NEWS & EVENTS
Please check the Publications & Resources section for available information about past news and events.
May 31, 2023
Dr. Mariana Brussoni promoted to Professor, Department of Pediatrics and the School of Population and Public Health
We would like to extend our big congratulations to Dr. Mariana Brussoni, who was recently promoted to Professor by the Head of UBC’s Department of Pediatrics, Dr. Steven Miller. The promotion was celebrated at a ceremony held at the University Golf Club on May 31, 2023. The event honoured members of UBC Faculty of Medicine, recognizing their achievements and careers.
For more information, please visit: https://pediatrics.med.ubc.ca/2023/06/09/2023-ubc-faculty-of-medicine-academic-gowns-and-emeriti-recognition-ceremony/
Photo: Curtesy of Rachel Ramsden
October 13, 2022
Rachel Ramsden – Play Outside Lab Project Coordinator & PhD student – welcomed as one of UBC’s new Public Scholars
A big congratulations to Rachel Ramsden, whose work on outdoor play and community-driven research was recently recognized as part of UBC’s Public Scholars Initiative!
The Public Scholars Initiative supports UBC doctoral students whose work pushes existing boundaries and contributes to public good through collaborative, interdisciplinary research: https://www.grad.ubc.ca/psi
Photo: Elaine Yong
July 11, 2022
Dr. Mariana Brussoni awarded $1.3 million grant to improve daycare outdoor play
Very exciting news for our Promoting Early Childhood Outside (PRO-ECO) study!
Announcement was made on July 11, 2022 that the study was awarded $1.3 million from the federal government’s Early Learning and Child Care Innovation Program. The grant will support the second phase of the study, focusing on a partnership with First Nations and Métis child care organizations.
“We already know from many other studies that more outdoor play is better. What we are doing with PRO-ECO is focusing on how we can change the behaviours and practices of early childhood educators and families, to support more outdoor play in their centres, especially in the context of the pandemic” – Dr. Mariana Brussoni.
Photo: Hebah (left) with her mom (far right) and Dr. Bonnie Henry (middle)
May 26, 2022 YWCA Women of Distinction Awards
Hebah Hussaina is the 2022 YWCA Young Woman of Distinction Award recipient!
Big congratulations to Hebah Hussaina on being the 2022 YWCA Young Woman of Distinction!
Hebah is recognized for her support of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) education for youth, including as Surrey Program Coordinator for Science World‘s Future Science Leaders, and as part of her community involvement. Listen to Hebah’s 2019 TEDx talk: “How Volunteering Grows Healthy Communities.”
Events
September 27-29, 2023 Keynote address – Dr. Mariana Brussoni
Breath of Fresh Air – Outdoor Play Summit – Ottawa, ON
Breath of Fresh Air is a biennial three-day Outdoor Play Summit where thought leaders, practitioners, researchers and policy makers can connect and share best practices. The theme for the 2023 summit is ‘Research, policy, and practice – their intersections for the promotion of outdoor play’. The summit will feature inspiring talks, hands-on workshops, and open conversations on how research, policy, and practice may promote and shape the future of outdoor play in Canada and abroad. For more information please visit: https://outdoorplaysummit.ca/
May 16, 2023 Webinar featuring Rachel Ramsden
Risky Outdoor Play Webinar – Outdoor Play Canada
Play Outside Lab’s Rachel Ramsden will be taking part in the upcoming Outdoor Play Canada’s Risky Outdoor Play webinar, where she’ll be speaking about the lab’s latest research. The session will also feature presentations by US-based Janet Loebach and Adina Cox, as well as Alexander Olsen and Steffen Tangen from Norway. Speakers’ presentations will be followed by a discussion.
For more information please visit: https://www.outdoorplaycanada.ca/2023/04/28/risky-outdoor-play-webinar/
March 30, 2023 Webinar featuring Dr. Mariana Brussoni
Outdoor and Nature Play: A Global Look at Research, Policy and Practice
This 75-minute webinar, organised by The International Society of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity (ISBNPA) Early Care and Education Special Interest (ECE SIG), will include a discussion from international experts currently working in the field of outdoor play/nature play.
Professor Mariana Brussoni (Canada) will provide an overview of the latest research. Mairi Ferris from Thrive Outdoors (Scotland) will discuss the power of position statements and policy relating to outdoor play/nature play. Fiona Harris (Australia) will discuss how nature play/outdoor play can be successfully implemented in Early Childhood Education. She will explore the ins and outs of beach Kinder. Drs Leigh Vanderloo and Brianne Bruijns will engage the audience and panel speakers in a lively discussion.
Please join us on the 30th March 2023, 20:00 GMT to be inspired.
For more information please visit: https://isbnpa.org/webinar/march-30-2023-8-pm-utc-early-care-and-education-sig-webinar-outdoor-and-nature-play-a-global-look-at-research-policy-and-practice/
To register, visit: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_x8j8paRATsW1NKNHIPUdAg
February 24, 2023 Interactive workshop with Rachel Ramsden
Supporting Children’s Outdoor Risky Play as a parent or family member
Learn about the key ingredients to enhance outdoor and risky play (‘time, ‘space’ and ‘freedom’) and how you can begin to incorporate these into a child’s everyday life.
This is an interactive workshop that will work through real examples from the field, emerging research across British Columbia, Canada and international contexts, and supportive next steps on your journey towards supporting children’s outdoor and risky play.
For more information please visit: https://www.facebook.com/CMCSTerrace
February 22 & 23, 2023 Online workshop with Rachel Ramsden
Supporting Children’s Outdoor Risky Play
Research is clear on the importance of regular and repeated access to outdoor risky play. Early learning and child care centres are important environments for the early years and experiences in these settings provide essential opportunities for children’s outdoor risky play that they may not have at home. This session will help you build the case about the need for outdoor risky play and get ideas to make positive changes in your work with children. Learn the key concepts that support outdoor risky play and how you can begin to incorporate these into your programs and plans. This interactive workshop will work through real examples from early learning and child care environments, focusing on how to support children’s outdoor risky play. Recent research from British Columbia will showcase how child care centres are supporting outdoor risky play through policy, practice and environment modifications. This session will also make available the resources and tools to help you get started in your role supporting young children’s participation in outdoor risky play.
For more information and to register, please visit: https://www.wstcoast.org/workshops/supporting-childrens-outdoor-risky-play
February 16, 2023 Workshop with Rachel Ramsden at Chorus Kits
Supporting Outdoor and Risky Play in Young Children
Research is clear on the importance of regular and repeated access to outdoor risky play. Despite the known benefits of outdoor play, children in North America are spending less time outdoors. In addition, children’s play experiences have become more monitored and controlled. This session will help you build the case about the need for outdoor risky play in your experiences with children, whether as an educator, parent, or family member. Learn the key concepts that support outdoor risky play and how you can begin to incorporate these into your outdoor experiences with children. This workshop will highlight examples from the field, outline how to identify a hazard from a risk, and showcase recent research from the Play Outside UBC Lab. This session will also make available the resources and tools to help you get started in your role supporting young children’s participation in outdoor risky play.
For more information and to register, please visit: https://www.chorusandclouds.ca/products/brussoni-lab
November 23, 2022 Webinar with Dr. Mariana Brussoni
Importance of Outdoor Play on Brain Development & Mental Health
This presentation by Dr. Mariana Brussoni is the first in a new webinar series by Families Canada and the Centre of Excellence for Early Childhood Development, focused on addressing emerging issues and challenges in the family support sector. Dr. Brussoni will discuss science-based information and strategies that support the positive impact of outdoor play on brain development and mental health in early childhood as well as for adults and educators alike. Helping participants to understand the importance of outdoor play, touching on risky play and how to implement it.
For more information and to register, please visit: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/importance-of-outdoor-play-on-brain-development-mental-health-tickets-445368478107
November 3, 2022 Canadian Injury Prevention Conference
Child and Youth Outdoor Play – presentation by Megan Zeni and Emma Raaflaub
Curious about how to promote child and youth outdoor play?
Join Play Outside Lab members Megan Zeni and Emma Raaflaub at the 2022 Canadian Injury Prevention Conference.
Megan and Emma will be discussing outdoor play and learning, and covering topics of outdoor play, risky play, and risk-benefit assessment. They hope the workshop audience will gain an understanding of the importance of outdoor play, how equitable access to outdoor play can be achieved and analyze practical solutions of outdoor play in practice.
For more information about the conference, please visit: https://www.injuryresearch.bc.ca/2022conference
November 3, 2022 Canadian Injury Prevention Conference
Investigating Parents’ Risk Propensity for Themselves, Their Child, and Child Injury Incidence – presentation by Hebah Hussaina
Hebah Hussaina, graduate research assistant with the Play Outside Lab, will be presenting at the 2022 Canadian Injury Prevention Conference.
Hebah’s presentation will be focusing on understanding the relationship between parents’ risk-taking perspectives and injury in the context of outdoor and risky play.
For more information about the conference, please visit: https://www.injuryresearch.bc.ca/2022conference/
June 30, 2022 Outdoor Play and Learning (OPAL)
Freedom! An OPAL online open day
This event brings together international researchers, school leaders and education thinkers with a focus on ensuring more children have the freedom to play every day at school.
Featuring Michael Follett, Dr. Mariana Brussoni, Sarah Alexander and others! For tickets and information please visit Freedom! An OPAL online open day website.
Photo: UNICEF
May 24, 2022 UNICEF Canada
UNICEF Report Card 17 Canadian Launch: The Future is Now
Join an intergenerational dialogue with UNICEF Canada and guests to review Canada’s progress and the policies that will protect children’s environment and their right to a childhood.
Speakers include Dr. Mariana Brussoni, Saara Choudry, Kyrstin Dumont, Dr. Elaine MacDonald, David Morley, Paula Robeson, Dr. Shannon Waters, Lisa Wolff and Julie Dabrusin. Please visit the event website for more information.
May 5, 2022 Inspiring Scotland | Thrive Outdoors
Thrive Outdoors Conference 2002
Dr. Mariana Brussoni will be speaking about risky and adventurous play at the online Thrive Outdoors Early Learning & Childcare 2022 Conference: Growing Ambition Together!
Please visit the event website to register, as well as to check out the full list of exciting speakers.