Miss Kelly Massey is a Senior Lecture within the School of Sports and Exercise Sciences at Liverpool John Moores University. She forms part of the Physical Education team that was nominated by the students for the Amazing Course Team award at the 2020 Amazing Teaching Awards. Kelly gained her undergraduate degree in Sports and Exercise Science at LJMU and is currently completing her Doctoral Degree in Elite Athlete Identity Transitions, working closely with Doctor Amy Whitehead.
Kelly is a former International 400m athlete for Great Britain and Northern Ireland and has Olympic, World, Commonwealth and European medals to her name. Alongside Athletics she taught Physical Education and Dance at secondary school level.
Kelly remains active within the elite sport environment through her research and as a UK: Anti-doping educator, Coach and Athlete Mentor for both British Athletics and England Athletics. Kelly is also a Member of the Board of Trustees for England Athletics, a Safeguarding Panellist for England Boxing and an Ambassador for multiple sporting organisations including Greater Sport.
Degrees
2007, Liverpool John Moores Univiersity, United Kingdom, Sport and Exercise Science BSc (Hons)
Certifications
2017, Brighton School of Business and Management, Certificate of Coaching and Mentoring
Academic appointments
Lecturer/Senior Lecture, Sport and Exercise Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, 2018 - present
Postgraduate training
PG Cert Teaching and Learning, United Kingdom, Liverpool John Moores University, 2018 - 2019
Physical Education PGCE, United Kingdom, Manchester Metropolitain University, 2010 - 2011
Journal article
Massey K, Whitehead A. 2025. “I’m still training for a big event:” A qualitative case study exploring an elite athlete's physical identity journey into motherhood International Journal of Sport Psychology, 56 :1-25 DOI Publisher Url Public Url
Massey KL, Cronin CJ, Whitehead AE. 2024. ‘Baby Ban’ and ‘We are not the same’: Creative non-fiction dialogue exploring pregnancy and motherhood for a funded Paralympic and unfunded Olympic athlete Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health, 16 DOI Publisher Url Public Url
Hurst P, King A, Massey K, Kavussanu M, Ring C. 2023. A national anti-doping education programme reduces doping susceptibility in British athletes Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 69 :102512-102512 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Massey K, Whitehead AE. 2022. Pregnancy and Motherhood in Elite Sport: The Longitudinal Experiences of two Elite Athletes Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 60 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Chapters
Massey K, Whitehead A, Massey K. 2024. The Myth That Being a Good Mother and an Elite Athlete Are Not Compatible Whitehead A, Coe J. Myths of Sports Performance
Report
Pullen E, Massey K. 2023. Experiences of Pregnancy on the World Class Programme: Athlete Partner Research Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Award:
Liverpool John Moores University, Shortlisted for Equity and Inclusion in Education. 2025
Liverpool John Moores University, Rising Star Award Winner, https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/teaching-and-learning-academy/teaching-and-learning-awards/tla-2021-winners. 2021
Liverpool John Moores Student Union, Shortlisted for Amazing Course Team. 2020
External committees:
Dance Mama, Board Member, Research Advisory Group, https://www.dancemama.org/board. 2023
Active Pregnancy Foundation, Board Member, Scientific Advisory Board, https://www.activepregnancyfoundation.org/scientificadvisoryboard. 2022
England Boxing, Safeguarding Panel. 2019
England Athletics, Board of Trustees. 2018
External collaboration:
UK:Sport Governing Body and Athlete Guidance for Pregnancy, UK: Sport, https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwiO0JS9kP_1AhUGJsAKHaTnAkkQFnoECAwQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.uksport.gov.uk%2F-%2Fmedia%2Ffiles%2F1-uksportpregnancyguidanceathletesfinal-interactive.ashx%3Fla%3Den%26hash%3D8C1D94D8CE7D9CDDC5AB59BFD96B799F&usg=AOvVaw0HdMCJq-QNxgB74DQcO4PM. 2021
Teaching qualification:
Post Graduate Certificate of Teaching and Learning in HE. 2019
UK: Anti-doping Accredited Educator. 2018
Qualified Teachers Status: Physical Education. 2011
Fellowships:
Liverpool John Moores University, Fellowship of Advance HE. 2019
Membership of professional bodies:
Chartered Management Institute, Coach and Mentor. 2017
UK Athletics, Athletics Coach. 2015
Media Coverage:
Secret Lives of Lecturers: The Olympian
Episode 68 Performing Under Pressure Podcast
Kelly Massey is a former 400m and relay athlete who has represented Team GB at the Olympics, World Championships, European Championships, and Commonwealth Games earning multiple medals throughout her career. Alongside her many years at the training ground, Kelly also taught Physical Education and Dance full-time at secondary school level. Now, Kelly lectures at Liverpool Johns Moores University whilst also completing her PhD exploring all things maternity/motherhood and sport. Joining us on our Stoke-on-Trent campus at the University of Staffordshire, Kelly discusses the pressures of training at Olympic level and her current research with host Dr Paul Mansell and co-host Laura Jackson de Domene.
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Conference organisation:
Co-Organiser Lead, 2020 LJMU Power of Sport Student Conference, https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/error?item=%2fconferences%2fthe-power-of-sport&user=extranet%5cAnonymous&site=ljmu.