Professor of Political Science, University of the West of Scotland Murray Leith has lectured at universities in Scotland and the United States. He has published on several aspects of Scottish and British politics, Scottish nationalism, national identity, the Scottish Diaspora, independence and Union. He is usually working on research involving nationalism and national identity in Scotland, and is currently researching around the Scottish Diaspora, as well as other aspects of contemporary Scottish politics and society. His most recent projects include him being part of a team undertaking a Scotland wide survey of support to older UK Veterans aged 65+, creating an online game considering national and European identity, and an number of research projects involving consideration of the Scottish diaspora and the connection to Scottish politics and society. In 2020, Manchester University Press published his most recent book 'Scotland: The New State of an Old Nationa' a co-authored, wider look at contemporary Scotland. His most recent articles consider the Scottish Diaspora, and issues around Scottish identity, and return migration to Scotland, post Brexit. He is the proud parent of a grown up daughter, and a slightly younger potted plant.
Senior Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Science (Sport Psychology), Anglia Ruskin University Matt joined ARU as a Senior Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Science (Psychology) in August 2022 from University of Hertfordshire where he was a Lecturer in Skill Acquisition and Motor Control since August 2019. Prior to joining UH Matt completed my undergraduate, postgraduate, PhD and teaching qualifications at University of Chichester. Matt's main research interests are centred around identifying those psychological variables which are associated with peak performance (e.g., challenge and threat states) in performance settings (sport, education, aviation). Matt is also interested in emotional regulation, and I have published in the areas of cognitive psychology and leadership. Matt has collaborated with colleagues on a variety of research and consultancy projects at a range of HE institutions such as Prof. Iain Greenlees (University of Chichester), Dr Matt Smith (University of Winchester) and Dr Oliver Runswick (Kings College London). Matt was awarded a PhD, Msc, Bsc and Fellowship of the HEA (FHEA) from the University of Chichester. Matt's research interests are performance under pressure in a variety of performance domains, e.g., sport, education, and aviation and emotional regulation (e.g., HRV). I lead L4 Multidisciplinary Sport and Exercise Science and l6 Applied Sport Psychology. Research interests: • Performance under pressure (Challenge and threat states, anxiety) • Predictors of performance and adherence (self-efficacy, self-confidence, motivation) • Emotional regulation (e.g., Heart Rate Variability) • Scanning strategies and gaze behaviour • Efficacy of Psychological Skills Training strategies
Research Officer, University of Leeds Before starting a late career in academia I worked in the field of IT. In 1996 I started a new career path when I came to Leeds to read Sports Science (Outdoor Activities). After graduating with honours in 1999 I continued in this vein with a PhD which focused on the impact absorbing mechanisms of climbing helmets. Upon completion of my PhD I was employed as a Research Fellow on an EPSRC funded project to investigate, among other things, novel ways to improve the measurement of air permeability and moisture vapour transmission. Since the end of this project I have worked in many areas related to comfort in extreme environments and protection from falls from a height. My research interests cover the comfort and protection of clothing systems for extreme and hostile environments and the role of textiles in protection in falls from height or from falling objects. This encompasses areas as diverse as the design of waterproof zip fasteners, improving the impact absorption of properties of sports protectors, measuring comfort in outdoor footwear and preventing scalding through firefighter clothing systems. I have also been active in the field of biomimetic textiles, and supervised a PhD on superadhesion using the gecko foot as inspiration. I developed miniature data logging sensors that are unobtrusive enough to allow the measurement of the microclimate in a shoe. Work is ongoing to further develop these to remove wires from the system. I also developed a novel new system for quick measurements of moisture vapour transmission under realistic conditions which was extensively tested by a PhD student.
Chair for Family Philanthropy, Grand Valley State University Michael Moody joined the Johnson Center in 2010 as the Frey Foundation Chair for Family Philanthropy, the world’s first endowed chair for family philanthropy. In this role, Michael pursues a comprehensive, international program of applied research, training, and other activities to lift up family philanthropy. Trained as a cultural sociologist, Michael has served as an accessible guide to the rapidly evolving and complex world of philanthropy and social innovation for over 30 years, helping diverse audiences see the vital role that giving plays in society and in their own lives. Michael is co-author of the books Understanding Philanthropy: Its Meaning and Mission, The Philanthropy Reader, and Generation Impact: How Next Gen Donors Are Revolutionizing Giving, as well as a variety of other publications. Michael is a frequent speaker at venues across the U.S. and worldwide, and a sought-after commentator on philanthropic trends and research. His work has been featured in the New York Times, Washington Post, Forbes, Chronicle of Philanthropy, Stanford Social Innovation Review, and elsewhere. Previously, Michael was one of the first employees of Indiana University’s renowned Center on Philanthropy, held faculty positions at Boston University and the University of Southern California, and ran Moody Philanthropic Consulting. Michael holds degrees from Indiana University and the University of Chicago, and a doctorate in sociology from Princeton.
Lecturer in Social Sciences, London South Bank University My research is focused on the social characteristics and political behaviour of elites. I also have experience doing health services research. I have been published in The British Journal of Sociology, The Journal of British Studies, Sociology, Political Studies, Voluntary Sector Research, Heart, The Journal of Public Health and The Journal of Epidemiology and Public Health among other journals. I am currently working on a project looking at the British aristocracy in the 20th and 21st Centuries. My research has been funded by the Department of Health and the ESRC My research is primarily focused on elites. I have completed projects on corporate elites, members of the House of Lords and the hereditary aristocracy. I have examined topics including club membership, charitable donations and political donations I am currently involved in projects evaluating Cullum Centres for autistic children in Surrey and the elimination of advertising for high fat and sugary foods in Yorkshire and Humber.
