Lee Beavington

Year Graduated: 2021
Program/Degree: Educational Theory and Practice: Philosophy of Education Stream PhD

Year Graduated: 2014
Program/Degree: Arts Education, MEd

I am an author, biologist, and settler-scholar that lives on the unceded traditional territories of the W̱SÁNEĆ First Nations. My passions include nature-based education, more-than-human voices, Indigenous ways of knowing and arts-based learning. I work as a learning strategist and interdisciplinary instructor, and I have taught SFU graduate students in place-based education. I have also worked in five faculties at Kwantlen Polytechnic University where I teach the Amazon Field School and I’m co-developing a stɑl̓əw̓/Fraser River Field School. My research explores land-based pedagogy, science education and environmental ethics. 

My PhD Journey

My PhD adventure began with an introduction. A friend met Dr. Heesoon Bai at SFU’s Semester in Dialogue and suggested that we connect. During this first meeting at a little cafe in Vancouver Heesoon and I discovered a shared love for the Earth, holistic learning, and contemplative education. Many years later, at the tail end of my Masters in Arts Education, Heesoon transferred me to the Philosophy of Education PhD program. Since then we have co-published, co-presented and co-created an academic journey steeped in support, collaboration and mutual respect. 

My doctorate adventure took me to melting glaciers in Norway with Wild Pedagogies, the heart of the Amazon by co-leading the Amazon Field School, and on a sacred mountain journey with Cascadia Quest. Becoming in-tune with the more-than-human world helped me see beyond my Anthropocentric lens and informed my dissertation on Ecocentric Science Education. Watch my TEDx Talk to learn more. 

For my PhD Viva (aka thesis defense) I wanted to be authentic to myself. I presented outside, my Dad introduced the session with his flute, and I incorporated poetic inquiry as well as the most sophisticated device for transmitting knowledge which we hold in our bodies: storytelling. This was a celebration and an exploration of an ecocentric educational model where all beings are considered to have inherent value.

Recent and Current Projects

I am co-developing a stɑl̓əw̓ (Fraser River) Field School and leading Wild Spaces, an interdisciplinary project on place-based outdoor learning in post-secondary education. I also served as co-curator for the Wild Things: The Power of Nature in Our Lives exhibition at the Museum of Vancouver, recipient of the Award of Merit for Excellence in Exhibitions. Through my PhD in Education I’m inspired to develop dynamic lesson plans that align with course learning outcomes such as the GPS ecocache, walking pedagogy, and contemplative practice. I am also finalizing my first book for publication.

In more than twenty years in higher education I have noticed that some folks take on the role of gatekeepers. Like the membrane of a cell they are selectively permeable, allowing some to pass and keeping others out. Conversely, I have witnessed many mentors of mine that open doors for learners. They meet students where they are at, remove systemic barriers, and create opportunity and inspiration. I endeavour to be such a mentor with my students.

Gratitudes

This journey would not be possible without my senior supervisor Heesoon Bai and committee member Sean Blenkinsop. I had the extraordinary pleasure of being supervised by these two; in fact, they each won SFU’s Award for Excellence in Supervision during our time together. Carl Leggo from UBC inspired my research with his kindness and poetic light and served on my committee until he passed away in 2019.

Scholarships from SFU and many others funded this work, including a SSHRC Doctoral Fellowship, William & Ada Isabelle Steel Memorial Scholarship, Bert Brink Nature Scholarship, Nature Vancouver Scholarship, Rotary Club of Burnaby Scholarship, and a Mitacs Research Training Award. Thank you to these organizations for their support in making this research a reality.

Many rivers acted as mentor and guide. The spawning salmon in Elgin Creek. The hidden wonders of Serpentine River. The quiet respite of Graham Creek. And my second favourite place in the universe, the Calanoa dock that stretches over the Amazon. These waterways are the lifeblood of this work.

Finally, to my wife Jenn for always reminding me why this matters, and to my parents for their tremendous support.