Professor honoured for his contribution to world of sport and exercise psychology

Sport psychologist Professor Ian Maynard has been given the Division of Sport and Exercise Psychology (DSEP) Award for Distinguished Contributions to Sport and Exercise Psychology.

Professor Maynard, who is the founding professor of our School of Sport, Rehabilitation and Exercise Sciences, has received the award in honour of his outstanding contribution to professional practice.

The DSEP is a specialist division within the British Psychological Society, which aims to support the development of psychology both as a profession and as a body of knowledge and skills.

Professor Maynard, who will be officially presented with the award at the DSEP’s annual conference next month, said: “I am really delighted to be accepting this award from the Division of Sport and Exercise Psychology within the British Psychological Society. It is a very prestigious award with only half a dozen or so previous winners. It is the culmination of over 30 years of work in my discipline and my profound thanks go to the Society for this recognition.”

During his extensive career, Professor Maynard has worked with world champions and attended world championships in many sports including sailing, windsurfing, lacrosse, athletics, boxing, and cycling.

He was also selected to attend two Olympic Games and two Commonwealth Games as a sports psychologist and has worked with athletes who have won 24 Olympic medals.

Professor Maynard’s career has also included over 130 peer-reviewed publications and 100 peer-reviewed conference presentations.