Membership of professional bodies

• IOL (Institute of Outdoor Learning)
• Full AMI membership (Association of Mountain Instructors)
• BMC (British Mountaineering Council)
• Mountain Training

Qualifications

Undergraduate qualifications

• BA (Hons) Sport and Human Movement, University of Wales, Institute Cardiff

Postgraduate qualifications

• Post Graduate Certificate in Education, University of Wales College Newport
• MA Outdoor Education, University of Wales, Trinity Saint Davids
• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy

Mountain Training Qualifications

• Mountain Leader
• Mountain Instructor Award

Recent conferences

• The European Institute of Outdoor Adventure Education and Experiential Learning Conference 2009.  Action Research in Outdoor Environment Experiences.
• International Rock Climbing Research Association Conference 2018.  Establishing a Global Scale for Assessing Lead Climbing Performance.

Experience in industry

• Experienced 10 years of delivering outdoor vocational qualifications to potential outdoor leaders, working with the local schools and special needs groups as the main client base.
• Experience as a freelance Mountain Instructor teaching climbing, mountaineering and movement skills.

International experience

Extensive experience of climbing in various world class destinations; from granite big walls of North America to uninhabited islands of the Outer Hebrides. I currently organise an annual international climbing camp for students in the world class sport climbing destination of Kalymnos.

Additional interests and activities

All facets of climbing but presently mostly traditional, sport and bouldering in the UK and overseas. Away from the rocks I often enjoy a gruelling run through the Peak District dales or moors. 

Current Activities / Links with Industry

Currently working with the BMC to co-ordinate the delivery of FUNdamentals climbing movement courses to current students.

Recent publications

Draper, N., Giles, D., Schöffl, V., Fuss, F., Watts, P., Wolf, P., Baláš, J., España Romero, V., Gonzalez, G., Fryer, S., Fanchini, M., Vigouroux, L., Seifert, L., Donath, L., Spoerri, M., Bonetti, K., Phillips, K., Stöcker, U., Bourassa-Moreau, F., Garrido, I., Drum, S., Beekmeyer, S., Ziltener, J., Taylor, N., Beeretz, I., Mally, F., Amca, A., Linhat, C. & Abreu, E. (2016). Comparative grading scales, statistical analyses, climber descriptors and ability grouping: International Rock Climbing Research Association Position Statement. Sports Technology. [doi: 10.1080/19346182.2015.1107081]

Draper, N., Giles, D., Taylor, N., Solar Altamirano, I., Jose Arias, M., Baláš, J., Kodejška, J., España-Romero, V., Gallo Cabeza de Vaca, G., Vigouroux, L., Josseron, G., Mally, F. & Beeretz, I. (2016). Assessment of climber performance: A multi-center trial. International Rock Climbing Research Congress, August 5^th – 7^th 2016, Colorado, USA. [Oral].

Giles, D., Draper, N., Gilliver, P., Taylor, N., Mitchell, J., Birch, L., Woodhead, J., Blackwell, G. & Hamlin, H. (2014). Current understanding in climbing psychophysiology research. Sports Technology, 7(3-4), 108-119. [doi: 10.1080/19346182.2014.968166].

Rylands, L. P., Cheetham, M. A., Crawford, A., Taylor, N. (2018) Power performance characteristics  in male versus female sport climbers: A lab based study using SRM power meter. JEPonline, 21(5): 150-157.

Taylor, N.  (2009) Action Research in Outdoor Environment Experiences. The European Institute of Outdoor Adventure Education and Experiential Learning Conference.  Trinity College St Davids, University of Wales.