Transformational learning through a women’s outdoor leadership course

ABSTRACT

This study considers the impact of Outward Bound UK’s first Women’s Outdoor Leadership Course, as a strategy for addressing the gender imbalance in leadership within the organisation and wider outdoor sector. A qualitative approach was taken in order to examine changes experienced by the women on the course, what contributed to such changes and the significance of the female environment. Analysis taking an initial grounded theory approach led to the use of Transformational Learning Theory as a framework for understanding the data. Results suggest that transformations occurred primarily around confidence and an inner authentic sense of self. Key contributing factors to this were the supportive environment, the focus on learning, challenge and reflection, and relationships with female peers. Findings can be used to inform an explicit theory of change for further women’s outdoor leadership development. More research is needed to understand the sustainability and impact of change.

KEYWORDS:

• Outdoor education
• gender
• transformational learning
• women’s leadership

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Kate O’Brien

Kate O’Brien studied Outdoor Education in the Community at the University of Strathclyde, UK, before working at a number of centres and programmes within the United Kingdom and abroad. She has worked in personal development for 20 years, predominantly within the outdoors, more recently completing a Master’s in Applied Positive Psychology at the University of East London. Kate’s current primary role is with the Outward Bound Trust, leading a project seeking to broaden workforce diversity.

Linda Allin

Linda Allin is Associate Professor in the department of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation at Northumbria University where she has worked for over 20 years. Previously she worked in a number of outdoor organisations and travelled abroad. Her main area of teaching is in community sport development and her main research interests lie in the value of sport, physical activity and the outdoors for women and other disadvantaged groups. Her PhD in 2003 explored women’s career identities in outdoor education and she has published consistently in relation to women’s experiences in the outdoor industry.