Dr Steven Cock

Teaching

The courses I currently teach on are Master of Business Administration (MBA), MSc International Business, MSc Human Resource Management, MSc Marketing. 

I have extensive experience of teaching and supporting undergraduate students (Levels 4-6) and postgraduate students (Level 7) across a wide range of business-related subject and discipline areas.

At present, I teach predominantly at postgraduate level on the following modules:

• Capstone Project (Level 7).
• Dynamic Perspectives on Sustainable Business (Level 7).

Alongside teaching, I have extensive experience of supervising students who are undertaking dissertation or research investigation projects at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. I also supervise doctoral candidates who are undertaking research at PhD level and postgraduate research students at Masters-by-Research level.

Research

Research Interests

My research is underpinned by a sociological approach. My main research interests include: 

• Examining long-term processes of organisational structure and change in the sport and leisure industries.
• The emergence, development and history of modern sport and leisure activities.
• Understanding key social justice issues in sport and leisure from a sociological perspective.
• Examining the processes through which people’s attitudes regarding ‘acceptable’ forms of social behaviour (such as manners, etiquette and forms of violence) have changed over time.
• Understanding and critically analysing underpinning power dynamics relating to a range of contemporary issues in modern business and workplace settings.
• The sociology of knowledge and use of research methods in business disciplines and in the social sciences.
• The development of more critical approaches to learning, teaching and pedagogy within higher education.

I am currently involved in a range of individual and collaborative research projects that are linked to the various research areas listed above.

Research Group Membership

I am an active member of the following research groups:

• Co-Chair/Co-Founder of the People in Employment Settings (PiES) Research Group at York St John University (please click here for further information).
• Member of the Inclusion, Society and Education Research Group, York St John University (please click here for further information).
• Member of the Higher Education Research Group, York St John University (please click here for further information).

Research Funding

I have previously been successful in applying for research funding through the following schemes:

• £5,100: Quality-Related (QR) Funding, York Business School, York St John University, 2024. (Application with colleagues from the People in Employment Settings Research Group)
• £2,900: Cross-School Grant Primer Research Fund, York St John University, 2023. (Application with colleagues from the Higher Education Research Group)
• £500: Student as Researchers Scheme, York St John University, 2023. (Application with colleagues from the People in Employment Settings Research Group)
• £1,000: Quality-Related (QR) Funding, School of Education, Language and Psychology, York St John University, 2023. (Application with colleagues from the Inclusion, Society and Education Research Group)
• £1,500: Academic Development Directorate (Students as Researchers Scheme) and the School of Sport, York St John University, 2017.
• £1,000: Students as Researchers Scheme, York St John University, 2017.

Research Student Supervision

• I have supervised postgraduate research students at both Doctoral (PhD) and Masters-by-Research levels to successful completion of their theses. 
• I am currently involved in supervising three doctoral candidates who are undertaking research at PhD level.
• I would welcome enquiries from potential postgraduate research candidates who are interested in conducting research linked to the topic areas that are listed as research interests above.

Publications

Peer-reviewed publications (available on RaY)

Peer-review journal articles

• Mathew, R., Coombes, P., Cock, S., Johnston, A., Walsh, S. and Walker-Smith, L. (2025) Towards a ‘Newer Normal’? A Bibliometric Analysis Examining Organisational Culture in the Post-COVID-19 Higher Education Landscape in the United Kingdom. International Journal of Changes in Education. (In Press).
• Cock, S. (2024) Experiential learning in events management degree programmes: A position statement on issues of evidence-based practice. Journal of Hospitality, Leisure, Sport and Tourism Education, 35, 100506.
• Chapman, G., Cock, S. and Swain, S. (2024) A Matter of Distinction? A Case Study Examining the Development of a Sporting Habitus Amongst Male Sixth-Form Pupils in a Private School in the United Kingdom. International Journal of the Sociology of Leisure. In Press.
• Johnston, A., Cock, S., Walsh, S. and Healy, S. (2023) From there to here: Reflections on alternative journeys to a career in academia. International Journal of HRD: Practice, Policy and Research. In Press.
• Mierzwinski, M., Cock, S. and Velija, P. (2019) A position statement on social justice, physical education and bullying: A figurational sociological perspective. Quest, 71 (2), 215-226.

Book chapters

• Mierzwinski, M., Cock, S. and Velija, P. (2020) A position statement on social justice, physical education and bullying: A figurational sociological perspective. In N. Watson, G. Jarvie and A. Parker (eds.), Sport, Physical Education and Social Justice: Religious, Sociological and Capability Perspectives, (pp. 116-130). Abingdon, Routledge.
• Cock, S. (2018) Doing developmental research as a figurational sociologist: A case study on the long-term sportization of swimming. In D. Malcolm and P. Velija (eds.), Figurational Research in Sport, Leisure and Health, (pp. 87-101). Abingdon, Routledge.

Reports

• Johnston, A., Cock, S., Walsh, S. and Mathew, R. (2024) Good Experience Project: Research and Evaluation to Inform the Development of a Communication Charter – Stage One Report: Literature Review and Analysis of Preliminary Data. York: York St John University. Available at: https://ray.yorksj.ac.uk/id/eprint/11096/

Published Blog Posts

• Cock, S. (2024) Learning from events: Can higher education students reflect more ‘critically’ on their work-based experiences? Higher Education Research Group, 2 July 2024. Available at:
  https://blog.yorksj.ac.uk/herg/2024/07/02/learning-from-events-can-higher-education-students-reflect-more-critically-on-their-work-based-experiences/
• Cock, S., Johnston, A., Walsh, S. and Healy, S. (2024) Different backgrounds... shared uncertainties: How can universities support higher education staff with issues of imposter syndrome? The SEDA Blog: Supporting and Leading Educational Change, 4 September. Available at: https://thesedablog.wordpress.com/2024/09/
• Johnston, A., Cock, S., Coombes, P., Mathew, R., Walsh, S. and Walker-Smith, L. (2024) From the ‘new’ to the ‘newer’ normal: Organisational culture and change within Higher Education. People in Employment Settings Research Group, 15 November 2024. Available at: https://blog.yorksj.ac.uk/pies/2024/11/15/from-the-new-to-the-newer-normal-organisational-culture-and-change-within-higher-education/

Published Abstracts

• Cock, S. (2024) Power, Change, Resistance: Examining Issues of Gender and the Emergence of Female Competitors in the Sport of Swimming, c.1870s-1920s. In: University of the West of Scotland and Leisure Studies Association, LSA 2024: Book of Abstracts, (pp. 64-65). Glasgow: University of the West of Scotland.
• Mathew, R., Coombes, P., Cock, S., Walsh, S., Johnston, A. and Walker-Smith, L. (2024) The impact of COVID-19 on organisational culture in UK Higher Education Institutions: A Systematic Literature Review. In: M.J. Sousa and S. Lekchiri (eds.), UFHRD Book of Abstracts: Annual Conference 2024, (pp. 138-140). Lisbon: ISEC Lisboa/UFHRD.
• Cock, S. (2023) Examining the Long-term ‘Indoorisation’ of Swimming and Bathing in the United Kingdom: A Sociological Analysis of Changing Leisure Spaces. In: Leisure Studies Association, LSA 2023: Book of Abstracts, (p.38). Bournemouth: Bournemouth University/LSA.
• Cock, S. (2018) A ‘Modest’ Endeavour? A Sociological Analysis of Power-struggles surrounding the Emergence of Female Competitors in Competitive Swimming, c.1870s-1920s. In: British Sociological Association, Identity, Community and Social Solidarity: 2018 Annual Conference, (p.138). Durham: BSA Publications Ltd.

Conferences

Conference/Symposium Workshops

• Cock, S. and Johnston, A. (2024) PiES: Establishing a research group within a teaching focused post-92 university. Innovate, Inspire, Lead: Transforming Research Culture Symposium, Advance HE, United Kingdom, 16 July.

Invited Conference Presentations

• Cock, S. (2022) Events and Tourism. Teachers and Careers Adviser Conference, York St John University, United Kingdom, 15 December.
• Cock, S. (2020) Against the Odds? Examining the Emergence of Early Swimming Contests, c.1590s-1830s. Southern History Society Annual Conference, University of Winchester, United Kingdom, 8 February.

Conference Presentations

• Cock, S. (2024) Power, Change, Resistance: Examining Issues of Gender and the Emergence of Female Competitors in the Sport of Swimming, c.1870s-1920s. Leisure Studies Association Annual Conference, University of the West of Scotland, Paisley, Glasgow, United Kingdom, 10-12 July.
• Cock, S. (2024) Connect, disconnect… are we all together? Examining issues of governance in swimming as an emerging sport, leisure, business and economic activity, c.1860-1908. Economic and Business History Society and Association of Business Historians Annual Conference, York, United Kingdom, 27-29 June.
• Mathew, R., Coombes, P., Cock, S., Walsh, S., Johnston, A. and Walker-Smith, L. (2024) The impact of COVID-19 on organisational culture in UK Higher Education Institutions: A Systematic Literature Review. University Forum for Human Resource Development Annual Conference, ISEC Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal, 12-14 Jun
• Cock, S. (2023) Examining the Long-term ‘Indoorisation’ of Swimming and Bathing in the United Kingdom: A Sociological Analysis of Changing Leisure Spaces. Leisure Studies Association Annual Conference, Bournemouth University, United Kingdom, 11-13 July.
• Cock, S. (2023) How Many Words…?! Discussing Issues of Anxiety and Wellbeing for Staff and Students on Undergraduate Dissertation and Capstone Modules. Talk About Teaching Conference, York St John University, United Kingdom, 2 February.
• Cock, S. (2022) Events and Tourism. Teachers and Careers Adviser Conference, York St John University, United Kingdom, 15 December.
• Cock, S. (2020) Against the Odds? Examining the Emergence of Early Swimming Contests, c.1590s-1830s. Southern History Society Annual Conference, University of Winchester, United Kingdom, 8 February.
• Cock, S., Hopkins, J. and Clayton, L. (2018) Fairness, Equality and Reducing ‘Free-Riding’: A Case Study on Implementing the Viva Warning Approach to Group Assessment. Talking About Teaching Conference, York St John University, United Kingdom, 26 June.
• Cock, S. (2018) A ‘Modest’ Endeavour? A Sociological Analysis of Power-struggles surrounding the Emergence of Female Competitors in Competitive Swimming, c.1870s-1920s. British Sociological Association: Annual Conference, Northumbria University, United Kingdom, 10-12 April.
• Cock, S. (2017) Power, Buoyancy and Propulsion? Towards the Development of Early Swimming Strokes, c.1590s-1840s. Research Reflections Conference, York St John University, United Kingdom, 8 September.
• Cock, S. (2016) ‘An Appeal to Common Decency’: Swimming, Bathing and Changing Attitudes to the Body. Research Reflections Conference, York St John University, United Kingdom, 8 September.
• Mierzwinski, M. and Cock, S. (2016) Engaging Students through a Problem Based Learning (PBL) Approach: A 5-Year Case-Study of an Undergraduate Sports Module. Talking About Teaching Conference, York St John University, United Kingdom, 22 January.
• Cock, S. (2015) Reflections in the Water: Swimming, Gambling and Civilizing Processes, c.1590s-1830s. Research Reflections Conference, York St John University, United Kingdom, 10 September.
• Cock, S. (2015) Aquatic Wagers: Swimming, Gambling and Civilizing Trends, c.1590s-1830s. British Society of Sports History: Annual Conference, Swansea University, United Kingdom, 2-4 September.
• Cock, S. (2015) Swimming, Bathing, Health and Wellbeing: A Figurational Sociological Analysis. International Sociology of Sport Association World Congress, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France, 9-12 June.
• Cock, S. (2010) Method, Style and Technique: Reconsidering the Development of Swimming Strokes. British Society of Sports History: Annual Conference, Wellcome Collection, London, United Kingdom, 10-11 September.
• Cock, S. (2010) The Development of Swimming Strokes: A Sociological Interpretation (Distributed Paper). XVII World Congress of the International Sociological Association, Gothenburg, Sweden, 11-17 July.
• Cock, S. (2010) Emerging Themes: Reconsidering the Development of Swimming Strokes. Postgraduate Research Student Conference, University of Chester, United Kingdom, 20 May.
• Cock, S. (2009) Processes of Sportization: The Emergence of the Amateur Swimming Association. British Society of Sports History: Annual Conference, University of Stirling, United Kingdom, 17-19 July.
• Cock, S. (2008) Swimming and Bathing: From the ‘Middle Ages’ to the Early Twentieth Century. British Society of Sports History: Annual Conference, University of Brighton, Eastbourne Campus, United Kingdom, 5-7 September.

Professional activities

I hold the following accreditation with Advance HE:

• Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA).

I am a member of the following professional organisations:

• Leisure Studies Association.
• Economic and Business History Society.
• Association of Business Historians.
• Critical Pedagogies in Sport Network.
• Affiliate member of the UK Advising and Tutorial Association.

External committee membership:

• I am a member of the Executive Committee for the Leisure Studies Association.

I am currently an external examiner at the following institutions:

• Manchester Metropolitan University.

I have undertaken peer-review for various academic journals, including:

• Leisure Studies.
• International Journal of the Sociology of Leisure.
• European Physical Education Review.
• Journal of Contemporary Ethnography.
• Journal of Hospitality, Leisure, Sport and Tourism Education.
• Sport in History.

I have presented research at a range of national and international conferences, including:

• World Congress of the International Sociology of Sport Association.
• Leisure Studies Association.
• University Forum for Human Resource Development.
• Economic and Business History Society.
• British Sociological Association.
• British Society of Sports History.