Helen O'Donnell

On completion of two Psychology Masters, Helen joined the university teaching team in 2010 contributing to courses and modules in the Schools of Psychology, Sport & Wellbeing, and Health Sciences. Psychology for performance and development is a thread throughout her teaching. With colleagues she has had the Sport Business Management course endorsed by the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA), and is developing CPD offerings for the CIMSPA Academy.

Helen’s teaching career began within a multidisciplinary team at the Bethlem and Maudsley Royal Hospital School. Before leaving London ten years later, she was lead teacher for children with autistic spectrum disorders. Responsible for training and development, her role took her twice to North Carolina whilst self-initiated fundraising took her on a bike ride to Paris. During and after Masters-level study, she continued to teach across age groups, in mainstream and specialist provisions including working with young people not in education, employment or training [NEETs]. At Edge Hill, she was involved in the creation and delivery of the National Award for Special Educational Needs Coordination. As a psychologist and consultant, Helen has coached individuals, worked with athletes and consulted in small, medium and large enterprises. Her research interests and consultancy link back to her early days of specialist teaching but now focusing on neurodiversity in sport, talent development, practitioner development and organisational culture.