outdoor undergraduates made a big impact at the recent Institute for Outdoor Learning (IOL) Northwest Conference 2014.

A group of 2nd and 3rd year students attended the event, presenting research ideas and dissertation data to expert audiences.

Feedback from employers and practitioners at the event was extremely positive, with the students praised for their exceptional skill levels, highly relevant work on reflective practice and professional development and their ability to show critical awareness across a challenging range of studies.

Andy Robinson, CEO of the IOL, said: “UCLan is in the vanguard of improving the quality of Higher Education in the outdoors. The student research presentation highlighted the quality of the investigations being carried out and reflects exceptionally well on the staff and students of UCLan alike."

Senior IOL Delegates said the Conference was a great success, with Jon Miller commenting: "UCLan students made an outstanding contribution to the conference which was a great concept and a superb initiative. The student/practitioner interactions were impressive and invaluable for all concerned, highlighting the quality of the research carried out by these young people."

UCLan Outdoor Division is now set to host the Inaugural North West Higher Education Outdoor Students’ Conference, possibly in 2015, with support from the IOL.

Outdoor Lecturer Dr Mark Hickman was delighted with the students’ efforts: “It was fantastic to be part of this excellent event. Our students conducted themselves in exemplary fashion and were a credit to UCLan. I’d also like to say a big thank you to my colleague Alli Inkster, who organised the trip."

Images from the event can be viewed here.

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