Interview with Professor Ria Dunkley

Rachel Flynn Charters speaks with Ria Dunkley, Professor of Environmental Pedagogy in the School of Education at the University of Glasgow

What inspired your recent research?

I've always been fascinated by how people come to care about the natural world. While working at the Eden Project for example, I became interested in how young people develop meaningful relationships with the natural world and how those experiences shape environmental action. I think the experiences we have outdoors shape how we understand our place within it, and ultimately how we respond to the environmental challenges we face. I wanted to understand how those relationships are actually formed.

Why isn’t knowledge alone enough?

We know more than ever about climate change and biodiversity loss, and knowledge is essential, but information on its own rarely changes how we live. My research suggests that the challenge isn't simply helping people connect with nature. It's understanding how those connections develop in the first place.

What do you think sparks a lasting interest in nature?

Some children live close to extraordinary landscapes but still have relatively few opportunities to experience them. A memorable day outdoors can spark curiosity, but it's repeated experiences that build confidence, deepen understanding and create a genuine sense of belonging.

Why is repeated access to the outdoors so important?

I found that lasting ecological relationships are rarely accidental. They are cultivated through repeated experiences, shared practices and supportive relationships. The people I interviewed often described the same pattern. They remembered a parent, grandparent, teacher or outdoor educator who had patiently introduced them to the natural world, helping them feel confident outdoors, notice things they might otherwise have missed, or simply experience a sense of wonder.

Did you find any differences between people’s experiences in the UK and US?

In the United States, many volunteers spoke about contributing to the public good, while participants in the UK often described wanting to care for places because they had seen them damaged or neglected. Despite those differences, the process of introducing people to nature was remarkably similar.

Why do you specifically reference the John Muir Award?

The Award provided a wonderful opportunity to explore so many related questions because it creates repeated opportunities for people to discover, experience and care for wild places alongside others.

The Award isn't simply about taking people outdoors. It values discovery, repeated engagement, reflection and sharing experiences with others. What also stood out was the quiet work of the many teachers, volunteers and practitioners who make those experiences possible. They don't always get recognised, but they're central to helping people develop lasting relationships with nature.

Do you think wild places matter more now?

Wild places have always mattered, but I do think they're becoming increasingly precious. As genuinely wild places become rarer, opportunities to experience wonder, discovery and the unexpected become rarer too.

For more on Ria’s research, visit www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-9715522/v1