Oliver Hooper

Oliver Hooper is a Senior Lecturer in Physical Education and Youth Sport at Loughborough University, UK. He holds a BSc (Hons) in Sport and Exercise Science (2014) and a PhD from the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences (2018). His research focuses on young people’s experiences in physical education, health, and youth sport, particularly among marginalized groups. He emphasizes participatory methods and youth voice in research, publishing extensively in these areas. Oliver has received the 2021 Young Scholar Award from AIESEP and serves on editorial boards for journals like Sport, Education and Society. He actively contributes to professional networks such as the British Educational Research Association’s Early Career Researcher Network and the European Educational Research Association’s Sport Pedagogy Network.

Oliver’s work critiques curriculum policies and explores trauma-aware pedagogies, alternative provision schooling, and care-experienced youth engagement. His collaborative projects include co-editing Critical Pedagogies in Physical Education, Physical Activity and Health (2021) and leading studies on embodied research methods. He advocates for inclusive education through cross-border dialogues and evidence-based principles for pedagogical change.

• Education:
  • BSc (Hons) in Sport and Exercise Science (Loughborough University, 2014)
  • PhD in Physical Education and Youth Sport (Loughborough University, 2018)
• Research Groups:
  • Sport, Business and Society
  • Lifestyle for Health and Wellbeing
  • Physical Culture Research in Education Group
• External Roles:
  • Convenor, Early Career Researcher Network (British Educational Research Association)
  • Member, Executive Council & Engagement Committee (BERA)
  • Convenor, Sport Pedagogy Network (European Educational Research Association)
• Labs/Teams:
  • Leading the Promoting Active Lifestyles (PAL) Project
  • Creative collaborations on trauma-aware pedagogies