I am a Lecturer in Physical Education & Sport Pedagogy within the School of Education & Lifelong Learning at the University of East Anglia (UEA), where I am also the lead for the Sport, Health, & Education research group. Alongside my role, I also act as an Associate Executive Editor for the Cambridge Journal of Education.

Prior to my appointment at UEA, I worked at the University of Essex as a Lecturer in Sports Coaching & Pedagogy (2020-2022), delivering across BSc Sports Performance & Coaching and MSc Coaching Science programmes.

I hold the following qualifications and accreditations:

• BA Physical Education (UEA, 2015)
• MSc Sports Coaching (Loughborough University, 2016)
• PhD - Understanding the learning and development of sports coach mentors (UEA, 2020)
• PG Cert in Higher Educational Practice (University of Essex, 2022)
• Fellowship (Higher Education Academy/AdvanceHE, 2022)

In addition to my academic positions, I have previously worked as a coach and coach developer across both participation and performance sport settings. Some of my previous employers include Leicester City FC, Norwich City FC, and the Football Association (FA). 

My research interests primarily focus on understanding the professional learning and development of sport coaches and physical education teachers, with a particular emphasis on critically analysing coach education, coach development, and coach mentoring programmes. I also have an evolving interest in exploring coaching cultures and practices across lifestyle, esports, and alternative sporting contexts.

I am currently involved in several on-going research projects in areas such as:

• Understanding the experiences of British expatriate sport coaches when working abroad
• Exploring the learning and development needs of esport coaches

The majority of my research draws upon sociological frameworks and theories of learning, while utilising a diverse range of qualitative research methods. To date, I have collaborated on consultancy work and research projects with several national governing bodies and organisations in the UK, including: The FA, British Dodgeball, British Orienteering, and the Department for Education.

I have edited two books with Routledge, with a third in progress:

• Leeder, T. M. (2022). Coach education in football: Contemporary issues and global perspectives. Routledge.
• Leeder, T. M., & Beaumont, L. C. (2025). Teaching and coaching lifestyle sports: Research and practice. Routledge. 
• Leeder, T. M., & Watson, M. (in progress). Understanding coaching in esports: Theory and practice. Routledge. 

I have also recently guest edited a special issue in Education Sciences which focuses on 'Understanding the professional learning and development of physical education teachers and sport coaches'. 

I am open to establishing both internal and external research and consultancy collaborations with colleagues at UEA and globally who share similar research interests to my own. 

I am a fellow of the Higher Education Academy/Advance HE and primarily teach across the BSc Physical Education, Sport, and Health and BA Education degree programmes. I am the current module organiser for:

• EDUP4007A - Acquiring & Developing Skills (Level 4)
• EDUP5001Y - Research & Experience in PE, Sport, and Health (Level 5)
• EDUB5002Y - Research & Learning from Experience (Level 5)
• EDU6004Y - Dissertation (Level 6)

I also contribute to research supervision at UG, PGT, and PGR levels. I am always open to delivering guest teaching sessions/talks both within the UK and abroad if opportunities arise. 

I am open to supervising prospectus doctoral researchers (qualitative or mixed-methods) who have an interest in the following research areas/topics:

• Professional learning and development of sport coaches/physical education teachers/educational practitioners
• Reviewing/evaluating formal education/CPD provision for sport coaches, teachers, or other practitioners
• Mentoring as a formal/informal learning mechanism for practitioners 
• Application of social/learning theory to critically analyse coach/teacher/practitioner development 
• Coaching/teaching behaviours/pedagogies/philosophies
• Contemporary issues within esports/lifestyle/adventure sport contexts

Sport coaching, sport pedagogy, physical education, professional learning and development, coach education and development, mentoring, sociology of sport, qualitative research, teacher education, esports, lifestyle sports