Dr Victoria Warburton is an Associate Professor in Psychology of Physical Education and Sport. She joined EDU in 2008 following the completion of her PhD in Sport & Exercise Psychology at Loughborough University and she is a Chartered Psychologist and Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society. 

Victoria is currently the Chair of the School of Education and Lifelong Learning Ethics Committee. She teaches and supervises across several programmes in the school at UG, PGT, and PGR levels.

Victoria’s primary research focus is on understanding the dynamics of motivation through examining its antecedents, consequences, and development in Sport, Health, and Education contexts. She has published widely on aspects such as the growth mindset, achievement goals, and psychological needs. Her work examines both individual differences and contextual influences on motivation across key transitions and transfer points.

In pursuing this research area, she draws on a range of perspectives from social and developmental psychology. Key theoretical interests lie in Achievement Goal Theory, Self-Theories of Ability (Mindsets), and Self-Determination Theory.

Victoria’s methodological expertise lies within the quantitative field, particularly longitudinal research design and data analysis, including multi-level modelling, structural equation modelling, and individual-change analyses. She also has expertise in person-centred approaches to analysis. 

Her expertise in longitudinal research and data analysis provide the foundation for her current research interests, which include, the contextual cues that influence shifts in mindsets, the developmental aspects of motivation and health, the antecedents of and the effects of changes in motivation and relationship quality on learning and health, and the association between physical activity, sleep, and sedentary behaviour and educational outcomes.

Her research has been funded by organisations such as the British Academy and Sport England and she completes research consultancy in the areas of sport, health, and education.

Victoria is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) and teaches across several Sport and Exercise Psychology modules on the Bsc Physical Education, Sport, and Health degree programme. She contributes to research methods and ethics teaching and research supervision at UG, PGT, and PGR levels.