Mr Charles Spring
Find a member of staff
Job title: Subject Manager Sport
Email: c.p.l.spring@derby.ac.uk
Phone No: 01332 594648
Room: LS/204
I'm a media friendly expert
Experience in Industry
I worked in the sport and leisure industry in sports facilities and fitness centres. I also undertook sports development work in schools and for the community. This was around the Birmingham area. I have coached and taught Karate since the early 1990s.
Current Activities / Links with Industry
I run my own karate classes weekly and have helped host large martial arts events through the Disability Martial Arts Association and other martial arts groups. I have also been a school governor and chair of governors that has helped me link with education outside of the University.
Department: Sports, Leisure and Tourism
Faculty: Buxton
Subject Area: Sports
I am the subject manager for the sport programmes at the University of Derby Buxton. I have teaching duties on the Martial Arts programme that the University delivers in Heidelberg with our partner there the European Wing Tsun Organisation. I am an external examiner for another HE institution's sports programmes.
Teaching responsibilities
I teach martial arts related modules in the areas of history, coaching and philosophy.
Professional interests
Education and professionalisation; sports regeneration and management; martial arts; sustainability and the impact on the environment of sport and sports tourism.
Research interests
Currently, I am undertaking an EdD in Professionalisation in Martial Arts. I recently presented a paper at the Leisure Studies Association International conference in Edinburgh.
International Experience
I have been lucky enough to be a visiting scholar at the National Institute of Fitness and Sport in Kanoya Japan and The University of Tianjin in China. I have regularly, since 2004, lectured in Finland and presented papers. Firstly at the University of Applied Sciences in Hameenlinna then the University of Applied Sciences in Jyvaskyla. I also lecture regularly in Germany at the EWTO headquarters in Heidleberg and have previously lectured as part of a Learnado project at the Hogeschool in Nijmegan Holland.
Membership of professional bodies and advisory committees
I'm a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
Recent Conferences
- Martial Arts in Higher Education: Case study of BA (Hons) Martial Arts Theory and Practice. LSA International Conference Edinburgh (July 2012)
- Experiential Learning and Martial Arts. World Scientific Congress of Combat Sports and Martial Arts Conference (Sept. 2011) University of Resznow Poland
- Experiential Learning in the University setting.The case of the BA (Hons)at the University of Derby Buxton. Sports in Society conference (March 2010) Vancouver Canada
- Experiential Learning in the University setting. University of Applied Sciences summer school conference Hameenlinna Finland (May 2009)
Additional Interests and Activities
I am a keen martial artist who has been practising for 40 years and a black belt in both Karate and Kickboxing. I'm also a Self Defence instructor. I run my own small martial arts association and am an Ambassador for the Disability Martial Arts Association. I have a Facebook page that discusses all things martial arts to help students on the degree programme network with alumni and others www.facebook.com/pages/Martial-Arts-Theory-and-Practice/96951171262.
Media experience
Local radio interviews, various articles.
Undergraduate qualifications
- BA (Hons) Leisure Management, Birmingham College of Food, Tourism and Creative Studies
Postgraduate qualifications
- Master of Arts Tourism Business Administration, University of Birmingham
