Perceptions of empowerment and leadership in the context of outdoor education: a qualitative study in women participants

Abstract

Gender inequality is a global challenge and leadership development and empowerment have the potential to effect change. Outdoor education programs provide platforms to develop leadership and empower participants while also developing positive relationships with the outdoor environment, other people, and the self, while providing a range of physical and mental health benefits. This study used a thematic analysis to explore participants’ experiences of an outdoor education program for secondary school women students. Twelve respondents participated in two separate semi-structured focus groups. Focus Group 1 explored the perceptions of women secondary students who completed a 10-day outdoor education expedition (N = 4), while Focus Group 2 explored completion of a 10-day expedition with involvement in subsequent two-year leadership opportunities (public speaking, fundraising, mentoring, and so on) (N = 8). The women participated in their outdoor education and leadership activities between 2008 and 2015 and were aged between 22 and 30 years (M = 26.3) at the time of data collection in 2020. Overall, the findings suggest an outdoor education experience seemed to be a useful activity in increasing perceptions of micro-level leadership and empowerment, which are important factors in addressing gender equality. Participants also reported a sense of community as a perceived outcome. Implications for future research are explored.