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Angela Garden

School of Education

Faculty of Arts Professional and Social Studies

Email: A.S.Garden@ljmu.ac.uk

Telephone: 0151 231 5377

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Staff Profile

ORCID

Ange Garden is the Head of Education Studies and Psychology and a member of the Senior Management Team within the School of Education at LJMU. She oversees a suite of programmes within the Education, Communities, and Children (ECC) subject area. With a background in Psychology, Ange’s expertise spans a variety of fields including the psychology of education, sustainability, wellbeing, mental health, and therapeutic approaches. As Employability Lead, she plays a key role in ensuring that students have access to a wide range of opportunities through external stakeholders, gaining valuable experience that supports their personal and professional development.

Ange is passionate about graduate outcomes and is dedicated to enhancing student employability. She has worked to ensure students can undertake a variety of additional qualifications focused on mental health, wellbeing, and nature-based approaches. This commitment supports students in achieving strong outcomes, whether in securing employment or progressing to further study. Ange co-established the first Northwest University Forest School and, as a trained Therapeutic Forest School Leader, oversees the LJMU Thrive in the Forest Qualification and an outdoor volunteering programme, collaborating with a range of partner organisations. She also has a strong focus on student mental health and wellbeing, having co-led the development of the university-wide LJMU Student Wellbeing Journal. In addition, she oversaw the establishment of LJMU's first sensory room, specifically designed to support neurodiverse students, enhancing their learning environment and accessibility.

Ange’s PhD research explores the under-theorised pedagogy of ‘space’ and ‘risk’ within outdoor learning environments like Forest Schools, examining the benefits of nature for wellbeing and alternative outdoor spaces through the lens of risk. She presents a pedagogical framework for therapeutic practitioners, advocating for the transformative role of outdoor spaces and experiences in education.

In addition to her role at LJMU, Ange serves as an external examiner for the Master’s programme in Psychology of Education at University College London Institute of Education and is overseeing the implementation of LJMU's new MSc Psychology in Education (conversion). She also co-chairs the Faculty-wide Institute of Health Research (IHR) Mental Wellbeing Interest Group and leads the pan-university Nature-based Solutions network within the Liverpool Research Institute for Climate and Sustainability (LiRICS).

Languages

English

Degrees

2015, Liverpool John Moores University, United Kingdom, Master of Arts in Advanced Educational Practice (Distinction)
2012, Liverpool John Moores University, United Kingdom, Post Graduate Certificate in Advanced Educational Practice (Dyslexia)
2005, Liverpool John Moores University, United Kingdom, Post Graduate Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy
2001, University of Bolton, United Kingdom, Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE)
1998, University of Liverpool, United Kingdom, BA (Hons) Psychology. BPS accredited
Liverpool John Moores University, United Kingdom, PhD by Published Works (in progress)

Certifications

2019, Therapeutic Forest CIC, United Kingdom, L3 Certificate in Outdoor Therapeutic Skills
2016, Mersey Forest, United Kingdom, L3 Forest School Leader Training

Academic appointments

Head of Education Studies and Psychology, Education, Liverpool John Moores University, 2020 - present
Lecturer in Psychology, Social Sciences, Edge Hill University, 2019 - 2006
Programme Leader, Education, Liverpool John Moores University, 2019 - present
Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Education, Health and Community, Liverpool John Moores University, 2006 - 2019

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