Browsing by Author "Beard, Colin"

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    Doing the plastic fantastic: ‘artificial’ adventure and older adult climbers
    (Taylor and Francis, 2017-03-27) Hickman, Mark; Stokes, Peter; Beard, Colin; Inkster, Allison
    The aim of this paper is to determine the perceptions and experiences of climbing at artificial climbing walls (ACWs) as undertaken by a cohort of ‘young-old’ people (circa 65-75). The engagement of older people in outdoor activities and adventure is an evolving topic, however, as part of this development little has been written on the use of ACWs. Methodologically, the research employed in-depth semi-structured focus groups and interviews with a purposive convenience sample of six, subsequently expanded to ten through snowball technique. Male and female sexes were equally represented. Manual thematic analysis identified two key motifs: ACWs and the notion of adventure; and, ACWs and the potential for learning. The findings point at: what constitutes ‘real’ adventure for this group of older adults; the shifting nature of ‘old age’; the significance of self-awareness; and the role of reflexivity and physical activity in the construction of a ‘successful’ old age.
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    Improving employability through research Informed Learning: enhancing student engagement on a vocational outdoor degree
    (N/A, 2015-12-03) Hickman, M.; Gray, P.; Inkster, Allison; Passenger, N.; Stokes, Peter; Beard, Colin
    Hickman, M., Gray, P., Inkster, A., Passenger, N., Stokes P., and Beard, C. (2015) ‘Improving employability through research Informed Learning: enhancing student engagement on a vocational outdoor degree’, Inspire: Sharing great practice in Social Science teaching and learning Annual Social Sciences Conference2015, Higher Education Academy, The Studio, Manchester, 3-4 December.
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    Moments like diamonds in space: savoring the ageing process through positive engagement with adventure sports
    (Taylor and Francis, 2016-10-07) Hickman, Mark; Stokes, Peter; Gammon, Sean; Beard, Colin; Inkster, Allison
    There are over 10 million people in the United Kingdom aged over 65, a figure predicted to double by 2050. Despite calls for the outdoors to be a focus for health-related physical activity younger adults still tend to be the predominant users of this resource. In an attempt to understand how older adults aged 65+ relate to outdoor adventure sports, data from purposive samples of rock climbers from the north of England (n = 8) and sea kayakers from the Highlands and Islands of Scotland (n = 5) were gathered using focus groups and targeted semi-structured interviews. Analysis using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis and critical friends showed clear links to theory and highlights the notion that older adults with life course commitments to adventurous ‘serious leisure’ savor the opportunities afforded by growing older. Furthermore, they reject the constant ‘pathologization’ of the ageing process, emphasising instead its positive and meaningful aspects. KEYWORDS: Ageing, adventure sports, personal story, savoring, social gerontology