Advancing Imagery Use and Abilities in Sport

About the Project

Imagery is a cornerstone of mental skills development in sport, with robust evidence supporting its role in enhancing performance, regulating emotions, and promoting wellbeing. This PhD project will explore how athletes apply imagery in real-world sport environments, with a focus on developing interventions that are tailored to individual needs and contexts (Cumming & Quinton, 2022). There is scope to work with student-athletes, elite performers, or under-researched populations, and to develop interventions that support performance and wellbeing.

Possible research directions include:

• (a) exploring the functional and dysfunctional role of spontaneous images, including intrusive unwanted images;
• (b) examining individual differences in imagery ability;
• (c) developing or refining measures of imagery ability and use in sport; and/or
• (e) designing and evaluating AIM-P informed interventions using PETTLEP and Layered Stimulus Response Training (LSRT; Cumming et al., 2017; Cumming & Quinton, 2023; Williams et al., 2013) for improving performance and mental health.

Methods: The project would mostly likely adopt a mixed methods approach, including scoping/systematic reviews, surveys, qualitative interviews or focus groups, feasibility studies to inform larger scale efficacy testing of imagery interventions.

Research environment and training opportunities: The successful candidate will join the SPRINT Project research team (https://www.sprintproject.org), which focuses on mental health and well-being in sport and dance. You will benefit from access to world-class facilities at the University of Birmingham and training for postgraduate students in areas such as academic writing and knowledge exchange – more details are available here: https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/research/doctoral-programme/skills-development

Deadline: Tuesday 13 January (12:00 GMT). Full details: https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/cross_fac/mgsdtp/studentships/howtoapply/

Person Specification

Required:

• First Class or 2:1 degree in a relevant subject (e.g., Sport and Exercise Psychology, Psychology, or Social Sciences).

Preferable:

• MSc/MRes/Masters by Research in a relevant subject area, with strong research methods background.
• Knowledge of sport psychology or related psychology.

Applicants should demonstrate:

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Capacity to work within emotionally demanding research areas and awareness of boundaries to support own well-being. For more detail, see https://www.sprintproject.org/researcher-mental-health.
• Proficiency in the use of generic IT packages, for example Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook, and Teams.

All interested candidates MUST contact the lead supervisor of this project by email, including a current CV highlighting your educational qualifications, grades, and relevant experiences and a statement of interest BEFORE submitting a formal application.

If you have limited research experience, please note this research topic is also available for students applying for a research masters course which may be more appropriate for your background to date, with the potential to progress to a PhD upon successful completion: https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/subjects/sport-and-exercise-sciences-courses/sport-exercise-and-rehabilitation-sciences-phd?preventScrollTop=true&location=United+Kingdom

Informal enquiries are encouraged and should be directed to Professor Jennifer Cumming (j.cumming@bham.ac.uk).

Funding Notes

This project is not associated with funding from the University of Birmingham. Applicants will need to obtain their own scholarship or other financial support to cover tuition fees and living costs. If you have strong academic credentials (e.g., a first-class undergraduate degree from a UK university and/or distinction in a Masters), you are strongly encouraged to apply for a studentship through the Midlands Graduate School ESRC DTP.