Physical Development: understanding existing practices in early years and childcare settings

Career overview

Dr Kyriaki Makopoulou holds a BSc, MSc, and PhD and is currently a Lecturer in Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy at the University of Birmingham''s School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, where she also serves as Head of Quality Assurance and SPECS Programme Lead. Dr Makopoulou''s research primarily focuses on the professional learning processes for physical education (PE) teachers and the evaluation of school-based interventions, particularly in the context of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) opportunities. Over the past decade, she has successfully secured external funding to evaluate national CPD initiatives and implement innovative school-based interventions, emphasising inclusion and mental health and wellbeing in teaching practices. Her research is characterised by collaboration with young people and stakeholders, leading to the development of best practices for training teachers responsible for young people''s health and wellbeing. Dr Makopoulou has extensive experience working with educators, children, and young people in educational research settings. She supervises PhD and MSc students, focusing on Inclusion in Physical Education, Mental Health and Wellbeing, and CPD for PE teachers. Additionally, she is conducting systematic reviews on teachers'' and students'' perceptions of inclusion in PE and has led a four-year evaluation project funded by the Youth Sport Trust. Dr Makopoulou is an active member of several national and international associations, including the British Educational Research Association (BERA) and the European Educational Research Association (EERA), and has presented at various conferences, including AIESEP 2022.

Research interests

Dr Kyriaki Makopoulou''s research focuses on the complex process of professional learning for physical education (PE) teachers and the evaluation of school-based interventions, including Continuing Professional Development (CPD) opportunities. She aims to improve teaching quality related to inclusion and mental health and wellbeing. Over the past decade, she has secured external funding to evaluate national CPD initiatives, advance knowledge on programme evaluation, and implement innovative school-based interventions grounded in transformative and collaborative research. Her research is co-produced with young people and informs best practices for training teachers responsible for young people''s health and wellbeing. Dr Makopoulou is also conducting systematic reviews on teachers'' and students'' perceptions of inclusion in physical education, methodological considerations for inclusive research, and guidance for promoting positive mental health and wellbeing in schools. One of her recent projects includes a four-year evaluation of the Sainsbury''s Inclusive PE teacher training programme, funded by the Youth Sport Trust.