Dr Paul Garner DSE, MSc, BSc

• Doctorate of Sport and Exercise 2023
• MSc Sports Coaching 2013
• BA (Hons) Sport Science & French 1996

Paul is an internationally recognised researcher and consultant whose work has shaped coach development and professional learning across sport, education and high-performance environments. Having represented Great Britain as a member of the British Alpine Skiing Demonstration Team, Paul has worked extensively in snowsports as a performer, coach, coach developer and assessor. He continues to collaborate with a range of national and international organisations, including the British Association of Snowsport Instructors (BASI), England Lacrosse, British Rowing and the International Association of Education in Science and Snowsports, supporting excellence in coach education, development and assessment.

Paul's research continues to influence policy and practice across sport, education and professional development. Recent projects explore the role of trust in learning and performance environments, alongside applied work in character education. His latest scholarship includes the development and evaluation of the POWA framework (Perspective, Other-centredness, Willingness to learn and Accurate self-assessment) as a tool to support the professional development of PhD supervisors and other practitioner-educators.

Paul contributes to modules across the school primarily in sport coaching and professional practice.

Paul has been involved in the successful completion of one, and examination of four, doctoral students and several Masters students. Paul is currently supervising a number of doctoral students, including work in professional rugby coaching, the development of cultural intelligence in elite football and professional development of parasport coaches. His supervision interests include:

• Interpersonal knowledge in sport coaching
• Professional development in sport
• Sport coaching pedagogy
• Trust
• Qualitative studies in sport

Paul’s research focuses on the relational dimensions of coaching, supporting coaches, coach educators, leaders and practitioners to enhance their intra- and inter-personal capabilities, foster positive cultures, and strengthen leadership practice. His work spans coach development, character education, trust, and professional learning, with a particular interest in how meaningful relationships underpin effective performance and development.