Beacons of Hope: Sprint Project Voices at the DSEP 2025 Conference

The Division of Sport and Exercise Psychology’s (DSEP) 2025 Annual Conference, themed “Beacons of Hope: Mapping the Value and Direction of Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology”, is fast approaching. This year’s programme is full of research on  on well-being, identity, and systemic change in sport and performance contexts. The Sprint Project is excited to see several of our collaborators and team members contributing to this work.

Various SPRINT project team members are contributing to a symposium organised by Mary Quinton and chaired by Dr Richard Simpson (DSEP co-chair). This symposium is titled “Expanding the Value of Systems Thinking: Integrating the PPCT Model in Sport and Dance Psychology”. This symposium will weave together diverse perspectives on mental health in sport and dance.

The symposium (Day 1, 13:45pm):

Jennifer Cumming Jennifer will be introducing the Process-Person-Context-Time (PPCT) Model as a systems lens on mental health in sport and dance. Her work bridges theory and practice, offering practical applications that expand the boundaries of sport and dance psychology. Jennifer will also close the symposium by addressing practical implications of the PPCT model from theory to practice.

Emma Morgan Emma will present on Exploring the PPCT Model in Dance, examining links between self-compassion, perfectionism, and perfectionistic climates. Her research underscores the importance of psychological flexibility in performance environments.

Fiona J. Clarke Fiona’s work, Teammate Compassion as a Process of Care, explores how compassion within women’s team sport can foster resilience and collective well-being. Her qualitative insights highlight the relational dimensions of athlete support.

Benjamin Walker (University of Loughborough)

Benjamin will present Applying an Ecological Systems Model Approach to Para-Athlete Mental Health, offering a nuanced perspective on how systemic factors shape well-being in Paralympic contexts. His work underscores the importance of embedding ecological thinking into athlete support and policy design.

Other presentations from Michelle Dwarika & Jennifer Cumming

Day 1, 11:25am: Michelle’s presentation, Safeguarding Mental Health in Freelance Dance, brings forward the voices of artists and psychological practitioners. Her work shines a light on the unique challenges faced by freelance dancers and the need for tailored mental health support. Michelle will also be sharing her work with a poster entitled “Mapping Mental Skills Training in Dance Using TIDieR: A Mixed Methods Systematic Review of Interventions” on day 1.

On day 2 at 11:25am, Jennifer will also be presenting her work on safeguarding, with a presentation entitled “Safeguarding in UK Dance: Progress and areas of needed improvement from the 2025 National Survey”.

Thank you to the DSEP organising committee for putting together a fantastic programme!