Bringing people and nature together

  Our team is led by Dr Alexia Barrable, a social science researcher working primarily within education and psychology. 

She has written extensively on human-nature interactions and the relationship between humans and the rest of nature.   

 Videos

TEDx Limassol talk

Puddle Patter interview

Books

Independent Thinking on Nature-Based Learning 

Growing Up Wild

Growing Up Happy

Podcasts

Sit down Sunday with Dr Alexia Barrable - Forest School Secrets

Explore our Nature - Learning with Alexia Barrable

Psychology in the Classroom - The Importance of bringing nature into the classroom 

Relevant Research Publications

Robinson, J. M., & Barrable, A. (2023). Optimising Early Childhood Educational Settings for Health Using Nature-Based Solutions: The Microbiome Aspect. Education Sciences, 13(2), 211.

Barrable, A., & Booth, D. (2022). Disconnected: What Can We Learn from Individuals with Very Low Nature Connection?. International journal of environmental research and public health, 19(13), 8021.

Barrable, D., & Barrable, A. (2022). Affordances of coastal environments to support teaching and learning: outdoor learning at the beach in Scotland. Education 3-13, 1-12.

Arvanitis, A., Touloumakos, A. K., & Barrable, A. (2022). Parents’ Perceptions of UK Forest School: Descriptive and Evaluative Aspects. Forests, 13(8), 1314.

Barrable, A., Touloumakos, A., & Lapere, L. (2022). Exploring student teachers’ motivations and sources of confidence: The case of outdoor learning. European Journal of Teacher Education, 45(3), 356-372.

Barrable, A., Booth, D., Adams, D., & Beauchamp, G. (2021). Enhancing Nature Connection and Positive Affect in Children through Mindful Engagement with Natural Environments. International journal of environmental research and public health, 18(9), 4785.

Barrable, A., Molesey, P., Touloumakos, A., & Booth, D. (2021). Supporting child and family wellbeing through nature during the pandemic. Hellenic Journal of Psychology, 18(2), 154-171.

Barrable, A. (2020). Shaping space and practice to support autonomy: lessons from natural settings in Scotland. Learning Environments Research, 23(3), 291-305.

Barrable, A., & Booth, D. (2020). Green and Screen: Does Mobile Photography Enhance or Hinder Our Connection to Nature?. Digital Culture & Education, 12(2).

Touloumakos, A. K., & Barrable, A. (2020). Adverse childhood experiences: the protective and therapeutic potential of nature. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 597935.

Barrable, A., & Booth, D. (2020). Nature connection in early childhood: a quantitative cross-sectional study. Sustainability, 12(1), 375.

Barrable, A., & Booth, D. (2020). Increasing nature connection in children: A mini review of interventions. Frontiers in psychology, 11, 492.

Barrable, A., & Lakin, L. (2020). Nature relatedness in student teachers, perceived competence and willingness to teach outdoors: An empirical study. Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning, 20(3), 189-201.

Barrable, A., & Arvanitis, A. (2019). Flourishing in the forest: looking at Forest School through a self-determination theory lens. Journal of Outdoor and Environmental Education, 22(1), 39-55.

Barrable, A. (2019). The case for nature connectedness as a distinct goal of early childhood education. International Journal of Early Childhood Environmental Education, 6(2), 59-70.

Barrable, A. (2019). Refocusing environmental education in the early years: A brief introduction to a pedagogy for connection. Education sciences, 9(1), 61.

Articles in Popular Press

Health: Dr Alexia Barrable shares the importance of outdoor connection

How to nurture children's nature connection in the early years

How to support autonomy in early childhood settings, and why you should

Nature-based learning – 5 ways in which it can help improve outcomes