Dr James Newman EdD, AFBPsS, CPsychol., MSc, SEPiT, PGCE
Senior Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Psychology
Summary
James is a Senior Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Psychology, a Chartered Psychologist with the British Psychological Society (BPS) and a Sport and Exercise Psychologist in Training with the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES). His main research interests focus on safeguarding, welfare, and the experiences of maltreatment in elite/professional sport. James consults in relation to this. He has an extensive range of teaching experience both within sport and exercise, as well as mainstream psychology, gained at various Higher Education Institutions.
About
I have taught in Higher Education since 2005 and joined the College of Health, Wellbeing and Life Sciences in early 2017. This teaching experience has been gained at a variety of Higher Education Institutions including a 'Big Ten' university in the USA, teaching Higher Education in Further Education, and for a leading university in the UK. Since joining the College, I completed my Doctorate in Education (EdD) which focused on how professional footballers conceptualise bullying, banter, teasing and victimisation. My EdD thesis entitled ‘What happens in the changing room, stays in the changing room. Unearthing bullying, banter, teasing and victimisation in men's professional football’ was achieved without the need for any corrections, as a recognition of my work. Further to this thesis, my main research interests revolve around welfare, bullying and maltreatment and how these concepts are contextualised within elite sport. I have published extensively in this area and work closely with elite/professional organisations to develop education and potential interventions to improve the welfare of various sporting populations. To this end, I welcome applications from PhD students who are interested in the topics of welfare, education, bullying and maltreatment within sport. From an applied perspective I am a Sport and Exercise Psychologist in Training (SEPiT) with BASES, working towards registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and I welcome the opportunity to disseminate and consult in relation to sport psychology. Through this training I have worked with a range of sports including professional football, professional rugby union, professional basketball, and golf, whilst working with elite adolescent athletes in football, swimming, rugby union and motocross. I am an experienced media communicator completing interviews for both radio and television, whilst also writing and featuring in comment articles for print media outlets. I am also experienced in an external capacity with experience in developing other degree programmes across the UK, completing various external advisory, panel member and external examiner roles, as well as serving on the Integrity Advisory Group for BASES and the Division of Sport and Exercise Psychology Committee for the BPS. Finally, I am one of the current co-editors for the journal Sport and Exercise Psychology Review.
Specialist areas of interest
Bullying in Sport
Peer, Parent and Coach-Athlete relationships
Motivation in Sport.
Teaching
College of Health, Wellbeing and Life Sciences
Research
- Sport and Physical Activity Research Centre
- Health Research Institute
Publications
Journal articles
Higham, A., Newman, J., Rumbold, J., & Stone, J. (2024). “Being a woman in the men’s game, it’s brutal”: a longitudinal photo-elicitation exploration of a woman football coach’s well-being. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 1-26. http://doi.org/10.1080/10413200.2024.2437169
Newman, J., & Zhang, S. (2024). Editorial. Sport & Exercise Psychology Review, 19 (1), 2-3.
Rumbold, J., & Newman, J. (2024). Towards an understanding of maltreatment in football. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 6. http://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2024.1350317
Newman, J., & Zhang, S. (2023). Editorial. Sport and exercise psychology review, 18 (2), 2-3. http://doi.org/10.53841/bpssepr.2023.18.2.2
Newman, J., Mahmood, S., & Rumbold, J. (2023). The blurred line in elite sport: Exploring UK media reporting of bullying and banter. Sport, Education and Society. http://doi.org/10.1080/13573322.2023.2283786
Newman, J., Lickess, A., & Higham, A. (2023). Fighting the system: Psychology consultants’ experiences of working with cases of maltreatment in sport. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology. http://doi.org/10.1080/10413200.2023.2274455
Higham, A., Newman, J., Rumbold, J., & Stone, J. (2023). You wouldn’t let your phone run out of battery: An interpretative phenomenological analysis of male professional football coaches’ well-being. Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health. http://doi.org/10.1080/2159676X.2023.2260377
Rumbold, J., Newman, J., & Carr, S. (2023). Coaches' Experiences of Job Crafting Through Organizational Change in High-Performance Sport. Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology. http://doi.org/10.1037/spy0000328
Higham, A., Rumbold, J., Newman, J., & Stone, J. (2023). Using video docuseries to explore male professional football head coaches’ well-being experiences throughout a season. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 69. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2023.102488
Zhang, S., Emeka, L., & Newman, J. (2023). Editorial. Sport and Exercise Psychology Review, 18 (1), 2-3. http://doi.org/10.53841/bpssepr.2023.18.1.2
Rhind, D.J.A., Hodson, E., Newman, J., & Rumbold, J. (2022). Transformational leadership: a qualitative analysis of effective leadership in women's soccer in England. Unisia: Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 40 (2), 257-276. http://doi.org/10.20885/unisia.vol40.iss2.art1
Newman, J., Warburton, V.E., & Russell, K. (2022). Whistleblowing of bullying in professional football: to report or not to report? Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 61. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2022.102177
Newman, J., Warburton, V.E., & Russell, K. (2022). It can be a “very fine line”: professional footballers’ perceptions of the conceptual divide between bullying and banter. Frontiers in Psychology, 13. http://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.838053
Higham, A., Newman, J., Stone, J., & Rumbold, J. (2021). Coaches’ Experiences of Morality in English Professional Football Environments: Recommendations for Creating a Moral Atmosphere. International Sport Coaching Journal. http://doi.org/10.1123/iscj.2021-0026
Newman, J., Eccles, S., Rumbold, J., & Rhind, D. (2021). When it is no longer a bit of banter: Coaches’ perspectives of bullying in professional soccer. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology. http://doi.org/10.1080/1612197X.2021.1987966
Newman, J., Warburton, V.E., & Russell, K. (2021). Conceptualizing bullying in adult professional football: A phenomenological exploration. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 101883. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2021.101883
Rumbold, J., Newman, J., Foster, D., Rhind, D.J.A., Phoenix, J., & Hickey, L. (2021). Assessing Post-Game Emotions in Soccer Teams: The Role of Distinct Emotional Dynamics. European Journal of Sport Science. http://doi.org/10.1080/17461391.2021.1916079
Conference papers
Newman, J., Higham, A., & Lickess, A. (2024). Tackling cases of maltreatment in sport: The experiences and recommendations of sport psychology consultants. (Abstract only). In FEPSAC 17th Congress 2024, Innsbruck, 15 July 2024 - 17 July 2024. https://fepsac2024.eu/assets/images/FEPSAC%20CONGRESS%202024%20FINAL%20Abstractbook.pdf
Newman, J., Bechtloff, A., Hassan, R., Wragg, C., Dorsch, T., & Eckardt, V. (2024). Parental support in professional youth soccer academies – a cross-cultural understanding of children’s perceptions and expectations (Abstract only). In FEPSAC 17th Annual Congress, Innsbruck, 15 July 2024 - 19 July 2024. https://fepsac2024.eu/assets/images/FEPSAC%20CONGRESS%202024%20FINAL%20Abstractbook.pdf
Higham, A., Newman, J., Rumbold, J., & Stone, J. (2024). Can a picture speak a thousand words? A longitudinal photo-elicitation exploration of football coaches’ well-being experiences and sensemaking [abstract only]. In FEPSAC 17th Congress 2024, Innsbruck, (pp. 779-780). FEPSAC: https://fepsac2024.eu/assets/images/FEPSAC%20CONGRESS%202024%20FINAL%20Abstractbook.pdf
Higham, A., Newman, J., Rumbold, J., & Stone, J. (2023). Using photovoice to see the bigger picture: An exploration of how football coaches experience and make-sense of well-being over the course of a competitive season. In 14th ICCE Global Coach Conference, Singapore. http://doi.org/10.1123/iscj.2023-0102
Bechtloff, A., Hassan, R., Dorsch, T., Eckardt, V., Newman, J., & Wragg, C. (2023). Parental support in professional youth soccer academies: A cross-cultural understanding of children’s perceptions and expectations [Abstract only]. Journal of sport and exercise psychology, S58. http://doi.org/10.1123/jsep.2023-0077
Newman, J., Warburton, V., & Russell, K. (2019). 'The Dividing Line': conceptualising bullying, banter and teasing in professional football [abstract only]. In The British Psychological Society Division of Sport and Exercise Psychology Annual Conference 2019, 2019 - 2019.
Newman, J., Warburton, V., & Russell, K. (2018). What happens in the changing room stays in the changing room. Unearthing bullying, banter, teasing and victimisation in professional football [abstract only]. In The British Psychological Society Division of Sport and Exercise Psychology: Annual Conference, 2018 - 2018.
Reports
Newman, J., & Rumbold, J. (2023). Department of Culture, Media and Sport - Sport Integrity (Call for Evidence): A Response from the Sport and Physical Activity Research Centre, Sheffield Hallam University. Sheffield Hallam University.
Newman, J., & Rumbold, J. (2023). FIFA research scholarship final report: The co-design of an adult safeguarding education programme in football.
Theses / Dissertations
Higham, A. (2024). An Exploration of Professional Coaches’ Well-being Experiences within Football Club Contexts. (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Stone, J., Rumbold, J., & Newman, J. http://doi.org/10.7190/shu-thesis-00659
Media
Newman, J. (2024). James Newman interviewed by BBC Radio Sheffield discussing sport psychology in relation to England's performance at Euro 2024. BBC Radio Sheffield
Newman, J. (2024). Feature interview for James Newman, with BBC Radio Sheffield, discussing anger and its management. BBC Radio Sheffield
Newman, J. (2024). Feature interview for James Newman, with BBC Radio Sheffield, discussing anger and its management. BBC Radio Sheffield
Newman, J. (2023). Featured interview with Global News in relation to findings from our FIFA Research Project in professional football.
Newman, J. (2023). Feature interview for James Newman, with BBC Radio Sheffield, discussing Lauren James’ red card at the 2023 Women’s Football World Cup in relation to emotional dynamics, aggression, team dynamics and applied sport psychology approaches. BBC Radio Sheffield
Newman, J. (2023). Feature interview with for James Newman with BBC Radio Derby discussing Lauren James’ red card at the 2023 Women’s Football World Cup in relation to emotional dynamics, aggression, team dynamics and applied sport psychology approaches. BBC Radio Derby
Newman, J. (2023). James Newman's article for The Conversation focused on the vulnerable, “at risk” nature of professional footballers in relation to Dele Alli’s revelations about the sexual abuse he experienced as a child. The Conversation
Newman, J. (2023). Featured psychologist James Newman in BPS social media videos focusing on the question “Performing under pressure in relation to sport and wider performance.”. British Psychological Society
Newman, J. (2023). Featured psychologist James Newman in BPS social media videos focusing on the question “How can we let go of external validation?”. British Psychological Society
Newman, J., & Rumbold, J. (2022). James Newman and James Rumbold's article for the Conversation “Is Gareth Southgate a successful manager? Two sports psychologists weigh in.”. The Conversation
Newman, J. (2022). James Newman's featured interview with Stylist magazine discussing the psychology of “snow days. Stylist Magazine
Newman, J. (2022). James Newman's featured interview with Stylist magazine discussing “From The White Lotus to Succession: why we can’t look away from the uber-rich on TV”. Sylist Magazine
Newman, J. (2022). James Newman's feature interview with Stylist magazine discussing our obsession with tracking fitness and sharing it online. Stylist Magazine
Newman, J. (2022). James Newman's feature interview with SWNS Media Group discussing psychological preparation for the Qatar 2022 World Cup as well as the impact of human rights issues on players’ preparations. SWNS
Newman, J. (2022). James Newman's feature interview with Stylist magazine discussing emotional exhaustion in relation to health goals. Stylist Magazine
Newman, J. (2022). Feature interview with James Newman for BBC Radio Sheffield discussing 2022 summer of sport in the context of sport psychology. BBC Radio Sheffield
Newman, J. (2022). Interview with James Newman played across news bulletins on BBC Radio Sheffield discussing his published paper around the line between bullying and banter in professional football. BBC Radio Sheffield
Newman, J. (2022). James Newman interviewed by ITV Calendar discussing his published paper around the line between bullying and banter in professional football. ITV Calendar
Newman, J. (2022). James Newman featured in Yorkshire Post discussing his published paper around the line between bullying and banter in professional football. Yorkshire Post
Newman, J. (2022). James Newman featuring within My Asian Marketplace article discussing my published paper around the line between bullying and banter in professional football. My Asian Marketplace
Newman, J. (2022). James Newman featured in Public News Time discussing his published paper around the line between bullying and banter in professional football. Public News Time
Newman, J. (2022). James Newman featured in The Big Issue discussing his published paper around the line between bullying and banter in professional football. The Big Issue
Newman, J. (2022). James Newman providing expert commentary with CIMSPA magazine discussing appropriate strategies for motivation in sport, physical activity, and exercise. CIMSPA
Newman, J. (2021). James Newman interviewed on BBC World Service about when does banter become bullying behaviour in elite sport. BBC World Service
Ingle, S. (2021). James Newman providing expert comment in the Guardian article “Blurred lines: when does a bit of banter slip into bullying in sport?”. The Guardian
Newman, J. (2021). James Newman interviewed by BBC Radio Sheffield’s Drive Time show discussing banter in sport in relation to the Azeem Rafiq and Yorkshire County Cricket Club case. BBC Radio Sheffield
Newman, J. (2021). James Newman interviewed by BBC Radio 5 Live discussing mental health and wellbeing in relation to Ben Stokes’ return to the England Cricket Team. BBC Radio 5 Live
Newman, J. (2021). James Newman interviewed by Hallam FM Radio to discuss Simone Biles’ withdrawal from competition at Tokyo 2021 in relation to mental health in sport. Hallam FM
Newman, J. (2021). James Newman interviewed by BBC Radio Sheffield’s Drive Time show to discuss Simone Biles’ withdrawal from competition at Tokyo 2021 in relation to mental health in sport. BBC Radio Sheffield
Newman, J. (2020). James Newman interviewed by BBC Radio Coventry around the importance and psychology behind pre-season football matches. BBC Radio Coventry and Warwickshire
Newman, J. (2020). 21st June 2020 – James Newman interviewed by BBC Radio Sheffield discussing the psychological impact of fans not being present at Premier League and Championship games during the Covid-19 lockdown. BBC Radio Sheffield
Presentations
Newman, J. (2023). Welfare considerations with sports’ populations. Presented at: Northern Research and Applied Practice Showcase (NRAPS), Sheffield
Zhang, S., Emeka, L., & Newman, J. (2023). Writing for publication. Presented at: The Division of Sport and Exercise Psychology (DSEP) Network and Learn Series
Newman, J. (2022). Has it crossed the line? Exploring the current understanding of bullying and banter in professional football.
Other activities
I am currently involved in the development of a consultancy programme to address bullying in elite sport, education and healthcare settings.
2016 - 2020 - FdSc Psychological Studies, External Examiner, University of Plymouth
2015 - FdA Teaching and Learning Support, External Panel Member, University of Chichester
2015 - BA (Hons) Coaching and School Sport, FdSc Exercise, Health and Fitness, FdSc Sport Science, FdA Sports Coaching, External Panel Member, Manchester Metropolitan University
2014 - 2015 - FdA Teaching and Learning Support, External Adviser, University of Chichester
Postgraduate supervision