Dr Andy Williams BA, MA, PhD

• Head of Research Wales Academy for Physical Literacy
• Principal Lecturer

Andy leads the teaching on the MA Outdoor Education postgraduate degree at level 7 and continues to contribute to the undergraduate Outdoor Adventure Education degree at level 6. He also leads outdoor-focused research within the Wales Academy for Health and Physical Literacy (WAHPL) and supervises candidates for PhD at level 8.

• Higher Education Academy
• Institute for Outdoor Learning (Accredited Practitioner and Professional Development group member for HEd)
• European Institute for Outdoor and Adventure Education and Experiential Learning – non executive board member
• British Mountaineering Council member
• Welsh Canoeing Association member.

Andy continues to develop his practice and understanding of the outdoors with a focus on three complimentary academic interests: the interaction of outdoor ‘culture’ and landscape; the interface between outdoor technology and nature connectedness; and health, wellbeing and the outdoors.

Module teaching:

• Issues in Outdoor Education (level 6)
• Undergraduate Dissertation (level 6)
• Philosophical and Cultural Perspectives on Outdoor Education (level 7)
• Health, Wellbeing and the Outdoors (level 7)
• Adventure, Technology and the Environment (level 7)
• Outdoor Education Internship (level 7)
• Postgraduate Dissertation (level 7)
• PhD Supervision (level 8)

Models-based learning and outdoor adventure education. Experiential and emergent learning in outdoor contexts. Wellbeing, nature connectedness and outdoor activities. ‘Solo’ experiences, making time for nature and pro-environmental behaviours in outdoor contexts.

PhD supervision (current):

• 'Therapeutic Landscapes' (M. Norman)
• 'A new model for Outdoor Adventure Education for Key Stage 3' (G. French)
• 'Wellbeing in Higher Education' (T. Davies)
• 'High Intensity Training for Post-menopausal Women' (D. Gardner)
• 'Footie Families' (A. Stevenson)

PhD supervision (completed):

• Amanda John (2021) — 'An investigation into the impact of SKIP-Cymru on motor development and physical activity in schools in West Wales'.
• Kate Piper (2021) — 'A study of Mass Participation Sports Events in Pembrokeshire'.
• Kate Williams (2019) — 'Exploring the Efficacy of a Lumbo-Pelvic-Hip Injury Reduction Strategy in Professional Rugby Union'.
• Nalda Wainwright (2015) — 'The Interpretation and Delivery of the Welsh Foundation Phase and its Impact on Physical Literacy'.

• Outdoor Education curriculum and pedagogy.
• Applied learning in Outdoor Education.
• Formal and informal outdoor education practice.
• Alternative approaches to learning and personal development through outdoor experiences.
• Wellbeing, nature connectedness and sustainable health.

• Coordinator Cynefin Outdoor Wellbeing Hub (2022) Multi-partner funding bid based at Cynefin, UWTSD, Carmarthen
• University of Strathclyde  — Evaluation of pilot outdoor education residential experience for the School of Education at the University of Strathclyde (April 2015).
• Outdoor learning cards for teachers, 2009-2014.
• Landscape, Youth and Outdoor Education Conference. 9^th annual conference of the European Institute for Outdoor and Adventure Education and Experiential Learning (EOE), Carmarthen (2008). Euros: 27,500.00
• DADS (single-parent group) Project at Trinity College, Carmarthen (2007) — £4,500. Carmarthenshire County Council.
• Outdoor Adventure Youth Project in Carmarthenshire (2004-05) — £5,000 Reaching Higher- Reaching Wider, Welsh Assembly Government.

Publications - Book chapters

• A.Stevenson, N. Wainwright & A. Williams (2022) Interventions targeting motor skills in pre-school-aged children with direct or indirect parent engagement: a systematic review and narrative synthesis, Education 3-13.DOI: https://doi.org/10.3727/152599521X16192004803610     
• Piper, K., Wainwright, N. Emanuel, L. and Williams, A. (2021) Wellbeing Resources and Mass Participation Sports Events in Pembrokeshire. Event Management DOI: https://doi.org/10.3727/152599521X16192004803610 12 Aug 2021
• Leonard, D. and Williams, A. (2020) Mind the Gap – A snapshot of gender parity in the outdoors (in Wales).) Horizons 88, Winter, 16-18.
• Williams, A. & Wainwright, N. (2019): Re-thinking adventurous activities in physical education: models-based approaches, Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning, https://doi.org/10.1080/14729679.2019.1634599
• Wainwright, N., Goodway, J., Whitehead, M., Williams, A. & Kirk, D. (2019) Playful pedagogy for deeper learning: exploring the implementation of the play-based foundation phase in Wales, Early Child Development and Care, DOI: 10.1080/03004430.2019.1653551
• Godley, J.; Williams, A and Wainwright, N. (2019) Social media and the outdoors: Old solutions to new problems- A new role for the outdoor education residential? Horizons 84 Winter 2018/19, 24-26.
• Williams, A. (2018) Place is special - when we do a bit of homework. Horizons 82, Summer, 20-24
• Wainwright, N., Goodway, J., Whitehead, M., Williams, A. and Kirk, D. (2018) Laying the foundations for physical literacy in the Foundation Phase in Wales: The contribution of the Foundation Phase to the development of Physical literacy. Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy (in press) DOI: 10.1080/17408989.2018.1455819. Published online 27 March 2018.
• Wainwright, N., Goodway, J., Whitehead, M., Williams, A. & Kirk. D. (2016) The Foundation Phase in Wales – a play-based curriculum that supports the development of physical literacy. Education 3-13. DOI: 10.1080/03004279.2016.1176360
• Williams, A. and Wainwright, N. (2015) A new pedagogical model for adventure in the curriculum: Part 1 – advocating for the model. Journal of Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy. DOI:10.1080/17408989.2015.104821.
• Williams, A. and Wainwright, N. (2015) A new pedagogical model for adventure in the curriculum: Part 2 – outlining the model. Journal of Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy. DOI:10.1080/17408989.2015.104822.
• Williams, A. and Wainwright, N. (2014) Professional development for adventurous activities in Wales. Welsh Jnl of Education. Vol 17, 6-29.
• Williams, A. (2012) Taking a step back: learning without the facilitator on solo activities. Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning, 12, 2, 137-156.
• Passey, E., Rea, T., Williams, A. and Wood, C. (2012) Outdoor learning policy development in England and Wales. Institute for Outdoor Learning

Publications - Book chapters:

• Wainwright, N. and Williams, A. (2022) The Role of Outdoor and Adventurous Activities in Primary Education, In Griggs, G. (Ed), 167-186. An Introduction to Primary Physical education (2^nd edition) Routledge, London.
• Williams, A. (2006) Developing Reflective Practitioners, In B. Humberstone and H. Brown (Eds) Shaping the Outdoor Profession through Higher Education - Creative Diversity in Outdoor Education. IOL Publishers, Cumbria.

Conference Presentations (most recent)

• Williams, A. and Wainwright, N. (2017) Advocating a new model for Adventurous activities in Physical Education: to make learning more meaningful, relevant and successful. Paper presented at the European Outdoor Education Seminar, 28 June – 2 July, Marjon University, Plymouth, England.

Project Involvement

• Knowledge Economy Skills Scholarship Scheme KESS 2 (2018-2022) - £225,000.00
• Landscape, Youth and Outdoor Education Conference
• 9^th annual conference of the European Institute for Outdoor and Adventure Education and Experiential Learning (EOE), Carmarthen (2008) – Euros 27,500.00
• DADS (single parent group) Project at Trinity College, Carmarthen (2012) – £4,500 Carmarthenshire County Council.

Reviewer

• Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy
• Research Papers in Education
• Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning
• Horizons

External Examiner

• BA Outdoor Education – Galway Mayo Institute of Technology (2015 – 2019)
• University of Cumbria – MA Outdoor Education & MA Transcultural European Outdoor Studies (2012-16)
• Phillips University, Marburg, Germany - MA Transcultural European Outdoor Studies (2012-16)
• Norwegian Institute of Sports Studies - MA Transcultural European Outdoor Studies (2012-16)
• University of Worcester (MA Outdoor Education – Work Based Learning) 2012-15 
• University of Derby (BA Adventure and Outdoor Education) 2009-12

Internal Quality Assurance Roles for the University

• Head of Research for the Wales Academy of Health and Physical literacy
• Research Committee (2013 – present)
• Research Degrees & Ethics Committee (2014 – present)
• Research Degrees Admissions Committee
• Assistant Dean Faculty of Business and Management (2011 – 2015)
• Faculty lead for Sustainability and Research (2013 -2018)