Play to Thrive: Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Outdoor Learning for Future Generations - WEBINAR

Michaela da Cunha

Cultural Adaptation & Outdoor Learning Consultant

Michaela da Cunha is a visionary consultant with 30+ years’ experience creating nature-based, future-ready environments that centre children’s authentic voices. From pioneering the UK’s first all-girls multisport programme to designing interdisciplinary playgrounds and imagination-led landscapes, she translates children’s perspectives into actionable, measurable programmes that boost creativity, resilience, wellbeing, and innovative problem-solving.

She is the founder of Real Time Out and developer of Imagination-Mapping Futures (I-MAP Futures), an approach that turns local outdoor spaces into environments that strengthen children’s sense of self, physical literacy, and connection to place. Michaela is currently contributing to the establishment of the Play to Thrive: Future Generations Alliance.

www.realtimeout.com

: www.realtimeout.com

Dr Michael Down

Risky Play & the Development of Autonomy in Childhood

Dr Michael Down is an academic at The University of Notre Dame Australia (Fremantle, WA). His research has predominantly looked into adventure, risk, and wellbeing for adolescents, but has recently focused on active outdoor play and risky play.

He was part of the 3+ year AOP10 project facilitated by Outdoor Play Canada updating the 2015 Position statement on active outdoor play, contributing to three of the 12 systematic or umbrella reviews the project undertook to create the 2025 Position statement. The AOP10 project has resulted in a shift in his research focus away from adventure education towards risky play.

Young adults lived experiences: Stories of the choices three young adults made as children and how they directly impacted their lives into adulthood.