Organizational Sensemaking and Pluralism in Sport Psychology Research and Applied Practice

  • Graham Mckenzie

    Student thesis: Doctoral Thesis

    Abstract

    This thesis presents the work of a trainee sport and exercise psychologist from October 2019 to September 2022 as they completed the Professional Doctorate in Sport and Exercise Psychology at the University of Portsmouth. By outlining a body of work across consultancy, reflective practice, and research, the author provides evidence that they have met the competencies required to register as a Practitioner Psychologist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Specifically, the author presents their log of hours to provide an overview of their training over the past three years, and a reflective dairy that provides an insight into key experiences that shaped their development. These reflections range from specific experiences during consultancy (e.g., delivering a workshop online) to more broad meta-reflections (e.g., the impact of COVID-19 on their practice). The author then presents four consultancy case studies across the spectrum of individual and organizational level work and illustrating practice relevant to the topics of organizational culture, pluralism, sensemaking, and working on tour. The two empirical papers in this thesis include a thematic synthesis and an ethnography of sensemaking, a novel topic in sport psychology with implications for both theory and practice. In the final chapter, the author provides a reflective epilogue that contextualizes the work in this thesis and offers a more detailed, personal account of their overall journey.
    Date of Award28 Mar 2023
    Original languageEnglish
    Awarding Institution
    • University of Portsmouth
    SupervisorChris Wagstaff (Supervisor), Ross Wadey (Supervisor) & Michael McDougall (Supervisor)

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