Research

Current projects

My research focuses on understanding and enhancing performance in high-pressure, real-world environments. Central to this work is the integration of psychological theory, applied practice, and lived experience to generate insights that are both scientifically robust and practically meaningful.While I am involved in a range of current projects, the following represent some of the larger areas I am currently investigating:

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Experiences of performance psychologists working in military settings

Performance psychology is increasingly embedded within military environments, where practitioners operate in complex, high-stakes contexts characterised by sustained stress and cognitive demand. Research highlights that military personnel routinely perform cognitively demanding tasks under stress, where resilience of psychological functioning is critical to operational effectiveness. This strand of research examines:

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• The nature and delivery of psychological support in military environments

• The adaptation and effectiveness of interventions under operational constraints

• The lived experiences and decision-making processes of practitioners

This work aims to inform best practice, support practitioner development, and enhance the translation of performance psychology within high-stakes organisational settings.

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Psychological factors influencing performance in applied contexts

Although a substantial body of research has examined psychological determinants of performance, much of this work has been conducted in controlled laboratory environments. A key methodological challenge within psychology is ecological validity—ensuring findings generalise to real-world contexts, where behaviour is shaped by complexity, uncertainty, and contextual factors. Within sport and performance science, there have been consistent calls for research designs that better reflect the realities of performance environments, emphasising context-sensitive and athlete-centred approaches. This research strand focuses on:

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• Psychological determinants of performance in real-world settings

• The influence of pressure, uncertainty, and environmental constraints

• Translating theory into applied practice

The aim is to generate ecologically valid insights that better reflect the demands faced by performers across domains such as sport, defence, business, and the performing arts.

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Sleep and nutrition interventions in sub-optimal conditions

Sleep and nutrition are critical to recovery, cognitive functioning, and performance. Research consistently identifies sleep as a fundamental component of athletic preparation and performance, influencing both physiological and cognitive processes. However, in many high-performance environments—particularly military and elite sport—optimal sleep is difficult to achieve. Evidence indicates that insufficient sleep impairs judgement, reaction time, and overall performance, with widespread sleep restriction observed in operational settings. Emerging research also highlights the role of nutritional strategies in supporting sleep quality, although this remains an underdeveloped area requiring further investigation. This strand of research focuses on:

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• Practical interventions for sleep and nutritional optimisation

• Performance under conditions of fatigue and constrained recovery

• Developing robust strategies applicable in real-world constraints

A key emphasis is on identifying solutions that are effective when ideal conditions cannot be achieved.

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The impact of social media and smart technology on performance

Digital technology and social media are now embedded within everyday performance environments. Research indicates that mobile phone use and digital engagement can influence both the psychological state and performance of athletes, including impacts on mental health, attention, and self-regulation processes. 

Additionally, digital media can shape behaviour through cognitive and motivational pathways, influencing engagement and performance-related outcomes. At the same time, excessive or poorly managed engagement may contribute to anxiety, mental fatigue, and performance disruption. This research strand explores:

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• The cognitive and behavioural impact of social media and smart device use

• The role of technology in attention, recovery, and decision-making

• Strategies for managing digital engagement to optimise performance

This work aims to support performers and practitioners in navigating an increasingly connected and cognitively demanding environment.

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Collaboration

I welcome collaboration with researchers, practitioners, and organisations working in high-performance settings. Current projects are particularly interested in applied, interdisciplinary, and impact-driven research that bridges the gap between theory and practice.