New dissertation within One Health: We congratulate Mark Wales!
Last changed: 12 June 2024
Recently, Mark successfully defended his thesis. We took the opportunity to ask some questions about his research and future plans.
Who are you? Could you give a short presentation of yourself and your research area?
"My name is Mark Wales, and I recently received my PhD in landscape planning with a specialisation in Environmental Psychology. My interest in how the outdoor environment supports children and adolescents' health and development stems from a concern that today’s young people do not have the same outdoor experiences as I did growing up."
What is your research about (the “big idea”) and how does it relate to One Health?
"My research sheds light on the important role of outdoor life in adolescent well-being. It aligns with the One Health approach by highlighting the interconnectedness between adolescent well-being and the quality of their everyday outdoor environments, including green and natural environments."
What problem does your research help to solve in the short and long term?
"In the short term, my research can help alleviate the growing concern about young people's mental health by illustrating the benefits of outdoor life for young people's well-being. In the long term, it can contribute to reducing the burden of mental health problems both for the individual and society by promoting healthy outdoor habits."
How can your research contribute to a more sustainable world / what impact at the societal level can the results contribute to?
"My research advocates for developing more inclusive and equal communities for adolescents, including boys and girls living in different communities. At a societal level, it can contribute to reversing the trend of increasing sedentary activities indoors in adolescents’ daily lives, with consequences for their overall well-being."
What are your plans now after your PhD?
"I plan to continue teaching at SLU on our master’s programme, ”Outdoor Environments for Health and Well-being.” Moreover, I intend to apply for research funding to further explore the role of everyday outdoor environments for adolescents’ development and well-being."
We wish Mark the best of luck in his future career!
- Link to the thesis: Adolescent outdoor life and well-being.