PRT Research Areas
Research conducted by members of the faculty contributes to theory development, informs practice, and leads to discovery of techniques for effective management and delivery of park, recreation, and tourism services, informing policy, serving social needs and health and well-being of people, communities, and the environment.
Areas of Research
Community, Sport, and Youth Development
Areas of Research: Organized Camping, Positive Youth Sportsmanship, Youth Program Quality.
Outdoor Recreation Research
The Outdoor Recreation, Education, and Tourism Lab conducts applied research, locally and internationally, that addresses issues faced by managers, educators, and policy officials.
Sustainable Tourism & Hospitality
Areas of Research: Protected Areas and Tourism Management, Environmental and Societal Impacts of Tourism and Recreation, Winter Recreation/Tourism, Healthy Parks, Healthy People, Sustainable Tourism Certification, Destination Management, Marketing Effectiveness
Research Faculty
Outdoor Recreation Research
Community, Youth, and Sport Research
Referred Journal Articles
Meerts-Brandsma, L., Sibthorp, J., & Rochelle, S. (2019). Using transformational learning theory to understand outdoor adventure education. Journal of Adventure Education & Outdoor Learning. DOI : 10.1080/14729679.2019.1686040.
Richmond, D. & Sibthorp, J. (2019). Bridging the opportunity gap: College access programs and outdoor adventure education. Journal of Outdoor Recreation, Education, and Leadership. 11(4). 301-319. DOI 10.18666/JOREL-2019-V11-I4-9646
Jostad, J., Sibthorp, J., Butner, J., & Rochelle, S. (2019). Adolescent sense of belonging in outdoor adventure education: The influence of conflict and instructors. Journal of Research in Outdoor Education. 17. 20-37. DOI 10.1353/roe.2019.0001
Meerts-Brandsma, L., Sibthorp, J., & Rochelle, S. (2019). Examining long-term transfer between socioeconomically differentiated students in outdoor adventure education. Journal of Experiential Education. 42(3). 213-228. DOI 10.1177/1053825919846154
Riley, M. (2019). The mentoring networks of outdoor educators. Journal of Outdoor Recreation, Education, and Leadership 11(3). 207-221. DOI: https://doi.org/10.18666/JOREL-2019-V11-I3-9519
Jostad, J., Sibthorp, J., Butner, J., Rochelle, S., & Gookin, J. (2017). Using dynamical systems theory in outdoor adventure education research. Journal of Research in Outdoor Education. 15. 93-113.
Abstracts, Presentations, and Proceedings
Meerts-Brandsma, L., Sibthorp, J., & Rochelle, S. (October, 2018). Mechanisms in Outdoor Adventure Education that Facilitate Transformational Learning. Presented at the Association for Outdoor Recreation and Education/Wilderness Education Association Research Symposium, Salt Lake City, UT. Awarded best conference abstract.
Meerts-Brandsma, L., Sibthorp, J., & Rochelle, S. (January, 2018). Examining Long-Term Transfer between Socioeconomically Differentiated Students in Outdoor Adventure Education. Presentation at the Coalition for Education in the Outdoors Biennial Research Symposium, Martinsville, IN. Book of Abstracts.