The Symposium on Experiential Education Research (SEER) provides an outlet and venue for researchers in the field of experiential education to present, share, dialogue, and further develop their research ideas each year at the AEE International Conference.

Research Symposium Co-Chairs

Calling all Researchers! Now Seeking SEER 2025 Submissions

Submissions describing original empirical research and scholarly conceptual contributions in the area of experiential education (EE) for the Symposium on Experiential Education Research (SEER) are now being solicited for the 2025 Annual Association for Experiential Education (AEE) International Conference.

Following acceptance, SEER authors will participate in following components:

• Presentation: Present research in-person at the SEER/AEE Conference in either an oral presentation or poster presentation.
• Publication: Authors will choose one of the publication formats to pursue for a special issue of Journal of Experiential Education (JEE): Abstract (1,500 words), Research Note (3,000–4,000 words), Full Manuscript (8,000 words). We will provide authors details regarding these publication formats upon acceptance.

SEER abstract submissions are due May 1, 2025.

FIND SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS HERE

Research Symposium Co-Chairs

Kathy Chau Rohn Ph.D., Assistant Research Professor at the University of Connecticut

"I presented at SEER for the first time last year and learned so much from fellow presenters and attendees. SEER is a place where I have been able to engage in meaningful discussion about current topics in experiential education with colleagues from around the world. I’m grateful to be a part of this community!" 

Mike Froehly, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Salem State University

Michael (Mike) Froehly is an Assistant Professor at Salem State University. His research focuses on the learning and development that happens within the out-of-school time context. He is especially interested in how experiential outdoor programs can impact youth development. He is also Senior Field Faculty at the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) and instructs backpacking, climbing, mountaineering, canyoneering, winter programs, and custom leadership courses. When not teaching or conducting research, you can find him fly fishing, climbing, or birding.

See some of Michael’s research here

"I presented at SEER for the first time as a graduate student. It was so great to meet other practitioners and researchers in the field and be welcomed into the research community with open arms. I look forward to joining this year as a co-coordinator for SEER!”

Rob Lubeznik-Warner, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Utah & Principal Consultant, Delta Consulting Group

Rob Lubeznik-Warner, Ph.D., is an applied researcher, evaluator, and experiential educator with 15+ years of professional experience in the human service, higher education, and youth development fields. He conducts research and evaluation studies that inform the development of evidence-based practices and decision-making for local, national, and international organizations. Rob is a co-founder and principal consultant for Delta Consulting Group and serves as a postdoctoral fellow in quantitative methods for the Behavioral Health Innovation and Dissemination Center/Department of Psychology at the University of Utah. Outside of work, you can find Rob spending time with his family exploring the northwoods of Minnesota and beyond.

See some of Rob’s research here.

Delta Consulting Group

“SEER is an excellent opportunity to share meaningful research with other scholars and practitioners. I love the collegial atmosphere!”

The History of SEER

The first SEER took place at AEE's 2001 International Conference in Charleston, West Virginia. Fittingly, it was Dr. Alan Ewert of Indiana University who conceived of and led the effort to establish that first SEER. A widely published researcher and author in the field of adventure-based education, Dr. Ewert is also known for his distinguished career in academia, three decades as an Outward Bound instructor, as holder of the Patricia and Joel Meier Outdoor Leadership Chair, past editor of the Journal of Experiential Education, and as fellow and past president of the prestigious Academy of Leisure Sciences. In providing the leadership to launch SEER, Dr. Ewert was giving back to the field that he has helped develop throughout his academic and professional career.

The symposium occurs concurrently with the International AEE Conference each year and involves the presentation of research papers from leading international scholars in the field of experiential education. 

Read abstracts from past years here!