My background is environmental philosophy - I was a lecturer at  Lancaster University for nine years before escaping to go free-lance in  2000. I have a particular interest in environmental ethics, sustainability and values, as well as the relationship between environmental issues and  animal welfare - often neglected within the sd context.

I now work half time  as a senior lecturer in Outdoor Studies at the University of Cumbria, where  I teach mainly environmental issues - and a bit of sea kayaking! In the other half of my time I’m freelance. I run ‘Outdoor Philosophy’ - short  courses that harness the power of wild places to support people in thinking  critically about mainstream consumer values and the value of nature, with a  view to inspiring commitment to more sustainable ways of living and working.

I’m the academic director of Forum for the Future’s innovative Reconnections  programme - a week long course with Jonathon Porritt, and other contributors, for business leaders on values and sustainable development. I’m also increasingly interested in questions about communication and  the potential of adventure stories as a way of communicating environmental  issues. In 2006 I cycled 4553 miles from Texas to Alaska along the spine of  the Rockies, exploring N.American beliefs about climate change. That trip is  the basis of The Carbon Cycle slide show, and I’m currently working on a  book version. The aim in both cases is to reach audiences that probably  wouldn’t go to a climate change slide show or buy a book about climate  change as such.

There’s more information on my website (which is badly in need of updating!). I live in the Lake Distict, and greatly enjoy hill-walking and sea-kayaking as well as cycling.