Tracy Hayes is the current convenor for the Nature, Outdoor Learning and Play Special Interest Group.

Tracy Hayes was awarded the 2018 Anna Craft Creativities in Education Prize for her paper Responsive, responsible research: Lexi’s Story.

Tracy Hayes joined the University of Cumbria in November 2014, following an established career in youth work and community-based education. She teaches on the Working with Children, Young People and Families undergraduate programme, drawing extensively on her experiences as a professional youth and community development worker and as an environmental educator.

She has recently completed a PhD in the Department of Science, Natural Resources and Outdoor Studies researching the relationship that young people have with the natural environment. She takes a playfully narrative approach to her work, embracing creative methodologies, particularly reflexive auto/ethnography, creative non-fiction and story-telling. She enjoys being, and playing, outside.