Mark Leather

Mark Leather is an Associate Professor of Education at Plymouth Marjon University's School of Education, specializing in Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning. He leads the MRes in Outdoor Education program and has extensive experience in diverse education sectors, including secondary education, outdoor centers, and international programs. His research focuses on experiential pedagogies, nature-based learning, and the intersection of play and education.

Leather holds an EdD from the University of Exeter, an MSc in Outdoor Education from the University of Edinburgh, and is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. He is actively involved in professional bodies like the British Educational Research Association (co-convenor of the Nature, Outdoor Learning, and Play SIG) and the European Institute for Outdoor Adventure Education.

His research highlights include studies on place-based education, Forest School critiques, and the role of technology in outdoor learning. Key contributions include the PLaTO-Net framework for outdoor pedagogy terminology and the exploration of hyperreal nature through social media. He regularly presents at international conferences and serves as an external examiner for multiple universities.

Leather’s work emphasizes fostering connections between students, educators, and the natural environment, advocating for pedagogical approaches that integrate play, place-responsive teaching, and global environmental challenges.