Consultancy and research

We are involved in a number of research and consultancy projects, some of which are listed here. We also work in an advisory capacity with both the Scottish and the UK Governments and advise on a range of UK and International studies. 

Please check individual staff profiles for further information on our roles, research and our latest publication details.

Staff profiles

We work closely with a number of organisations, such as:

• British Council
• Education Scotland
• Forestry Commission Scotland
• Field studies Council
• Learning for Sustainability Scotland 
• Nature Scot
• Scottish Government
• Venture Trust

Our involvement spans consultancy work, advisory roles and a range of practice-based and professional development projects. 

We aim to conduct and share research that is scientifically robust, theoretically based, and of strategic significance.

Project Title: Embedding Learning for Sustainability in Scottish education policy and teaching practice

Project Title: Keeping the Door Open: Curating, developing and evolving Edinburgh University teaching in spaces and places within the city and beyond (2021) (£15k)

Investigators: Beth Christie, David Clarke, Catherine Dunn, Pete Higgins, Robbie Nicol, Heidi Smith

Christie, B & Higgins P. (2020). Educational outcomes of Learning for Sustainability: A Brief Review of Literature. Scottish Government

Higgins, P. & Christie, B. (2020). Environmental and Sustainability Education. In: Encyclopaedia of Teacher Education. Springer.

Christie, B. & Higgins, P. (2012) The impact of outdoor learning experiences on attainment and behaviour: A brief review of literature. Forestry Commission Scotland/University of Edinburgh. Forestry Commission Report 11/2012

Christie, B. & Higgins, P. (2012) The impact of outdoor learning experiences on attitudes to sustainability: A brief review of literature. Field Studies Council/University of Edinburgh. Field Studies Council Report 06/2012.

The Research into Action Briefings series was written to support engagement with published educational research in relation to Learning for Sustainability across the education community

Research into Action Briefings

• LfS Research Briefings – No.1: LfS and Attainment in Schools (2016) Higgins, P. & Christie, B.
• LfS Research Briefings – No. 2: Impact of Outdoor Learning on LfS in Schools (2016) Higgins, P. & Christie, B.
• LfS Research Briefings – No 3: The Impact of Outdoor Learning on Attainment and Behaviour in Schools. (2016) Higgins, P. & Christie, B.
• LfS Research Briefings – No.4: Learning for Sustainability – Effective Pedagogies. (2016) King, B., Higgins, P. & Christie, B.
• LfS Research Briefings – No.5: The UN Decade of ESD (UNDESD) 2005-­‐2014 & Beyond. A Retrospective Review. (2016). Higgins, P. & Christie, B
• Higgins, P., Nicol, R., Beames, S., Christie, B., & Scrutton, R. (2013). Education and Culture Committee, Outdoor Learning. Submission from Pete Higgins. University of Edinburgh.