I am a sports and exercise injury educator, researcher and practitioner. I am currently employed as a Senior Lecturer and Programme Lead at the University and have over 20 years experience in FE and HE education and training. I having a developing research profile and have authored academic papers, books, and contributed to several national and international conferences. I am also a proud member of the Society of Sports Therapist (MSST) and have experience of working with a range of athletic populations.
I originally graduated from York St John University in 1999 with a BA (Hons) in Physical Education before progressed into the fitness industry for a short period of time as a lifestyle consultant. After pursuing opportunities in teaching, I completed postgraduate qualifications in teaching and learning (PGCE, Huddersfield University), sports and exercise sciences (MSc, Leeds Beckett University), and sports therapy (MSc, Teesside University). I have also completed a PhD titled 'Psychosocial Factors and Return to Sport Outcomes in Football: a Mixed Methods Approach'. I am a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Authority (SFHEA).
My X account is @dale_forsdyke.
I have over 20 years experience of teaching in a HE setting. I am extremely passionate about developing students into curious, skilled, and interdisciplinary evidence-informed practitioners within my subject areas.
I am involved in several modules across the BSc Sport and Exercise Therapy degree, and also contribute to some of the shared modules on our programmes such as research methods and ressearch paper. I also am involved in further building the competance and confidence of our sport and exercise therapy students by supervising our sports therapy clinic and applied work with local sports organisations.
Previously, I have also been involved in the delivery and assessment of vocational awards such as L3 and L4 sports massage and delivered sports trauma qualifications for the Football Association. I have also contributed to FA in-service/CPD events across the regions, and at St Georges Park.
I also supervise postgraduate research students at Masters and Doctoral level.
I am a sports injury researcher and have authored and contributed to a range of peer reviewed journal articles, practitioner articles, books, and conferences.
Much of my research is focused on psychological readiness to return to sport following injury, boosting athlete empowerment and adherence during injury, and psychosocial factors influencing an athlete's risk of injury.
Recent publications
I have professional body status with the Society of Sports Therapists (MSST) and still work with injured athletes. I have worked with a diverse range of athlete populations and patient groups (e.g., Football Association, Volleyball England, GB Goalball, marathon runners). This is important as it allows me to integrate mine and others research into realistic practice, while being able to share real life examples with our students.
Much of my professional background has been in girls and women's football where I have have acted in science and medical lead roles. I have also worked on the FA Talent Pathway in medical and physical performance coach roles. Additionally, I have short-term experience working for teams at major international tournaments and supporting major events/challenges.
I am also involved in external examination activity for other universities and am part of the University and Colleges Liaison Group for the Society of Sports Therapists.
