Doctor Son Truong

Adjunct Fellow,
Dean's Unit, School of Education

Senior Lecturer,
Secondary Education (SoE)

Biography
Contact
Publications
Projects
Supervision
Teaching
Media

Biography

Bio

Dr. Son Truong is an Associate Professor in Community Wellbeing and Therapeutic Recreation in the School of Health and Human Performance at Dalhousie University, Canada. He is also currently an Adjunct Fellow in the School of Education at Western Sydney University and was formerly a Senior Lecturer in Health and Physical Education (Curriculum and Pedagogy) in the School of Education, and a member of the Sustainability Research Team in the Centre for Educational Research, at Western Sydney University. Son is a former Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) Master's and Doctoral Scholar. His research includes a number of individual and collaborative projects, bridging research interests in children’s play, wellbeing, and environments, outdoor experiential learning, and internationalisation in higher education.

ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4548-2977

Education & Qualifications

PhD (University of Alberta); Postgrad Cert. in International Development (University of East London); MA (University of Alberta); BSc (Dalhousie University)

Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS ID 66121); RYT

Teaching

Son is a recognised educator, receiving the 2009 Leadership in Internationalisation Award from the Canadian Bureau for International Education, and in 2015, he was awarded a Western Sydney University Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning. He currently lectures in the Master of Teaching Primary School and Early Childhood Programs, and supervises postgraduate research students.

Research

Over the past five years, he has been successful in receiving a number of internal and external competitive grants and contract research funding, for invididual and collaborative projects, totaling over $800,000. Examples of projects include: the Rouse Hill Child Friendly Play Space project; the overseas study and service-learning EPITOME project; a book entitled Reimagining Sustainability in Precarious Times; the wellbeing of students through outdoor learning and Acceptance Commitment Therapy study; and a current study funded by the Royal Botanic Gardens on the impact of community gardens on personal and community wellbeing.

International Engagement

Son served as the School of Education’s Overseas Professional Experience Program (OPEP) Coordinator. He has been leading international engagement projects for over 16 years, and since joining Western Sydney has recently been successful with OPEP in securing New Colombo Plan and Endeavour Mobility grants to support overseas practicum experiences for School of Education undergraduate and postgraduate students, totaling over $500,000.

This information has been contributed by Doctor Truong.

Qualifications

PhD University of Alberta (Canada)
MA University of Alberta (Canada)
BSc Rec Dalhousie University

Professional Memberships

National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (2015)
Australian Association for Bush Adventure Therapy (2017)
International Education Association of Australia (2016)
ACHPER/Australia (Australian Council for Health, PE and Recreation) (2012)
Australian Association for Environmental Education (2014)

Awards

Dissertation Fellowship (University of Alberta) 2010-05-01
Western Sydney University Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning 2015-12-01
Leadership in Internationalization Award, Canadian Bureau for International Education 2009-09-01
Canada Graduate Scholarship - Doctoral, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada 2007-05-01
Dalhousie University Alumni Association Medal, Dalhousie University 2002-06-01
University Medal, Dalhousie University 2002-06-01

Interests

health, wellbeing, environments
Participatory Action Research (PAR), qualitative methods, participatory photography, and photo-elicitation
global education and international service-learning
outdoor and environmental education
teacher education

Organisational Unit (School / Division)

Dean's Unit, School of Education
Secondary Education (SoE)

Committees

School of Education Overseas Professional Experience Program

Contact

Email:	S.Truong@westernsydney.edu.au
Phone:	n/a
Mobile:
Location:	4.G.24 Bankstown

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Teaching

Previous Teaching Areas

101576 Primary Personal Development, Health & Physical Education (PDHPE), 2012
102048 Contemporary Childhoods, 2015
102072 Primary Health and Physical Education, 2015
102157 Ecopedagogies, 2018

Publications

Books

Malone, K., Truong, S. and Gray, T. (2017), 'Reimagining Sustainability in Precarious Times', : Springer 9789811025488.

Chapters in Books

Mann, J., Gray, T. and Truong, S. (2022), 'Rediscovering the potential of outdoor learning for developing 21st century competencies', High-Quality Outdoor Learning: Evidence-Based Education Outside the Classroom for Children, Teachers and Society, Springer 9783031041075.
Gray, T., Downey, G., Jones, B., Truong, S., Hall, T. and Power, A. (2018), 'Generating and deepening reflection whilst studying abroad : incorporating photo elicitation in transformative travel', The Globalisation of Higher Education: Developing Internationalised Education Research and Practice, Palgrave Macmillan 9783319745787.
Truong, S., Gray, T., Downey, G., Jones, B., Power, A. and Hall, T. (2018), 'From one songline to another : Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students' study tour journey of Indigenous connection and solidarity', The Globalisation of Higher Education: Developing Internationalised Education Research and Practice, Palgrave Macmillan 9783319745787.
Gray, T., Hall, T., Downey, G., Jones, B., Truong, S. and Power, A. (2018), 'The epitome of transformation : enhancing outbound mobility experiences in the twenty-first century', The Globalisation of Higher Education: Developing Internationalised Education Research and Practice, Palgrave Macmillan 9783319745787.
Malone, K. and Truong, S. (2017), 'Sustainability, education, and anthropocentric precarity', Reimagining Sustainability in Precarious Times, Springer 9789811025488.
Truong, S. (2017), 'Expanding curriculum pathways between Education for Sustainability (EfS) and Health and Physical Education (HPE)', Reimagining Sustainability in Precarious Times, Springer 9789811025488.
Truong, S. (2015), 'Pre-service teacher identities and the social construction of childhood', Understanding Sociological Theory for Educational Practices, Cambridge University Press 9781107477469.

Journal Articles

Mann, J., Gray, T. and Truong, S. (2023), 'Does growth in the outdoors stay in the outdoors? : the impact of an extended residential and outdoor learning experience on student motivation, engagement and 21st century capabilities', Frontiers in Psychology, vol 14 .
Mann, J., Gray, T., Truong, S., Brymer, E., Passy, R., Ho, S., Sahlberg, P., Ward, K., Bentsen, P., Curry, C. and Cowper, R. (2022), 'Getting out of the classroom and into nature : a systematic review of nature-specific outdoor learning on school children's learning and development', Frontiers in Public Health, vol 10 .
Truong, S., Gray, T. and Ward, K. (2022), 'Enhancing urban nature and place-making in social housing through community gardening', Urban Forestry Urban Greening, vol 72 .
Ward, K., Truong, S. and Gray, T. (2022), 'Connecting to nature through community engaged scholarship : community gardens in social housing as sites for collaborative relationships, psychological and physiological wellbeing', Frontiers in Psychiatry, vol 13 .
Mann, J., Gray, T., Truong, S., Sahlberg, P., Bentsen, P., Passy, R., Ho, S., Ward, K. and Cowper, R. (2021), 'A systematic review protocol to identify the key benefits and efficacy of nature-based learning in outdoor educational settings', International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, vol 18, no 3 .
Lloyd, A., Gray, T. and Truong, S. (2018), 'Seeing what children see : enhancing understanding of outdoor learning experiences through body-worn cameras', Journal of Outdoor Recreation, Education, and Leadership, vol 10, no 1 , pp 52 - 66.
Lloyd, A., Truong, S. and Gray, T. (2018), 'Place-based outdoor learning : more than a drag and drop approach', Journal of Outdoor and Environmental Education, vol 21, no 1 , pp 45 - 60.
Tracey, D., Gray, T., Truong, S. and Ward, K. (2018), 'Combining acceptance and commitment therapy with adventure therapy to promote psychological wellbeing for children at-risk', Frontiers in Psychology, vol 9 .
Lloyd, A., Truong, S. and Gray, T. (2018), 'Take the class outside! : a call for place-based outdoor learning in the Australian primary school curriculum', Curriculum Perspectives, vol 38, no 2 , pp 163 - 167.
Truong, S., Singh, M., Reid, C., Gray, T. and Ward, K. (2018), 'Vertical schooling and learning transformations in curriculum research : points and counterpoints in outdoor education and sustainability', Curriculum Perspectives, vol 38, no 2 , pp 181 - 186.
Power, A., Truong, S., Gray, T., Downey, G., Hall, T. and Jones, B. (2017), 'When outbound mobility programs and service learning align in pre-service teacher education', Asia Pacific Education Review, vol 18, no 3 , pp 401 - 412.
Breault-Hood, J., Gray, T., Truong, S. and Ullman, J. (2017), 'Women and girls in outdoor education : scoping the research literature and exploring prospects for future body image enquiry', Research in Outdoor Education, vol 15 , pp 21 - 46.
Hall, T., Gray, T., Downey, G., Sheringham, C., Jones, B., Power, A. and Truong, S. (2016), 'Jafari and transformation : a model to enhance short-term overseas study tours', Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad, vol 27 , pp 33 - 46.
Jones, B., Power, A., Gray, T., Downey, G., Hall, T. and Truong, S. (2016), 'If you build it, they may not come : why Australian university students do not take part in outbound mobility experiences', Journal of University Teaching and Learning Practice, vol 13, no 3 .
Truong, S., Gray, T. and Ward, K. (2016), '"Sowing and growing" life skills through garden-based learning to reengage disengaged youth', LEARNing Landscapes, vol 10, no 1 , pp 361 - 385.
Truong, S. and Mahon, M. (2012), 'Through the lens of participatory photography : engaging Thai children in research about their community play centre', International Journal of Play, vol 1 , pp 75 - 90.

Conference Papers

Truong, S. and Peel, N. (2019), 'Australian professional identity in therapeutic recreation : exploring perspectives from the field', Canadian Therapeutic Recreation Association. Annual Conference, Quebec, Canada.
Gray, T., Truong, S., Tracey, D. and Ward, K. (2018), 'Get out of the way and let the outdoors be the teacher', European Institute for Outdoor Adventure Education and Experiential Learning. Conference, Plymouth, England.
Truong, S., Gray, T., Ward, K. and Tracey, D. (2018), 'Expanding the circles across outdoor learning and acceptance commitment therapy in schools', International Adventure Therapy Conference, Stanwell Tops, N.S.W..
Truong, S., Gray, T., Ward, K., Tracey, D. and Pettitt, P. (2018), 'The impact of community gardening on perceived health and wellbeing in social housing communities', International Outdoor Education Research Conference, Sippy Downs, Qld..
Truong, S. (2017), 'An experiential exploration of the mindfulness-nature-wellbeing connection', Australian Association for Bush Adventure Therapy. Forum, Romsey, Vic..
Meyer, A., Gray, T. and Truong, S. (2017), 'Experiential approaches to creating a new narrative on research and evaluation with indigenous people', Symposium on Experiential Education Research, Montreal, Canada.
Lloyd, A., Truong, S. and Gray, T. (2016), 'Beyond the walls : within the curriculum : exploring the niche position of place-based outdoor learning for primary schools', International Outdoor Education Research Conference, Unama?ki/Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Lloyd, A., Gray, T. and Truong, S. (2016), 'Seeing what they see : exploring the potential of GoPro video cameras in outdoor research with children', International Outdoor Education Research Conference, Unama?ki/Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Breault-Hood, J., Gray, T., Truong, S. and Ullman, J. (2016), 'The impact of outdoor education on the body image and self-efficacy of adolescent girls', International Outdoor Education Research Conference, Unama?ki/Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Gray, T., Hall, T., Jones, B., Truong, S., Power, A., Sheringham, C., Bailey, P. and Downey, G. (2016), 'Enhancing programs to integrate tertiary outbound mobility experiences (EPITOME)', Developing Global Perspectives Symposium, Sydney, N.S.W..
Truong, S. and Gray, T. (2016), 'Indigenous connectivity : Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander students' journeys to Canada for study abroad', Australian International Education Conference, Melbourne, Vic..
Truong, S., Gray, T. and Ward, K. (2016), ''Sowing and growing' life skills through garden-based learning to re-engage disengaged youth', National Outdoor Education Conference, Sunshine Coast, Qld..
Truong, S. (2016), 'Embodied teaching and learning : exploring the mindfulness-nature-wellbeing connection', National Outdoor Education Conference, Sunshine Coast, Qld..
Power, A., Truong, S. and Sheringham, C. (2016), 'Intersections of outbound mobility experiences, WIL, and employability', Australian Collaborative Education Network. National Conference, Sydney, N.S.W..
Truong, S. (2015), ''Stepping out of the comfort zone' : pre-service teachers' reflections on international service-learning', Asian Conference on Education, Kobe, Japan.
Truong, S. and Crowe, H. (2015), 'Striving for deeper impact in tertiary education through international service-learning in adapted physical activity', Pacific Rim International Conference on Disability and Diversity, Honolulu, Hawaii.
Truong, S. (2015), 'Disrupting childhood? : breaking the cycle of silence around sexuality education in primary schools', Australia Forum on Sexuality, Education and Health National Conference, Parramatter, N.S.W..
Arthur, L., Ward, K., Cardona, B., Staples, K. and Truong, S. (2015), 'Professional identities : contested discourses', European Early Childhood Education Research Association. Annual Conference, Barcelona, Spain.
Truong, S. (2014), 'Pathways and possibilities for sustainability education in the primary health and physical education curriculum', Australian Association for Environmental Education. Conference, Hobart, Tasmania.
Truong, S. (2014), 'Exploring children's active play through place-based methodology', AIESEP World Conference, Auckland, N.Z..
Truong, S. (2013), 'Exploring the rural-urban divide : child friendly play and participation for Bangkok's most vulnerable children', International Conference on Child Friendly Cities, Kathmandu, Nepal.

Other Publications

2019, 'Wilding Nature Play for Children and Families: An Evaluation of The Ian Potter Children's WILD PLAY Garden at Centennial Park, Sydney', Report
2018, 'The Impact of Royal Botanic Gardens' Community Greening Program on Perceived Health, Wellbeing, and Social Benefits in Social Housing Communities in NSW', Report
2018, 'Vertical Schools and Green Space: Canvassing the Literature', Report
2018, 'ACT in the Outdoors: A Program Based on Acceptance Commitment Therapy and Adventure Therapy: Facilitator Manual', Report
2017, 'Fostering the Wellbeing of Students With Challenging Behaviour and/or Emotional Needs Through Acceptance Commitment Therapy and Outdoor Learning', Report
2016, 'Enhancing Programmes Integrating Tertiary Outbound Mobility Experiences (EPITOME): Final Report 2016', Report
2014, 'Researching Children's Designs for a Child Friendly Play Space at Rouse Hill Town Centre', Report

ORCID

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4548-2977

Additional Research Projects & Grants (to those listed below):

2017

Title: Australian professional identity in Therapeutic Recreation: Exploring perspectives from the field; Funder: School of Education Partnership Grant; Western Researchers: Truong (Centre for Educational Research) & Peel (School of Science and Health)

2015

Title: Impact and pedagogical innovation in international service-learning in higher education; Funder: Western Sydney University ECR Research Support Award; Western Researchers: Truong

2014

Title: Researching professional identity in early childhood education; Funder: School of Education Research Grant; Western Researchers: Woodrow, Arthur, Ward, Truong, & Staples