About Dr Ellen Gambles
I am a Lecturer and Associate Researcher in the Helen McArdle Nursing and Care Research Institute.
I completed my PhD in Sport and Exercise Sciences at the University of Sunderland in 2024 under the supervision of Dr Steven Anderson, Dr Sandra Leyland and Professor Jonathan Ling. My PhD explored the barriers to, and recommendations for, the implementation of Teaching Games for Understanding (TGfU) a game-based pedagogy which was underpinned by Occupational Socialisation Theory. During the thesis, a Continuing Professional Development course was conducted to train and evaluate the success of PE teachers delivering a TGfU approach as part of a scheme of work. I have presented my research in this area at regional, national, and international conferences.
I gained teaching experience working in the West Yorkshire area as a swimming teacher and in schools.
During the time I was completing my doctoral degree I was awarded a PGCE in the Lifelong Learning Sector from the University of Huddersfield. I have also achieved Fellow of the HEA.
In the Helen McArdle Nursing and Care Institute, I am conducting research into weight stigma and childhood obesity in collaboration with the NHS and the University of Cambridge. I am also involved in a project exploring Weight Friendly Workplaces with Sunderland City Council. I have previously conducted an evaluation research project of a local provider working in the community to overcome health and wellbeing inequalities with older people.
I am very passionate about equality, diversity and inclusion, and as the Chair of the Staff Enable Network, I have had the privilege of supporting and advancing disability and long-term health conditions practices at the University. I have also been a guest speaker at events such as International Women’s Day.
Teaching and supervision
I have taught modules on a number of undergraduate and postgraduate courses. This is centred predominantly around the delivery of theoretical and practical PE-subject knowledge and equality, diversity, and inclusion in schools.
I have experience of supervising dissertation students across several courses and I am also a module leader and Personal Academic Tutor on BSc (Hons) Physical Education with QTS.
Interests
- Physical education primary and/or secondary
- Teacher education
- Sociology
- Critical pedagogies
- Health inequalities
- Equality, diversity and inclusion – healthcare, education and/or sport
Research
I am passionate about physical education and overcoming inequalities in healthcare, education and sport.
My current projects:
- Utilising the perspectives of disabled lecturers in HE with their student teacher trainees through the lens of critical pedagogies
- Using critical pedagogies to employ primary student teacher trainees as active agents in deconstructing their lack of confidence in teaching PE
- A collaborative study with the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens to examine the executive terms of the office of the past and present Chairs of the Executive Board for the Teaching Games for Understanding Special Interest Group (TGfU SIG)
- Contributing to a book chapter on TGfU directed teaching of netball in schools in England
- Contributing to a journal article in collaboration with the University of Porto, regarding pre-service teachers’ use of game-based approaches underpinned by Occupational Socialisation Theory
- Exploring Weight Friendly Workplaces in the Sunderland area in collaboration with Sunderland City Council
- Examining stigma and childhood obesity in collaboration with the NHS and the University of Cambridge
- Identifying the barriers and recommendations of implementing a game-based approach in primary PE in England
My recently completed projects:
- Co-editor and co-author of 'Teaching Games and Sport for Understanding' book published by Routledge
- Collaborative research with Active Families NE to evaluate their Well Bean machine project in the Sunderland and Gateshead areas
Further information
Professional Accreditations:
- Fellow, Higher Education Academy
- Fellow, Institute of Swimming
Professional Affiliations:
- Member, Association for Physical Education
- Member, Association Internationale des Écoles Supérieures d’Éducation Physique (AIESEP)
- Member, British Sociological Society
- Member, Society for Education and Training
Professional Activities:
- Treasurer and Communications Co-ordinator, Teaching Games for Understanding (TGfU) Special Interest Group