Dr Chris Webber

Chris is interested in behaviour change and how systems can be altered to influence this. His current collaborative research explores contemporary issues surrounding equity within the Fire and Rescue Service across England.

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Background

Chris worked as an outdoor educator around the UK and world for over a decade. He discovered research as a mature student whilst exploring implementing outdoor adventure within primary education and teaching and learning outdoor adventure within initial teacher training. His PhD at Leeds Beckett University investigated enhancing the transfer of learning from the Royal British Legion's flagship recovery and transition programme among military veterans.

More recently, Chris was an embedded researcher within an experimental project funded by Sport England to create systemic change and enhance physical activity across a diverse northern borough. He enjoys working with partners to implement existing knowledge to improve complex social problems.

Chris has experience of delivering lectures, seminars, workshops, tutorials, and weeklong residentials for undergraduate students in outdoor education, physical education, and physical activity modules (levels five and six). He has also delivered guest lectures for internal and external students and staff across diverse topics such as research methods, evaluation, teaching and learning, behavioural science, research process, and sharing empirical insight.

Research interests

• Human-centred design
• Learning transfer
• Behaviour change
• Organisational development

Qualifications

• PhD in Learning Transfer, Leeds Beckett University (2019-2023)
• Masters by Research, Teaching and Learning, Leeds Beckett University (2018)
• BA (Hons) Physical and Outdoor Education, Leeds Beckett University (2014-2017)
• Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector (PTTLS), Brockenhurst College (2013)

Selected recent publications

King, J., Webber, C. and Hardwell, A. (2025) 'Leadership that SELLS'. In: Pomfret, G., Doran, A. and Cater, C. (2025) Routledge International Handbook of Adventure Tourism. Abingdon: Routledge.

Webber, C., Wilcock, L. and Potts, A. (2024) 'Implementing organisational development to create active parks'. Process Evaluation Report, October 2024.

Webber, C., Wilcock, L. and Potts, A. (2024) 'Exploring creating active parks and community-led approach developments'. Process Evaluation Report, April 2024.

Webber, C. and Croker, R. (2024) 'Creating an Active Community Centre for Refugees and Asylum Seekers'. Evaluation Report.

Webber, C., Wilcock, L. and Potts, A. (2023) 'Exploring improving Shroggs Park and implementing a community-led approach'. Process Evaluation Report, October 2023.

Webber, C., Wilcock, L. and Potts, A. (2023) 'Exploring learning from an approach to community engagement and creating active community assets'. Process Evaluation Report, April 2023.

Webber, C., Wilcock, L. and Croker, R. (2023) 'Creating an Active Addiction Recovery Centre'. Evaluation Report.

Webber, C., Hooson, M., Wilcock, L., Potts, A. and Antcliffe, R. (2023) 'Creating Active Schools'. Evaluation Report.

Webber, C., Williams, B., Burke, T. and Croker, R. (2023) 'Creating Active Family Support and Outreach Teams'. Evaluation Report.

Wilcock, L., Hooson, M., Webber, C. and Wittaker, A. (2023) 'Implementing a Walking Challenge to Enhance Physical Activity'. Evaluation Report.

Webber, C., Hooson, M. and Pullan, S. (2023) 'Implementing School Streets to Enhance Physical Activity'. Evaluation Report.

Wilcock, L., Webber, C. and Croker, R. (2023) 'Creating an Active NHS Foundation Trust'. Evaluation Report.

Webber, C. and Wittaker, A. (2023) 'Creating an Active Community Centre'. Evaluation Report.

Potts, A., McKenna, J. and Webber, C. (2022) '‘Community Reporting’: An Insight-Generating Approach for Local Authority Physical Activity Provision', Perspectives in Public Health, 142(4). Available at: https://doi.org/10.1177%2F17579139221102232

Webber, C. and Potts, A. (2022) 'Exploring Creating Active Schools and Health and Social Care'. Process Evaluation Report, October 2022.

Webber, C. and Hardwell, A. (2019) '‘Perhaps a Bit Different to What We Did Twenty Years Ago’: Senior Teachers’ Perceptions of Outdoor Adventure within Primary Education in England', Sports, 7(4). Available at: https://doi.org/10.3390/sports7040092

Webber, C. (2019) 'Outdoor Adventure within Primary Education', Physical Education Matters, summer, pp. 48-52.

Recent presentations and conferences

Chris regularly attends and contributes to national and international knowledge exchange events on military populations, physical activity, behavioural science, outdoor education, and physical education. Recent presentations include:

Antcliffe, R. and Webber, C. (2024) 'Sustaining the Effects of Creating Active Schools', Whole School Physical Activity, Bradford.

Wilcock, L. and Webber, C. (2024) 'Reflections from Embedded Researchers', Sharing the Learning, Edinburgh.

Webber, C. and Wilcock, L. (2024) 'Doing Evaluation', Yorkshire Sport Shared Learning, Halifax.

Webber, C. and Wilcock, L. (2024) 'Evaluating a Whole Systems Approach to Physical Activity', Northern Obesity Network, Leeds.

Webber, C. (2023) 'Using GPS in Evaluations', Systems Evaluation Network.

Antcliffe, R. and Webber, C. (2023) 'Implementing Whole School Physical Activity', ACTivate International Congress, Norway.

Webber, C. (2022) 'Teaching and Learning Outdoor Adventure Education within Initial Teacher Training', Outdoor Education Conference, Ambleside.

Webber, C. (2022) 'Using Transfer-Informed Practice', Adventure Mind Conference, Yorkshire.

Webber, C. (2022) 'Using Transfer-Informed Practice within the Battle Back Programme', Forces in Mind Trust Conference, London.

Webber, C. (2021) 'Shaping Programmes with Behavioural Insights', Behavioural Science Showcase, Leeds.