About Dr Ellen Gambles
I am a Lecturer in the School of Education 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.
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.
My role in the Helen McArdle Nursing and Care Institute focuses on research into health inequalities for marginalised groups in our society and involves collaborations with the NHS, local authorities, charities and other academic institutions. Currently, I am conducting research into weight stigma and childhood obesity in collaboration with the University of Cambridge. Building upon a previous research project, I am now leading on the co-construction of resources for carers and people with learning disabilities experiencing the menopause in collaboration with Cumbria, Tyne and Wear Mental Health Foundation Trust.
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.
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.
I am currently Director of Studies for a PhD student exploring neurodivergence and childhood obesity.
Interests
- Physical education primary and/or secondary
- Teacher education
- Sociology
- Critical pedagogies
- Health inequalities
- Obesity and weight stigma
- 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:
- 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)
- 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
- Investigating the current provision in schools in NE England for children with Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) in collaboration with ERIC Knows CIO
- Co-construction of resources for carers and people with learning disabilities experiencing the menopause in collaboration with Cumbria, Tyne and Wear Mental Health Foundation Trust.
- Co-editor of a Special Edition for the Curriculum Studies Journal
- Exploring how to identify fraudulent participants in research studies
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
- Exploring Weight Friendly Workplaces in the Sunderland area in collaboration with Sunderland City Council
- 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
- 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
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
- Member, Critical Pedagogies in Sport
- Member, Association for the Study of Obesity (ASO)
- Member, Leisure Studies Association
- Member, British Academy Early Career Network
Professional Activities:
- Treasurer and Communications Co-ordinator, Teaching Games for Understanding (TGfU) Special Interest Group. As part of my role, I regularly host international webinars with guest speakers. I also proposed, organised and managed the TGfU SIG 40th Anniversary conference in 2023
- Administration Assistant for the Board of Trustees of the Association for the Study of Obesity (ASO)
- Book Proposal Reviewer for Routledge
- Peer-Reviewer for European Physical Education Review Journal, Lifestyle Medical Advances Journal and Journal of Hospitality, Leisure, Sport & Tourism Education.