Gareth Williams | University of Chester

Senior Lecturer

Gareth joined the University of Chester in January 2020 having previously held the post of Senior Lecturer in PE and School Sport at Edge Hill University.

Gareth completed his undergraduate degree at Birmingham University followed by a PGCE at West London Institute of Higher Education. His PE teaching career involved posts at schools in Oxfordshire and Merseyside where he undertook roles involving Head of Department and Gifted and Talented Coordinator. While teaching, Gareth completed his MA in PE, Sport and Dance at Liverpool John Moores University.

Gareth has previously held the post of External Examiner in Sport related degrees at the University of Worcester and the University of Wolverhampton. He is Chair of the North Western Counties PE Association Research and Professional Development Committee, a role that enables contact to be made with other PE Associations across Europe. Gareth has also written Impact Reports for the Liverpool Schools Sport Partnership.

Gareth’s specialist areas include the theory of Pedagogy and PE. He teaches on the following modules;

Introduction to Sports Coaching and Pedagogy (Level 4)
Introduction to Teaching and Learning in PE (Level 4)
Pedagogy of PE (Level 5)
Applied Sports Coaching and Pedagogy (Level 6)

Gareth also supervises dissertation students specialising in PE and Pedagogy.

Research Interests

PE in Free Schools
PE and performativity
Middle management roles in PE
PE and external providers

Selected Publications

Williams G., and Binks, A. (2023) 'A Multiple Case Study evaluating how School Sport Partnerships achieve impact within a competitive, external provider PE and School Sport market.' (In Press)

Williams G., and Vecchione, H. (2022) '96 and still going strong! Celebrating the work of the North Western Counties PE Association.' PE Matters, Spring 17 (1) 78-81.

Williams, G., Burrows, A. and Williams, D. (2021) ‘It’s about portraying that we are organised ….’ A case study looking at identity changes within one Free School’s Physical Education and School Sport programme. Educational Review. DOI

Cronin, L., Cullen, D., Allen, J., Mulvenna, C., Ellison, P., Williams, G. and Marchant, D. (2019) “How the Bright and Dark Side of Self-Determination Theory Relate to Students’ Life Skills Development in Physical Education.” Psychology of Sport & Exercise. DOI

Williams, G., Burrows, A. and Williams, D. (2018) ‘‘Teachers repositioned and governed by dominant political rationalities …’ Understanding Performative pressures experienced by Heads of Physical Education (HoPE) within six Free Schools. Educational Review. DOI

Williams, G. (2017) ‘The Language of Performativity? A Content Analysis concerning differing constructions of leadership for Secondary School PE departments.’ School Leadership and Management. DOI

Williams, G. and Williams, D. (2013) ‘Whole-school management issues concerning the PE department: ‘a natural division of labour?’ School Leadership and Management. DOI

Williams, G., Pinder, S., Thomson, A., and Williams, D. (2010) ‘Black's Dictionary of Physical Education and School Sport,’ London: A & C Black.

Williams, G. (2009) ‘Payments to PE teachers for extracurricular activities?’ PE Matters Spring, 4 (1) 24-28.

Williams, G. (2008) ‘Gifted and Talented in PE …. Or is it Sport?’ PE Matters Autumn, 3 (3) 19-22.

BA (Hons), PGCE, MA