Howie Carson

Howie Carson is a Senior Lecturer in Motor Learning and Control at the University of Edinburgh’s Moray House School of Education and Sport. He leads the Human Performance Science Research Group and co-directs the BSc (Hons) Applied Sport Science program. With a PhD from the University of Central Lancashire, his expertise spans motor skill refinement, talent development, and decision-making in sports. He holds certifications as a Fellow PGA Golf Coach and CASES Accredited Sport Scientist. His applied work includes consultancy for national sports bodies (e.g., PGA, ECB) and elite clubs.

Education: BA (Hons) from the University of Birmingham and PhD from the University of Central Lancashire. His research focuses on optimizing technical skills under pressure, leveraging translational research design. Collaborative grants include projects on golf biomechanics, talent development in ballet, and pandemic impacts on performance arts.

• Key Research Areas: Motor skill refinement, performance under pressure, coaching pedagogy.
• Recent Grants:
  • Practice, communication, and performance in elite track and field (2022).
  • Technical water rescue impact case study (2019).
• Awards: Chartered Scientist, PGA Fellowship, CASES accreditation.

Academic contributions include over 130 publications, with a focus on golf technique, skill acquisition models, and interdisciplinary coaching. Current PhD supervision addresses error utilization in golf coaching and Chinese sports coaching expertise. Past students include notable researchers in talent development and performance analysis.

Consultancy spans golf, cricket, rugby, and winter sports, emphasizing evidence-based strategies aligned with athletes’ unique needs.