Thomas Beery
Associate professor in environmental education.
Environmental social science educator and researcher.
Teaching
Tom's teaching background includes a broad diversity of formal and nonformal environmental and outdoor education settings including formal classroom teaching, outdoor adventure/expeditionary programming, residential environmental education, and environmental/outdoor education outreach.
Tom teaches classes in the Landscape Science program, Preschool Teacher Training program, and Fritidshem Teacher Training program.
(Photos by Aleksandra Pawlikowska)
Research
Tom's research is broadly referred to as environmental social science. Tom is interested in questions that contribute to environmental problem solving from educational science and interdisciplinary perspectives. One key idea running through much of Tom's research is connectedness to nature. This link provides a full list of recent research (climate adaptation, early childhood environmental education, ecosystem services, environmental and outdoor education, outdoor recreation/friluftsliv).
Popular scientific article about Connectedness to nature in Dansk Friluftsliv (in English):
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Recent open access articles
The following links are open access articles featuring recent research:
- Being and becoming in nature: Defining and measuring connection to nature in young children.
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Improving Assessments of Connection to Nature: A Participatory Approach.
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Pre-Service Early Childhood Educator Experience in a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
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Exploring Access to Nature Play in Urban Parks: Resilience, Sustainability, and Early Childhood.
T. Beery Publication List
Topic Editor
Tom is currently the topic editor for two publications:
Education and Research
Much of Tom's work is aimed at how environmental social science research can support the important work of educational practitioners. It is imperative that the institution of higher education contributes to meeting the needs of society. Here is an example of a recent project that beings research and practice together! Check out this Practitioner Guide to Assessing Connection to Nature!
Doctoral Study Opportunity
We are seeking candidates to apply for a doctoral study position to consider questions of youth programming and connection to nature.
Sustainability and Agenda 2030
An ongoing effort is underway to support the alignment of the Kristianstad University curriculum with the SDGs or Sustainable Development Goals of Agenda 2030. Interested in a workshop on this topic!? Contact Tom.
Important links
These links provide website links to groups and organizations important to my work:
