About

Teaching responsibilities

I module lead Practitioner Development for Sport and Exercise Science (level 7), which is part of our MSc Applied Sport and Exercise Science provision. This module explores effective methods of learning and development for applied sport and exercise scientists. The aim is to enable greater self-awareness and advancement of key practitioner attributes.

Professional interests

I first graduated from Liverpool John Moores University in 2005 with BSc (Hons) Psychology and Biology. I then pursued my postgraduate education at Manchester Metropolitan University where I completed an MSc in Sport and Exercise Science (Psychology sided) in 2006, following which I began a part-time PhD at the University of Huddersfield in sport psychology, which I completed in January 2016.

I completed a postgraduate certificate for teaching in higher education in 2009 from the University of Huddersfield. I have been teaching in sport and exercise psychology since 2006 and I am a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

In 2006 I was appointed as a Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Psychology at the University of Huddersfield where I pursued my academic career as a lecturer, researcher and consultant.

I became a BASES Accredited Sport and Exercise Scientist (Psychology - Scientific Support) in 2011 and have worked as a consultant with a range of athletes since 2007. I am currently working as a Sport Psychologist at Derbyshire County Cricket Club.

In 2012 I was appointed as a Senior Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Psychology at the University of Derby where I lecture on the sport and exercise programmes, pursue research within the field of sport and exercise psychology, and continue to provide sport science support to athletes and exercise clients.

In April 2013 I was appointed as Assistant Head of Subject for Sport and Exercise, following which I attained the position of Head of Sport, Outdoor and Exercise Science in August 2014.

Research interests

In January 2016 I completed my PhD entitled 'Loosening the leash: Exploring Experiences of Becoming an Applied Sport and Exercise Scientist'. The implications from my PhD research provide guidance as to best methods of learning and development for neophyte practitioners, of which beneficial elements of applied experience are integrated within our new MSc Sport and Exercise Science.

In addition to my PhD research I have strong interests regarding how psychological factors influence performance on a number of levels. Work as an applied practitioner (with both individuals and teams) has fuelled an interest in research regarding enhancing athlete performance.

Membership of professional bodies

• HCPC Registered Sport and Exercise Psychologist
• Accredited Sport and Exercise Scientist (Psychology) with the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES)
• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (HEA).

Qualifications

Undergraduate qualifications

• BSc (Hons) Psychology and Biology (GBC status), Liverpool John Moores University

Postgraduate qualifications

• MSc Sport and Exercise Science (Psychology sided), Manchester Metropolitan University
• Postgraduate Certificate in Professional Development (Higher Education Practice), The University of Huddersfield

Research qualifications

• PhD - 'Loosening the leash: Exploring Experiences of Becoming an Applied Sport and Exercise Scientist', The University of Huddersfield

Recent conferences

• Shabir, A., Hooton, A., Spencer, G., Storey, M., Ensor, O., Sandford, L., Tallis J., Saunders, B., & Higgins, M.F. (2019). The Influence of Caffeine Expectancies on Simulated Soccer Performance. Accepted to the ‘2nd Official Society for Interdisciplinary Placebo Studies (SIPS) Conference’ 2019, Poster presentation
• Hooton. A., Rodriguez, A., Tobbell, J., & Sellars, C. (2018). Loosening the leash: Exploring experiences of becoming an applied sport and exercise scientist. Accepted to the ‘British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES) Annual Conference’ 2018, Oral Presentation
• Mina, M. A., Blazevich, A. J., Tsatalas, T., Giakas, G., Seitz, L. B., Hooton, A. & Kay, A. D. (2017). The acute effects of free-weight and elastic band back squat exercise on subsequent vertical jump performance. Accepted to the 22nd Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science (ECSS), Essen, Germany, 05-08 July 2017
• Hooton, A. (2014). The Benefits of a Subject Specific Learning, Teaching and Assessment Group: Creating a Unified Approach within Sport and Exercise Science. Accepted to the University of Derby Learning and Teaching Conference 2014, Poster Presentation
• Giles, D., & Hooton, A. (2014). Effects of Peers’ Influence and Social Support on Individual Participation in Sport and Physical Activity. Accepted to the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES) Student Conference 2014, Oral presentation
• Graham, A., & Hooton, A. (2014). A Focus Group Study Exploring the Effects Social Media Sites have on Teenage Girls’ Participation in School P.E. Accepted to the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES) Student Conference 2014, Oral presentation
• Hooton, A. (2014). Paving the way for effective supervision: The importance of the supervisory relationship. Accepted to the ‘New Horizons Conference’ 2014, Keynote Presentation
• Hooton, A., Huntley, E., Sellars, C., & Knowles, Z. (2013). Developing the next generation of sport & exercise scientists. Accepted to the ‘British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES) Annual Conference’ 2013, Symposium
• Hooton, A., & McGarey, V. (2013). Embedding Professional Development Within Sport and Exercise: Exploring Student Perspectives and Engagement. Accepted to the ‘Learning, Teaching and Assessment Conference’ 2013, Oral Presentation
• Hooton, A., & Sellars, C. (2012). Becoming an applied sport scientist: The role of shared reflection in experiential learning. Oral presentation at the International Convention on Science, Education and Medicine in Sport (ICSEMIS). Funded by the University of Huddersfield Psychology Division
• Hooton, A. (2009). Becoming an applied sport and exercise psychologist: A phenomenological study of supervised experience. Poster presented at the University of Huddersfield Research Festival 2009.

Experience in industry

• Professional Consultancy - HCPC Registered Sport and Exercise Psychologist and BASES Accredited Sport and Exercise Scientist (Psychology - Scientific Support)
• Provision of psychological support to athletes from a range of sports and levels
• Clients have included: Derbyshire County Cricket Club, Semi-professional and amateur MMA fighters, county golfers, tennis players, cyclists, hockey players/teams, rugby players/teams, professional football youth academy, coaches, athletes recovering from injury, physiotherapists and people aiming to improve general fitness or make lifestyle changes relating to exercise

International experience

I have been fortunate to travel to China representing UoD on two occasions (in 2018 and 2019). During these trips, I was able to present my research and our portfolio of programmes at a variety of Universities and organisations. This has enabled a number of partnerships to form and progress. For example, I am now supervising a PhD for a Chinese student who is exploring the differences in educational provision between the UK and China.

In the media

I have represented the University of Derby (UoD) on both BBC Radio Sheffield and BBC Radio Derby. Most recently, I represented UoD on a BBC Radio Derby feature discussing ‘Comebacks in Sport’.

Recent publications

• Shabir, A., Hooton, A., Spencer, G., Storey, M., Ensor, O., Sandford, L., Tallis, J., Saunders, B., & Higgins., M. F. (2019). The Influence of Caffeine Expectancies on Simulated Soccer Performance in Recreational Individuals. Nutrients, 2019, 11, 2289; doi:10.3390/nu11102289
• Shabir, A., Hooton, A., Tallis, J., & Higgins, M.F. (2018). The Influence of Caffeine Expectancies on Sport, Exercise, and Cognitive Performance. Nutrients, 10(10), 1528. doi.org/10.3390/nu10101528

Courses

• Doctorate in Professional Practice (Sport and Exercise) (online)