Mark Holland

Mark Holland is a Senior Lecturer at Newman University's Faculty of Arts, Society and Professional Studies since 2013. He holds a MSc from Loughborough University and a PhD from Birmingham University, focusing on life skills in young sports participants. His research emphasizes applied mental skills training (MST), youth development through sport, and the intersection of motivation, well-being, and performance.

Education: MSc (Loughborough University) → PhD/post-doctoral research (Birmingham University).

Research interests include elite performance psychology, youth sport development, motor learning, and the application of MST in educational and athletic contexts. His work often explores how psychological interventions enhance athlete resilience and learning.

Publications highlight MST program evaluations, psychometric tool validation (e.g., BRSQ), and qualitative studies on youth athlete experiences. His 2010 award-winning work in Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology established his expertise in MST for young athletes.

Award: 2010 Michael K. O’Rourke PhD Publication Award for 'The role and development of life skills in young sports participants.'

Professional memberships include the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES) and the Association of Applied Sport Psychology (AASP). He has contributed to over 10 international conferences, focusing on MST implementation, youth sport coaching, and outdoor education methodologies.