Glyn Thomas

Glyn Thomas serves as Senior Lecturer and Discipline Lead for Outdoor Environmental Studies within the School of Education and Tertiary Access at the University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC), Queensland, Australia. He is also a core member of the Indigenous and Transcultural Research Centre (ITRC), where his work focuses on environmental awareness, cross-cultural understanding, and community engagement through outdoor education.

Dr. Thomas's research centers on experiential education philosophy and practice, with specific emphasis on facilitation and facilitator education, outdoor environmental education, socially inclusive pedagogies in higher education, and fieldwork pedagogies—particularly near-peer approaches. His scholarly work demonstrates consistent progression from foundational outdoor education concepts toward more complex investigations of pedagogical frameworks, technology integration, and climate change education.

An analysis of his recent publications reveals a clear trajectory toward addressing contemporary challenges in outdoor education, including the integration of digital technology, responses to climate change, and adaptations necessitated by the pandemic. His work increasingly focuses on practical applications of theoretical frameworks while maintaining strong connections to environmental stewardship and inclusive educational practices.

• Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning from the Australian Awards for University Teaching (AAUT) 2021
• Fellowship, Outdoor Education Australia (OEA)
• Fellowship, Higher Education Research and Development Society of Australasia (HERDSA)

Dr. Thomas currently co-supervises three HDR students while having successfully guided three students to completion. His teaching responsibilities include OES240 Leading Groups in Outdoor Environments and OES301 Leading Coastal Outdoor Environmental Studies. In 2016, he established UniSC's Bachelor of Recreation and Outdoor Environmental Studies program, demonstrating his commitment to program development and educational innovation.

As Discipline Lead for Outdoor Environmental Studies, Dr. Thomas plays a central role in shaping curriculum and pedagogical approaches within his department. His leadership in establishing the bachelor's program has created a structured pathway for students interested in outdoor environmental education careers, while his research continues to influence both academic discourse and practical applications in the field.