Jennifer Cumming

Professor Jennifer Cumming is a Professor of Sport and Exercise Psychology at the School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, UK. She is a Chartered Psychologist, Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society, and Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, with a strong commitment to community-based research and teaching excellence.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Kinesiology (Sport Psychology), University of Western Ontario, Canada (2002)
• M.A. in Sport Studies, University of Ottawa, Canada (1998)
• B.Ed. in Physical Education (Fitness Education), McGill University, Canada (1996)
• Post Graduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education, University of Birmingham (2010)

Her research focuses on mental skills training, particularly imagery use in sport, exercise, and dance, and extends to community-based psychosocial interventions for marginalized populations such as homeless youth. She developed the My Strengths For Life™ (MST4Life™) program with St Basils and has contributed foundational theoretical models like the revised applied model of deliberate imagery use. Her work emphasizes self-regulation, strengths-based approaches, positive youth development, and mental health promotion across diverse populations.

The 15 most recent publications reveal a strong trajectory toward mental health, safeguarding in dance, researcher well-being, and youth interventions. While rooted in sport psychology, her recent work expands into public health, social inclusion, and ethical research practice, demonstrating interdisciplinary impact and a commitment to real-world application.

Scientific Awards and Recognition:

• Nominated for University of Birmingham’s Founders’ Award for Excellence in Policy Advancement (2015)
• Nominated for Enterprising Birmingham’s Most Innovative Collaboration Award (2017)
• Excellence in Teaching Award, School and College level (2012)
• Nominated for Good Supervisor Award (2010)
• Supervision of award-winning PhD theses (e.g., Dr Sarah Williams, Dr Sam Cooley)

She has supervised 17 PGR students to completion and currently supervises undergraduate projects. She has received funding from the ESRC, Public Health England, St Basils, British Academy, AASP, and Winning Scotland Foundation. She collaborates with Dr Victoria Burns, Dr Sarah Williams, Prof Joan Duda, and international colleagues including Prof Craig Hall and Prof Diane Ste-Marie. She serves on the editorial boards of The Sport Psychologist and Journal of Imagery Research in Sport and Physical Activity, and is a Founding Member of the Research in Imagery and Observation (RIO) Group.

Labs and Research Teams: She is affiliated with the Sport Psychology Research Group at Birmingham and contributes to the Birmingham Evaluating Skill Transfer (BEST) project. Her community partnerships, especially with St Basils, are central to her applied research model.