Dr Ali Pearson

Teaching Fellow in Applied Sport Science / Academic Cohort Lead: BSc (Hons) Applied Sport Science

Biography

Background

Ali completed his PhD at the University of Portsmouth, thesis titled "Technology and sport official development in netball: A transnational investigation". Specifically, this research explored development provision in netball officiating, and the potential role and implementation of technology to inform learning and development. Furthermore, the research critically discussed performance analysis literature to establish considerations around effective use to aid learning, and developed a framework to act as a tool to guide performance analysis practice. 

Ali is a Teaching Fellow in Applied Sport Science, with a particular focus on performance analysis and skill acquisition, and also works as Academic Cohort Lead for the Applied Sport Science programme. He joined the institute in November 2023, having spent 12 years working in applied settings as a Performance Analyst. An accredited Performance Analyst, Ali has worked in multiple settings, from professional level to development settings, and across a wide variety of sports, including football, rugby union, netball, hockey, basketball, tennis, and cricket. Ali has also worked in educational institutions and programmes in a pastoral and student support capacity, most recently at the University of St Andrews where he worked as Deputy Warden in the largest hall of residence, providing out of hours support to resident students and managing the hall wardennial team.

Ali's interests relate to performance analysis and its effects on learning. This includes video feedback via performance analysis and learning in applied settings, the role of technology in sport development and coaching environments, and how practice design impacts the potential benefits of performance analysis. 

Qualifications

PhD (University of Portsmouth)

MSc Sports Performance Analysis (University of Chichester)

BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science (University of Portsmouth)

Responsibilities & affiliations

International Society of Performance Analysis of Sport accredited analyst - Level 4 Applied

International Society of Performance Analysis of Sport accredited analyst - Level 4 Scientific

Undergraduate teaching

Sport Science 2A: Biochemistry of Exercise & Skill Acquisition - Course Organiser and Skill Acquisition teaching

Sport Science 2C: Information Skills & Biomechanics - Information Skills teaching

Sport Science (Project) 3 - Performance Analysis project supervision

Sport Science (Dissertation) 4 - Course Organiser and Performance Analysis project supervision

Sport Science Research Attachment - project supervision

Postgraduate teaching

The sources of knowledge: Understanding and analysing research literature - tutor

Conceptualising research: Foundations, assumptions and praxis - tutor

MSc Dance Science and Education - dissertation supervisor

Open to PhD supervision enquiries?

Yes

Areas of interest for supervision

Please get in touch to discuss potential PhD project ideas and I will support as best I can.

In partnership with Edinburgh Rugby, a postgraduate performance analysis applied opportunity is available for an MScR student. Please get in touch if you would like to discuss further. 

In partnership with Motherwell Football Club, postgraduate applied opportunities across sports science disciplines are available for MScR students. Please get in touch if you would like to discuss further. 

Current PhD students supervised

Sánchez-Buitrago, A. - Exploring the development of understanding in youth footballers. 

Research summary

Publications:

Pearson, A., Webb, T., Barrow, C., Milligan, G., & Miller-Dicks, M. (2024). “What are we looking at?”: The development and implementation of a performance analysis framework for netball umpires. International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport. https://doi.org/10.1080/24748668.2024.2433346

Pearson, A., Webb, T., Milligan, G., & Miller-Dicks, M. (2023). The use of video feedback as a facet of performance analysis: An integrative review. International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1080/1750984X.2023.2235700 

Nevill, A., Pearson, A., & Webb, T. (2022). No Crowds, No Home Advantage in Football during the COVID-19 Season: Are Crowds Able to Manipulate All but the Best Referees’ Behaviour?. Journal of Global Sport Management. https://doi.org/10.1080/24704067.2022.2136102

Pearson, A., Webb, T., Milligan, G., Dicks, M., & Barrow, C. (2022). Developmental pathways in netball match officiating: Examining the potential role of technology. Managing Sport and Leisure. https://doi.org/10.1080/23750472.2022.2117730

Current research interests

Performance Analysis; Talent Development; Skill Acquisition; Feedback and learning; Sport officials

Project activity

Youth match officials in sport - 2025 to pres

Examining the reciprocal and bi-directional perceptions and experiences of rugby union referees and parents - 2023 to pres

Umpire development in netball: An international comparative study - 2019 to 2024

 

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