Research

10th International Nature Therapy Conference (IATC) Taiwan

The 10th International Nature Therapy Conference June/July 2025 – Taiwan is the first country in Asia to host this event bringing together those with an interest in ecological, adventure-based therapy and related fields. Taiwan is an island with diverse natural beauty from majestic mountains and forests. It’s scenic trails, and vibrant coastlines along the Pacific Ocean made this an ideal place for the adventure therapy conference as well as participating in hiking remote areas, forest archery and paddle boarding.

This was an opportunity to present some work on nature and landscapes connected to walking and wellbeing as well as explore the forest regions and hiking trails such as Elephant Mountain (Xiangshan) is a relatively short urban hike in Taipei city where you can view Taipei 101 skyscraper. Although moderate it is steep with many steps which are uneven to climb with options to visit temples and rock formations along the way.

European Outdoor Education Networking Conference, April 2025 – Rimini, Italy

Place-Based Education and Urban Adventures

The EOE Conference in Rimini, Italy brought together a diverse group of participants for a programme of inspiring presentations, cultural experiences, and collaborative activities, to include a visit to the University of Bologna, engaging science and education workshops, activities that promoted learning in the local environment both within Rimini’s urban setting and its surrounding natural landscapes including a visit to the historical area of Rimini.

This opportunity to present explored the role of walking as a method for connecting with culture and community. It received encouraging interest from delegates who shared similar interests in experiential and place-based learning.

Second International Conference Hiking & Mountain Sports & 3rd International Conference Women & Mountain – November 2024 – Spain

This contribution looked at ‘Solo women’s hiking wellbeing experiences on via Francigena pilgrimage’ to the 2nd International Conference Hiking and Mountain Sports and 3rd International Conference Women and Mountain.

With other international speakers in the fields on hiking and adventure tourism, sustainability, performance and competition, and various fields of international outdoor education.

Thrilled to have this full article published ‘Walking with purpose – Eight solo women’s pilgrimage hiking and wellbeing experiences on the via Francigena’ with the Journal of Outdoor Recreaction and Tourism, visit the following link to read more, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213078025000891.

Hike to Health – How long-distance hiking boosts wellbeing.

Sarah investigates how the benefits of long distance hiking can contribute towards wellbeing. Read more about my article and connect to Fitness Professionals.

Hike to health: How long-distance hiking boosts wellbeing

26/7/2024

10th International Outdoor Education Research Conference – Tokyo, Japan 4-8th March 2024.

This research project will be delivered at the 10th International Research Outdoor Education Conference in Tokyo, Japan in March and will take part with other lectures from outdoor educationalists, including traditional Japanese activities of walking and cycling with visits to Kyoto and Tokyo. 

A chance to visit some historical sites prior to the conference, taking the Shinkansen (bullet train) to the culturally rich city Kyoto, home of more than 1000 temples and over 400 shrines to include Fushimi Inari-Taisha, Gion and Ginkaku-Ji as well as explore the forested hiking trails in the area.

With over 300 delegates gathering for the final farewell party and being entertained by some of the local school children performing traditional Japanese dance.

Project Title:  Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis of Pilgrims Motivations and Experiences on the Portuguese Camino de Santiago

This qualitative study project involved exploring themes connected to health & wellbeing.

Published Article: CSJSpring2024Bulletin – Reasons for connection & disconnection from the busyness of life on the Camino de Santiago

Project Title: A Trek to Rome: Solo Walkers and their Quest for Wellbeing on the Via Francigena.

Reasons and motivations for walking via Francigena linked to health and wellbeing.

Published article: CSJAutumnBulletin2024

Fitness Professionals – Article 8/7/2023: Sarah investigates the role of blue space-physical activity and wellbeing.

https://www.fitpro.com/blog/blue-space-physical-activity-and-wellbeing/