Richard Keegan

Richard Keegan is sport and exercise psychologist, registered in the UK (HCPC) and Australia (AHPRA). He has worked with athletes across the full range of levels (from beginners to world champions and para-sport), and in a range of sports (from athletics and snow-sports to motorsport and officiating) – as well as supervising and assessing trainee practitioners. His book ‘Being a Sport Psychologist’ focuses on understanding the role of practicing sport psychologists, and how to navigate post-graduate training and supervised practice. This applied experience helps to ensure the real-world applicability of Richard’s research, as well as embedding work-integrated learning opportunities into his university teaching.

Richard completed his MSc and PhD at Loughborough University, and before that, a degree in Psychology at the University of Bristol. His research focuses on four key areas: motivational processes in sport and exercise; physical literacy; applied sport psychology practice; and psychological resilience. He has published 40 peer reviewed academic papers, 2 books and 14 book chapters, as well as reports for State and Federal Governments. Research informs his psychological practice and, of course, permeates into teaching.

Richard is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, and has served as Chair of Teaching and Learning in two university departments. His approach to education focuses on co-production and learning-by-doing, helping students to develop the key employability skills of critical, independent thinking, and reflective practice. His teaching spans face-to-face delivery, as well as online and flexible platforms, such as YouTube, Twitter, and cloud hosting. Reflections from teaching have informed Richard psychological practice, as well as his research endeavours.

In his spare time he enjoys playing squash, bushwalking, strength-training, and spending time with his young family and two dogs.