The IOL Fellowship brings about many benefits for members and the outdoor learning wider community, including...
- terminology that is also used and understood by other sectors;
- varied paths of accessibility;
- opportunity for progression in professional recognition;
- improved potential for inclusivity, collaboration and impact;
- demonstrable commitment to supporting the development of the outdoor learning sector;
- entitlement to use ‘Fellow/Senior Fellow’ of the IOL (FIOL or SFIOL) after your name;
- recognition in the IOL Professional Directory as a Fellow (the directory will be reorganised to reflect
- this).
How will people become Fellowship Members?
There are two routes to IOL Fellowship, through the developmental Awards which include a mentoring process or via the Professional Recognition scheme that accredits prior learning and members already working at that level.
In 2026 a Senior Professional of Outdoor Learning will be launched as a method of recognition at the highest level to complete the Fellowship.
Continued membership of and engagement with the IOL is part of your professional development. It is a demonstration of your generosity of thought and a commitment to the development of outdoor learning.
The aspiration is that the Fellowship and the supporting pathways will offer a way for a range of outdoor professionals to come together, communicate and collaborate in a meaningful way. This will then continue to drive outdoor learning forward to the benefit of all.
The IOL Fellowship is not fixed and will develop. It will ultimately be what you, the members, want and need it to be and do. The IOL Fellowship is a community that has common outdoor learning values and understanding at it roots. Working together there are greater opportunities to shape the future through choice and action, rather than be controlled by external forces or fate.
The Members Area includes the Fellowship forum and with Sub-Groups for Associate Fellow, Fellow and Senior Fellow. Please do go ahead and introduce yourself...
