Dr Loel Collins blends research and adventure in Antarctica

Blending adventure with research, Dr Loel Collins, a lecturer at Moray House and an expert in performance coaching, was lead sea kayaking guide for a group of 100 individuals on a two-week expedition to Antarctica.

Dr Loel Collins

Adopting a hands-on approach to research and education, Collins embarked on this epic voyage to explore the wonders of the Antarctic peninsula and deepen his understanding of decision-making in high-risk environments.

With an extensive career in adventure sports coaching and teaching emergency response, Collins brings a unique perspective to his research, combining theoretical insights with practical experience. 

Collins previously worked as an adventure sports coach and guide, and he likes to keep his research relevant by maintaining his knowledge and skills in the field by undertaking hands-on roles such as this one.

For me, it’s vital to have a relevant and practical link between my research, what I teach and the professions I aim to support in my research, so I coach and guide whenever I can – I'm very pragmatic in that respect – it means the research stays real and relevant.

Dr Loel Collins Programme Director for MSc Performance Coaching and Development

Collins’s research interests focus on coaching and coach development in hyper-dynamic, complex and high-risk environments. A lecturer and Programme Director for MSc Performance Coaching and development, Collins works with doctoral and masters students in areas exploring the development of effective decision-making skills in various fields, including outdoor education, coaching, rescue and emergency care, and coach development.

The Antarctic peninsula

Over the course of two weeks, the group travelled from Ushuaia, Argentina, across the Drake Passage and onto the Antarctic peninsula. As part of this eco-tourism adventure, Collins and the group kayaked and climbed throughout their trip, encountering penguins, whales and seals, as well as visiting research stations on the Antarctic peninsula. 

The trip was packed with exciting wildlife sightings, including interactions with playful fur seals and whales feeding amongst the group’s kayaks during a snowstorm. Collins noted each time they came in contact with these magnificent animals. The animals were in control of the interactions, allowing the group to be fully immersed in their world as they displayed their curiosity towards them.

Reflecting on the experience, Collins emphasised the importance of witnessing first-hand the impact of human activities on our planet, underscoring the significance of being aware of humanity’s place within a much larger, broader ecological system. Collins commented “it is vital for people to see the effect we have on our planet. Realising that we are actually small things in a bigger system is vital”.

Whale

‘Developmental pathways’

The expedition served as a platform for ongoing research into decision-making processes in complex and high-risk environments. By focusing on polar guiding, emergency response and adventure sports coaching, Collins's work aims to understand the characteristics of adaptive experts and develop effective pathways for cultivating decision-making skills. “Experts in these areas are typically – what are called – adaptive experts”, Collins explained, highlighting the need to design developmental strategies that foster adaptability and resilience. 

Collins's commitment to bridging academia with real-world practice is evident. By engaging in activities such as polar guiding and adventure sports coaching, he ensures that his research remains grounded in the challenges and realities faced by professionals in the field.

My focus at the moment is in understanding how we might design developmental pathways that create effective decision makers in complex settings and create adaptive experts.

Dr Loel Collins Programme Director for MSc Performance Coaching and Development

In an era marked by environmental concerns and the need for effective decision-making in diverse contexts, Collin's expedition to Antarctica should be a testament to his dedication to exploration, education and research, and to enhancing our understanding of the natural world.

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