Mr Ian MacDonald

Ian is a lecturer in Sport, Exercise and Coaching with a special focus on the sociology of sport and exercise, and mental health and wellbeing. This interest has been fostered via extensive experience of working in public health, with a focus on children's mental health and wellbeing. He has participated in a number of research projects focusing on developing whole school and college apprpoaches to mental health and wellbeing, and developing programmes supporting child anxiety. This has included spells working with the NHS and in the charity sector.

In addition to his current role, he has worked as an Associate Lecturer in the Sport and Exercise team since 2008, supporting students across a range of modules including E117, E119, E312 and E314. More recently, students may recognise him as part of the production teams for E114, E315 and E129. Ian has contributed to OpenLearn courses including Coaching Neurodiverse Athletes, and Supporting Adult Learner's Positive Mental Health.

Ian has also developed resources to support student health and wellbeing in higher education and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

In his spare time Ian still contributes to coaching youth football teams and takes an active part in a football based men's mental health group. He has been working on his golf game for a number of years without much improvement.