John Mills
Ph.D. Researcher, Sport and Exercise Psychology
Contact
Email: jom46@aber.ac.uk
Office: F. 08
Phone: 01970 628560
Profile
John started his career at Ipswich Town FC, where he worked as a part time community coach while completing a Diploma in Sports Coaching. On completion of his diploma he was offered a full time position working for Colchester United FC, coaching youth players both within their community program and academy. After almost a year with Colchester United, John was offered the opportunity to coach in the United States as a Player Development Officer for the Hebron Soccer Association (Connecticut). Upon returning to the UK in 2005, he accepted a position working as a football coordinator at his former college, while setting up one of the UK's first Futsal coaching programmes. In 2008, John moved away from sports coaching and started a B.Sc in Psychology and ECS. He also accepting a position as an unqualified teacher at a local Primary School. Following the completion of his undergraduate degree, John began his PhD at Aberystwyth University under the supervision of Dr Joanne Hudson and Dr Emily Oliver.
Teaching Areas
Group Dynamics (SS15110L):
Due to the extensive nature of groups and the potential influence that groups can have on an individual’s life, understanding group dynamics assists sport and exercise scientists, coaches, psychologists and teachers in the application of their knowledge and interventions, and is fundamental to a sound education in sport and exercise psychology.
Foundation of Sport and Exercise Psychology (SS13210L):
This module will introduce you to key concepts in sport psychology through the consideration of relevant theories and key research studies in this area, and where appropriate at this level, practical application. The main aim of the course is to introduce students the basic theories within Sport Psychology so they may begin to examine the key psychological factors that affect sport performance.
Skills for the Sport and Exercise Scientist I (SS15410L):
The purpose of this module is to provide students with the opportunity to engage in self-reflection, action planning and reviewing and to develop the transferable key skills required in Higher Education and the workplace.
Skills for the Sport and Exercise Scientist II )SS25410L):
Building on the transferable key skills learnt at level 4, Skills II aims to develop students' awareness of the need for critical analysis, action planning and self-reflection, both within Higher Education and the workplace.
Applied and Integrated Studies II (SS34300):
Adopting a multidisciplinary and integrated approach, this module aims to provide students with the opportunity to consider professional and practical issues, ethics and codes of conduct, consulting and counselling skills, and the evaluation process.
Dissertation Supervision:
John is currently working with 9 third year dissertation students exploring a diverse range of topics.
Research
John's primary research interest lies in investigating how sporting leaders influence the team and the impact this has on the members within it. At present, this includes differentiating authentic and pseudo-transformational leaders, investigating the psychological processes in both leadership and followship, and the psycho-physiological links between leadership behaviours and impression management. John is also interested in sports coaching and hopes to begin examining the effect of self and other perceptions on athlete performance in 2013.