Associate Professor, Recreation and Leisure Studies
My research explores the complexities of person-environment relationships and their impacts on a variety of outdoor recreation contexts. Through much of my work, I aim to highlight the social-ecological significance of outdoor experiences to the study of sustainability and society through examining the ways outdoor educational programs and outdoor recreation communities of practice help or hinder relationships with natural outdoor environments. I am an affiliated faculty member with Brock’s environmental sustainability research centre, and I currently teach undergraduate courses on leadership, risk management, qualitative research, and environmental education.
- Nature connection
- Pro-environmental behavior
- Outdoor recreation
- Place meanings
- Associate editor, Journal of Outdoor Recreation, Education, and Leadership
- Participating member, Environmental Sustainability Research Centre
- Volunteer, Ontario Alliance of Climbers
- Former instructor, NOLS
Flynn, J., Hernandez, L., Carter, D.P., & Hutson, G. (2023). Examining attitudes towards inclusion and social justice among U.S. climbers: Analysis and findings from a national survey. Leisure Studies. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/02614367.2023.2256028
Stuart, S., Plummer, R., Dale, G., & Hutson, G. (2023). 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. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.18666/JOREL-2023-11659
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://doi.org/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-V1 2-I4-9992
O’Connell, T., Howard, R., & Hutson, G. (2020). The impact of Covid-19 on outdoor recreation participation in Canada. Initial report on a national study of outdoor recreationists. Brock University and ALIVE Outdoors. https://www.coeo.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Initial-Report-the_impact_of_covid_on_or_in_canada.pdf
Hutson, G., Peredun, L., & Rochelle, S. (2019). The impact of NOLS Rocky Mountain on the development of a sense of place. Journal of Experiential Education, 42(4), 382-397. https://doi.org/10.1177/1053825919865580
- Qualitative approaches to inquiry
- Outdoor and environmental education
- Leadership in parks and leisure services
- Risk Management in Recreation
I’m currently accepting graduate students. Please reach out via email to discuss further.
I supervise undergraduate thesis research, directed readings, placements, and internships. Please reach out via email to discuss further.
