Professor Stewart Cotterill is a Professor in the Psychology of Human Performance, whose work focuses on understanding how psychological factors shape performance, leadership, and behaviour in high-pressure environments. With a career spanning academic research, teaching, and applied practice, his work explores the complex interplay between cognition, emotion, and social dynamics in performance settings. This includes both individual performance and the functioning of teams across sport and wider performance domains.

 

His career has been defined by a consistent focus on one central question: Why do individuals and teams succeed or fail when it matters most? His work has developed at the intersection of research, education, and applied practice, allowing him to contribute both to academic understanding and real-world performance environments. As a Professor at Health Sciences University, he currently holds senior leadership responsibilities alongside his research and teaching commitments. His role reflects a dual focus on: Advancing education and research within health and performance; and supporting the development of students and early career researchers.

 

Professor Cotterill’s research examines the psychological mechanisms underpinning performance, with a particular emphasis on:

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• Performance under pressure

• Decision-making in high-stakes situations

• Leadership and team dynamics

• Confidence, resilience, and mental skills

• The translation of theory into applied practice

 

His work is characterised by a commitment to bridging theory and practice—ensuring that research is both conceptually robust and applicable in real-world contexts. He has made a significant contribution to the field through his authorship of leading texts, including:

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• Performance Psychology: Theory and Practice (Routledge, 2017), which provides a comprehensive overview of the cognitive and emotional factors that influence performance, including decision-making, resilience, and confidence  

• The Psychology of Performance (Routledge, 2018), which explores how individuals develop the mindset required to perform effectively under pressure

• Team Psychology in Sports: Theory and Practice (Routledge, 2012; 2nd edition 2025), which examines how leadership, communication, and group processes influence team functioning and performance

 

Across these works, a central theme is understanding performance as a dynamic process shaped by psychological and social factors, rather than simply individual ability. Alongside his academic work, Professor Cotterill has extensive experience as a consultant psychologist, working across a range of high-performance environments. His applied work has involved:

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• Supporting athletes and teams in developing psychological skills for performance

• Working with coaches and leaders to enhance decision-making and communication

• Contributing to the development of high-performance cultures

 

This experience informs his academic work, ensuring that it remains grounded in the realities and complexities of practice. Professor Cotterill is a HCPC Registered Sport and Exercise Psychologist, Chartered Psychologist (BPS), and CASES Accredited Sport and Exercise Scientist. He has also played a leadership role within the profession, including serving as Chair of the British Psychological Society Division of Sport and Exercise Psychology, and contributing to academic publishing as an editor and editorial board member to various academic journals.  Across research, teaching, and practice, Professor Cotterill’s work is underpinned by a consistent perspective:

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• Performance is shaped by the interaction of cognitive, emotional, and social processes

• High performance environments are complex and dynamic, not static

• Psychological factors are central to understanding both individual and team outcomes

 

A key priority within his work is ensuring that psychological theory is translated into clear, accessible understanding; whilst developing practical strategies that can be applied in real-world settings. His current work continues to explore:

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• The nature of performance in high-pressure environments

• The role of leadership in shaping performance cultures

• The development of psychologically informed approaches to performance and wellbeing

 

In addition, he remains actively engaged in teaching and supervision; leadership within higher education; ongoing research and dissemination. Professor Cotterill’s work engages with a broad audience, including academics and researchers, practitioners and coaches, and leaders and organisations operating in high-performance contexts Collaboration across these groups remains central to his approach, reflecting the belief that progress in understanding performance depends on the integration of theory, evidence, and practice.

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