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Ed Christian

Senior Lecturer in Physical Education and Sports Coaching

Ed Christian

About

Ed is a Senior Lecturer who teaches on both Physical and Adventure Education programmes in the Institute of Sport. He joined the Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏÂÛ̳ in 2006 following several years working in Outdoor Education Centres and FE Colleges. Ed holds a first class undergraduate degree in Outdoor Education and a Master’s degree in the Psychology of Sport and Exercise. His research interests are in the psychology of skill acquisition and coach education.

Ed is a British Canoeing Level 4 Coach and Coach Educator/ Assessor. He is at his happiest in, or around water supporting learners and coaches develop their skills.

As the admissions tutor for PE programmes Ed has a passion for recruiting, selecting and teaching the next generation of inspirational teachers and coaches.

Professional

  • Ongoing, PhD (by publication) The development of epistemological beliefs in adventure sports coaches Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏÂÛ̳;
  • 2013, PG Cert Learning and Teaching (FHEA), Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏÂÛ̳;
  • 2009, MSc. Sport and Exercise Psychology (Distinction), Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏÂÛ̳;

Key Publications

  • Christian, E., Kelly, J., Hoare, J. & Piggot, L. (2020). A demographic analysis of UK Adventure Sports Coaches. Manuscript in preparation.
  • Christian, E., Hodgson, C. I., Berry, M., & Kearney, P. (2019). It’s not what, but where: how the accentuated features of the adventure sports coaching environment promote the development of sophisticated epistemic beliefs. Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning, 1-13.
  • Christian, E. and Berry, M. (2018). The identity, epistemology and developmental experiences of high-level adventure sports coaches. Conference presentation delivered to the Plas-Y-Brenin Adventure Sports Coaching Conference. January, 2018.
  • Christian, E., Berry, M., & Kearney, P. (2017). The identity, epistemology and developmental experiences of high-level adventure sports coaches. Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning, 17(4), 353-366.
  • Christian, E. and Berry, M. (2016). ‘Crafting knowledge’ – The learning journey of the coach. Conference presentation delivered to the British Canoeing Coaching Conference. November, 2016.
  • Christian, E. & Kearney, P. (2015). Theoretical underpinnings and their implications for the adventure sports coach. In M. Berry, J. Lomax & C. Hodgson (Eds.) Adventure Sports Coaching. Abingdon, UK: Routledge.
  • Kearney, P. & Christian, E. (2015). Setting the scene: A framework for coaching practice in adventure sports.  In M. Berry, J. Lomax & C. Hodgson (Eds.) Adventure Sports Coaching. Abingdon, UK: Routledge.
  • Christian, E. & Kearney, P. (2015) Coaching tools for adventure sports. In M. Berry, J. Lomax & C. Hodgson (Eds.) Adventure Sports Coaching. Abingdon, UK: Routledge.
  • Kearney, P. & Christian, E. (2015). Coaching the advanced performer.  In M. Berry, J. Lomax & C. Hodgson (Eds.) Adventure Sports Coaching. Abingdon, UK: Routledge.
  • Christian, E. (2011). Adventure Education and Disaffected Youth. In Berry. M & Hodgson, C (Eds.) Adventure Education: An Introduction. Routledge; London.
  • Hodgson, C.I., Christian, E. & McMorris T. (2010). Performance on the portable rod and frame test predicts variation in learning the kayak roll. Perceptual and Motor Skills. 110,2 pp. 479-487.

Research

All of my research interests relate to the acquisition and development of skill in sport; I am specifically interested in the practical application of theory and research to the benefit teachers and coaches. With a background in outdoor education and adventure sports, I have a particular interest in coaching in highly dynamic and psychologically demanding environments. I am currently involved in a series of work, which incorporates a PhD., about the nature and role of the adventure sports coach (ASC). Research suggests that ASCs hold beliefs about coaching and display coaching behaviours that are markedly different to coaches of more traditional sports. My current research concerns how these beliefs develop over time into a philosophy, and how this ultimately influences coaching behaviours and practices.

Research Output

Articles

Christian, E., Greenlees, I. A. and Kearney, P. E. (2023) International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching, 18 (5). pp. 1430-1441. ISSN 1747-9541

Christian, E., Kelly, J. S., Piggott, L. V. and Hoare, J. (2020) Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning, 22 (1). pp. 24-37. ISSN 1754-0402

Christian, E., Hodgson, C. I., Berry, M. and Kearney, P. E. (2019) Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning, 20 (1). pp. 68-80. ISSN 1472-9679

Christian, E., Berry, M. and Kearney, P. E. (2017) Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning, 17 (4). pp. 353-366. ISSN 1472-9679

Hodgson, C. I., McMorris, T. and Christian, E. (2010) Perceptual and Motor Skills, 110 (2). pp. 479-487. ISSN 0031-5125

Book Sections

Christian, E. (2011) In: Adventure Education: An Introduction. Routledge, London, pp. 166-186. ISBN 9780415571838

Kearney, P. E. and Christian, E. In: Adventure Sports Coaching. Routledge.

Christian, E. and Kearney, P. E. In: Adventure Sports Coaching. Routledge.

Kearney, P. E. and Christian, E. In: Adventure Sports Coaching. Routledge.

Christian, E. and Kearney, P. E. In: Adventure Sports Coaching. Routledge, pp. 61-79. ISBN 978-0-415-74600-7

Conference or Workshop Items

Christian, E. and Berry, M. (2016) In: Coaching Chaos - making sense of the Coach's Learning Journey: British Canoeing Coaching Conference, 20 November 2016, Eastwood Hall, Nottinghamshire.

Other department members

Adrian Penrose
Coach Development Officer (Women & Girl's)
Amber Hartigan
Lecturer in Sports Therapy
Bea Pine
Lecturer in Physiotherapy

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