Personal profile
Academic Biography
I am a senior lecturer in sport & exercise, with a specialism in sport & exercise psychology. I am the course leader for the BSc (Hons) Applied Sport and Exercise (Top Up) as well as Course Link for our FdSc Sports Coaching & Exercise at Hartlepool College of Further Education.
My main research interests are the effects of sport and exercise on body image, weight stigma in fitness and sport, as well as muscle dysmorphia and androgenic anabolic steroid use. I am passionate about how exercise can be used as a means to wellbeing and health, rather than just a weight control mechanism. I have a number of fitness instructor qualifications including kettlebell instructor. Currently, I am pursuing a qualification in Sport & Exercise Nutrition and will work towards SENR registration on completion. This will complement my work on body image, where nutrition and exercise play a big part in positively impacting how individuals view their body.
Outside of university, I dabble in many sports and various physical activities and participate purely for the mental health and physical benefits of exercise. I love weight training, particularly kettlebells, and walking or running with my dogs in the local moors and forest. The benefits of 'green exercise' are many!