<div>I am an associate professor and chair of the Department of Recreation Management and Policy at the University of New Hampshire. My research focuses on (1) the historical and philosophical foundations of outdoor experiential education and (2) how outdoor experiences support adolescent development, especially identity formation and future planning. Across both areas, I examine how development is shaped by culture, history, and class.</div>
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<div>In my historical work, I’ve published extensively on John Dewey and the founding of Outward Bound in the U.S., tracing its evolution from Cold War Europe to its alignment with the Human Potential Movement in the 1970s. My applied research centers on supporting rural youth through formal and informal programs that broaden postsecondary pathways. I co-lead the NH Youth Retention Initiative, which studies how dominant cultural messages shape youth aspirations and how they can be reimagined to support both personal development and community thriving.</div>
Courses Taught
- OUT 546: Whitewater Canoeing
- OUT 552: Water Based Experiences
- OUT 681: Foundations of Adventure Ed.
- OUT 693: Teaching Assistantship
- PA/RMP/SW 802/924/957: Grant-writing
- RMP 563: Rec Mgt & Policy Practicum
- RMP 796: Independent Study
- RMP 912: Non-Profit Administration
- RMP 970: Teaching Practicum
- RMP 980: Independent Study
- RMP 992: Research Methods in RMP
Research Interests
- Educational Psychology
- Identity
- Youth Development/Leadership
Selected Publications
Seaman, J., Dettweiler, U., Humberstone, B., Martin, B., Prince, H., & Quay, J. (2020). Joint Recommendations on Reporting Empirical Research in Outdoor, Experiential, Environmental, and Adventure Education Journals. Journal of Experiential Education, 43(4), 348-364. doi:10.1177/1053825920969443
Seaman, J., MacArthur, R., & Harrington, S. (2020). Dartmouth Outward Bound Center and the rise of experiential education, 1957–1976. History of Education Review, 49(1), 9-29. doi:10.1108/her-07-2019-0024
Sharp, E. H., Seaman, J., Tucker, C. J., Van Gundy, K. T., & Rebellon, C. J. (2020). Adolescents' Future Aspirations and Expectations in the Context of a Shifting Rural Economy. JOURNAL OF YOUTH AND ADOLESCENCE, 49(2), 534-548. doi:10.1007/s10964-019-01152-6
Seaman, J. (2019). Restoring Culture and History in Outdoor Education Research: Dewey’s Theory of Experience as a Methodology. Journal of Outdoor Recreation, Education, and Leadership, 11(4), 335-351. doi:10.18666/jorel-2019-v11-i4-9582
