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Dr Laura Johnson

Senior Lecturer in Sport, Physical Activity & Health

Sport & Physical Activity

Department: Sport & Physical Activity

Telephone: 01695 657232

ORCID logo https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2466-4181 View full profile

Profile

Biography

Laura joined Edge Hill as a Graduate Teaching Assistant and full-time PhD candidate in September 2013. Laura submitted her PhD thesis in August 2016 before being appointed as a Lecturer in September 2016. Prior to this Laura worked as a research assistant on the Fathers’ Engagement Project at Liverpool John Moores University [2012-2013], having completed an MSc in the Psychology of Sport at Liverpool John Moores University [2009-2010] and a BSc (hons) Sport and Exercise Science (psychology) at the same institution [2006-2009].

Research Interests

Laura’s PhD work was based around the impact of family background on health and physical activity within an area of high socioeconomic deprivation and also included the design and delivery of a health-based intervention through Everton in the Community. This work was shortlisted for the Guardian’s University Social and Community Impact Awards 2015. A case study on this research was also one of only a small number of examples selected by the Sport and Recreation Alliance to showcase the positive impacts of sports-based programmes on mental health/well-being nationally. 

Laura’s current research interests are based around endurance psychology, with a particular focus on running. Research to date has included an exploration of the motivation of beginner runners and the differences between well-trained, trained and recreationally trained runners’ cognition. Work exploring the development and use of metacognitive processes in beginner runners is also on-going. 

Laura also engages in applied work with athletes and is an Accredited Sport and Exercise Scientist (psychology support). 

Teaching

Laura is a Senior Lecturer in Sport, Physical Activity and Health for the Sport Management and Sports Coaching programmes. She also contributes to teaching on the MSc Sport, Physical Activity and Mental Health programme and is currently supervising posgraduate students at both masters and doctoral level.