Garrett Hutson, PhD

Associate Professor, Recreation and Leisure Studies

Garrett Hutson

Office: Academic South Room 344
905 688 5550 x4784
ghutson@brocku.ca

Google Scholar

My research highlights the social-ecological significance of outdoor experiences to the study of sustainability and society through examining the ways outdoor education programs and outdoor recreation communities of practice help or hinder the human-nature relationship. I am currently the acting graduate program director for Brock’s Environmental Sustainability Research Centre. I teach undergraduate courses in the Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies including leadership, risk management, and environmental education. Beginning in Fall 2025, I will teach courses within the new concurrent BRLS (Outdoor Education)/Bachelor of Education degree program. At the graduate level, I teach qualitative data analysis and interpretation within the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences.

Research Interests

  • Nature connection
  • Pro-environmental behavior
  • Outdoor recreation
  • Place meanings

Publications

Martin, B., Hutson, G, & Goldenberg, M. (2025). Outdoor and adventure recreation. In T. Tapps, & M.S. Wells, (Eds.), Introduction to Recreation and Leisure (3rd. ed.), (pp. 337-375). Human Kinetics.

Hutson, G., Baird, J., Ives, C. D., Dale, G., Holzer, J. M., & Plummer, R. (2024). Outdoor adventure education as a platform for developing environmental leadership. People and Nature, 6(5), 1974–1986. https://doi.org/10.1002/pan3.10699

Stuart, S., Plummer, R., Dale, G., & Hutson, G. (2024). Community assets in the context of COVID-19: Changes in valuation and contributions to place attachment and subjective wellbeing. Community Development, 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1080/15575330.2024.2379857

Stuart, S., Plummer, R., Dale, G., & Hutson, G. (2024). Assessing the impact of social and ecological change during COVID-19 in natural areas through the subjective well-being and place attachment of natural area users. Journal of Outdoor Recreation, Education and Leadership, 16(1), 1-19. https://doi.org/10.18666/JOREL-2023-11659

Flynn, J., Carter, D. P., Hernández, L. H., & Hutson, G. (2023). Examining attitudes towards inclusion and social justice among U.S. Climbers: analysis and findings from a national survey. Leisure Studies, 43(5), 769–785. https://doi.org/10.1080/02614367.2023.2256028

Hutson, G., Andre, E., & Szolosi, A. (2023). Fostering a culture of sustainability through outdoor recreation and education (editors’ note). Journal of Outdoor Recreation, Education, and Leadership, 15(1), v-vii.

Baird, J., Dale, G., Holzer, J.M., Hutson, G., Ives, C.D., & Plummer, R. (2022). The role of a nature-based program in fostering multiple connections to nature. Sustainability Science, 17, 1899-1910. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11625-022-01119-w

Witkowski, S., Plummer, R., & Hutson, G. (2022). Influences of engaging in a participatory monitoring and evaluation process on stakeholder perceptions of key performance indicators for trails. Journal of Park and Recreation Administration, 40(1), 115-133. https://doi.org/10.18666/JPRA-2021-10953

Carter, D. P., Hutson, G., Lam, P., Rose, J., & Furman, N. (2020). The self-governance challenges facing climbers with examples from Utah, Colorado, and Ontario. Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, 31, 100323. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jort.2020.100323

Baird, J., Hutson, G., & Plummer, R. (2020). Examining links between connections to nature and intentions for pro-environmental behavior as outcomes of NOLS. Journal of Outdoor Recreation, Education, and Leadership, 12(4), 367-379. https://doi.org/10.18666/JOREL-2020-V12-I4-9992

Teaching

  • Qualitative approaches to inquiry
  • Outdoor and environmental education
  • Leadership in parks and leisure services
  • Risk Management in Recreation

Graduate Student Opportunities

I’m currently accepting graduate students. Please reach out via email to discuss further.

Undergraduate Student Opportunities

I supervise undergraduate thesis research, directed readings, placements, and internships. Please reach out via email to discuss further.