Natalie Thurston

Dr Natalie Thurston is a lecturer in Physical Education within the School of Education and Lifelong Learning. She joined the school in 2012. Prior to working at UEA, Natalie was employed as a Secondary teacher of PE. 

Natalie holds a Bsc in Sports Development and Coaching (First Class) from The University of Lincoln, a PGCE in Physical Education (Secondary), an MA in Advanced Educational Practice, an EdD, and a PGCert in Higher Education Practice from the University of East Anglia.

Natalie is the Course Director for the MA in Educational Practice and Research (MA-EPR). She is the Study Abroad co-ordinator for the school and also holds the role of Placement Director.  

Natalie’s research interests lie in the area of physical education pedagogy, with a particular emphasis on the policy-making process, interpretation of the National Curriculum in schools, and teacher socialization.

Natalie is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA). Her main teaching responsibilities are on the suite of BSc Physical Education, Sport and Heath programmes, where she is module leader for Games Activities (Level 4), Professional Skills in Physical Education (Level 5), Athletics and Aquatics (Level 5) and Aesthetic Activities (Level 6). She is also module leader for the MA-EPR Dissertation module (Level 7). Natalie supervises research projects at undergraduate (BSc) and postgraduate (EdD, MA) levels.