Dr Alexandra Potts

Alexandra is a Lecturer in Physical Activity and Health within the Carnegie School of Sport. Within Alexandra's role, she currently leads the Level Four Physical Activity, Exercise, and Health course, leads numerous undergraduate modules particularly those relating to physical activity, health, behaviour change, and psychology, and is a supervisor for undergraduate final year projects and postgraduate major independent studies.

Alongside her teaching responsibilities, Alexandra is actively involved in a variety of externally funded research projects. These research projects often involve the implementation and or evaluation of whole systems approaches to physical activity, where there has been substantial investment of local councils and governing bodies over the last few years. Alexandra is also passionate about research following her doctoral studies, which explored sports coaches' experiences of psychological stress and psychological wellbeing. As a qualitative researcher, Alexandra used innovative methods and approaches to understand and explore coaches' experiences, and continues this line of enquiry within her current role.

Previous to her role as a Lecturer, Alexandra studied her undergraduate degree in Sport and Exercise Science at Leeds Metropolitan University, graduating with an upper second class honours in 2014. Alexandra continued her time at Leeds Metropolitan (now Leeds Beckett) university by completing her Masters of Science degree in Psychology of Sport and Exercise, where Alexandra graduated with a Merit in 2016. Alexandra continued her professional development at Leeds Beckett University through teaching on undergraduate modules, with a specialism in sport psychology and physical activity, and taking up a research assistant position. At the start of 2016, Alexandra continued her studies at Leeds Beckett University and took up a position as a doctoral bursary student. Alexandra successfully submitted and defended her doctoral thesis titled A Qualitative Exploration of Stressors, Primary Appraisals, Coping, and Psychological Wellbeing among Sports Coaches in March 2019.

Alexandra is currently Level Four course leader for the Physical Activity, Exercise, and Health BSc (Hons) course. Alexandra is module leader for the L4 Personal, Professional, and Academic Development module across the Sport, Exercise, and Health Sciences Suite, and module leader for the L4 Psychology of Physical Activity and Behaviour Change module. In addition, Alexandra also teaches on the L5 Employability in Sport and Exercise and the L4 Human Behaviour in Sport and Exercise Sciences modules.

In addition to the above, Alexandra supervises independent study project at all levels. At undergraduate level, Alexandra is a supervisor for the Level 6 Final Year Project module. At postgraduate level, Alexandra is supervisor for the Level 7 Major Independent Study module and is Director of Studies and Supervisor for several doctoral students.