I believe in a reciprocal relationship between research, teaching and service, where each informs and strengthens the others. This is especially true in many of the applied disciplines within recreation and leisure; philosophical approaches and the generation of theory, however, should not be neglected. Thus, I strive to produce academically rigorous research that is both theoretically interesting and practically worthwhile. While spanning a great variety of settings and activities, my research interests ultimately coalesce around the intersection of human health, community and individual well-being, and natural environments. My existing research falls into two major categories: (1) impacts of outdoor adventure programming (OAP) on a variety of variables, and (2) human health and natural environment interactions.
Research on adventure education programs capitalizes on the idea that the unique nature of the outdoor adventure program (OAP) environment may create opportunities for growth and development that are outside of the norm of everyday life. For example, my dissertation explores that idea that the OAP family course may serve as a disruption to traditional relationship roles in a way that allows for the renegotiation of mutual rights and obligations (Pearlin, 1983). This is a rare occurrence for a relationship with firmly established roles such as that between parent and child. Thus, Outward Bound family courses provide an interesting case study through which familial relationships can be better understood. Similarly, other research projects I have worked on look at the development of resilience, leadership skills, and sense of coherence amongst OAP students. In addition, my research has looked at the ways in which the impact of OAP experience may be especially pronounced for certain populations, including families and military veterans, and has considered broader phenomena such as gender roles as they play out in the OAP milieu.
The natural environment is arguably an essential aspect of the OAP experience, and it is increasingly recognized as an important component of human health (e.g. Frumkin, 2001; Kaplan, 1995; Ulrich, 1984). The exploration of the link between human health and the natural environment, and the development of an understanding of the role the natural environment plays in outdoor programs forms the second arena of my research interests. The most recent manifestation of this interest area is a book entitled Human Health and Natural Environments that I am co-authoring with Dr. Alan Ewert and Dr. Denise Mitten. In addition, I have published a literature review, presented educational conference sessions, and developed and taught a graduate-level course in this area. This is an excellent example of the intersection of research, teaching, and practice—an relationship that I hope to continue to nurture over the years.
My work on these studies has created a platform from which I can expand in future work--I am particularly interested in sociological approaches to identity, gender, relationships and social networks. Attention to these areas can help us to better understand how to create impactful programs that yield meaningful results such as changes in environmental behavior, self-efficacy, or enhanced social well-being. For example, I plan to continue the line of research I have formed with my dissertation work, by focusing on father-daughter leisure experiences as a platform for closeness and bonding in the relationship. In addition, I have begun some work on environmental identity, which emphasizes the ways in which individuals see themselves as related to and part of the natural environment (Clayton, 2003).
My research has been primarily qualitative in nature, although I have engaged in several studies that have used mixed methods to more fully understand a phenomenon. I primarily utilize case studies designs, which allow for rich descriptions of particular social situations in way that allows for inductive theory building (Merriam, 1988). This type of design acknowledges the uniquely individual nature of experience, while also allowing for the extension and development of theory through the in-depth experiences of selected individuals and groups. I follow the analytical approach put forth by Lofland, Snow, Anderson and Lofland (2006), which inductively derives meaning from social situations through a process of data collection, framing, normalizing, coding, and diagramming.
Non-traditional means of promoting health and wellness are becoming increasingly popular, as is the realization that a focus on human-natural environment interactions may benefit the health of both the environment and of those who not only interact with it directly, but also those who live near green spaces, have views of nature, or even have access to a garden or a few potted plants. As such, potential funding sources for research in this area have expanded in recent years to include agencies such as the National Institutes for Health, The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and the Sierra Club. This is in addition to smaller agencies and businesses such as the American Camp Association and REI.
Interaction with the natural environment ultimately underlies my research in every area. Understanding and enhancing the relationship that people have with the natural environment is becoming increasingly critical to the health and well-being of the population and of the planet. I see this as a fruitful and meaningful line of research for many years to come, and find that it is received as both interesting and useful by students and practitioners alike.