Desmond McEwan

Desmond McEwan is an Assistant Professor in the School of Kinesiology at the University of British Columbia, Faculty of Education. His research focuses on sport and exercise psychology, particularly teamwork, group dynamics, and human thriving in high-performance teams.

His research interests include Sport Psychology, Teamwork, Group Dynamics, High-Performance Teams, and Human Thriving. He examines how team cohesion, psychological safety, and resilience contribute to individual and team success in sport settings. His work often involves both elite and youth athletes, with applications in coaching and performance support.

Recent publications (2023-2025) show a strong trend in exploring psychological safety, team resilience, and human thriving in sport. His work spans systematic reviews, longitudinal studies, and qualitative investigations, often focusing on interventions to improve teamwork and well-being. Key themes include the role of social support, leadership, and identity in team functioning.

McEwan advises graduate students, including Stef Atkinson who completed a Master of Arts in Kinesiology on trust in the coach-athlete relationship. He is open to collaborations on clusters and grants. He directs the Sport and Performance Psychology Lab at UBC, which conducts research on team dynamics and thriving in sport.