Biography
Emma is a lecturer in the Department of Sport & Exercise Science since 2008 and one of the course leaders for the BSc in Sports Coaching & Performance, teaching primarily sport and performance psychology modules within the undergraduate and postgraduate courses. Emma completed a BA in Sport and Leisure Management before completing a Masters in Sport and Exercise Psychology in SETU, and a PhD through the University of Stirling. Research interests include sport and performance psychology, athlete transitions and social support.
Completed PhD in the area of Sport Psychology with a focus on within career transitions of student athletes in third level education through the School of Sport in Stirling University, Scotland.
Developed National Guidelines for 3rd level Dual Career Support through Sport Ireland Institute. Guidelines were based on recommendations from PhD research. The “Accreditation for Student Athlete Support” (ASAS) was launched in 2021.
Conference Presentations:
Saunders, E., (2018). An Investigation into Student Athlete Transitions and The Support Structures within Third Level Institutes in Ireland. Presented at the 2019 Student Sport Ireland Conference, Waterford, Ireland.
Saunders, E., Lavalle, D., and Coffee, P. (2014). An Investigation into Student Athlete Transitions and The Support Structures within Third Level Institutes in Ireland. Presented at the 2014 All Ireland Postgraduate Conference in Sport Sciences and Physical Education, 24 January 2014, Limerick, Ireland.
Saunders, E., and Losty, C. (2008). The Effect of an acute bout of aerobic exercise on short term memory and concentration. Presented at the 2008 BASES conference in Brunel University.
Emma is ISESA Sport Psychology Accredited and works with athletes, teams and coaches to provide sport and performance psychology. Performance Lifeskills Consultant with Sport Ireland Institute from 2017-2025 and was part of the Sport Science and Medical team working at the Paralympic Games in Tokyo 2020(1) and Paris 2024.
Additional:
- CASES tutor Workshops in UL (ethics, safeguarding, reflective practice)
- Developmental Coaching: Facilitating Positive Transitions Cert (ISCP)
- Talented Athlete Lifestyle Support L3
- Emotional Intelligence Sports Inventory (ESi) Certification
- CASES Member
- Psychological Society of Ireland (sport psychology division) affiliate member
Modules Past/ Present:
- Performance Psychology
- Sport and Exercise Psychology
- Introduction to Coaching
- Sports Pedagogy
- Micro Coaching
- Undergrad and Masters Thesis Supervison
- Resistance and Conditioning
Modules Past/ Present:
- Performance Psychology
- Sport and Exercise Psychology
- Introduction to Coaching
- Sports Pedagogy
- Micro Coaching
- Undergrad and Masters Thesis Supervison
- Resistance and Conditioning