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Heather Hunter

Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Psychology

I am guided by positive psychology and focussing on the human capacity for strength, thriving, and improved quality of life. I bring this to all my work, with athletes and students alike.

Biography

Heather has been working as an applied practitioner under supervision since 2021, working with her clients to help them to better understand themselves so they can use this information to impact their performance and their lives.

Her main interests are in identity, self-care, and wellbeing as facilitators of performance and a fulfilled life. She has worked in many sports including rugby, tennis, football, triathlon, and diving, particularly with young people.

Heather joined the university in August 2023 as a lecturer in Sport and Exercise Psychology, grounding her teaching in theory and real-world examples from her evidence based applied practice experience.

Qualifications

  • Professional Doctorate in Sport and Exercise Psychology at the University of Portsmouth, Current
  • MSc in Sport and Exercise Psychology at Loughborough University, 2018
  • BSc (Hons) in Psychology at the University of Glasgow, 2017

Membership of professional bodies

  • British Psychological Society Graduate Membership (GMBPsS)
  • Association for Applied Sport Psychology Member (AASP)

Teaching & Research

Teaching

Heather delivers on a range of undergraduate modules including sport psychology and research methods modules. She is also involved with supporting and delivering on several modules for foundation year students.

Research

Heather’s research areas of interest include self-care for sport psychologists, self-compassion, and identity, both for sport psychologists and athletes. She is also engaged in research in physical activity for youth clinical populations.

External responsibilities

Sport and Exercise Psychologist (in training) in her own private practice, working with a range of sports including rugby, tennis, football, triathlon, diving etc. Heather works with individuals and teams, from youth sport up to senior level performance sport.