Gemma joined The Country Trust as Impact and Learning lead in 2024, after finishing her PhD which involved researching the impact of outdoor spaces on children’s stress, attention and behaviour.
Gemma began her career working as a primary school teacher and assistant headteacher before working for the Chartered College of Teaching as a research and learning specialist, and later setting up a business to support settings in using research and neuroscience to inform their work with children.
Passionate about child psychology and the impact of nature on the brain and body, Gemma regularly writes articles and speaks at events about education and child development. Outside of work, she is kept busy with three sons and loves to be out in the woods and fields near her home in Essex, eating great food and sitting in the sunshine!