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Vicky Gottwald BSc. PGCE. PGDip. PhD. SFHEA is a skill acquisition researcher and member of the Institute of Psychology for Elite Performance (IPEP) at 91¾«Æ·ºÚÁϳԹÏ. Her research interests are well aligned with her passion for sports coaching, and she is particularly interested in coaching instruction. More specifically, the way in which verbal instruction can direct an athlete's attention and consequently, either enhance or impede motor learning and performance. Similarly, Vicky has an interest in talent identification and development; specifically, with regards to enhancing the practice environment for optimal performance.

Vicky is the Talent Identification and Transfer lead for the Welsh Institute for Performance Science (WIPS: ); a three-way partnership between Sport Wales, Wales’ leading academic sport scientists and relevant industry partners to support multi-disciplinary, world-leading, applied performance science projects that enhance the performance of Welsh athletes and businesses.

As a UKCC Level 4 basketball coach, Vicky has extensive experience applying skill acquisition related theoretical concepts in practice and has coached across various stages of the Basketball Wales National Team Programmes.Ìý

School of Psychology and Sport Science, Institute for the Psychology of Elite Performance (IPEP)

Location: George Building (Room 302)

Email:Ìý±¹.³¾.²µ´Ç³Ù³Ù·É²¹±ô»å°ª²ú²¹²Ô²µ´Ç°ù.²¹³¦.³Ü°ì

Tel: +44(0)1248 382824

Twitter: @GottwaldVicky

Research Group:ÌýÌý

Vicky is a researcher in skill acquisition with particular interest in coaching instruction. She is a UKCC Level 4 Coach and the Talent Identification and Transfer Lead for the Welsh Institute of Performance Science (WIPS). She has experience working with a number of high performance sporting organisations, including UK Sport, Weigthlifting Wales, Welsh Rowing, England Athletics and UK Deaf Sport.

• Postgraduate Diploma in Elite Coaching Practice
  University of Central Lancashire, 2019
• Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA)
  Higher Education Academy, 2016
• PhD Skill Acquisition
  91¾«Æ·ºÚÁϳԹÏ, 2011
• M-Level Postgraduate Certificate of Education (Secondary Physical Education)
  University of Southampton, 2007
• BSc Sports Science
  University of Wales, Bangor, 2006

I currently teach on the following modules:

• Level 5 Skill Acquisition
• Level 5 Sport Psychology: Theory and Application

I am willing to supervise PhD candidates on projects within areas of expertise e.g. coaching instruction (attentional focus), practice structure and talent identification and development.

Self-funded (inc.agency-funded) projects: I welcome informal enquiries from prospective PhD students interested in projects related to the above topic areas. Please submit a draft research proposal to v.m.gottwald@bangor.ac.uk.Ìý

Funded projects: Studentship opportunities within the School can be found at: /studentfinance/postgraduate/funding#psychology

2025

• Published
  Lowe, G., Owen, J., Gottwald, V. & Jones, E., 23 Apr 2025, In: Frontiers in Sports and Active Living. 7
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2024

• Published
  Gottwald, V., Owen, R., Herrebroden, H., Becker, K., Marchant, D. & Simpson, T., 16 Jul 2024.
  Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper › peer-review
• Published
  Gottwald, V., Hardman, L., Owen, R., Gallicchio, G., Roberts, J. & Knight, C., 16 Jul 2024.
  Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper › peer-review
• Published
  Lowe, G., Evans, S., Gottwald, V., Jones, E. & Owen, J., 2 Jul 2024.
  Research output: Contribution to conference › Poster › peer-review
• Published
  Lowe, G., Gottwald, V., Roberts, R., Hardy, J. & Owen, J., 19 Jul 2024.
  Research output: Contribution to conference › Abstract › peer-review
• Published
  Hardman, L., Owen, R. & Gottwald, V., 16 Jul 2024. 1 p.
  Research output: Contribution to conference › Poster › peer-review
• Published
  Kirby, E., Jones, M., Evans, S., Gottwald, V. & Owen, J., 8 Jul 2024.
  Research output: Contribution to conference › Poster › peer-review
• E-pub ahead of print
  Lawrence, G., Dunn, E., Gottwald, V., Oliver, S., Roberts, R., Hardy, J. & Woodman, T., 22 Feb 2024, (E-pub ahead of print) In: International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2023

• Published
  Gottwald, V., Davies, M. & Owen, R., 24 May 2023, In: Frontiers. 5, 13 p., 1176635.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
• Published
  Chandy, T., Evans, S., Gottwald, V. & Owen, J., 16 May 2023.
  Research output: Contribution to conference › Abstract › peer-review
• Published
  Lawrence, G., Owen, R., Gottwald, V. & Khan, M., Feb 2023, In: Human Movement Science. 87, 1, 24 p., 103022.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2022

• Published
  Anderson, D., Lawrence, G. & Gottwald, V., Dec 2022, In: Journal of Expertise. 5, 4, p. 147-168 22 p., 4.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• Published
  Anderson, D., Gottwald, V. & Lawrence, G., 30 Sept 2022, In: Frontiers. 4, 17 p., 986134.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• Published
  Owen, R., Blanchfield, A. & Gottwald, V., 31 May 2022, In: Cylchgrawn Addysg Cymru/The Welsh Journal of Education. 24, 1, p. 1-17 17 p., 24.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• Published
  Knight, C. & Gottwald, V., 27 May 2022, In: Frontiers for Young Minds. 10, 684710.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2021

• Published
  Gottwald, V., Anderson, D. & Lawrence, G., 25 Dec 2021, In: Journal of Expertise. 4, 4, p. 335-364 30 p., 4.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• Published
  Langham-Walsh, E., Gottwald, V. & Hardy, J., 28 Jun 2021, In: PLoS ONE. 16, 6, e0253656.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2020

• Published
  Gottwald, V., Owen, R., Lawrence, G. & McNevin, N., Mar 2020, In: Psychology of Sport and Exercise. 47, 101634.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• Published
  Lawrence, G. P., Virian, J., Oliver, S. J. & Gottwald, V. M., 2020, In: European Journal of Sport Science. 20, 2, p. 229-239 11 p.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2019

• Published
  Langham-Walsh, E., Anderson, D., Dunn, E., Gottwald, V., Hardy, J., Hardy, L., Lawrence, G., Lowery, M., Oliver, S., Roberts, R. & Woodman, T., 2019, Journal of Exercise, Movement, and Sport (SCAPPS refereed abstracts repository). p. 115
  Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution
• Published
  Dunn, E., Anderson, D., Langham-Walsh, E., Lowery, M., Hardy, L., Lawrence, G., Woodman, T., Gottwald, V., Hardy, J., Roberts, R. & Oliver, S., 18 Oct 2019.
  Research output: Contribution to conference › Poster › peer-review
• Published
  Langham-Walsh, E., Gottwald, V. & Hardy, J., 2019, Journal of Exercise, Movement, and Sport (SCAPPS refereed abstracts repository). p. 116
  Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution
• Published
  Langham-Walsh, E., Gottwald, V. & Hardy, J., 18 Oct 2019, p. 204.
  Research output: Contribution to conference › Poster › peer-review
• Published
  Anderson, D. N., Gottwald, V. M. & Lawrence, G. P., 14 Aug 2019, In: Frontiers in Psychology. 10, 1838.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2018

• Unpublished
  Dunn, E., Langham-Walsh, E., Lowery, M., Hardy, L., Lawrence, G., Gottwald, V., Hardy, J., Oliver, S. & Roberts, R., 8 Jun 2018, (Unpublished).
  Research output: Contribution to conference › Poster
• Published
  Gottwald, V., Lawrence, G. & Owen, R., 21 Oct 2018, Journal of Exercise, Movement, and Sport: SCAPPS refereed abstracts repository. s1 ed. Vol. 50. p. 27
  Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review
• Published
  Anderson, D., Gottwald, V. & Lawrence, G., 21 Oct 2018, Journal of Exercise, Movement, and Sport : SCAPPS refereed abstracts repository. 1 ed. Vol. 50. p. 4
  Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review
• Published
  Owen, R., Gottwald, V. & Lawrence, G., 21 Oct 2018, Journal of Exercise, Movement, and Sport: SCAPPS refereed abstracts repository. 1 ed. Vol. 50. p. 54
  Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review

2015

• Published
  Gottwald, V. M., Lawrence, G. P., Hayes, A. E. & Khan, M. A., 1 May 2015, In: Experimental Brain Research.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• Published
  Mandzuk, A. A., Mandzuk, A., Lawrence, G. P. & Gottwald, V. M., 29 Apr 2015.
  Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper

2013

• Published
  Lawrence, G. P., Khan, M. A., Mottram, T. M. & Gottwald, V. M., 17 Oct 2013.
  Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper
• Published
  Lawrence, G. P., Gottwald, V. M., Hardy, J. & Khan, M. A., Jan 2013, In: Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport. 82, 3, p. 431-441
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• Published
  Lawrence, G. P., Cassell, V. E., Beattie, S. J., Woodman, T., Khan, M. A., Hardy, L. J. & Gottwald, V. M., 27 Oct 2013, In: Psychological Research. 78, 5
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• Published
  Lawrence, G. P., Kingston, K., Gottwald, V. M. & Jones, R. L. (Editor), 4 Mar 2013, An Introduction to Sports Coaching: Connecting Theory to Practice: 2nd edition. Routledge, p. 31-48
  Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter

2012

• Published
  Kramer, R. S. S., Gottwald, V. M., Dixon, T. A. M. & Ward, R., 1 Apr 2012, In: Evolutionary Psychology. 10, 2, p. 271-295
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• Published
  Hardy, L. J., Lawrence, G. P., Beattie, S., Woodman, T., Gottwald, V. M., Khan, M. A., Hardy, L. & Cassell, V., 7 Jun 2012.
  Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper
• Published
  Lawrence, G., Beattie, S., Woodman, T., Khan, M. A., Hardy, L., Gottwald, V. M. & Cassell, V. E., 20 Jun 2012, Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology. s1 ed. Vol. 34. p. S101
  Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review
• Published
  Lawrence, G. P., Gottwald, V., Khan, M. A. & Kramer, R., 2 Nov 2012, In: Frontiers in Psychology. 3, 468
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2010

• Published
  Gottwald, V. M., Lawrence, G. P. & Khan, M. A., Jun 2010, p. S82-S82.
  Research output: Contribution to conference › Abstract › peer-review

2024

• Female Rugby Player Welfare Project

  29 Mar 2024 – 6 Apr 2024

  Links:

  • /news/2024-04-10-player-welfare-support-to-womens-u18-six-nations-from-bangor-researchers
  Activity: Participation in Academic workshop, seminar, course (Participant)

2023

• BASEM Research Bursary Prize Presentation.

  6 Oct 2023

  Activity: Invited talk (Speaker)

• As part of the World Rugby funded research project examining injury risk, staff at the School of Psychology and Sport Science engaged with some 300 female rugby players across the nine Welsh Rugby Union female hubs in north Wales and commissioned a bilingual film to capture the spirit of female youth rugby in the region. The follow-on project resulting from this collaboration will be the World Rugby funded Welsh Injury Surveillance in Girls Youth Rugby project (WISGYR).

  1 Jul 2023 – 30 Sep 2024

  Links:

  • /wisgyr
  • /community/bangor-university-community-fund
  Activity: Types of Public engagement and outreach - Festival/Exhibition (Contributor)

2022

• Anthropometric and psychological profiles of the World’s best Beach Sprint Rowers to determine future talent identification and selection protocols - research carried out by BU at 2022 World Coastal Rowing Championships.

  Rees et al.’s (2017) review of current knowledge on the development of the World’s best sporting talent, recommends practitioners adopt anthropometric profiling for talent selection protocols and psychological profiling for talent development purposes. Of note, Hardy et al. (2017) state anthropometric and psychological profiles are almost certainly sport specific. This also builds on Gottwald et al. 2022 work with Weightlifting Wales (KESS II funded).

  Project outcomes will be fourfold: (1) inform the development of talent selection and development protocols within British Rowing and globally; (2) contribute to research excellence via two high calibre REF returnable manuscripts and contribution to an impact case study (REF 2028); (3) strengthen industry partnerships via fostering relationships with Welsh, British, and World Rowing; and (4) enhance the student experience by providing skill development and employability opportunities for BU students. (1)Aligned with BU’s economic, social and civic impact, data will be used to inform talent identification, selection, and development protocols. Beach sprint rowing remains in its infancy and researchers and practitioners are yet to determine the optimal anthropometric and psychological profile for successful performance at the highest level of this sport. Having this unique data set will allow us to have genuine impact and raise the profile of the sport by enhancing the calibre of athletes competing within it. Similarly, data will contribute to enhanced inclusivity in rowing. Where traditionally, rowing has relied upon selection protocols biased towards ‘tall and talented’, the different physical demands of beach sprints will likely suit a smaller stature retaining a broader range of athletes within the sport. However, this shift is unlikely to happen without the proposed data to support it. (2)Aligned with research excellence, this work will contribute to a likely 4* rated REF impact case study (ICS) surrounding talent identification and development, continuing the School’s successful track record of this type of activity (1 x 3.5* and 1 x 4* REF 2020 ICS). It is well aligned with other talent related projects culminating within the current REF 2028 period, so would contribute to create some critical mass in this area (e.g., work with Weightlifting Wales / UK Sport Pathway to Podium / ECB). As testament to the potential calibre of this applied project, it has been supported in principle by the Welsh Institute of Performance Sciences; a three-way partnership between Sport Wales, Wales’ leading academic sport scientists, and relevant industry partners to support multi-disciplinary, world-leading, applied science projects that enhance the performance of Welsh athletes and businesses. The project will aim to culminate in one strong REF returnable output investigating the anthropometric and psychological determinants of expertise in beach sprinting; based largely on this being the first dataset of its kind and the unique nature of the elite sample. Data will also contribute to a second talent transfer oriented dataset (funded by Welsh Rowing) investigating differences in anthropometric and psychological profiles of beach sprinters transferring from traditional flat-water backgrounds to coastal rowing (the most common pathway rowers currently progress to elite levels within the sport). This will likely be another strong output due to talent transfer being a relatively novel aspect of the talent literature and the cutting-edge analytic techniques (i.e., pattern recognition analysis) we will utilise. Outputs produced by all the authors were entered in REF 2021 and were of at least 3* quality. (3)Our involvement in this event will support the primary research team to strengthen existing research collaborations with Welsh Rowing whilst developing new collaborations with British Rowing and the World federation, increasing the scale and scope of our research partnerships. This is consistent with the BU research strategy to increase visibility and impact of its world-leading research by fostering relationships with industry partners. We anticipate that this will help set the scene for future impact related work; one initiative World Rowing have already shown a keen interest in is the development of a new contemporary GPS-based timing system for the sport, which would have global impact and potential enterprise opportunities.

  Funding awarded through the 91¾«Æ·ºÚÁÏ³Ô¹Ï Innovation and Impact Award (Research Wales Innovation Funding). Value = £8,783

  4 May 2022 – 30 Apr 2023

  Activity: Other (Contributor)

2021

• ESAN Conference Presentation

  12 May 2021

  Activity: Oral presentation (Speaker)

2020

• Presenting preliminary findings from the pattern recognition analysis.

  26 Feb 2020

  Activity: Oral presentation (Speaker)

• Pathway2Podium Feedback session 1.ÌýPresent: Head of Talent, Head EDP Coaches, Head of GB Support, EDP S&C coach, EIS Pathways Senior Scientist and SSHES Senior Lecturer (GL).

  27 Jan 2020

  Activity: Oral presentation (Speaker)

2019

• Presentation of findings from the second quarter of the Pathway to Podium project.

  29 Jul 2019

  Activity: Oral presentation (Speaker)

• 13 May 2019

  Activity: Oral presentation (Speaker)

• Presentation of findings from first quarter of the Pathway to Podium project.

  10 May 2019

  Activity: Oral presentation (Speaker)

• May 2019

  Activity: Oral presentation (Speaker)

• Presentation of findings from first quarter of the Pathway to Podium project.

  10 Apr 2019

  Activity: Oral presentation (Speaker)

2017

• Sport Advisory Group Basketball

  Sep 2017 – Jul 2018

  Activity: Consultancy (Consultant)

• Expertise devlopment in practice

  25 May 2017

  Activity: Invited talk (Speaker)

• Research collaboration underlying mechanisms of human movement

  20 Apr 2017 – 29 Apr 2017

  Activity: Hosting an academic visitor (Host)

• Investigating teachers’ and teaching assistants’ responses to CPD in Health, Well-being and Physical Literacy

  27 Feb 2017

  Activity: Invited talk (Speaker)

2016

• The impact of the Physical Literacy Framework so far and opportunities to expand physical education in the new National Curriculum

  17 Nov 2016

  Activity: Invited talk (Speaker)

• National Action Research Group Physical Literacy for Schools

  1 Apr 2016 – 31 Mar 2017

  Activity: Membership of committee (Chair)

2015

• When vision is impaired, what should athletes focus on?

  14 Oct 2015

  Activity: Oral presentation (Speaker)

• Invited Discussant. Instruction and Feedback: Does yours help or hinder?

  30 Apr 2015

  Activity: Oral presentation (Speaker)

2014

• Systematically increasing contextual interference is beneficial for learning, but how long for?

  23 Oct 2014

  Activity: Oral presentation (Speaker)

2011

• Expertise Skill Acquisition Network

  15 Sep 2011

  Activity: Membership of network (Chair)

2010

• Can learning under an external focus of attention counteract negative effects of choking under pressure?

  10 Jun 2010 – 12 Jun 2010

  Activity: Oral presentation (Speaker)

2009

• Examining an internal and external focus of attention in a novice form sport

  Jun 2009

  Activity: Oral presentation (Speaker)

2008

• The Use of the Specificity of Learning Principle to Reduce Choking Under Pressure

  Nov 2008

  Activity: Oral presentation (Speaker)

• 01/04/2021 – 30/04/2024 (Finished)

• 01/04/2016 – 30/04/2017 (Finished)

Basketball, Coaching, Sea Swimming, Meditation