Article
Oliver A & Morris R (2026) Experiences of Delivering a Personal-Disclosure Mutual-Sharing Intervention Within Semi-Professional Football. Journal of Sport Psychology in Action.
Dr Robert Morris
Associate Professor
Sport Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport University of Stirling Stirling FK9 4LA
Contact details
- Email robert.morris@stir.ac.uk
- Telephone+44 (0) 1786 467 345
About me
Robert is an Associate Professor in Sport Psychology and Associate Dean for Internationalisation within the Faculty of Health, Sport, and Society at the University of Stirling. He was previously Deputy Head of Sport at Stirling and Programme Director for the MSc Psychology of Sport, and has also held academic roles at Liverpool John Moores University and Nottingham Trent University.
He is a CASES Accredited, BPS Chartered, and HCPC Registered Sport and Exercise Psychologist. He is also a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, Associate Fellow of the BPS, Chartered Scientist, and Fellow of CASES. Robert is currently Chair of the Sport and Exercise Psychology Accreditation Route Advisory Group, providing national leadership for one of the professional accreditation pathways for Sport and Exercise Psychologists in the United Kingdom. He has also previously served as Chair of the BPS Division of Sport and Exercise Psychology.
Robert teaches across undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral, and professional training programmes in sport psychology. His teaching and supervision are strongly informed by his applied practice, having provided sport psychology support across professional, national, international, Olympic, and Paralympic performance environments. This has included consultancy roles with British Curling and the UK Sports Institute, as well as applied work in professional football, rugby union, canoeing, swimming, golf, and university scholarship sport.
Robert’s research and scholarship focus on applied sport psychology, athlete career transitions, dual careers, talent development, psychologically informed environments, and mental health in sport. His work has examined topics including the youth-to-senior and retirement transitions in sport, support for elite student-athletes moving into university, the coach-athlete-parent triad, and the development of effective support systems within high-performance sport.
His academic, professional, and consultancy work are closely connected through a shared focus on enhancing performance, wellbeing, learning, and development in sport.
Robert's research interests are mainly focused around talent development and mental health in sport. Specific areas include -
- Career transitions in sport
- Prevalence of mental health issues in sport
- Dual careers in sport
Award
British Psychological Society Division of Sport and Exercise Psychology Doctor of Philosophy Award
British Psychological Society Division of Sport and Exercise Psychology Established Practitioner Award
British Psychological Society Division of Sport and Exercise Psychology Distinguished Contribution Award
Fellowship of the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences
Consultancy
Robert has provided over fifteen years of applied sport psychology services to athletes (including children, adolescents, and adult athletes) and coaches in numerous performance psychology roles
Divisional / Faculty Contribution
BSc Science and Football Programme Leader at Liverpool John Moores University - Responsible for overall academic content and integrity of the programme
Deputy Head of Division of Sport
MSc Psychology of Sport Programme Director at the University of Stirling - Responsible for overall academic content and integrity of the programme
External Examiners and Validations
External advisor for the validation of the BSc (Hons) Sports Coaching degree programme at Robert Gordon University
External advisor for the validation of the MSc Applied Sport Psychology degree programme at Bolton University
External examiner at Bournemouth University for their undergraduate programmes in BSc (Hons) Sport Psychology and Coaching Sciences and BSc (Hons) Sports Development and Coaching Sciences
External examiner at UCFB/UEL for their MSc Player Care in Football programme
External examiner for the MSc Applied Sport Psychology programme at the University of Bolton
Other Academic Activities
Division of Sport and Exercise Psychology Honorary Secretary
Division of Sport and Exercise Psychology Committee Member
Division of Sport and Exercise Psychology DSEP Conference Scientific Committee Member
Division of Sport and Exercise Psychology Chair
British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences Sport and Exercise Psychology Accreditation Route Advisory Group Chair
British Psychological Society Scotland Branch Chair
Elsevier Advisory Panel Expert Advisor
Included on the list of peer reviewers for several leading sport and exercise psychology journals including the Psychology of Sport and Exercise, International Sport Coaching Journal, Science and Medicine in Football, Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology, and Qualitative Methods in Psychology journals
Other Project
Co-investigator on a project which captured funding for the Football Exchange at Liverpool John Moores University to design, deliver and manage a three-month study programme for 16 Chinese coaches from universities and colleges in Yunnan province to visit the UK to learn about football coaching and management; £123,350
Principle Investigator for the Rugby Football Union project entitled Under 24 University Leavers Retention Project; £24,852
Principle Investigator for the Talented Athlete Scholarship Programme project entitled Maintaining a Balanced Lifestyle and the Impact on Elite Sport Performance / Athletes Becoming More Rounded People; £12,800
Co-Investigator for the British Psychological Society Division of Sport and Exercise Psychology Research Working Group project entitled Training in Sport and Exercise Psychology; £3000
Principle Investigator for the ERASMUS+ project entitled Ecology of Dual Career - Exploring Dual Career Development Environments across Europe / ECO-DC; £327,000
Co-Investigator for the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions Individual Fellowship project entitled Theorising Learning in Sport (Episteme) and Understanding how Student-Athletes Develop Practical Wisdom for Life through Sport (phronesis); €113381 (£100,000 approx.)
Co-Investigator for the ERASMUS+ project entitled Dual Career for Junior Athletes; £351,312
Professional membership
Higher Education Academy Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences Accredited Sport and Exercise Scientist
British Psychological Society (BPS) Chartered Psychologist
British Psychological Society Associate Fellow
Health and Care Professions Council - Registered Sport and Exercise Psychologist
Higher Education Academy Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
Science Council Chartered Scientist
Supervision of Research Assistants
ERASMUS+ Research Assistant - Emily Cartigny
Research projects (1)
Dual Career for Junior Athletes project
PI: Dr Hee Jung Hong
Funded by: European Commission (Horizon 2020)
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Outputs (47)
Conference Abstract
Doncom T, Morris R, Fullerton C, Hartley C & Coffee P (2024) D1.S3.5 - Free Communications – Psychology D1.S3.5(1) Attribution retraining in sport: a case study approach piloting a co-produced motivation-enhancing intervention. British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences, Coventry Building Society Arean, 20.11.2024-21.11.2024. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2024.2419272
Book Chapter
Career Transitions: Navigating Players from Youth Team to First Team
Kent S, Morris R & Kelly AL (2023) Career Transitions: Navigating Players from Youth Team to First Team. In: Kelly A (ed.) Talent Identification and Development in Youth Soccer: A Guide for Researchers and Practitioners. New York: Routledge, pp. 121-131. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781032232799-9
Article
Social identity in sport: A scoping review of the performance hypothesis
Stephen SA, Coffee P, Habeeb CM, Morris R & Tod D (2023) Social identity in sport: A scoping review of the performance hypothesis. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 67, Art. No.: 102437. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2023.102437
Article
Pathway Decisions During the Student-Athlete Transition out of University in the United Kingdom
Vickers E & Morris R (2022) Pathway Decisions During the Student-Athlete Transition out of University in the United Kingdom. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 34 (4), pp. 803-824. https://doi.org/10.1080/10413200.2021.1884918
Article
An International Analysis of Dual Careers Support Services for Junior Athletes in Europe
Hong HJ, Morris R, López-Flores M & Botwina G (2022) An International Analysis of Dual Careers Support Services for Junior Athletes in Europe. International Journal of Sport Policy and Politics, 14 (2), pp. 305-319. https://doi.org/10.1080/19406940.2021.1999301
Article
McGreary M & Morris R (2022) Providing Psychological Support for the Junior to Senior Transition in Professional Female Football: An Individual Case Study. Journal of Sport Psychology in Action, 13 (4), pp. 260-271. https://doi.org/10.1080/21520704.2022.2103220
Book Chapter
Career Transitions in Sport: A Potential Challenge to Athlete Mental Health.
Morris R, Coffee P, Hong HJ, Hartley C & Verma N Career Transitions in Sport: A Potential Challenge to Athlete Mental Health.. In: Nixdorf I, Nixdorf R, Beckmann J, Martin S & Macintyre T (eds.) Routledge Handbook of Mental Health in Elite Sport. New York: Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003099345
Article
Coping with the loan transition in professional association football
Kent S, Neil R & Morris R (2022) Coping with the loan transition in professional association football. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 60, Art. No.: 102158. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2022.102158
Article
Morris R, Pattinson EM, Lafferty M, Brown DJ, Emeka L, Williams J, Byrne L, Shanmuganathan-Felton V & Kiemle-Gabbay LR (2022) Understanding Inequality: The Experiences and Perceptions of Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion of those Working or Studying within Sport and Exercise Psychology. Sport and Exercise Psychology Review, 17 (1), pp. 4-15. https://shop.bps.org.uk/sport-exercise-psychology-review-vol-17-no-1-march-2022
Article
Validation of a low-cost wearable sensor to assess turning in healthy adults
Byerley J, Mason R, Baker A, Powell D, Pearson L, Barry G, Godfrey A, Mancini M, Stuart S & Morris R (2022) Validation of a low-cost wearable sensor to assess turning in healthy adults. Physiotherapy, 114 (Supplement 1), pp. e112-e113. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physio.2021.12.062
Article
The Influence of Macrocultural Change on National Governing Bodies in British Olympic Sports
Feddersen N, Morris R, Abrahamsen FE, Littlewood M & Richardson D (2021) The Influence of Macrocultural Change on National Governing Bodies in British Olympic Sports. Sport in Society, 24 (9), pp. 1698-1714. https://doi.org/10.1080/17430437.2020.1771306
Book Chapter
Morris R (2021) “But it is Bad!” “Yes, but is it Really as Bad as you Have Indicated Here?” “Absolutely!” Challenging Injured Athletes’ Irrational Beliefs: Not a Straightforward Exercise. In: Wadey R (ed.) Sport Injury Psychology: Cultural, Relational, Methodological, and Applied Considerations. Routledge Psychology of Sport, Exercise and Physical Activity. Oxon: Routledge. https://www.routledge.com/Sport-Injury-Psychology-Cultural-Relational-Methodological-and-Applied/Wadey/p/book/9780367223823
Article
A Taxonomy of Dual Career Development Environments in European countries
Morris R, Cartigny E, Ryba T, Wylleman P, Henriksen K, Torregrosa M, Lindahl K & Cecic-Erpic S (2021) A Taxonomy of Dual Career Development Environments in European countries. European Sport Management Quarterly, 20 (1), pp. 134-151. https://doi.org/10.1080/16184742.2020.1725778
Article
A Qualitative Meta-Study of a Decade of the Holistic Ecological Approach to Talent Development
Feddersen NB, Morris R, Ronkainen NJ, Sæther SA, Littlewood MA & Richardson DJ (2021) A Qualitative Meta-Study of a Decade of the Holistic Ecological Approach to Talent Development. Scandinavian Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 3, pp. 24-39. https://doi.org/10.7146/sjsep.v3i.128317
Book Chapter
Transitions on the Athlete Journey: A Holistic Perspective
Morris R (2021) Transitions on the Athlete Journey: A Holistic Perspective. In: Heaney C, Kentzer N & Oakley B (eds.) Athletic Development: A Psychological Perspective. London: Routledge, pp. 38-53. https://www.routledge.com/Athletic-Development-A-Psychological-Perspective/Heaney-Kentzer-Oakley/p/book/9780367721022
Article
Tahtinen RE, Kristjánsdóttir H, þorgeirsson S, Oddsson HR, Saavedra JM & Morris R (2021) Depressive Symptoms in Icelandic Elite Athletes: A Prospective Examination Through the Lens of the Response Styles Theory. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 56, Art. No.: 101964. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2021.101964
Article
A Longitudinal Study of Power Relations in a British Olympic Sport Organization
Feddersen NB, Morris R, Storm LK, Littlewood MA & Richardson DJ (2021) A Longitudinal Study of Power Relations in a British Olympic Sport Organization. Journal of Sport Management, 35 (4), pp. 312-324. https://doi.org/10.1123/jsm.2020-0119
Article
Mitchell L, Knight C, Morris R & Mellalieu S (2021) "Maybe I'm just not good enough?": British swimmers' experiences of attempting to qualify for the Olympic Games. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports, 31 (7), pp. 1558-1573. https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.13953
Article
Gaining Perspectives: A Scoping Review of Research Assessing Depressive Symptoms in Athletes
Tahtinen RE, Shelley J & Morris R (2021) Gaining Perspectives: A Scoping Review of Research Assessing Depressive Symptoms in Athletes. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 54, Art. No.: 101905. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2021.101905
Article
Mcgreary M, Morris R & Eubank M (2021) Retrospective and concurrent perspectives of the transition into senior professional female football within the United Kingdom. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 53, Art. No.: 101855. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2020.101855
Article
Tahtinen RE, Kristjansdottir H, Olason DT & Morris R (2021) What Lies Beneath: Exploring Different Depressive Symptoms across Selected Risk Factors in Icelandic Team Sport Athletes. Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology, 15 (1), pp. 54-79. https://doi.org/10.1123/jcsp.2020-0040
Article
Emotional reflections of an athlete referral: The practitioner perspective
Drew K & Morris R (2020) Emotional reflections of an athlete referral: The practitioner perspective. Sport and Exercise Psychology Review, 16 (2), pp. 84-92. https://shop.bps.org.uk/sport-exercise-psychology-review-vol-16-no-2-december-2020
Article
A taxonomy of dual career development environments in the United Kingdom
Cartigny E & Morris R (2020) A taxonomy of dual career development environments in the United Kingdom. Sport and Exercise Psychology Review, 16 (2), pp. 24-38. https://shop.bps.org.uk/sport-exercise-psychology-review-vol-16-no-2-december-2020
Article
Thinking Aloud: Stress and coping in junior cricket batsman during challenge and threat states
McGreary MJ, Eubank MR, Morris R & Whitehead AE (2020) Thinking Aloud: Stress and coping in junior cricket batsman during challenge and threat states. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 127 (6), pp. 1095-1117. https://doi.org/10.1177/0031512520938911
Book Chapter
Morris R & Deason E (2020) The Transition from Elite Youth to Elite Adult Professional Soccer: A Summary of Current Literature and Practical Applications.. In: Dixon JG, Barker JB, Thelwell RC & Mitchell I (eds.) The Psychology of Soccer: More Than Just a Game. Abingdon: Routledge, pp. 3-18. https://www.routledge.com/The-Psychology-of-Soccer/Dixon-Barker-Thelwell-Mitchell/p/book/9780367350284
Article
The emergence and perpetuation of a destructive culture in an elite sport in the United Kingdom
Feddersen NB, Morris R, Littlewood MA & Richardson DJ (2020) The emergence and perpetuation of a destructive culture in an elite sport in the United Kingdom. Sport in Society, 23 (6), pp. 1004-1022. https://doi.org/10.1080/17430437.2019.1680639
Book Chapter
Eubank M, Morris R & Cunliffe M (2020) Cognitive Therapy Approaches. In: Tod D & Eubank M (eds.) Applied Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology: Current Approaches to Helping Clients. London: Routledge, pp. 53-69. https://www.routledge.com/Applied-Sport-Exercise-and-Performance-Psychology-Current-Approaches/Tod-Eubank/p/book/9781138587854
Article
Tahtinen R, McDougall M, Feddersen N, Tikkanen O, Morris R & Ronkainen NJ (2020) Me, Myself, and My Thoughts: The Influence of Brooding and Reflective Rumination on Depressive Symptoms in Athletes in the United Kingdom. Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology, 14 (3), p. 285–304. https://doi.org/10.1123/jcsp.2019-0039
Project Report
Ecology of Dual Careers Work Package 4 Report
Morris R, Cartigny E, Allen C, Wylleman P, De Brandt K, Taelman K, Henriksen K, Wonsyld M, Storm L, Ryba T, Saarinen M, Nikander A, Cecic Erpic S, Doupona Topic M & Torregrossa M (2020) Ecology of Dual Careers Work Package 4 Report. Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency: ERASMUS+ Programme. Liverpool. https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/~/media/images/ljmu/projects/dualcareers/files/wp4-report.pdf?la=en
Project Report
Ecology of Dual Careers Work Package 3 Report
Morris R, Cartigny E, Allen C, Wylleman P, De Brandt K, Taelman K, Henriksen K, Wonsyld M, Storm L, Ryba T, Saarinen M, Nikander A, Cecic Erpic S, Doupona Topic M & Torregrossa M (2020) Ecology of Dual Careers Work Package 3 Report. Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency: ERASMUS+ Programme. Liverpool. https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/~/media/images/ljmu/projects/dualcareers/files/wp3-report.pdf?la=en
Project Report
Ecology of Dual Careers Work Package 2 Report
Morris R, Cartigny E, Allen C, Wylleman P, De Brandt K, Taelman K, Henriksen K, Wonsyld M, Storm L, Ryba T, Saarinen M, Nikander A, Cecic Erpic S, Doupona Topic M & Torregrossa M (2020) Ecology of Dual Careers Work Package 2 Report. Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency: ERASMUS+ Programme. Liverpool. https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/~/media/images/ljmu/projects/dualcareers/files/wp2-report.pdf?la=en
Project Report
Ecology of Dual Careers Work Package 1 Report
Morris R, Cartigny E, Allen C, Wylleman P, De Brandt K, Taelman K, Henriksen K, Wonsyld M, Storm L, Ryba T, Saarinen M, Nikander A, Cecic Erpic S, Doupona Topic M & Torregrossa M (2020) Ecology of Dual Careers Work Package 1 Report. Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency: ERASMUS+ Programme. Liverpool. https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/~/media/images/ljmu/projects/dualcareers/files/wp1-report.pdf?la=en
Technical Report
Supporting Youth Athletes During Covid-19
Lafferty M, Breslin G, Britton D, Butt J, Lowry R, Morris R, Barker J, Slater M & Eubank MR (2020) Supporting Youth Athletes During Covid-19. British Psychological Society. Leicester. https://www.bps.org.uk/sites/www.bps.org.uk/files/Policy/Policy%20-%20Files/Supporting%20youth%20athletes%20during%20Covid-19.pdf
Technical Report
Advice For Athletes During Covid-19
Breslin G, Lowry R, Lafferty M, Britton D, Morris R, Barker J, Slater M & Eubank MR (2020) Advice For Athletes During Covid-19. British Psychological Society. Leicester. https://www.bps.org.uk/news-and-policy/advice-athletes-during-covid-19
Technical Report
Beyond the COVID-19 Pandemic: Tips for Players and Athletes COVID-RECOVER
MacIntyre T, Brick N, Butler C, Doherty A, Lane AM, Morris R, Murphy C, Murphy E & Rogan M (2020) Beyond the COVID-19 Pandemic: Tips for Players and Athletes COVID-RECOVER. https://www.psychologicalsociety.ie/source/Beyond%20the%20COVID-19%20Pandemic%20Tips%20for%20Players%20and%20Athletes%20COVID-RECOVER.pdf
Article
A meta-study of qualitative research on the junior-to-senior transition in sport
Drew K, Morris R, Tod D & Eubank M (2019) A meta-study of qualitative research on the junior-to-senior transition in sport. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 45, Art. No.: 101556. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2019.101556
Article
Evans A, Morris R, Barker J, Johnson T, Brenan Z & Warner B (2019) Athlete and Practitioner Insights Regarding a Novel Coping-Oriented Personal-Disclosure Mutual-Sharing Intervention in Youth Soccer. Sport Psychologist, 33 (1), pp. 64-74. https://doi.org/10.1123/tsp.2017-0125
Book Chapter
Morris R, Tod D & Eubank M (2018) "It's the end of the world as we know it (and I feel fine)" - the use of Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy to increase functional and reduce irrational beliefs of an injured athlete. In: Turner M & Bennett R (eds.) Rational Emotive Behavioural Therapy in Sport and Exercise. Routledge Psychology of Sport, Exercise and Physical Activity. Abingdon: Routledge, pp. 220-230. https://www.routledge.com/Rational-Emotive-Behavior-Therapy-in-Sport-and-Exercise-1st-Edition/Turner-Bennett/p/book/9781138688452
Article
Morris R, Tod D & Eubank M (2017) From youth team to first team: An investigation into the transition experiences of young professional athletes in soccer. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 15 (5), pp. 523-539. https://doi.org/10.1080/1612197x.2016.1152992
Article
Morris R, Tod D & Oliver E (2016) An Investigation Into Stakeholders’ Perceptions of the Youth-to-Senior Transition in Professional Soccer in the United Kingdom. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 28 (4), pp. 375-391. https://doi.org/10.1080/10413200.2016.1162222
Book Chapter
Transition Indecision: A Case Study of an Athlete’s Move from Playing to Coaching.
Morris R & Tod D (2016) Transition Indecision: A Case Study of an Athlete’s Move from Playing to Coaching.. In: Cotterill S, Weston N & Breslin G (eds.) Sport and Exercise Psychology: Practitioner Case Studies. Oxford: British Psychological Society and Wiley, pp. 111-124.
Article
Morris R, Tod D & Oliver E (2015) An Analysis of Organizational Structure and Transition Outcomes in the Youth-to-Senior Professional Soccer Transition. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 27 (2), pp. 216-234. https://doi.org/10.1080/10413200.2014.980015
Newspaper Article
Don't Blame England World Cup Failures On Inexperience
Morris R (2014) Don't Blame England World Cup Failures On Inexperience. The Conversation. 20.06.2014.
Thesis
Investigating the Youth to Senior Transition in Sport: From Theory to Practice
Morris R (2013) Investigating the Youth to Senior Transition in Sport: From Theory to Practice. Doctor of Philosophy. Aberystwyth University.
Thesis
Morris R (2010) From Youth Team to First Team: An Investigation into the Transition Experiences of Young Professional Athletes in Football. Master of Science. Liverpool John Moores University.
Thesis
Perceptions of Sport Psychology within Scottish Premier League Football Players
Morris R (2009) Perceptions of Sport Psychology within Scottish Premier League Football Players. Bachelor of Arts. University of Stirling.
Teaching
Robert teaches on the Masters in Psychology of Sport programme at the University of Stirling. Specific modules which he teaches on include -
- Key Readings in Sport Psychology (SPSP043)
- Applications of Sport Psychology (SPSP040)
- Public Engagement in Sport and Exercise Psychology (SPSP061)
He is also module coordinator for the Key Readings in Sport Psychology (SPSP043) module.
Teaching
Robert is a module coordination and carries out curriculum development, teaching, supervision (BSc and MSc projects and placements), and assessment of undergraduate and postgraduate students. Specific teaching at the University of Stirling includes on the Masters in Psychology of Sport programme.