About

I am a Senior Lecturer in Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology. I am very passionate about all role of being a psychologist, as a lecturer, researcher, and practitioner. Alongside my teaching roles I am the sport psychology lead for both Team Derby and the Derbyshire Institute of Sport. I am also a member of the Integrity Advisory Group with BASES. My specific research interests are around performance under pressure (yips and choking) in high performance domains and mental health help seeking behaviours in high performance spaces.

Teaching responsibilities

I lead and teach on modules associated with Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology on both online and on-campus modules. I also support some teaching and project students in psychology from BSc up to to PhD students. I also deliver a number of sessions that are related to being a psychology practitioner.  

Research interests

My specific research interests are around performance under pressure (yips and choking) in high performance domains and mental health help seeking behaviours in high performance spaces. 

Membership of professional bodies

• The Higher Education Academy

  • Fellow – Awarded 2016

  British Association of Sport and Exercise Science

  • Professional Member
  • Accredited Sport and Exercise Scientist (Psychology)
  • Accredited Practitioner Supervisor
  • Member of the Integrity Advisory Group

  British Psychological Society

  • Associate Fellow – 2023
  • Chartered Psychologist – 2018

  Health Care and Professions Council

  • Sport and Exercise Psychologist (PYL040773)

Qualifications

• BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science - The University of Wales, Aberystwyth
• Master of Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology (MSc) - Bangor University
• Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology - University of Derby 
• PhD in Sport Psychology - University of Derby

Experience in industry

I am currently the Sport Psychology Lead for both Team Derby and the University of Derby. I am also a consultant with Archery GB. 

In the media

I have had the pleasure of working with local, national and international media including radio, newspapers and TV. I look forward to any future opportunities. 

Recent publications

Lyons, D., Clarke, P., & Dempsey, R.C. (2023). Tackle Your feelings: Experience of help seeking for mental wellbeing concerns in Professional Rugby Union Players. Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1123/jcsp.2022-0014

· Tomaszewska-Collins, W., & Clarke, P. (2022). A qualitative exploration of choking under pressure in commercial airline pilots: a phenomenological approach. Aviation Psychology and Applied Human Factors, 12(1), 12-20. https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1027/2192-0923/a000219

· Verner, D., Chandler, C., & Clarke, P. (2021). Exploring the contribution of personal qualities to the personal and professional development of trainee sport psychology practitioners within the individuation process. Physical Culture and Sport. Studies and Research. DOI: 10.2478/pcssr-2021-0024

· Fido, D., Rees, A., Clarke, P. Petronzi, D., & Richardson, M. (2020). Examining the connection between nature connectedness and dark personality. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 72.

· Clarke, P., Sheffield, D., & Akehurst, S. (2020). Personality predictors of Yips and Choking susceptibility. Frontiers in Psychology, 10, 2784.

· O’Neill, E., Clarke, P., Fido, D., Vione, K. (2020) The role of future time perspective, body awareness and social connectedness in the relationship between self-efficacy and resilience. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction.

· McGill, P., Clarke. P., & Sheffield, D. (2019). From “blind elation” to “oh my god, what have I gotten into”. Exploring the experience of executive coaching during leadership transitions into C-Suite roles. International Journal of Evidence Based Coaching and Mentoring, 17 (1), 3-18.

· Clarke, P., Sheffield, D., & Akehurst, S. (2015). The Yips in Sport: A systematic Review. International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 8 (1), 156-184.

Courses

• Psychology BSc (Hons) (online)
• Psychology University Certificate (online)
• Exercise Psychology Certificate of Credit (online)
• Sports Psychology Certificate of Credit (online)
• Doctorate in Professional Practice (Sport and Exercise) (online)