Inclusive and Accessible Student Trips

About the event

This on-campus (hybrid) event is a collaboration between the Teaching & Learning Enhancement Team and the YJSU Field Research Support Network.

The event will be split into two sessions, with a 15-minute comfort break in between; colleagues are welcome to join for just one of the two sessions, if preferred.

Timings:

• 10.00-11.30: Building Inclusivity and Accessibility into your Student Trips, with Lynda Yorke (Bangor) and Naomi Holmes (York)
• 11.30-11.45: Comfort break
• 11.45-12.30: Coping with the Emotion Work of Student Trips, with Pauline Couper (YSJU)

Session 1

Title: Building Inclusivity and Accessibility into Your Student Trips

Abstract:

Student trips offer a valuable form of experiential learning, taking academic concepts into the world and bringing the world into the classroom. Trips can be combined with a variety of pedagogies, enabling directed learning, problem-based learning, or research design, planning and implementation. They can also aid students in building social capital, developing resilience and coping with uncertainty, and honing their teamwork skills. But in organising and leading student trips, how do we ensure equality and diversity are integral to our practice? This session provides practical insights into ensuring our trips are inclusive and accessible for all.

Speaker bios:

Naomi Holmes is a Lecturer in Environmental Education at the University of York. Naomi’s work focuses on geography / environmental science pedagogies in higher education, outdoor learning, and accessibility of science. Naomi led the ‘Enabling equitable cultures‘ project and has a keen interest in the integration of accessible and inclusive outdoor learning opportunities into higher education.

Lynda Yorke is a Senior Lecturer in Physical Geography and is Degree Programme Director for the Geography Programmes at Bangor University. Lynda has research interests in the Geographies of Education, Inclusion and Accessibility in Environmental Science, and the use of Virtual Technologies to Enhance Learning. Lynda was PI on the NERC-funded CULTIVATE project, and co-I on the NERC-funded project ‘More Inclusive Fieldwork’.

Session 2

Title: Coping with the Emotion Work of Student Trips

Abstract:

Planning, organising and leading student trips takes time, energy and effort, but the emotional labour this entails is rarely discussed. In this session I draw on research with physical geographers about their fieldwork practices to highlight the emotion work for all involved, prompting questions: as institutions, departments, and colleagues, how can we best support staff running trips? And how do we support students?

Speaker bio:

Pauline Couper is Associate Head for Geography & Liberal Arts and Associate Professor in Geography. She has over 20 years of experience teaching in higher education, which has included many residential and non-residential trips for students in Geography and Outdoor Adventure Education. Her current research investigates the usually hidden dimensions of field-based knowledge production.

Bookings:

To book a place at this event, please complete the CPD event booking form.

Strategic Links

LTSE 2026

2.0 Education for all. We provide an inclusive and transformative experience creating opportunities for success for students from any background.
2.1 Our learning, teaching and assessment practices will be inclusive by design

Inclusive Higher Education Framework

Professional Standards Framework