Dr
Robin
Taylor
Primary Department
School of Health & Human Performance
Role
Assistant Professor in Elite Performance
n/a
Email Address
robin.taylor@dcu.ie
Campus
Glasnevin Campus
Room Number
n/a
Academic biography
Robin is an Assistant Professor in Elite Performance, and joined the university in the summer of 2021. His research is focused on talent development and he is particularly interested in the holistic role family can play in the development of sporting talent. Robin is a Performance Centre Head Coach within the England Hockey Player Pathway and has worked closely with a range of NGBs and sports organisation supporting player and coach development, and parental engagement. Robin works on the postgraduate Elite Performance Sport programmes supervising postgraduate students on MSc, DProf and PhD programmes. As part of his role he is Programme Chair for the MSc in Elite Performance and module coordinator for three of the taught modules that sit within both the MSc and DProf programmes. Robin is research active within the field of talent development, and works closely with several sporting organisations.Robin previously taught across practical and theoretical coaching modules at undergraduate level; BSc (Hons) Sports Coaching and Performance and BA (Hons) Sports Coaching and Development degree programmes developing a broader interest in coaching practice, coach education, and psychological and social development of athletes. Robin has a diverse educational background when it comes to sport, which has allowed him to develop an understanding of sport across several areas; social, cultural, developmental, physical, performance and psychological. His coaching background has seen him coach hockey in a range of environments, working with a range of populations, including; primary and secondary school, club (performance, participation and development) and talent.
Qualifications ·
Ph.D. Talent Development in Sport, University of Central Lancashire, 2018 ·
MA. Sport, Policy and Community Development, University of Central Lancashire, 2012 ·
PGCert. Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, University of Central Lancashire, 2016 ·
BA (Hons). Sports Studies, University of Central Lancashire, 2010
Research interests
Robin's research has focused on the role of family in supporting athletes develop within a talent development environment. It considers the role of informal environments (e.g., the home), alongside coaching environments, as a potential mechanism to develop talented athletes. The research has expanded the knowledge on the potential role of siblings in the development of an athletes physical, technical, tactical, psychological and social skills. Highlighting the individualised nature of this role (dependent on the sibling relationship), the research provides approaches through which coaches can identify what, and how, siblings may be able to support the development of an athlete. Robin's research also considers the role of parents in supporting talent development, and also their role in supporting coaches to work with, and through, siblings to maximise development opportunities.Further research interest include:
Talent Development Coach Education Coaching Practice Holistic Player Development