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Dr Laura Gubby

Senior Lecturer in the Sociology of Physical Education, Physical Activity, Sport and the PG Research Lead for Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences.

I have been working at CCCU since 2009. My main areas of interest relate to the sociology of PE, sport and physical activity, and qualitative research methods. I am also the Postgraduate Research Lead for the section of Sport, Exercise and Rehab Sciences, and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

My more specific areas of expertise relate to investigations of gender in sport and physical activity, and utilising innovative and ethically appropriate qualitative research approaches. Most recently, research approaches have included: mobile interviews with women who trail run; and ethnographic research with children (adopting a reactive and organic approach).

My teaching specialities are within the sociology of physical education, physical activity, sport; qualitative research approaches; and the philosophical underpinnings of research. Expertise is focussed on teaching students to be critical when considering their own perceptions and when considering the influence of society on individual beliefs. Sociological theories are often used to explain particular phenomena.

I currently module lead all sociology modules in the Physical Education and Sport and Exercise Science degree, and the Physical Education, Physical Activity and Sport degree. I also module lead or teach on various research methods modules in both degrees, and supervise dissertation students. I have collaborated with a number of undergraduate students in the publication of work associated with their dissertations. I have been part of the supervisory team for numerous successful Masters by Research students; as First Supervisor, Second Supervisor and Chair of Studies; and also supervise PhD students.

My main research interests relate to gender in physical activity and sport, specifically, women's experiences in these areas, as well as, children's experiences in sport and physical activity settings. Additionally, my recent research utilises innovative and ethically appropriate qualitative research approaches. Most recently, research approaches have included: mobile interviews with women who trail run; and research with children which adopting a reactive and organic approach.

Research Projects

  • A comparative study to explore the football playing experiences of women aged 40-70 throughout their lifespan. Investigating how their experience in school has influenced their playing experiences in adulthood.. Researcher(s): Mrs Jeannie Goulding. Supervisor(s): Dr Laura Gubby, Dr James Brighton. [Postgraduate Research Project]
  • An investigation into positive sport coaching and physical education teaching relationships between coach and children vs teacher and children.. Researcher(s): Mr Cian Wells. Supervisor(s): Dr Kristy Howells, Dr Laura Gubby. [Postgraduate Research Project (past)]
  • An Investigation into Rugby Union players Knowledge and Understanding of Concussion. Researcher(s): Mr Daniel Bromley. Supervisor(s): Dr Kristy Howells, Dr Laura Gubby. [Postgraduate Research Project (past)]
  • An Investigation into the Physical Education Experiences of Children with Autism. Researcher(s): Miss Maddy Chapman. Supervisor(s): Dr Laura Gubby, Dr Kristy Howells. [Postgraduate Research Project (past)]
  • Athletes First: Building up the future of Safe Sport from research to practice. Researcher(s): Miss Alexia Tam. Supervisor(s): Dr Philip Hurst, Dr Laura Gubby, Dr Dikaia Chatziefstathiou. [Postgraduate Research Project]
  • Doctoral Research Project. Researcher(s): Mr Neil Castle. Supervisor(s): Dr Kristy Howells, Dr Laura Gubby. [Postgraduate Research Project (past)]
  • Doctoral Research Project. Researcher(s): Mr Nyall Simms. Supervisor(s): Dr James Brighton, Dr Laura Gubby. [Postgraduate Research Project (past)]
  • Feminism, Women and Sports For Development and Peace Programs Towards Female Participation in Sport Culture In Rural Areas in Malaysia. Researcher(s): Miss Ayu Ismail. Supervisor(s): Dr Laura Gubby, Dr Dikaia Chatziefstathiou. [Postgraduate Research Project]
  • Impact upon specialist physical education training for teachers, with relation to their own professional development.. Researcher(s): Miss Charlotte Moore. Supervisor(s): Dr Damian Coleman, Dr Laura Gubby, Dr Kristy Howells. [Postgraduate Research Project]
  • Investigation into the importance of trainee Physical Education secondary teachers understanding the role of cognitive science learning approaches in the classroom; with a focus on retrieval practice, strategies and dual coding.. Researcher(s): Miss Paige Waldron. Supervisor(s): Dr Kristy Howells, Dr Laura Gubby, Dr Damian Coleman. [Postgraduate Research Project]
  • Sport, Safeguarding and Human Rights: Cultural Norms And Their Implications on The Safeguarding Culture In Uganda.. Researcher(s): Miss Eva Kisakye. Supervisor(s): Dr Laura Gubby, Dr Dikaia Chatziefstathiou. [Postgraduate Research Project]
  • Teaching Swimming to SEND pupils, with a focus on ASD and Down Syndrome.. Researcher(s): Mr RICHARD SKIRVING. Supervisor(s): Dr Kristy Howells, Dr Laura Gubby. [Postgraduate Research Project (past)]
  • The barriers of children (aged 7 – 11) being competitive.. Researcher(s): Mr George Bussey. Supervisor(s): Dr Laura Gubby, Dr Kristy Howells, Dr Damian Coleman. [Postgraduate Research Project]
  • The importance of physical education in secondary education in promoting long term-physical activity. The differences in opportunities to play sport in different types of school.. Researcher(s): Miss Megan Dornan. Supervisor(s): Dr Laura Gubby, Dr Kristy Howells. [Postgraduate Research Project]
  • The perceived impact of CPD on early career science teachers. Researcher(s): Mr JAMIE POUT. Supervisor(s): Dr Kristy Howells, Dr Laura Gubby. [Postgraduate Research Project (past)]
  • Towards a Cyborg Identity. Researcher(s): Miss Taylor Williams. Supervisor(s): Dr James Brighton, Dr Laura Gubby. [Postgraduate Research Project]

I am the External Examiner for an undergraduate degree programme at another university. I have delivered guest lectures about gender and sport, and qualitative data analysis at other universities. Additionally, I am a Governor at a primary school.

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Contact me

laura.gubby@canterbury.ac.uk
01227922009

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Based in

Faculty of Science, Engineering and Social Sciences
School of Psychology and Life Sciences