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Biography

Deirdre Brennan is a Senior Lecturer in Sports Studies at the University of Ulster.  She has been teaching modules in Physical Education and Sport on the BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Sciences, BSc (Hons) Sports Studies and PGCE courses since her appointment in 1993.

As well as teaching, Deirdre has extensive experience in designing, developing and delivering innovative policies and programmes for sport in partnership with a range of internal and external agencies including Education and Library Boards, National Governing Bodies, Primary and Post-Primary schools. She authored the University’s pioneering Elite Athlete Entry Scheme, the Approved Absence and Independent Study Policy, the International Sports Scholarships Awards and the Widening Access Sports Scholarship Programme.

She is currently  developing a Volunteer Policy and Charter to be considered at Faculty level. The Sports Outreach programmes ‘Sport for LIFE’ and ‘Schools Olympic Sport Legacy Programme’ have been awarded the London 2012 Inspire mark in recognition of the contribution they are making to the promotion of sport and physical activity as a legacy of the London 2012 Olympics

What motivated you to engage with the public?

I am deeply passionate about being able to make a difference to the lives of young people whether they are my own students or the young people they work with in the community.  I strongly believe that the University should be an aspiration for all and that sport can be used as a stimulus to raise awareness about the importance of education.

A modern University needs to be adaptable to maximise its value to the public beyond producing top quality graduates.  I believe passionately in the work that I do and I really enjoy engaging with the public (particularly school-children) for the benefit of the University, the students and the wider community.

Describe the public engagement work you have done

I am passionate about using the rich resources of the University (staff and students) wherever they can make an impact in the local community. Over the past 11 years I have developed a wide range of sports outreach programmes. These are designed to increase access to University expertise and knowledge, to develop our students’ professional and practical skills and to enhance the experiences of children and young people in areas of greatest disadvantage through sport and physical activity. In partnership with National Governing Bodies of Sport, Schools and Education and Library Boards my Sports Outreach Unit provides opportunities for over 100 University students to deliver quality assured programmes to circa 150 local schools and 8,000 pupils on an annual basis. Approximately £800k has been secured in funding and partnership bids to support Sports Outreach work and in this academic year alone the total value of Sports Outreach activity based on financial audit tool designed by Volunteer Now is £368,742.

As a delivery partner of Volunteer Now, over 40 students in the past academic year have received a Goldmark Sports Award - a nationally recognised award for volunteering. The programmes depend on an interagency approach to delivery. This approach facilitates significant public engagement in design, development, delivery and monitoring and evaluation. One of our largest programmes Sport for LIFE was recognised by the World Health Organisation as a best practice case study in promoting physical activity to people in areas of socio-economic disadvantage. In the coming year we will deploy 47 students on a full time basis to deliver an Schools Olympic Sport Legacy Programme in circa 100 primary schools and 47 post primary schools.