Dr Alison Murray

Lecturer (Primary Ed.- Health&Wellbeing)

Education Stirling

Dr Alison Murray

Contact details

About me

Lifelong health and wellbeing, in through and beyond physical education. Lifelong healthy active living, curriculum to wider community practices. Primary physical and health and wellbeing education through movement concept and affordance pedagogies. Models practice as a pedagogical connector between in and out of school healthy active living. Justice oriented practice through affective pedagogies. Developing self agency and reliance through physically active learning and living. Embodied physical education teacher education. Metacognition through motor competency. Pedagogies to facilitate these processes and possibilities.

Community Contribution

National PE Taskforce appointment

https://cdn.ymaws.com/…eport-on-the.pdf
National task force of a variety of stakeholders situated in and around curricular Physical Education-representing and sharing varied perspectives to collaborate towards the creation of a national report.

Other Academic Activities

Curriculum-Improvement -Cycle Interdisciplinary Learning Core Group member-Education Scotland
Education Scotland

https://education.gov.scot/…ement-cycle-cic/
https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/glowblogs/cices/ https://education.gov.scot/curriculum-for-excellence/about-curriculum-for-excellence/the-curriculum-improvement-cycle-cic/ The origins of the Curriculum Improvement Cycle (CIC) developed from recommendations contained within the 2021 OECD Review of Scottish Education which recognised the strengths of Curriculum for Excellence (CfE), and made a range of suggestions to ensure that this strength would persist into the future. Included in its twelve recommendations was a specific recommendation on curriculum review. It stated that that, Scotland should: "Develop a systematic approach to curriculum review: Scotland could consider establishing a curriculum review cycle with a planned timeframe and specific review agenda, led by the specialist stand-alone agency." ITE Stirling representation In this group, we learn alongside other stakeholders and contribute to our way forward through the creation of IDL principles for practice across the full breadth and continuum of education.

Outputs (43)

Book Chapter

Exploring the Promises and Affordances across Spaces and Places

Murray A, Murray P, Howells K, Uthmani N & McMillan N (2025) Exploring the Promises and Affordances across Spaces and Places. In: Block BA & Haneishi K (eds.) The Thirdspace Movement Model: Connecting Movement with Social Justice. Amazon Prime: Babybook, pp. 87-126. https://store.bookbaby.com/book/the-thirdspace-movement-model?srsltid=AfmBOoqM4_z2f4D-oZh3xNJQ2pguIstRKysuW2W0mHdNul0AfgTLcOqt

Presentation / Talk

Towards agentic health and wellbeing -critical thoughts to extend curricular physical literacy from school to home

Murray A, Murray P, Howells K, Cowley J & Johnston B (2025) Towards agentic health and wellbeing -critical thoughts to extend curricular physical literacy from school to home [School-based to teacher education agency dedicated pedagogies around health and wellbeing practices]. 21st ISATT Biennial Conference, https://www.gla.ac.uk/events/conferences/isatt2025/, 01.07.2025-04.07.2025.

Technical Report

Early Years Nutrition: Setting the Standard for Change, A Report by the Cross-Party on a Fit and Healthy Childhood

Clark H, Royal P, Robillard Webb L, Graham C, Richardson A, De Maeijer H, Godfrey K, Taylor C, Emmett P, Avery A, Ruxton C, Halnan B, Aaronricks K, Harris M & Murray A (2025) Early Years Nutrition: Setting the Standard for Change, A Report by the Cross-Party on a Fit and Healthy Childhood. Cross-Party on a Fit and Healthy Childhood. https://fhcappg.org.uk/?page_id=4360

Other

FAR FROM BEING MERE CREATION, CHILDHOOD PLAY IS A CRITICAL FAR FROM BEING MERE CREATION, CHILDHOOD PLAY IS A CRITICAL FAR FROM BEING MERE CREATION, CHILDHOOD PLAY IS A CRITICAL DEVELOPMENTAL STAGE WHERE THE SEEDS OF A COLLABORATIVE, DEVELOPMENTAL STAGE WHERE THE SEEDS OF A COLLABORATIVE, DEVELOPMENTAL STAGE WHERE THE SEEDS OF A COLLABORATIVE, COMMUNICATIVE AND INNOVATIVE SOCIETY ARE SOWN. COMMUNICATIVE AND INNOVATIVE SOCIETY ARE SOWN. COMMUNICATIVE AND INNOVATIVE SOCIETY ARE SOWN

Norman DA, Veale DV, Jones DC, Alliance 4 Children PW, University of Stirling DAM, University of Worcester DPM, V&A Museum DHC, Parenting Apart Programme KK, Chair of Play Scotland MHB, Chief Creative O$cer at Nero and Music and Child Development Specialist MS, Policy Director at Health Professions for Safer Screens AS, Well Within Reach JS, Manchester Metropolitan University DJW-, Early Childhood Consultant DKP, Centre for Research in Early Childhood (CREC) DCP, Sussed & Able JB, Open University DJJ, Sheffield Hallam University DDF-, York St John University SS-, Director of Children’s Alliance TB, Director of Miindfulness EB & University of Strathclyde DLA (2025) FAR FROM BEING MERE CREATION, CHILDHOOD PLAY IS A CRITICAL FAR FROM BEING MERE CREATION, CHILDHOOD PLAY IS A CRITICAL FAR FROM BEING MERE CREATION, CHILDHOOD PLAY IS A CRITICAL DEVELOPMENTAL STAGE WHERE THE SEEDS OF A COLLABORATIVE, DEVELOPMENTAL STAGE WHERE THE SEEDS OF A COLLABORATIVE, DEVELOPMENTAL STAGE WHERE THE SEEDS OF A COLLABORATIVE, COMMUNICATIVE AND INNOVATIVE SOCIETY ARE SOWN. COMMUNICATIVE AND INNOVATIVE SOCIETY ARE SOWN. COMMUNICATIVE AND INNOVATIVE SOCIETY ARE SOWN. Alliance4Children and the University of Winchester.

Article

The embodiment of equitable ways to develop agentic wellbeing through movement maximizing personal and general spaces-re-tooling affordances as drivers of social justice

Murray A, Murray P, Howells K, Uthmani N & McMillan N (2025) The embodiment of equitable ways to develop agentic wellbeing through movement maximizing personal and general spaces-re-tooling affordances as drivers of social justice. Equity in Education & Society. https://doi.org/10.1177/27526461251324217

Conference Abstract

The interruption and deconstruction of lure through ‘play fake’ behaviours using the en vivo time-phased intervention methodology to affirm children’s agency when under online predatorial duress

Murray P, Murray A & Howells K (2025) The interruption and deconstruction of lure through ‘play fake’ behaviours using the en vivo time-phased intervention methodology to affirm children’s agency when under online predatorial duress. Education: Insights from practice for policy (poster conference), Cholmondeley Room, House of Lords, Westminster, London, 21.01.2025-21.01.2025. Education: Insights for Policy from Practice and Research. The Centre for Research into the Education of Marginalised Children and Young Adults (CREMCYA). https://www.stmarys.ac.uk/events/2024/insights-from-practice-for-policy-poster-conference

Presentation / Talk

An integrative design for equipping caretakers & staffs performance acuity & empathy to match the demands of children’s navigating the electric playground

Murray P & Murray A (2024) An integrative design for equipping caretakers & staffs performance acuity & empathy to match the demands of children’s navigating the electric playground [Online Play Fakes]. Interpersonal Relationships & Wellbeing Research Group Conference: Discover & Connect, University of Worcester, Worcester, England, 07.11.2024-07.11.2024.

Policy Document

A Plan for Play: An Eye View Series Report

Clark H, Murray A, Murray P, Lubrano M, Veale V, Silberfield C, Griggs G, Cooke K, Brown F, Woolley H, Coleman N, Follett M, Hodgson A, Hill B & Warrington D (2024) A Plan for Play: An Eye View Series Report. Royal P (Other), Webb LR (Other) & Wright P (Other) Children's Alliance. Eye View Series, 2. Exeter. https://childrensalliance.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/A-PLAN-FOR-PLAY-FINAL-ILLUSTRATED.pdf

Policy Document

The Role of the Family in Early Years Education

Clark H, Royal P, Webb LR, Wright P, Rosier C, Beart S, Blandford S, Veale V, Bayou E, Norman A, Tonkin A, Whewell E, Hodgson A, Warrington D & Murray A (2024) The Role of the Family in Early Years Education. Children's Alliance. 3. https://royalpa.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/THE-ROLE-OF-THE-FAMILY-IN-EARLY-YEARS-EDUCATION-FINAL.pdf

Policy Document

A Preconception Care Strategy: An Eye Series Reprt

Clark H, de Barra D, Murray A, Norman A, Schoenaker D, Winterbottom J, Sher J, Kumaran K, Woods-Townsend K, Trevillion K, Murray P, Keynejad R, Bhavsar V, Bayou E & Cassinelli EH (2024) A Preconception Care Strategy: An Eye Series Reprt [A Preconception Care Strategy]. Royal P (Sponsor), Wright P (Other) & Webb LR (Other) Children's Alliance. Eye View Series Reports. Exeter. https://childrensalliance.org.uk/preconception-care-strategy-report/

Book Chapter

Physical Education for Sustainability and Well-being

Murray A (2024) Physical Education for Sustainability and Well-being. In: Doull K & Ogier S (eds.) Teaching Climate Change & Sustainability in the Primary Curriculum. 1 ed. Learning Matters, pp. 174-186. https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/teaching-climate-change-and-sustainability-in-the-primary-curriculum/book285833

Policy Document

The Power of Play. Building A Creative Britain

Norman A, Jones C, Murray A, Murray P, Charmen H, Kaur K, Blair MH, Stockdale J, Wilson-Thomas J, Veale V, Peckham K, Pascal C, Bolden J, Josephidou J & Fitzgerald D (2024) The Power of Play. Building A Creative Britain [The Power of Play]. Children's Alliance. Exeter. https://childrensalliance.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Play-Policy-18Apr2024-Childrens-Alliance.pdf

Other

Social Justice through Physical Literacy

Murray A (2024) Social Justice through Physical Literacy. National Education Conference Scottish Teachers for Enhancing Practice Annual Conference, Stirling Court Hotel, University of Stirling, 02.03.2024. https://steachersep.org.uk/docs/2024/keynotes_workshops_v3.pdf

Other

Bridging preservice teacher practice with general university student health and wellbeing through "I Can Resist". National Association for Kinesiology in Higher Education Annual Conference. Phoenix, Arizona, USA, January 3-5th. https://www.nakhe.org/cgi/page.cgi/2024_Annual_Conference.html

Murray A, Murray P & Howells K (2024) Bridging preservice teacher practice with general university student health and wellbeing through "I Can Resist". National Association for Kinesiology in Higher Education Annual Conference. Phoenix, Arizona, USA, January 3-5th. https://www.nakhe.org/cgi/page.cgi/2024_Annual_Conference.html., Phoenix, USA, 03.01.2024-06.01.2024. https://www.nakhe.org/cgi/page.cgi/2024_Annual_Conference.html

Other

Using accessible resistance exercise to build emotional and physical strength, embodying pedagogies for accessible health and physical development (physical education) teacher education

Murray A, Murray P, Howells K, Gerstenberger J, McCormack M & Harrower-Cassells L (2023) Using accessible resistance exercise to build emotional and physical strength, embodying pedagogies for accessible health and physical development (physical education) teacher education., Queen Margaret's University, Scotland, 22.11.2023-24.11.2023. https://www.sera.ac.uk/sera-conference-2023/

Policy Document

MQ-appg3-COMPLETED (1)

Murray A, HELEN CLARK Chair of the Working Group, PHIL ROYAL APPG Secretariat, LISA ROBILLARD WEBB APPG Secretariat, LEA MILLIGAN MQ Mental Health Research, BRYONY DOUGHTY MQ Mental Health Research, DR KRISTY HOWELLS Canterbury Christ Church University, PROFESSOR KAMALDEEP BHUI CBE University of Oxford, VANESSA PINFOLD McPin Foundation, ANNA HODGSON Clear Sky Children’s Charity, CAROLINE PURVEY TRE UK, DR DAVID LOWE Leeds Beckett, PROFESSOR KEITH GODFREY MBE University of Southampton, MARY LUBRANO Association of Play Industries, Psychotherapy Society MMNC&, SHARON SMITH University of Northampton, PETER HAND Royal College of Psychiatrists, DR ALISON MURRAY University of Roehampton, DR PAMELA MURRAY University of Worcester, JOE LOWTHER KICK, British Neuroscience Association DLACE, SYGY COLLINS Rethink Mental Illness, Food and Nutrition Expert CGCO & JACK EDDY Mental health and wellbeing policy specialist (2023) MQ-appg3-COMPLETED (1). APPG in a Fit and Healthy Childhood. https://fhcappg.org.uk/?page_id=2171

Policy Document

A Preconception Care Strategy

Clark H, De Barra D, Murray A, Norman A, Schoenaker D, Winterbottom J, Sher J, Kumaran K, Woods-Townsend K, Trevillion K, Murray P, Keynejad R, Bhavsar V, Bayou E & Cassinelli EH (2023) A Preconception Care Strategy. Children's Alliance. Eye View. England. https://childrensalliance.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/2-Preconception-care-strategy-report-University-of-Southampton.pdf

Policy Document

The Family and Community Report

Clark H, Beswick T, Royal P, Wright P, Raven A, Sutcliffe B, Bradshaw B, Williams C, Graham C, Wilson D, Murray A, Norman A, Heilmann A, Mckay E & Charman H (2023) The Family and Community Report [ Family and Community. The fourth in a sequence of reports charting a new start for children and young people.]. Children's Alliance. England. https://childrensalliance.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Family-and-Community-Report-Childrens-Alliance-Sept-2022.pdf

Policy Document

The Health And Wellbeing Of Children In The Early Years

Clark H, Revel E, Royal P, Wright P, Teakle A, McIlwrath B, Bradshaw B, Purvey C, McLeod C, Williams C, Norman A, Murray A, Fitzgerald D, Mackay E & Musgrave J (2023) The Health And Wellbeing Of Children In The Early Years. Children's Alliance. 1. England. https://childrensalliance.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Early-Years-Report-Oct-2021.pdf

Presentation / Talk

The Case for a Cabinet Minister for Children and Young People

Murray A, Brewer T & Wright P (2023) The Case for a Cabinet Minister for Children and Young People. APPG on a Fit and Healthy Childhood, Houses of Parliament, Westminster, 10.01.2023-10.01.2023. https://fhcappg.org.uk/?p=4038

Book Chapter

Primary physical education and its complex puzzle of diversity

Murray A & Adams S (2022) Primary physical education and its complex puzzle of diversity. In: Doull K (ed.) Teaching a Diverse Primary Curriculum. First ed. London: Sage, pp. 105-114. https://uk.sagepub.com/en-gb/eur/teaching-a-diverse-primary-curriculum/book277951

Policy Document

The Mental Health of Children and Young People

Murray A, CLARK H, DAY K, ROYAL P, WRIGHT P, PURVEY C, AMANDA NORMAN D, ALISON MURRAY D, EUNICE LUMSDEN D, KATHRYN PECKHAM D, KRISTY HOWELLS y D, PAMELA MURRAY D, VICTORIA RANDALL D, BAYOU E, BLACKWELL F, BARLOW Jean Barlow J, MORTON-BROWN J, SMITH K, BRIGGS M, LUBRANO M, JEPHCOTT M, FRANCIS MCGLONE P, KEITH GODFREY P, LORD S, MCKAIG British Society of Paediatric Dentistry (BSPD) S, SMITH S, O’NEILL S, BREWIS T, BESWICK T, BEEVERS V & VEALE V (2022) The Mental Health of Children and Young People. Children's Alliance. Online. https://childrensalliance.org.uk/working-group-reports/

Policy Document

Physical-Health-of-Children-and-Young-People-Report-Dec2021.pdf CA

Murray A, CLARK H, VICTORIA RANDALL D, ROYAL P, WRIGHT t P, FERGUSON A, SUTCLIFFE BETH BRADSHAW B, SILBERFELD C, JACOB C, GRAHAM C, ALISON MURRAY D, AMANDA NORMAN D, EMMA WHEWELL D, ESTELLE MACKAY D, GERALD GRIGGS D, HELEN CHARMAN D, JACKIE MUSGRAVE D, JULIE PEARSON D, KRISTY HOWELLS D, PAMELA MURRAY D, SHAMILA WANNINAYAKE D, UTE NAVIDI D, CHERRY E, BAYOU E, MICHELSON I, NICOLAS J, WHARTON J, COOKE K, SMITH K, JAMES K, HANSON M, JOPLING M, LUBRANO M, BABER M, FOLLETT M, VIGGARS M, COLEMAN N, GARETH STRATTON P, KEITH GODFREY P, BREWIS T, BESWICK T & VEALE V (2022) Physical-Health-of-Children-and-Young-People-Report-Dec2021.pdf CA. Children's Alliance. https://childrensalliance.org.uk/working-group-reports/

Consultancy Report

AfPE-Taskforce-Report-on-the-Future-of-Physical-Education-Final

Murray A, TIMPSON E, ROBINSON J, WILKINSON S, HARRIS J, SATER A, DALY-SMITH A, MORAG MURRAY A, TROSS SZ, DOWLING S & HUSSAIN S (2021) AfPE-Taskforce-Report-on-the-Future-of-Physical-Education-Final. Association for Physical Education. Online. https://www.afpe.org.uk/physical-education/wp-content/uploads/afPE-Taskforce-Report-on-the-Future-of-Physical-Education-Final.pdf

Policy Document

The COVID Generation: A Mental Pandemic in the Making

Clark H, Royal P, West H, Cortina M, Luberano M, Devalia U, Howells K, McManus S, Hodgson A, Foster S, Musgrave J, Salt K, Rubenstein B & Murray A (2021) The COVID Generation: A Mental Pandemic in the Making. APPG for a Fit and Healthy Childhood. London. https://fhcappg.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/THE-COVID-GENERATION-REPORT-April2021.pdf

Policy Document

Wellbeing and Nurture: Physical and Emotional Security in Childhood

Clark H, Royal P, West H, McGlone F, Walker S, Devine SL, Barlow J, Albon D, Elfer P, Norman A, Sigman A, Graham C, Hutchinson C, Harris G & Murray A (2020) Wellbeing and Nurture: Physical and Emotional Security in Childhood [A Report by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on a Fit and Healthy Childhood]. All-Party Parliamentary Group on a Fit and Healthy Childhood. London. https://fhcappg.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/ReportWellbeingandNurtureFinal140720.pdf

Policy Document

The Primary PE and Sport Premium

Clark H, Royal P, West H, Randall V, Murray A, Coleman N, Griggs G, Whewell E, Forster S, Bayfield AS, Wright C, Thornton-Bousefield K, Denington J, Williams S & Rollins N (2019) The Primary PE and Sport Premium [A Report by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on a Fit and Healthy Childhood]. APPG on a Fit and Healthy Childhood. London. https://fhcappg.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/the-primary-pe-and-sport-premium-report-180219-2.pdf

Article

An Introduction and Deconstruction of the Meta P.E-3

Murray A (2014) An Introduction and Deconstruction of the Meta P.E-3. 2014 NAKHE Collaborative Conference, San Diego, CA, USA International Journal of Kinesiology in Higher Education, Special Edition (25), pp. 9-13, Art. No.: 1. https://www.nakhe.org/journal-archives.html

Teaching

My teaching and learning encompasses physical education through health and wellbeing as embedded through our spiral curriculum. I enjoy contributing to primary (general) and secondary (physical) education teacher education with a particular focus on pedagogical practice.

Research programmes

Research centres/groups

Research themes