Laurlyn Harmon
PhD, The Pennsylvania State University
Assistant Professor
Coordinator, Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies
George Mason University, Prince William Campus
Bull Run Hall 204
10900 University Blvd
MS 4E5
Manassas, VA 20110
Curriculum Vitae
Profile
Dr. Laurie Harmon is an Assistant Professor in Parks and Outdoor Recreation, in the School of Recreation, Health & Tourism at George Mason University. She received her Ph.D in Leisure Studies at Penn State with a minor in Social Psychology. Her research interests include the social psychological connections people have with the natural world (i.e. place attachment), technology and how it can be used to relate to the natural world, and recreation land planning.
Dr. Harmon has been working with underwater remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) to explore the effect they have on our understanding of and interaction with underwater resources. Her research also includes assessment of experiential learning outcomes in non-formal settings. She currently teaches Research Methods, Human Behavior in the Natural Environment & People & Nature but has also taught courses in Recreation Facilities Planning, Recreation Facilities Management, and Golf Course Design.
Before coming to George Mason University, Dr. Harmon instructed in Recreation & Park Management at Penn State and also practiced Golf Course Architecture in Michigan. During her Master's degree she was also given the opportunity to raise a Leader Dog for the Blind and complete a research project measuring self-efficacy in people with visual impairments who used dog guides. She continues to pursue research and teaching that allows her to explore human behavior in the context of the natural environment.
Research Interests
- Social psychological perspectives of person/place relationships
- Using technology in natural environments: strategies, outcomes, and implications
- Motivations of natural and wilderness area visitation and activity participation
- Psychometric properties and development of place construct scales
Recent Publications
See current vita above.
Other Information
Favorite Links
- Home page: http://mason.gmu.edu/~lharmon3/
- Leader Dogs for the Blind – www.leaderdog.org