Dr Tracy Ann Hayes

PhD - Transdisciplinary Research in Outdoor Studies (Lancaster University)

Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice (University of Cumbria)

MA Youth Work (JNC) and Community Development (ESB) (De Montfort University)

Diploma in Teaching (14+) in Lifelong Learning and Skills (DTLLS) (MKLC Training)

Certificate (Level 6) in Leadership and Management (Chartered Management Institute)

Certificate (postgrad) in Education for Sustainability (London South Bank University)

BSc (Hons) in Natural Sciences (The Open University)

I teach on a range of modules across the YCW programmes, including:

• Professional placements - undergraduate and postgraduate
• Research methods
• Practitioner research - dissertations
• Participatory group work

I also supervise Doctoral researchers on a range of topics related to my research approaches and interests (see below). 

Main Research Approach and Methodology

• Transdisciplinary/Interdisciplinary qualitative research.
• Creative, narrative and participatory approaches including auto/ethnography, auto/biography and action research.

Main Subject/Interest Areas

• Youth, Young People and Communities, with a focus on SEN/D and inclusion
• Outdoor play and Playfulness
• Health & Wellbeing
• Nature: Human – non-human/more-than-human relationships; Conservation education
• Geographies of children, youth and families
• Safeguarding and child protection; Personal, Professional, Reflective and Inclusive Practice

Current Consultancy and Collaborative Practice  

2025: Project Lead for Minecraft in the Blue, funded by a grant from Plymouth Sound National Marine Park (PSNMP). 

2024-2025: Project Co-Lead for Bridging Worlds: blending organic and co-created digital environments to support neurodivergent young people in mainstream education. BERA-Kusuma Trust award.  

2023 -2024: Co-researcher on BERA Brian Simon Research Project (funded). Smith, M., Hayes, T.A., Leather, M, Milner, A., Major-Smith, K & Fewings, G. (2024). Far away from the ivory tower: The impact of university education on disadvantaged people & their communities 

​2023: Co-researcher on Virtual Rewilding: Interdisciplinary Community-Based Learning through Minecraft. Led by Adam Hart, Salford University, with internal funding (from Salford) to support research activities.  

Intergenerational responses to climate change and biodiversity loss (2022) Lead author for collaborative research project, bringing together and sharing findings and methods from a range of projects across the country through conference presentations and publications. Open access journal article In it together! Cultivating space for intergenerational dialogue, empathy and hope in a climate of uncertainty, available here.

Prism Arts Collaborative Research (2021-2) Lead researcher and co-author for dissemination activities (including oral and written presentations) on ‘A Picture of Me’. This was an ACE (Arts Council of England) funded project, which enabled Prism Arts to pilot a new way of working that puts the voices of learning disabled and or autistic people at the centre of creative approach, enabling participants to discover and share their own story. 

Therapeutic Horticulture and Therapeutic Agriculture (2021-22) Co-researcher and lead author for collaborative applied research into therapeutic horticulture and agriculture as supports for vulnerable young people’s wellbeing. This was funded by National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) North-East-North-Cumbria (NENC), under the Inequalities and Marginalised Communities theme. Report available here 

Cumbria County Council Youth Consultation: Copeland Youth Activities (2021) Co-researcher and co-author for consultation and report commissioned by Cumbria County County through Cumbria University to consult young people about the provision of youth activities to shape the council’s strategic plans. Final report: Stuart, K. and Hayes, T. (2021). “Just something to do!” Cumbria: University of Cumbria.

Community engagement for conservation programme (2019) Commissioned to develop the evaluation strategy for community engagement during the development phase of the Back On Our Map (BOOM) project supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Details of the BOOM project available here

We’re ALL in the Wild (2016) Commissioned by Plantlife to develop a toolkit for practitioners working with young people outdoors. We’re ALL in the Wild: An inclusive guide to supporting young people with SEND to discover their local outdoor spaces. Wiltshire: Plantlife. Prior to joining higher education in 2014, Tracy led practical environmental youth volunteering programmes at local, regional and national levels, summarised here. 

Peer Review Journals

Co-editor of Special Issue of Children’s Geographies (proposal accepted, due out in 2025/6): Minor Issues in childhood studies: Playful and storied approaches toward caring about the in-between. Editors: Teresa K. Aslanian (University of South-Eastern Norway); Tracy Hayes (Plymouth Marjon University, UK); John Horton (University of Northampton, UK) and Anna Rigmor Moxnes (University of South-Eastern Norway). Authors are from Norway, UK, USA and Finland. The collection includes a co-authored editorial and a co-authored paper (see below).

Hayes, T.A. and Horton, J. NOT an agenda for idiosyncratic creative collaborations: sharing stories (accepted August 2025). Children's Geographies.

Hadfield-Hill, S., Finn, M., Dudman, J., Ergler, C., Freeman, C., Hayes, T.A., Jarman, P., Leon, L., Lazaro, M.C., Latai-Niusulu, A., Oza, E., Robson, E., Rosen, R., Schaaf, M., Taua’a, S., Tanielu, H. and Walker, L. (2023) Expanding the scope of ethical research with and for children and young people – six viewpoints on crisis, cross-cultural working and reciprocity, Children's Geographies, DOI: 10.1080/14733285.2023.2259331 

Hayes, T.A. et al (2022) In it together! Cultivating space for intergenerational dialogue, empathy and hope in a climate of uncertainty, Children's Geographies [open access] 

Hayes, T.A. (2020). ‘We’re ALL in the Wild: Inclusive, creative ways to support young people to discover local outdoor spaces.’ Impact. London: The Chartered College of Teaching.

Hayes, T.A. (2018). Dr Bear and the Adventure Bears, a response to Horton, J. (2017). ‘For the love of cuddly toys’, Viewpoint, Children’s Geographies.

Teaching/Practitioner articles and presentations (peer reviewed)

Hayes, T.A. & Smith, M. (2025 in press) Editorial in Hayes, T.A. & Smith, M., Leather, M., Milner, A., Major-Smith, K., Fewings, G., Sawyer, A., Woolsey, R., Mohammed, B., Parsons, K., Horton, B., & Þorsteinsson, J.F.  BERA Special Issue Blog Series: Brian Simon Project. 

Hayes, T.A., Horton, B. & Parsons, K. (2025 in press). Weaving Resistance: the invisible threads of patriarchy. In Hayes et al. (2025). BERA Special Issue Blog Series: Brian Simon Project. 

Hayes, T.A., Hart, A. and Walker, N. (2025). Bridging Worlds: Building new foundations for youth and community work block by block! [Podcast] 9 September 2025, Plymouth Marjon University. Available at Episode 1 - Bridging Worlds - Bridging Worlds | Podcast on Spotify 

Hayes, T.A. and Dudman, J. (2023) Story Crafting a Picture of Me. Arts for All: Exploring Inclusivity in the Arts: BERA Blog Special Issue. London: British Educational Research Association. Available: https://www.bera.ac.uk/blog/story-crafting-a-picture-of-me 

Hayes, T.A. and Murphy, C. (2022). Searching for Fairies Outdoors. Horizons, 97, 34-38.

Hayes, T.A. and Tremble, S. (2022). Magic Moments: Noticing Magic Moments Outdoors. Horizons, 96, 33-36.

Hayes, T.A. (2021). Finding Joy and Hope: Taking time to ask and making time to listen. Horizons, 95, 12-14.

Larmour, C.; Larmour, L. and Hayes, T.A. (2021. Craft Elicitation: Connecting and finding meaning through craft. BERA Blog. London: British Educational Research Association. Available here 

Hayes, T.A., Leather, M. and Passy, R. (Eds.) (2021). Wellbeing and being outdoors: BERA Blog Special Issue. London: British Educational Research Association. Available here 

Hayes, T.A. and Leather, M. (Eds.) (2021). ‘The serious side of nature, outdoor learning and play: International perspectives.’ Research Intelligence Special Issue. London: British Educational Research Association.     

Hayes, T.A. and Leather, M. (2021). ‘More than fun and games – the serious side of learning in nature’, In Pugh, V. A curriculum for Wellbeing: Improving all aspects of wellbeing in curricula & schools. British Curriculum Foundation (BCF). Available here 

Hayes, T.A. and Leather, M. (2020). Shifting Perspectives on Nature through Pedagogical Practices [webinar]. 28 October 2020. Available here

Hayes, T.A. and Leather, M. (2020). The Importance of Nature: before, during and after Covid-19. Part of series: The Impact of Covid-19. [Podcast] 8 July 2020. Available here 

Hayes, T.A. and Leather, M. (2020). More than fun and games – the serious side of learning in nature. Part of event A curriculum for Wellbeing, British Curriculum Foundation (BCF). [online] Available here 

Hayes, T.A. and Leather, M. (2019). ‘Encouraging educational research into nature, outdoor learning and play’. BERA Blog, 17 June 2019. Available here  

Hayes, T.A. and Leather, M. (2019). ‘New BERA SIG: Nature, Outdoor Learning and Play’, Research Intelligence. London: British Educational Research Association.

Book chapters (peer reviewed)

Hayes, T.A.; Dudman, J. & Hart, A. (2025 under review) A Picture of Who? Me? Them? Us? You? Everybody?’: Reflecting on arts-based research with neurodivergent young people, in Pithouse-Morgan, K.; Pillay, D.; Mitchell, C.; Berkley, R. & Hart, A. The Handbook of Arts-Based Educational Research. Bloomsbury. 

Hayes, T.A. (2025). Mudfulness? Nurturing a relationship with nature through serendipitous encounters with mud, in Sors, L. & Unsworth, R. (eds.). The BERA Guide to Outdoor Learning: Place-Responsive Pedagogy in Educational Research & Practice. BERA. 

Hayes, T.A. (2023). Speaking Out for Wolves: A Personal Reflection In Convery, I., Davis, P., Lloyd, K, Nevin, O. and van Maanen, E. (Eds.) The Wolf: Culture, Nature, Heritage. (Heritage Matters).Boydell Press.  

Hayes, T.A. (2021). ‘The practicalities of researching creatively’, in von Benzon, N.; Holton, M.; Wilkinson, C. and Wilkinson, S. Creative Methods for Human Geographers. London: SAGE Publications Ltd.

Hayes, T.A. (2020). ‘I thought… I saw… I heard…: the ethical and moral tensions of auto/biographically opportunistic research in public spaces’, in Barker, J. and Wainwright, E. (section eds) in Parsons, J. and Chappell, A. (eds) The Palgrave MacMillan Handbook of Auto/Biography. London: Palgrave MacMillan. 

Hayes, T.A.; Prince, H. and Convery, I. (2019). ‘Bear Illustrations in Children’s Literature’, in Nevin, O.; Convery, I.; Davis P. and Kitchin, J. (eds). The Bear: A Cultural and Natural Heritage. Suffolk: Boydell & Brewer Ltd - ‘Heritage Matters’ Series.

Hayes, T.A. and Prince, H. (2019). ‘Shared-story approaches in Outdoor Studies: the HEAR (Hermeneutics, Auto/Ethnography and Action Research) ‘listening’ methodological model’ in Humberstone, B. and Prince, H. (eds) Research Methods in Outdoor Studies. Oxford: Routledge.

LEAD EDITOR: Hayes, T.A. (2019). ‘Sharing Stories: An Interactive, Interdisciplinary Approach’, in Hayes, T.A.; Edlmann, T. and Brown, L. Storytelling: Global Perspectives on Narrative. Leiden, The Netherlands: Brill - ‘At the Interface/Probing the Boundaries’ Series.

Hayes, T.A. (2019). ‘Developing an academic identity: What’s the time Mrs Wolf?’, in Fenby-Hulse, K.; Bayley, J.; Heywood, E. and Walker, K. (eds) Research Impact and the Early Career Researcher. Routledge - ‘Higher Education Studies’ Series. 

Hayes, T.A. (2017). ‘Kindness: caring for self, others and nature - who cares and why?’, in Horton, J. and Pyer, M. (eds). Children, young people and care. London: Taylor Francis.

Hayes, T. (2016). ‘Playful approaches to outdoor learning: Boggarts, Bears and Bunny Rabbits!’, in Horton, J. and Evans, B, (eds.) Play, Recreation, Health and Well Being, Vol.9 of Skelton, T. (ed.) Geographies of Children and Young People. Springer, Singapore.

Invited guest speaker

Hayes, T.A. (2023). Invited Panel Member for Youth Work Week - Workforce Development: Learning in Practice. Online event for National Youth Agency (NYA), 7 November 2023. 

Hayes, T.A. (2023). Invited Panel Member for Renewed questions of ethics in research with/for young people. GCYFRG - Geographies of Children, Youth and Families Research Group Online Event, facilitated by Hadfield-Hill, S. and Finn, M., 21 June 2023.  

Hayes, T.A. and Hart, A. (2023). Invited Speaker for Game On for Nature. Ecosystem Knowledge Network Online event, pre-recorded, presented 21 June 2023. Available: https://ecosystemsknowledge.net/resources/webinar-library/game-on-for-nature-day-3/ [0:46 – 1:15 mins]. 

This was a pioneering event for all who want to explore the use of games and gamification in improving stewardship of the natural environment across the UK and beyond. The Wednesday morning session was focused on understanding the challenges occurring within the environmental sector and different approaches to engagement. 

Hayes, T.A. and Horton, J. (2021). Reflective, autoethnographic and creative writing in research and practice: NOT an agenda for playful, reflective writing: sharing stories about trees, nature, ​nurture, childhood, memories, creativity, care, tears, laughter, loss, love, life, (un/up)rootedness, sadness, hope, hugs, stones… and maybe bears. University of South-Eastern Norway. [online]. 

Conference/Oral Presentations/Seminars and Workshop/Poster presentations

To date I have given more than 80 presentations at a range of international and national events; the most recent are itemised below.    

Hayes, T.A. and Hart, A. (2025). Bridging Worlds: blending organic and co-created digital environments to support neurodivergent young people in mainstream education. BERA 2025, 9-11 September 2025, University of Sussex.  

Hart, A. and Hayes, T.A. (2025). Ecological Citizenship in Youth Work through Minecraft ‘In the Green’ and ‘In the Blue’ [workshop]. BERA 2025, 9-11 September 2025, University of Sussex.  

Hayes, T.A. and Hart, A. (2025). Who Killed My Goat? Tales from creative research that uses Minecraft within a blend of outdoor and digital spaces with neurodivergent young people [workshop], sponsored by Geographies of Children, Youth and Families and Digital Geographies Research Groups, RGS-IBG 2025, 26-29 August 2025, University of Birmingham. 

Hart, A. and Hayes, T.A. (2024). Minecraft EduPlay: Enabling playful learning conversations within participatory educational research. BERA/WERA 2024, 9-12 September 2024, University of Manchester. [WORKSHOP, non-presenting author].  

Hayes, T., Leather, M, Milner, A., Major-Smith, K, Smith, M. and Fewings, G. (2024). Far away from the Ivory Tower: The impact of university education on disadvantaged people and their communities.  BERA/WERA 2024, 9-12 September 2024, University of Manchester. [SYMPOSIUM, non-presenting author].  

Hayes, T.A. (2024). Storycrafting with mundane and magic moments. RGS-IBG 2024 International AGM & conference, 27-30 August 2024, Royal Geographical Society, London.   

​Hayes, T.A., Horton, J, Aslanian, T and Moxon, A. (2024). Minor Issues in childhood studies: Playful, reflective, autoethnographic and creative writing in research and practice [workshop]. RGS-IBG 2024 International AGM & conference, 27-30 August 2024, Royal Geographical Society, London.   

Hayes, T.A. (2024). Invited Contributor to Gayle Letherby Masterclass on Auto/Ethnography, 5 June 2024, Plymouth Marjon University.  

Hayes, T.A. and Leather, M. (2023). Curating a cabinet of curiosities: a playful outdoor walkshop. BERA International Conference, September 2023, Birmingham. 

Hayes, T.A, and Dudman, J. (2023). Workshop: A Picture of You – let’s get creative! BERA International Conference, September 2023, Birmingham. 

Hayes, T.A., Hart, A., Elson, N., Katsogridakis, G. and Chaston, M. Symposium: Outdoor Spaces: Physical, technological, digital, virtual experiences. BERA International Conference, September 2023, Birmingham.  

Hayes, T.A. (2022). Thank you for farming, food and friends: exploring the therapeutic and educational potential of agriculture and horticulture interventions. BERA International Annual Conference, September 2022, Liverpool. 

Hayes, T.A. and Leather, M. (2022). HOT TOPIC - Moving Outdoors: Nature, Outdoor Learning and Wellbeing. BERA International Conference, September 2022, Liverpool.  

Hayes, T.A. (2022). All handloom weavers were men. I think NOT! Auto/ethnographic revelations whilst exploring my matrilineal line. RGS-IBG 2020 International AGM & conference August 2022, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. 

Hayes, T.A. and Nicol, R. (2022). Walking with [please insert here]: how autoethnographic walks enable us to consider the embodied relationship between people, place and planet. 9th International Outdoor Education Research Conference (IOERC), July 2022, Ambleside, Cumbria. 

Hayes, T.A.; Hauxwell, L. and Parsons, K. (2021) Creative explorations into relationships with the outdoors. BERA International Annual Conference, September 2021 [online].  

Hayes, T.A.; Christie, M.; Fell-Chambers, R. and Robb, M. (2021). Educating therapeutically in outdoor spaces. BERA International Annual Conference, September 2021 [online]. 

Hayes, T.A. and Lessner-Listiakova, I. (2021). Co-Convener/chair of GCYFRG sponsored session, ‘Families on the edge: family experiences of location and marginalisation’, RGS-IBG 2020 International AGM & conference, London [online]. 

Hayes, T.A., Parsons, K. and Walker, C. (2021) Co-Convener/chair of GCYFRG sponsored session, ‘In it together! Intergenerational, creative responses to a climate of uncertainty’, RGS-IBG 2020 International AGM & conference, London [online].   

Hayes, T.A. (2021). ‘Crafting in a virtual space: words and pictures’, Learning and Teaching Fest: Sustaining our Development in Digital Learning, Teaching and Student Support, UoC, 7th July 2021  

Hayes, T.A. (2021). Playing with words... connecting through story. Series of Themed Events, CRiHS and LED, University of Cumbria.  

Hayes, T.A. (2021). Learning for/with Nature: The pedagogy and practice of teaching Natural History in England. Mini-keynote presentation. TEAN annual conference, round-table discussion [online], May 2021. 

ORCiD profile 

Academia profile

Current Professional Affiliations and Memberships 

• Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA).
• Certified Member of the Institute for Youth Work (IYW).
• Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (RGS).
• Member of British Education Research Association (BERA); Convener of Nature, Outdoor Learning and Play (NOLAP) Special Interest Group (SIG); Member of Creativities in Education SIG.
• Member of the European Institute for Outdoor Adventure Education and Experiential Learning (EOE).
• Member of the Professional Association of Lecturers in Youth and Community Work.

Tracy is a member of BERA's Conference and Events Committee and a Fellow of the RGS (Royal Geographical Society).