Dr Daryl Cowan is a researcher in the areas of sport coaching and sport psychology. He is interested in the role of sport and physical activity as a vehicle for psychological and social development in the community. Specifically, he is interested in helping coaches and leaders to create optimal motivational environments which influence participants’ motivation, life skills, and other health related outcomes.

Much of my work focusses on socio-economically disadvantaged populations which has led to several projects being conducted working with various organised sport programmes for disadvantaged individuals throughout the UK. I am currently working with UWS colleagues, research students and external partners to explore the effects of transformational coaching on a range of psychological and social health outcomes in disadvantaged individuals. Working with collaborators in the US, we are also exploring the longitudinal impact of the 2018 Homeless World Cup and related programming on the lives of its participants.  

I am also currently working with Scottish and England Athletics on a UK-wide project exploring the psychological and social-contextual factors influencing participation and well-being of social jogging group participants.

I am interested in working with researchers and postgraduate students interested in the areas of sports coaching and sport psychology. In particular, I am looking to further explore the role of the coach-created motivational environment on various psychological outcomes amongst hard-to-reach groups. 

I am interested in working with sporting organisations and national governing bodies to help their coaches and leaders to create optimal motivational environments which influence participants’ motivation, life skills, and other health related outcomes.