In 2023, Mads Bølling, PhD from the Center for Clinical Research and Prevention and Karen Seierøe Barfod, PhD at VIA University College founded the international network for PhD Students in School-based Outdoor Learning and Teaching. As part of this network, PhD students from around the world regularly come together to exchange ideas about their research and topics related to school-based outdoor learning and teaching. The network thrives on the diverse thematic and methodological approaches brought by its participants. Theres Mühlberg has been part of the network since its inception. From the beginning, she has had the opportunity to discuss her own research on the design of outdoor teaching within this network and contributed to the development of the research strand on Teachers and Teaching.
This is the first article in a three-part blog series introducing an international PhD network that creates space for thematic peer exchange across institutions and national borders. In this post, it is outlined how the network was formed, what it offers to its members, and how it contributes to both individual academic development and the cultivation of a collaborative research culture in outdoor learning and teaching. The next two posts will delve into emerging research trends from the network’s PhD projects and offer reflections on the broader significance of cross-institutional collaboration.
Special thanks to Mads and Karen for their tireless dedication to this project.
Bølling, M., Bengry, A., Borch, K. B., Beaudry, M.-C., Cheree, A., Deschamps, A., Diana, E., Eggersen, D., Føns, K., Frances, L., Iversen, T., Lacoste, Y., Laneri, S., Lauterbach, G., L’Heureux, K., Mühlberg, T., Reato, T., Skoglys, E., Vermund, M. C., & Barfod, K. (2025, May 26). A global PhD network for research and collaboration: Supporting future researchers in school-based outdoor learning and teaching – Part I [Blog post]. Outdoor Play Canada.