Geoff McCaul

Associate Lecturer in Health and Outdoor Education

College of Human Sciences and Culture

geoff.mccaul@flinders.edu.au

Bedford Park

I am a Lecturer in Health and Outdoor Education at Flinders University. With 20 years of experience in education, outdoor learning, and leadership, my teaching and professional interests include place-responsive and culturally responsive outdoor education, outdoor leadership, youth mental health and wellbeing, and Indigenous and Country-centred approaches to outdoor education.

Since joining Flinders University in 2023, I have coordinated and taught across Health and Outdoor Education within Initial Teacher Education and Sport and Active Recreation programs. In 2026, I was appointed Interim Course Coordinator for the Bachelor of Education (Secondary Health and Physical Education), where I provide academic leadership and oversight of course quality, curriculum development, accreditation requirements, and student experience.

Alongside my teaching and leadership responsibilities at Flinders University, I contribute to the development of the outdoor education and recreation sector through professional service, advocacy, and collaboration. I currently serve as Chair of Nature-Based Outdoor Network South Australia (NBONSA) and work with a range of state and national organisations to support professional standards, sector development, and safe, inclusive engagement with outdoor environments.

Professional Service

Chair, Nature-Based Outdoor Network South Australia (NBONSA)
Committee Member, Outdoor Educators Association of South Australia (OEASA)
Founding Member & Committee Member, Walking SA Education
Committee Member, Paddle SA Education
Member, Australian Tertiary Outdoor Education Network (ATOEN)

Qualifications

Education

Graduate Diploma of Teaching and Learning
Bachelor of Applied Science (Human Movement and Health Studies). Outdoor Education Major, PE and Health Science Minor.

Professional Registration

Certificate of Teacher Registration, Teachers Registration Board of South Australia

Outdoor Leadership and Instruction

Paddle Australia - Flatwater Instructor (Kayak and Canoe)
Paddle Australia - Flatwater Assessor (Kayak and Canoe)
SAREA (SA Rock-climbing Education Association) - Top Rope Instructor
Walking SA - Bushwalk Guide and Assessor

Safety, Rescue and Risk Management

Wilderness First Responder
Swift Water Rescue Technician

Compliance and Licensing

Working With Children Check (WWCC)
Responding to Risks of Harm, Abuse and Neglect – Education and Care (RRHAN-EC)
MR Class Driver's Licence

Honours, awards and grants

Teaching Excellence Award – Flinders University, College of Education, Psychology and Social Work (2023)
For excellence in creating curriculum that authentically embeds culturally responsive pedagogies at the heart of teaching and learning.

Key responsibilities

Course Coordination - Bachelor of Education (Secondary Health and Physical Education).

Provide academic leadership and oversight of course quality, curriculum development, accreditation requirements, and student experience.
Coordinate teaching teams and support continuous course improvement.

Topic Coordination

Coordinate undergraduate topics across Health and Outdoor Education.
Design, implement, review, and enhance curriculum, assessment, and learning experiences.
Contribute to the ongoing development and quality improvement of topics and learning experiences.

Teaching

Teach across Health and Outdoor Education topics.
Facilitate experiential, place-based, and embodied learning in classroom and outdoor settings.
Support student learning, professional development, and career readiness.

Outdoor Education Leadership

Coordinate risk management, logistics, staffing, and safety processes for outdoor programs.
Maintain industry partnerships that support authentic learning and professional engagement opportunities for students.
Contribute to the ongoing development of Outdoor Education within the University.

Professional and Sector Leadership

Chair, Nature-Based Outdoor Network South Australia (NBONSA).

Advocate for the outdoor learning, recreation, and adventure activity sectors through engagement with government, peak bodies, and industry stakeholders.
Foster collaboration across education, recreation, tourism, conservation, and community sectors to strengthen access to safe, inclusive, and high-quality outdoor experiences.
Contribute to the review and development of sector frameworks, guidance materials, and professional standards, including the Australian Adventure Activity Standards (AAAS).

Professional Service

Involvement in committees and professional networks including OEASA (Outdoor Educators Association SA), Walking SA Education, Paddle SA Education, and the Australian Tertiary Outdoor Education Network (ATOEN).

Contribute to the advancement of outdoor education through professional service, sector collaboration, and engagement with state and national professional networks.
Support the development and sharing of best practice, professional learning opportunities, and sector initiatives that strengthen outdoor education, leadership, safety, and participation.

Teaching interests

My teaching is grounded in a relational and student-centred approach, recognising the importance of trust, respect, and meaningful connections in supporting student success. Through experiential, place-based, and embodied learning, I encourage students to engage critically with ideas, reflect on their experiences, and develop confidence in their professional capabilities.

I value learning environments that promote student agency, reflection, and learning through experience. By creating opportunities for students to explore concepts in authentic contexts, I aim to support the development of adaptable, reflective, and capable practitioners who can lead learning in diverse educational and outdoor settings.

Teaching interests include: