Division of Sport and Exercise Psychology

The Early Career Practitioner Applied Practice Award recognises any early career members of the Division of the Sport & Exercise Psychology (DSEP) who have made significant contribution to applied practice within the field of Sport and Exercise Psychology in the last 12 months.

To be eligible to apply for this award you must be a member of the Division of Sport and Exercise Psychology, and currently going through Stage 2 of the Qualification in Sport & Exercise Psychology, studying on a BPS accredited Sport & Exercise Psychology Professional Doctorate programme, or have completed your Stage 2 training in the five years leading up to the award deadline.

Assessment Criteria

In determining who to award the applied practice award to, applications received for the awards will be judged by at least two independent assessors according to the following criteria:

1. The innovation of evidence-based practice, its impact on stakeholders and clients, and its effectiveness.
2. The level of contribution to the field in applied practice relative to applicant's career stage.

Guidance for nominations

You will need the following information:

Nominee details:

1. Name
2. Title
3. Organisation/affiliation
4. BPS membership number

Supporting Documentary Evidence:

• statement (4 pages maximum) outlining the case for the nomination

Please note: these must be merged into one PDF document and provided as one attachment.

Following the submission of the report, the outcome of the reviewers' decision will be made within 2 months of the deadline.

All evidence should be emailed to Dr Mike McGreary at [email protected].

The recipient of award will receive:

The recipient of this award will receive £300 and their 2024 BPS Division of Sport & Exercise Psychology Annual Conference registration fees will also be partly covered for them to present their work at the conference and receive their award at the Annual Conference Dinner. 

If submissions are received that do not conform to the high standards implied by the prize, no award will be made.

The deadline for nominations is 09 September 2024.

Submit a nomination now

The Established Practitioner Applied Practice Award recognises experienced members of the Division of the Sport & Exercise Psychology (DSEP) who have made significant contribution to applied practice within the field of Sport and Exercise Psychology in the last 12 months.

To be eligible to apply for this award you must be a member of the Division of Sport and Exercise Psychology, HCPC registered, and have at least 5 years' experience (e.g., post Stage 2 qualification) at the time of the award deadline.  

Assessment Criteria

In determining who to award the applied practice award to, applications received for the awards will be judged by at least two independent assessors according to the following criteria:

1. The innovation of evidence-based practice, its impact on stakeholders and clients, and its effectiveness.
2. The level of contribution to the field in applied practice relative to applicant's career stage.

Guidance for nominations

You will need the following information:

Nominee details:

1. Name
2. Title
3. Organisation/affiliation
4. BPS membership number

Supporting Documentary Evidence:

• statement (4 pages maximum) outlining the case for the nomination

Please note: these must be merged into one PDF document and provided as one attachment.

Following the submission of the report, the outcome of the reviewers' decision will be made within 2 months of the deadline.

All evidence should be emailed to Dr Mike McGreary at [email protected].

The recipient of this award will receive £300 and their 2024 BPS Division of Sport & Exercise Psychology Annual Conference registration fees will also be partly covered for them to present their work at the conference and receive their award at the Annual Conference Dinner. 

If submissions are received that do not conform to the high standards implied by the prize, no award will be made.

The deadline for nominations is 09 September 2024.

Submit a nomination

The Distinguished Contribution Award is to recognise any members of the Division of the Sport & Exercise Psychology (DSEP) who have made a distinguished contribution to the field of Sport and Exercise Psychology in any relevant area (e.g., research, applied consultancy, education) over a sustained period of time.

Entry Criteria

• Nominee must be a Full Member of Division of the Sport & Exercise Psychology (DSEP)
• Nominators must be Full Members of the Division of Sports & Exercise Psychology (DSEP)

Assessment Criteria

In determining who to award the distinguished contribution award to, applications received for the awards will be judged by at least two independent assessors according to the following criteria:

1. The innovation and impact of evidence-based sport and exercise psychology practice in relevant area nominated and its effectiveness.
2. The level of contribution to the field in the relevant area nominated.

How to apply

Applications for this award should be made by 2 nominators (who rather than individuals applying on their own behalf.

If you feel that you have a colleague or someone you know who has made a distinguished contribution to the discipline of Sport and Exercise Psychology, you can nominate them for this award.

In addition to this, the DSEP committee also has the right to nominate someone each year for this award.

All evidence should be emailed to Dr Mike McGreary at [email protected].

Guidance for nominations

You will need the following information:

Nominee details:

1. Name
2. Title
3. Organisation/affiliation
4. BPS membership number

Details of two nominators:

1. Name
2. Title
3. Organisation/affiliation
4. BPS membership number

Supporting Documentary Evidence:

• statement (4 pages maximum) outlining the case for the nomination

Please note: these must be merged into one PDF document and provided as one attachment.

Following the submission of the report, the outcome of the reviewers' decision will be made within 2 months of the deadline.

The award will be presented to the successful nominee at the Division's 2024 Conference. The award recipient may be asked to deliver a keynote lecture or speech at the conference. 

If submissions are received that do not conform to the high standards implied by the prize, no award will be made.

The deadline for nominations is 09 September 2024.

Submit a nomination

This annual prize recognises the best undergraduate dissertation/ project submitted by an undergraduate student. We welcome submissions from both DSEP member and non-members (see entry criteria).

The award is given in honour of the late H.T.A. Whiting. Research on any aspect of sport and exercise psychology is eligible.

Entry Criteria

• To win a cash prize, the nominee must be a Member of Division of Sport and Exercise Psychology (DSEP)
• We welcome submission from non-members, who will win membership of Division of Sport and Exercise Psychology, instead of the cash prize.
• Work must have been submitted within the previous 12-months of the deadline for nominations

Assessment Criteria

Applications for the awards will be judged by at least two independent assessors according to the following criteria:

• Critical and analytical thinking
  The submitted summary report of the work/thesis should show considerable evidence of critical and analytical thought in both the rationale for, and design of the study/studies relevant to the level of application.
• Originality of the work
  The study should represent an original investigation into any topic in sport and exercise psychology.
• Presentation
  The application should demonstrate excellent levels of presentation including grammar, spelling and (where appropriate) academic writing style.
• Scientific rigour
  The submitted summary report should demonstrate excellent levels of scientific rigour in the design, analysis, and write-up relevant to the level of application.

If submissions are received that do not conform to the high standards implied by the prize, no award will be made.

Guidance for nominations

You will need the following information:

Nominee details:

1. Name
2. Title
3. Organisation/affiliation
4. BPS membership number (if applicable)

Supporting Documentary Evidence:

• Evidence of degree award
• A letter of support from the supervisor of not more than one page (Times New Roman, size 12 font, 1.5 line spacing) outlining the suitability of the candidate for the award on offer and confirming that the work in the application it is the student's own work
• A summary report giving the main findings in the thesis and theoretical and applied implications: max 2 A4 pages (1 page outlining case for award, 1 page abstract/summary of study or 1 page Poster)

All evidence should be emailed to Dr Mike McGreary at [email protected].

All of the following headings should be used in the report:

• Title: The title should be short, informative and precise be written in Upper and Lower Case
• Introduction and Aims of the Research Programme: Outline the literature underpinning the research, the identified gaps in the literature, and the aims of the research programme.
• Abstract(s) for each Study Conducted: Provide abstracts for each of the studies conducted in your research. This may only be one abstract for the undergraduate and master's awards, but is likely to be more for the PhD award.
• Contribution to Knowledge and Applied Implications: Outline the key contributions to knowledge and any applied implications which permeate from the work.
• Strengths and Limitations: Recognition of the key strengths and limitations of the work.
• References: Include a list of up to 5 indicative references which relate to the project.
• Appendixes (if required): Tables and figures may be included in the additional information as required.

In total, the main body of the application (e.g., covering letter, summary report of thesis, and supervisor support letter) should not exceed six pages.

Please note: these must be merged into one PDF document and provided as one attachment.

Following the submission of the report, the outcome of the reviewers' decision will be made within 2 months of the deadline.

Submit a nomination

Member recipients of this award will receive £100 and their registration fees will also be partly covered so they can collect their awards and should they present their research (poster/presentation) at the DSEP Annual Conference.

Non-member recipients of this award will receive student membership of DSEP for the following year.

This annual prize recognises the best MSc dissertation submitted by a DSEP member.

Research on any aspect of sport and exercise psychology is eligible.

Entry Criteria

• To win a cash prize, the nominee must be a Member of Division of Sport and Exercise Psychology (DSEP)
• We welcome submission from non-members, who will win membership of Division of Sport and Exercise Psychology, instead of the cash prize.
• Work must have been submitted within the previous 12-months of the deadline for nominations

Assessment Criteria

Applications for the awards will be judged by at least two independent assessors according to the following criteria:

• Critical and analytical thinking
  The submitted summary report of the work/thesis should show considerable evidence of critical and analytical thought in both the rationale for, and design of the study/studies relevant to the level of application.
• Originality of the work
  The study should represent an original investigation into any topic in sport and exercise psychology.
• Presentation
  The application should demonstrate excellent levels of presentation including grammar, spelling and (where appropriate) academic writing style.
• Scientific rigour
  The submitted summary report should demonstrate excellent levels of scientific rigour in the design, analysis, and write-up relevant to the level of application.

If submissions are received that do not conform to the high standards implied by the prize, no award will be made.

Guidance for nominations

You will need the following information:

Nominee details:

1. Name
2. Title
3. Organisation/affiliation
4. BPS membership number (if applicable)

Supporting Documentary Evidence:

• Evidence of degree award
• A letter of support from the supervisor of not more than one page (Times New Roman, size 12 font, 1.5 line spacing) outlining the suitability of the candidate for the award on offer and confirming that the work in the application it is the student's own work
• A summary report giving the main findings in the thesis and theoretical and applied implications: max 3 A4 pages (1 page outlining case for award, 2 pages abstract/summary of research or 1 page Poster)

All evidence should be emailed to Dr Mike McGreary at [email protected].

All of the following headings should be used in the report:

• Title: The title should be short, informative and precise be written in Upper and Lower Case
• Introduction and Aims of the Research Programme: Outline the literature underpinning the research, the identified gaps in the literature, and the aims of the research programme.
• Abstract(s) for each Study Conducted: Provide abstracts for each of the studies conducted in your research. This may only be one abstract for the undergraduate and master's awards, but is likely to be more for the PhD award.
• Contribution to Knowledge and Applied Implications: Outline the key contributions to knowledge and any applied implications which permeate from the work.
• Strengths and Limitations: Recognition of the key strengths and limitations of the work.
• References: Include a list of up to 5 indicative references which relate to the project.
• Appendixes (if required): Tables and figures may be included in the additional information as required.

In total, the main body of the application (e.g., covering letter, summary report of thesis, and supervisor support letter) should not exceed six pages.

Please note: these must be merged into one PDF document and provided as one attachment.

Following the submission of the report, the outcome of the reviewers' decision will be made within 2 months of the deadline.

Submit a nomination

DSEP Member recipients of this award will receive £200 and their registration fees will also be partly covered so they can collect their awards and should they present their research (poster/presentation) at the DSEP Annual Conference.

Non-member recipients will receive student memberships of DSEP  for the following year.

This annual prize is awarded to a PhD student whose thesis is regarded to be an exceptional, and innovative contribution to knowledge in the field. Research on any aspect of sport and exercise psychology is eligible.

In order to be eligible for submission and for you to be able to apply for these awards, your thesis must have been submitted for and awarded the relevant level (e.g., Undergraduate, MSc, PhD) at a UK institution of higher education within a year of the award nomination deadline.

It must represent the independent work of the student submitting. 

Entry Criteria

• To win a cash prize, the nominee must be a Member of Division of Sport and Exercise Psychology (DSEP)
• We welcome submission from non-members, who will win membership of Division of Sport and Exercise Psychology, instead of the cash prize.
• Work must have been submitted within the previous 12-months of the deadline for nominations

Assessment Criteria

Applications for the awards will be judged by at least two independent assessors according to the following criteria:

• Critical and analytical thinking
  The submitted summary report of the work/thesis should show considerable evidence of critical and analytical thought in both the rationale for, and design of the study/studies relevant to the level of application.
• Originality of the work
  The study should represent an original investigation into any topic in sport and exercise psychology.
• Presentation
  The application should demonstrate excellent levels of presentation including grammar, spelling and (where appropriate) academic writing style.
• Scientific rigour
  The submitted summary report should demonstrate excellent levels of scientific rigour in the design, analysis, and write-up relevant to the level of application.

If submissions are received that do not conform to the high standards implied by the prize, no award will be made.

Guidance for nominations

You will need the following information:

Nominee details:

1. Name
2. Title
3. Organisation/affiliation
4. BPS membership number (if applicable)

Supporting Documentary Evidence:

• Evidence of degree award
• A letter of support from the supervisor of not more than one page (Times New Roman, size 12 font, 1.5 line spacing) outlining the suitability of the candidate for the award on offer and confirming that the work in the application it is the student's own work.
• A summary report giving the main findings in the thesis and theoretical and applied implications: max 4 A4 pages (1 page outlining case for award, 3 pages of abstracts/summary of research)

All evidence should be emailed to Dr Mike McGreary at [email protected].

All of the following headings should be used in the report:

• Title: The title should be short, informative and precise be written in Upper and Lower Case
• Introduction and Aims of the Research Programme: Outline the literature underpinning the research, the identified gaps in the literature, and the aims of the research programme.
• Abstract(s) for each Study Conducted: Provide abstracts for each of the studies conducted in your research. This may only be one abstract for the undergraduate and master's awards, but is likely to be more for the PhD award.
• Contribution to Knowledge and Applied Implications: Outline the key contributions to knowledge and any applied implications which permeate from the work.
• Strengths and Limitations: Recognition of the key strengths and limitations of the work.
• References: Include a list of up to 5 indicative references which relate to the project.
• Appendixes (if required): Tables and figures may be included in the additional information as required.

In total, the main body of the application (e.g., covering letter, summary report of thesis, and supervisor support letter) should not exceed six pages.

Please note: these must be merged into one PDF document and provided as one attachment.

Following the submission of the report, the outcome of the reviewers' decision will be made within 2 months of the deadline.

Submit a nomination

DSEP Members The recipient of this award will receive £300 and their registration fees will also be partly covered so they can collect their awards and should they present their research at the DSEP Annual Conference.

Non-member recipients will receive student memberships of DSEP for the following year. 

Benefits of membership include:

• Access to high quality presentations, opportunities to present a paper or poster, and network at our annual DSEP conference at executive rates.
• Access to preferential rates for workshops, webinars and other CPD events.
• Access to the DSEP website which includes access to members only resources.
• For Stage Two students you will also have the opportunity to apply for two free workshops per year
• Innovative and focused sport and exercise psychology research working groups.
• Opportunity to apply for a number of awards including the: Early Practitioner award (£400 + conference fee paid for); PhD award (£400 + conference fee paid for); MSc award (£300 + conference fee paid for); HTA Whiting Under Graduate award (£200 + conference fee paid for); or Distinguished Contribution award (Bespoke gift + conference fee paid for).
• Regional hubs for applied Sport and Exercise Psychology practitioner development.
• The biannual Sport and Exercise Psychology Review (SEPR) publication. 
• Up to £500 to support and develop training within your regional applied Sport and Exercise Psychology hub.
• Up to £1500 to support and develop your own working groups.

The Division of Sport and Exercise Psychology (DSEP) uses its membership announcement email list to inform its members of activities and initiatives that are relevant to their interests and to make requests for engagement on topical issues. 

By becoming a member of the DSEP you are automatically added to the announcement list.

To receive these emails you will need to:

1. become a member of the Division of Sport and Exercise Psychology
2. opt into receiving email communications and provide a working email address

These preferences can be updated by logging into your member portal.

If you have any queries, please contact Member Network Services.

To assist us in responding to your query please make sure to include your membership number and quote 'DSEP announcement email' in the subject line.

The Division of Sport and Exercise Psychology relies on a wide range of people getting involved, and the work of the Division is largely achieved through the dedication of unpaid volunteers.

Our volunteers come from a wide range of different backgrounds, whether they be practitioners or academics, or full members or in-training members, and together form an open and inclusive community.