Heidi Smith

Dr. Heidi Smith serves as Senior Lecturer in Outdoor and Environmental Education at the University of Edinburgh's Moray House School of Education and Sport within the Institute for Education, Teaching and Leadership. With over 20 years of experience spanning primary, secondary, and tertiary education sectors, she specializes in Outdoor, Environmental, and Sustainability Education alongside Teacher Education. Her international perspective is informed by visiting scholar positions in Germany and Austria, and she currently leads hybrid teaching delivery initiatives at Moray House.

Dr. Smith's research focuses on Transforming Education through Leadership, Pedagogy, and Internationalisation with particular emphasis on outdoor contexts. Key areas include Extraordinary Leadership, Transculturality in Higher Education, Nature Connection, and Peace Education. Her work consistently integrates equity, diversity, indigenous knowledge, and sustainability principles. Analysis of her publication history reveals strong thematic continuity in outdoor education pedagogy, nature connection methodologies, and international educational exchange, with increasing focus on intersectionality and mental training applications in recent years.

As an active supervisor, she guides PhD, EdD, Masters, and undergraduate students across multiple institutions including University of Edinburgh, University of Tasmania, and international partners. Her supervision philosophy emphasizes positive relationships, research skill development, and student extension. Current projects include Literacy Outdoors: Collaborative peer-to-peer learning and Transcultural experience of Masters of Transcultural European Outdoor Studies.

Dr. Smith has secured numerous research grants including Student Experience Grants (£5,000) and Principal's Teaching Award Scheme funding (£15,000) for projects like Keeping the Door Open. She serves as regular reviewer for Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning, Journal of Experiential Education, and other leading publications. Her professional engagement includes membership in Outdoor Education Australia and Higher Education Research and Development Society Australasia.

Her laboratory is effectively the natural environment, with research extending to urban, wilderness, and digital spaces. She leads intentional learning communities focused on student engagement in higher education and maintains strong connections with outdoor education practitioners globally through international conferences and collaborative projects.