Dr Alison Purvis PhD, MSc, PgCert, BSc (Hons), SFHEA

Associate Dean, Teaching and Learning

Summary

Alison has over 20 years of experience in higher education and is a teaching and learning specialist who is active in research in pedagogy and sport and exercise physiology.

As an Associate Dean, Teaching and Learning Alison’s role is to provide visible strategic leadership of teaching and learning within the College of Health, Wellbeing, and Life Sciences. Alison is accountable for the student academic experience, and she supports delivery of the University's strategic aims and operational priorities for teaching and learning. Alison's background is in applied sport and exercise physiology, and she contributes to the sport and exercise science undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

About

Alison's current research interests include the physiology of intermittent sports during heat stress, gestational diabetes in minoritised communities, nutritional and physiology responses to squash match play, and thermoregulation of para-athletics. Alison is also an active researcher in teaching and learning with a specific interest in the use of technology to support learning and teaching including the use of social media in higher education, and collaborative approaches to strategic technological implementation. Recently she has been undertaking collaborative work to develop models of staff engagement in anti-racist practice, and developing social media guidance for learning and teaching. Alison also brings together her teaching and learning practice with her physiology discipline ackground and is working on a collaborative project to develop a student-focused physiology learning resource.

Alison has held a variety of leadership posts at Sheffield Hallam and has led strategic projects at institutional, college and departmental levels. Her current change leadership includes developing clear delivery models for an improved student learning experience, and initiating change for transformation in digital learning.

Alison is a senior fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA), a senior member of the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES), and a Senior Manager Member of the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA). Alison is currently an Associate Editor for the Journal of University Teaching and Learning Practice (JUTLP) and she contributes as a reviewer to a variety of journals.

Teaching

Academy of Sport and Physical Activity

College of Health, Wellbeing and Life Sciences

Sport and Exercise Sciences

BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science.
MSc Applied Sport and Exercise Science.
MSc Advanced Sport Coaching Practice.

Foundations of Physiology and Nutrition for Physical Activity and Sport.
Applied Physiology and Nutrition of Sport and Exercise Project.

Research

Current research projects

Using social media safely and appropriately in higher education.

The power of narrative for engagement in dialogue about contentious issues of racism and white privilege.

Co-production of a strategic technology roadmap for learning and teaching.

Knowing how to care: how to facilitate positive interactions with academic staff for students.

Co-creation of a digital curriculum and the transformation of digital learning.

Talking about Race and Racism. A qualitative study examining experiences of confronting issues of white privilege in a college community of staff, students, and partners.

Efficacy of passive heat stress and low-intensity exercise for protective heat acclimation.

Publications

Journal articles

Turner, O., Mitchell, N., Ruddock, A., Purvis, A., & Ranchordas, M. (2023). Fluid balance, sodium losses and hydration practices of elite squash players during training. Nutrients, 15 (7). http://doi.org/10.3390/nu15071749

Gonzalez, P., Wilson, G.S., & Purvis, A. (2022). Peer review in academic publishing: challenges in achieving the gold standard. Journal of University Teaching and Learning Practice, 19 (5). https://ro.uow.edu.au/jutlp/vol19/iss5/01/

Turner, O., Mitchell, N., Ruddock, A., Purvis, A., & Ranchordas, M. (2021). Elite squash players nutrition knowledge and influencing factors. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 18. http://doi.org/10.1186/s12970-021-00443-3

Purvis, A.J., Rodger, H.M., & Beckingham, S. (2020). Experiences and perspectives of social media in learning and teaching in higher education. International Journal of Educational Research Open, 100018. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijedro.2020.100018

Jordan, A.R., Claxton, D., Purvis, A., Barnes, A., & Fysh, M. (2018). Sprint interval training on the vertical treadmill improves aerobic and anaerobic running performance. Journal of Exercise Rehabilitation, 14 (1), 106-112. http://doi.org/10.12965/jer.1835122.561

Jordan, A., Barnes, A., Claxton, D., Purvis, A., & Fysh, M. (2017). Kinematics and neuromuscular recruitment during vertical treadmill exercise. Journal of Exercise Rehabilitation, 13 (3), 307-314. http://doi.org/10.12965/jer.1734916.458

Ruddock, A., Robbins, B., Tew, G., Bourke, L., & Purvis, A. (2017). Practical cooling strategies during continuous exercise in hot environments: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Sports Medicine, 47 (3), 517-532. http://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-016-0592-z

Ruddock, A., Tew, G., & Purvis, A. (2016). Effect of hand cooling on body temperature, cardiovascular and perceptual responses during recumbent cycling in a hot environment. Journal of Sports Sciences, 1-9. http://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2016.1215501

Purvis, A., Rodger, H., & Beckingham, S. (2016). Engagement or distraction : the use of social media for learning in higher education. Student Engagement and Experience Journal, 5 (1). http://doi.org/10.7190/seej.v5.i1.104

Ruddock, A.D., Tew, G., & Purvis, A. (2014). Reliability of intestinal temperature using an ingestible telemetry pill system during exercise in a hot environment. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 28 (3), 861-869. http://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e3182aa5dd0

Purvis, A.J., Aspden, L.J., Bannister, P.W., & Helm, P.A. (2011). Assessment strategies to support higher level learning in blended delivery. Innovations in Education and Teaching International, 48 (1), 91-100. http://doi.org/10.1080/14703297.2010.543767

Low, D., Purvis, A., Reilly, T., & Cable, N.T. (2005). The prolactin responses to active and passive heating in man. Experimental physiology, 90 (6), 909-917. http://doi.org/10.1113/expphysiol.2005.031294

Purvis, A., & Tunstall, H. (2004). Effects of sock type on foot skin temperature and thermal demand during exercise. Ergonomics, 47 (15), 1657-1668. http://doi.org/10.1080/00140130412331290880

Purvis, A.J., & Cable, N.T. (2000). The effects of phase control materials on hand skin temperature within gloves of soccer goalkeepers. Ergonomics, 43 (10), 1480-1488. http://doi.org/10.1080/001401300750003916

Conference papers

Ioannou, E., Humphreys, H., Homer, C., & Purvis, A. (2022). A systematic review using the socio-ecological model for physical activity interventions aiming to prevent type 2 diabetes after gestational diabetes (abstract only). Journal of Sports Sciences, 40 (Sup 1), 7. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02640414.2022.2125766

Ioannou, E., Humphreys, H., Homer, C., & Purvis, A. (2022). A systematic review using the socioecological model for physical activity interventions aiming to prevent type 2 diabetes after gestational diabetes [abstract only]. Journal of Sports Sciences. http://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2022.2125766

Purvis, A., Rodger, H., & Beckingham, S. (2016). Experiences of social media in higher education: barriers, enablers and next steps. In Social Media for Learning in Higher Education 2015 Conference proceedings (#SocMedHE15). Sheffield: Sheffield Hallam University: http://doi.org/10.7190/SocMedHE/2015/10

Ruddock, A., Chatziopolos, K., Parkington, T., Tew, G., & Purvis, A. (2014). Effect of hand cooling on body temperature, cardiovascular and perceptual responses during recumbent cycling in a hot environment. Journal of Science and Cycling, 3 (2). http://www.jsc-journal.com/ojs/index.php?journal=JSC&page=article&op=view&path%5B%5D=129

Low, D.A., Reilly, T., Purvis, A., & Cable, N.T. (2005). The prolactin responses to active and passive heating. FASEB JOURNAL, 19 (5), A1193.

Low, D.A., Cable, N.T., Purvis, A., & Reilly, T. (2005). Prolactin Responses To Exercise In The Heat With Altered Skin Temperatures And Skin Blood Flow. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 37 (Supplement), S170. http://doi.org/10.1097/00005768-200505001-00895

Low, D., Cable, T., & Purvis, A. (2005). Exercise thermoregulation and hyperprolactinaemia. Ergonomics, 48 (11-14), 1547-1557. http://doi.org/10.1080/00140130500101387

Low, D.A., Cable, N.T., Purvis, A., & Reilly, T. (2004). Relationship between Exercise Hyperprolactinaemia and Cardiovascular Responses during Prolonged Exercise. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 36 (Supplement), S24-S25. http://doi.org/10.1249/00005768-200405001-00115

Purvis, A.J., Low, D.A., Jackson, D.M., & Cable, N.T. (2001). PROLACTIN RESPONSE TO SOCCER SPECIFIC INTERMITTENT EXERCISE IN DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENTS. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 33 (5), S45. http://doi.org/10.1097/00005768-200105001-00258

Book chapters

Beckingham, S., Purvis, A., & Rodger, H. (2014). The SHU Social Media CoLab: developing a social media strategy through open dialogue and collaborative guidance. In Proceedings of the European Conference on Social Media. Sonning, Wokingham: Academic Conferences and Publishing International Limited: http://academic-conferences.org/ecsm/ecsm2014/ecsm14-proceedings.htm

Purvis, A., Crutchley, D., & Flint, A. (2009). Beyond peer observation of teaching. In Gosling, D., & O'Connor, K.M. (Eds.) Beyond the Peer Observation of Teaching. (pp. 23-28). London: Staff and Educational Development Association: http://www.seda.ac.uk/?p=5_1

Theses / Dissertations

Kingsbury, D. (2022). Coaches’ acquisition of sport science knowledge and the role of education providers. (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Purvis, A. http://doi.org/10.7190/shu-thesis-00469

Debney, M. (2021). Strategies to Reduce Heat Strain During Tennis Match-Play in Hot, Humid Conditions. (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Purvis, A., O'Hagan, C., & Ruddock, A. http://doi.org/10.7190/shu-thesis-00462

Ruddock, A. (2017). Alleviating Heat Strain During Exercise: Hand Cooling and Thermoregulation. (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Purvis, A. http://doi.org/10.7190/shu-thesis-00094

Jordan, A.R. (2013). The biomechanics of and physiological responses to vertical treadmill exercise. (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Fysh, M., Claxton, D., Purvis, A., & Barnes, A.

Other publications

Purvis, A., & Cable, N.T. (2002). The effects of phase control materials on hand skin temperature within gloves of soccer goalkeepers. London: Routledge: http://www.routledge.com/9780415271257

Other activities

Member and contributor for the following organisations:

Senior fellow of the Higher Education Academy

Senior member of the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences

Senior Manager Member of the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity

Member of the Women’s Sport Collective

Journal contributions:

Associate Editor for the Journal of University Teaching and Learning Practice (JUTLP)

Peer reviewer for the European Journal of Sports Science

Peer reviewer for the Journal of Thermal Biology

Peer reviewer for Nutrients

Postgraduate supervision

Current supervision:

The prevention of type II diabetes following gestational diabetes in minoritised communities.

Temperature regulation in Paralympic athletes with spinal cord injury.

The physiology and nutrition of squash.

Doctoral Completions:

KINGSBURY, Damian (DProf, 2022) – Director of Studies for a part-time DProf, titled “Coaches’ acquisition of sport science knowledge and the role of education providers”. Sheffield Hallam University.

DEBNEY, Matthew (PhD, 2021) – Director of Studies for a PhD titled “Heat Alleviation Strategies During Simulated Tennis Match Play in Hot Humid Conditions”. Sheffield Hallam University.

RUDDOCK, Alan (PhD, 2017) - Director of Studies for a part-time PhD, titled "Alleviating Heat Strain during Exercise: Hand Cooling and Thermoregulation". Sheffield Hallam University.

JORDAN, Alastair (PhD, 2013) – Second supervisor for a full-time PhD titled “Vertical treadmill exercise for physical conditioning”. Sheffield Hallam University.

DAVIES, Andrew (PhD, 2006) – Second supervisor for a full-time PhD titled “The effects of different thermal environments on performance of manual handling tasks”. Sheffield Hallam University.LOW, David (PhD, 2004) – Second supervisor for a full-time PhD titled “The role of thermal and cardiovascular indices in the genesis of central fatigue during exercise in the heat”. Liverpool John Moores University.