Dr Bethan Garrett
Lecturer in the Morecambe Bay CurriculumResearch Overview
Beth's role as a lecturer includes both an academic position in the Department of Educational Research and a member of the team exploring the development, implementation and impact of the Morecambe Bay Curriculum. Her research interests are currently focused on coastal education and beach schools, specifically investigating how these alternative approaches to teaching and learning could subvert social, educational, economic and health disparities. Her work connects with place-based learning, community education and sustainable development. She also retains an interest in psycho-social theories of motivation and how engagement develops through personal, socio-cultural and contextual processes.
Profile
A key part of Beth’s role in the department involves exploring and developing research around the Morecambe Bay Curriculum. Her expertise in this field comes from being the co-convenor of the North-West Beach School Network, which holds termly events across the Sefton, Fylde and Morecambe coastlines with educational and health practitioners. Through this she developed interests in the impact of coastal education, particularly on pupils who may struggle with traditional schooling. She is also interested in how outdoor learning can aid the development of pro-ecological behaviours and change attitudes towards protecting nature. The sessions which are run by the network involve supporting practitioners through collaborative sharing of research and the delivery of practical sessions.
Before joining Lancaster University, Beth was programme leader for an undergraduate Education Studies programme. In this, she led on the psychology of education strand, where she has expertise in motivational theories, as well as leading on research methods, dissertation supervision and playing a significant role in supporting all students. She remains very passionate about ensuring students from all backgrounds can succeed in Higher Education. Beth moved into university from teaching and has previously led modules on primary QTS programmes, focusing on mathematics, music and reflective practice.
PhD Supervision Interests
I am keen to supervise students who are focused on any aspect of environmental or sustainable education. This extends to place-based learning and outdoor education, as well as how to develop novel approaches to the embedding of environmental issues in curriculum design. I am also interested in motivation, particularly from educators in relation to challenging areas of their practice, and how school culture can impact upon individuals' experiences and perceptions.
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The MBC Storytelling and Writing Pilot Project
01/02/2025 → 31/07/2025
Research
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Morecambe Bay Curriculum Working Groups - Health and Wellbeing
02/12/2024 → 31/08/2026
Other
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Lancaster Evaluation Group
13/02/2024 → 31/07/2024
Research
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MBC Curriculum Co-Design Project
02/10/2023 → 31/07/2024
Research
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A Scoping Framework of Support for Schools to Develop their Outdoor Learning Practices
15/09/2023 → 30/04/2024
Research
Ministry of Eco Education - Ask the Expert
Invited talk
Developing place-based environmental education through collaboration: The Story of the Morecambe Bay Curriculum
Invited talk
Bringing hope to the bay: How the Morecambe Bay Curriculum is embedding place, sustainability, environment and hope into education.
Oral presentation
Morecambe Bay Curriculum 2025 Conference
Participation in workshop, seminar, course
Morecambe Bay Curriculum Green Passport
Oral presentation
Morecambe Bay Curriculum at Civic Lab 2025
Invited talk
Morecambe Bay Curriculum and Cumbria Primary Schools
Invited talk
What is Environmental Justice?
Invited talk
Embedding environmental education through place-based approaches: A case study of the Morecambe Bay Curriculum
Invited talk
Lancaster Evaluation Group Seminars
Participation in conference -Mixed Audience
Nurturing Social Value with Examples from the Morecambe Bay Curriculum
Invited talk
Sustainable Education Summit on Morecambe Bay Curriculum.
Invited talk
British Educational Research Association (BERA/WERA) 2024
Participation in conference - Academic
Disruptions of Learning and Students’ Evolving Relationships with Place, Technology, and School
Participation in workshop, seminar, course
4th International Conference of Possibility Studies
Participation in conference - Academic
Morecambe Bay Curriculum Conference
Participation in conference -Mixed Audience
Liverpool City Region Stronger Practice Hub Beach School Training Taster Sessions
Participation in workshop, seminar, course
ARC North West Coast Quarterly Event
Participation in conference -Mixed Audience
Lancaster Evaluation Group Seminars
Participation in workshop, seminar, course
‘Ethnic Diversity in the UK Marine and Coastal sector: Accelerating Change’
Influence on Policy, Practice, Patients & the Public
Beach School workshop: Using the coast with neurodiverse children
Participation in workshop, seminar, course
Beach School workshop: Using the coast with neurodiverse children
Participation in workshop, seminar, course
Long term education policy making in small, rural and coastal schools
Participation in workshop, seminar, course
MBC Curriculum Development Launch Day
Participation in workshop, seminar, course
Morecambe Bay Curriculum Features as Case Study in FED Climate Education Toolkit
Influence on Policy, Practice, Patients & the Public
The role of universities in the journey of their places towards net zero
Participation in workshop, seminar, course
Ready Generations Intergenerational Creativity Conference
Participation in conference -Mixed Audience
- Centre for Social Justice and Wellbeing in Education
- Lancaster Evaluation Group
- Morecambe Bay Curriculum