Debbie Cunningham

About

I’m a first year PhD researcher exploring how nature supports everyday wellbeing.

After more than thirty years working in education, I became increasingly interested in how local nature spaces can help people feel connected, confident, and supported.

My community work and master’s research highlighted how access to nature is uneven, especially for families facing social or practical barriers. That led me to the PhD at Chichester, where I’m focusing on inclusive, community-based nature engagement across Hampshire and West Sussex.

PhD Research

Nature for All: Transforming Community Nature Hubs in Hampshire and West Sussex to Enhance Access and Well-being for Marginalised Populations

My research looks at how community nature hubs can better support people who often face barriers to accessing outdoor spaces.

Through participant-centred qualitative work and community mapping, I’m exploring what helps people feel welcome, what gets in the way, and how nature-based activities can strengthen wellbeing and belonging.

The aim is to develop practical, equitable approaches that community organisations can use to make nature truly accessible for all.

Supervision Team

• Dr James Stiller, Director of Studies
• Dr Valentina Canessa-Pollard
• Dr Victoria Castle

Publications

• Affordances of Place: How Outdoor vs. Indoor Parent & Toddler Groups Shape Parental Wellbeing – Poster presentation, European Conference on Positive Psychology (ECPP), Dublin, 2026.
• Parental Wellbeing Across Indoor and Outdoor Parent–Toddler Group Settings – Article submitted to Journal of Childhood, Education & Society (JCES).
• Book review accepted for publication in Voluntary Sector Review.
• Wanderings: Finding Meaning on a 1001‑Mile Trek Through Britain – Published book.