Dr Sam Price-Rees | UniSC | University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

Dr Sam Price-Rees is an Associate Lecturer in Outdoor Education and Environmental Studies at the University of the Sunshine Coast, with over 20 years’ experience working across outdoor education, conservation research, and field-based teaching. She holds a PhD in Biological Sciences (Zoology) and brings an interdisciplinary background spanning conservation biology, ecology, and experiential education.

Sam’s professional experience includes extensive work in tertiary and secondary education, expedition leadership, and environmental field research. Her research background is grounded in conservation biology and ecology examining invasive species impacts, animal behaviour, spatial ecology, and applied conservation management. This scientific foundation informs her teaching and supports a strong emphasis on ecological literacy and evidence-informed practice.

In her university teaching, Sam designs and facilitates experiential and place-based learning that connects theory with practice across classroom, workshop, and field contexts. Her teaching philosophy reflects a belief that learning is most effective when knowledge is embodied, modelled, and applied in real-world environments. She prioritises relational pedagogy, reflective practice, and purposeful challenge to support students in developing confidence, agency, and professional identity as emerging outdoor and environmental educators.

Sam’s scholarly interests include conservation biology and ecology, understanding the effectiveness of outdoor learning, connections to nature, and the development of pro-environmental behaviour. She is particularly interested in how immersive field experiences shape learners’ values, decision-making, and long-term engagement with environmental stewardship.

Beyond her academic role, Sam is deeply engaged in outdoor pursuits in her personal life. She has represented Australia internationally in the International Vaʻa Federation (IVF) World Distance Outrigger Canoe Championships in Samoa (2023) and Brazil (2025), earning bronze, silver, and gold medals. These experiences continue to inform her teaching practice, reinforcing the value of embodied learning, leadership, and reflective engagement with dynamic outdoor environments.