As a qualitative researcher, I am interested in motivation and the relationship between movement, character, cognition, emotion, and spirit.

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My research interest areas link Positive Psychology and Exercise & Sport Psychology. I'm particularly interested in how both of these fields of psychology have emerged in terms of ethics, values, and regulation, and also intersect in nature.

 

I am currently (2024-) enrolled in a part-time PhD at the University of Edinburgh under the Department of Sport, Physical Education & Health Sciences. My research topic is exploring the concept of "kime" (decisive action / force) in karate and how it is learned and taught.

 

Ongoing research (2021-) is exploring the motivation to practice and how this changes over time. It suggests that love of movement is an intrinsic strength that fosters a positive self-concept and self-regard, and in optimal conditions, facilitates self-actualisation and self-transcendence.

 

Past research (2019) has explored the motivation to teach martial arts and/or self-defence. Other research is exploring the impact of fear on motor skills development, and how movement (kinaesthetic) "intelligence" or codes are formed.

 

I am a Professional Member of the Positive Psychology Guild (UK) where I direct Operations and Education. This includes training Positive Psychology Practitioners. Prior to this, I worked with international organisations such as the United Nations, Doctors Without Borders, and International Red Cross & Red Crescent for 16 years, and ran a coaching practice.

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The Inner Athletics website was constructed in the Middle East in 2017. It was established as a company in the UK in 2018 and functioned in this capacity until June 2023, when it became an ongoing research project on movement.