A-Level Physical Education: The Reflective Performer

David Kirk, PhD, is a Beckwith Professor of Youth Sport in the department of physical education, sport science and recreation management at Loughborough University, where he earned his doctorate in philosophy in 1987. He also holds an honorary chair in human movement studies at the University of Queensland and is adjunct professor of physical education at the University of Limerick. Dr. Kirk has 18 years of experience as a physical education teacher, researcher, and teacher educator. He has authored or coauthored numerous books, including three previous textbooks: Senior Physical Education: An Integrated Approach, Sociocultural Foundations of Human Movement, and Learning to Teach Physical Education. Dr. Kirk is a member of the Physical Education Association of the United Kingdom and a consultant to the Qualifications Curriculum Authority (QCA) for the accreditation of A-level physical education courses. He enjoys exercising, watching sports, and gardening. He and his wife, Susan, and their three children live in Loughborough.

Dawn Penney, PhD, is a senior research fellow and a lecturer in contemporary issues in the department of physical education, sport science and recreation management at Loughborough University. A visiting lecturer at many other institutions, Dr. Penney has published numerous articles and coauthored two previous books, Politics, Policy and Practice in Physical Education and Senior Physical Education: An Integrated Approach. She received her doctorate in education from the University of Southampton in 1994, and in 1996 and 1997 she served as evaluator of the Queensland Senior School Physical Education syllabus during its pilot development phase. Dr. Penney is a member of the Physical Education Association of the United Kingdom and of the British Association of Advisers and Lecturers in Physical Education. A resident of Loughborough, she enjoys swimming, cycling, and running.

Robin Burgess-Limerick, PhD, is a senior lecturer in biomechanics in the school of human movement studies at The University of Queensland, Australia, where he earned his doctorate in biomechanics in 1994. Dr. Burgess-Limerick has conducted research on diverse topics including field hockey, locomotion and manual lifting and has published many research articles in biomechanics, motor behaviour and ergonomics journals. He is a member of the International Society of Biomechanics and the Ergonomics Society of Australia. In his spare time Dr. Burgess-Limerick enjoys playing field hockey. He resides in Queensland.

Trish Gorely, PhD, has worked as a sport and exercise psychologist with athletes of various ages and abilities, including young people in schools, and has conducted research to establish how best to help people reach their goals. A former lecturer on sport and exercise psychology at the University of Queensland, she currently lectures on the topic of young people and sport in the department of physical education, sport science and recreation management at Loughborough University. Dr. Gorely earned her doctorate in sport and exercise psychology in 1996 from the University of Western Australia. She belongs to the Association for the Advancement of Applied Sport Psychology. In her leisure time Dr. Gorely enjoys trekking, tennis and golf. She and her husband, Matthew Seed, and daughter Rachel live in Loughborough.

Colette Maynard, BEd (Hons), is a teacher adviser for physical education at the Finstall Centre in Worcestershire, where she supports and advises teachers in the Worcestershire Local Education Authority. Ms. Maynard taught A-level physical education in two secondary schools for several years. She is a member of the British Association of Advisers and Lecturers in Physical Education. She enjoys cross country running, road racing, skiing, and windsurfing. She resides in Worcester.