Dr Rick Hayman

Associate Professor

School: Sport Exercise and Rehabilitation

Dr Rick Hayman is an Associate Professor in Sports Development, Management and Coaching at Northumbria University, where he teaches across undergraduate and postgraduate sport programmes. He is a National Teaching Fellow (NTF; 2026) and Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (PFHEA; 2024), recognising his sustained national impact on learning and teaching.

With over 20 years' experience in higher education, his research focuses on the transition into higher education, inclusive education and evidence-informed approaches to enhancing student success. He has published extensively in leading international journals on student transition, inclusive educational practice and coaching-informed pedagogy, and collaborates with partners across the UK and internationally to develop evidence-informed approaches that improve educational outcomes.

Alongside his research, Rick has extensive experience in teaching and curriculum development. His coaching-informed approach to learning has enhanced the experience and success of diverse student communities, particularly those entering university through widening participation pathways. Rick has led educational enhancement initiatives at departmental, faculty, institutional and sector levels, contributing to improvements in student engagement, attainment, retention and graduate outcomes.

Rick is actively involved in shaping higher education beyond Northumbria. He contributes to national higher education initiatives, including sector-wide curriculum development, educational enhancement and research into student transition, while supporting colleagues through mentoring and educational leadership. His work has influenced policy and practice across the sector through research and innovation in student transition, inclusive pedagogy and coaching-informed learning. Across his teaching, research and leadership, Rick is committed to creating learning environments in which all students and colleagues can thrive and fulfil their potential.

Campus Address

Room 234 Northumberland Building
Northumbria University
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE1 8ST

Email Rick

Research Themes and Scholarly Interests

Dr Rick Hayman is an Associate Professor in Sports Development, Management and Coaching at Northumbria University, where he teaches across undergraduate and postgraduate sport programmes.

With over 20 years' experience in higher education, his research focuses on the transition into higher education, inclusive education and evidence-informed approaches to enhancing student success. He has published extensively in leading international journals on student transition, inclusive educational practice and coaching-informed pedagogy, and collaborates with partners across the UK and internationally to develop evidence-informed approaches that improve educational outcomes.

Key Publications

Please visit the Pure Research Information Portal for further information
Addressing Racialised Awarding Gap in Higher Education: Insights from Personal Tutors, Ajibade, B., Hayman, R., Hibbs, A., Gabi, J. 25 Apr 2026, In: British Educational Research Journal
Decolonising the Sciences: Enhancing the Experience of Staff and Students from Racially Minoritised Ethnic Groups Using LEGO® Serious Play®, Ajibade, B., Hayman, R., Burns, C., Navarro-Reguero, C., Milian, J. 26 Feb 2026, In: Equity in Education & Society
Embedding multidisciplinary learning into sport and exercise science degree provision, Peart, D., Thornton, C., Macpherson, T., McCullogh, N., Allen, J., Hayman, R., Rumbold, P. 9 Jun 2026, In: Cogent Education
Engineering Students Educational Experiences of Further and Higher Education Teaching in the United Kingdom, Hayman, R., Hibbs, A., Elsdon, M., Polman, R. 13 Apr 2026, In: Research in Post-Compulsory Education
Examining the cost of learning in United Kingdom higher education: Qualitative insights from academic and professional service staff at a post-92 English university, Graham, P., Shotton, L., Goodall, A., Hayman, R. 25 Mar 2026, In: Equity in Education & Society
Exploring staff perceptions of gender attainment gaps: A case study within a post-92 United Kingdom university sports department, Edmonds, A., Slipman, C., McCullogh, N., Ansdell, P., Hayman, R. 24 Jun 2026, In: Journal of Hospitality, Leisure, Sport and Tourism Education
Extra-CURRICULAR activity participation at an English post-92 university: an exploration of student drivers and barriers through the lens of Possible Selves Theory, Sillence, E., Hayman, R., Graham, E., Hibbs, A., Polman, R. 11 Jul 2026, In: Cogent Education
"I had to find my place to sit” – students’ experiences of transitioning to higher education, Hibbs, A., Hayman, R., Stephens, D., Kaiseler, M., Timmis, M., Tomlinson, A. 19 May 2026, Student Belonging Conference
Peaks, pits and perks: Examining perceived organisational stressors of young academy football players across Elite Player Performance Plan categories, Ade, R., Hayman, R., McCullogh, N., Graham, P., Adams, N., Polman, R., Fothergill, M. 24 Jul 2026, In: The Sport Psychologist

Professional Activity

Please visit the Pure Research Information Portal for further information
Oral presentation: “Trying to juggle study and work”: University staff reflections on supporting students experiencing financial hardship 2024
Oral presentation: Impact of early sport specialisation on physical literacy, movement competency and long term intrinsic motivation 2018
Oral presentation: Exploring social integration of sport students during the transition to university 2017
Oral presentation: Exploring social integration of sport students during the transition to university 2017
Oral presentation: Exploring social integration of sport students during the transition to university 2017
Oral presentation: Exploring social integration of sport students during the transition to university 2017
Oral presentation: Exploring social integration and the retention of sport students through the transition to university 2017
Oral presentation: Using flipped learning to place sport students and their employability at centre stage: insights and food for thought 2016
Oral presentation: Flipped learning classroom with sports students: a new way of doing business 2016
Oral presentation: Flipped learning maiden voyage through uncharted waters 2015