Staff profile

Dr Charles Spring


Senior Lecturer In Applied Management

Dr Charles Spring presenting a lecture

College

College of Business, Law and Social Sciences

Department

Centre for Contemporary Hospitality and Tourism

Research centre

Visitor Economy Research Group

Campus

Buxton Campus

Email

c.spring@derby.ac.uk

About

I am a Senior Lecturer in applied management programmes at the University of Derby in the Centre for Contemporary Hospitality and Tourism. I research in the area of martial arts and professionalism and the use of martial arts as a wellness intervention. I have a book published in that area - Martial Arts: Applications in Higher Education. 

I am a member and education officer for the Institute of Martial Arts and Sciences. I am also active in Breaking Down Barriers to Martial Arts and the Disability Martial Arts Alliance.

Teaching responsibilities

I have lecturing duties in applied management in the Centre for Contemporary Tourism and Hospitality. My specialisms are contemporary issues in wellness that impact social inclusion and business management. Modules I have responsibility as a Module Leader for are Business Development and Entrepreneurship and Research Skills. 

Professional interests

Education and professionalisation; wellness management; martial arts; sustainability and the impact on the environment of spa, wellness and tourism.

I still compete in martial arts and am currently a veteran European, British and English Champion in Kata (forms). I competed in the 2017 and 2018 world championships and came back with medals on both occasions.

Research interests

I have just completed an EdD in Professionalisation in Martial Arts. I have presented papers at several conferences in relation to this subject and have several peer-reviewed papers.

Membership of professional bodies

I am a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. I am also a member of the Association for Qualified Combat Sports Coaches.

Qualifications

Undergraduate qualifications

Postgraduate qualifications

Recent conferences

Experience in industry

I worked in the sport and leisure industry in sports facilities, leisure and fitness centres. I also undertook sports development work in schools and for the community. I have coached and taught Karate since the early 1990s and run my own association Ronin Budo.

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 Sport Tianjin in China. I have delivered lectures in Thailand. I have regularly, since 2004, lectured in Finland at wellness and wellbeing summer schools 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 Heidelberg and have previously lectured as part of a Leonardo project at the Hogeschool in Nijmegan Holland.

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.

I am a keen martial artist who has been practising for 44 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, alumni and others. I am still competitive and am the current English veterans champion in kata (forms) and am striving to become competitive on a European and world level in my category.

In the media

I have conducted several radio interviews and had many articles in the press relating to martial arts and wellness.

Recent publications

World Championship Martial Artist and lecturer Charles Spring discusses the benefits of older people taking up martial arts.