About

I am a Senior Lecturer at the University of Derby within the discipline area of Sport and Exercise Sciences. My role involves teaching across a range of modules on the Physical Education, Physical Activity and Sport programme, including Foundational Movement Skills, Introduction to Teaching Physical Education, and The Outdoor Classroom.

Teaching responsibilities

My teaching enables me to explore my passions alongside students, examining the development of movement through pedagogical practice and the purposeful use of the environment to create challenging and meaningful learning landscapes. I place particular emphasis on how teaching approaches and learning spaces can enhance the quality of movement experiences for children and young people.

Research interests

Alongside my teaching role, I am currently undertaking PhD research that explores the use of educational outdoor spaces to promote physical activity, motor skill development, and wider learning, with a specific focus on the role of nature‑based environments in early years education.

This dual role allows me to integrate emerging research insights directly into my teaching and to advocate for broader, more inclusive curriculum delivery, particularly through the effective use of school outdoor spaces beyond formal lesson times. Through this approach, I aim to support the development of higher‑quality movement experiences and more holistic learning opportunities across educational contexts.

Membership of professional bodies

• International Motor Development Research Consortium
• The Charted Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences
• IOL (Institute of Outdoor Learning)

Qualifications

Undergraduate qualifications

• BA (Hons) Sport and Human Movement, University of Wales, Institute Cardiff

Postgraduate qualifications

• Post Graduate Certificate in Education, University of Wales College Newport
• MA Outdoor Education, University of Wales, Trinity Saint Davids
• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
• Currently pursuing PhD

Recent conferences

• Chandler, C., Taylor, N., Mitchell, J., & Mourton, S. (2024). Student experiences of outdoor adventure sport and their role in developing self-awareness and readiness for practice. University of Derby Learning and Teaching Conference 2024, Derby, UK.
• The European Institute of Outdoor Adventure Education and Experiential Learning Conference 2009.  Action Research in Outdoor Environment Experiences
• International Rock Climbing Research Association Conference 2018.  Establishing a Global Scale for Assessing Lead Climbing Performance

Recent publications

• Draper, N., Giles, D., Schöffl, V., Fuss, F., Watts, P., Wolf, P., Baláš, J., España Romero, V., Gonzalez, G., Fryer, S., Fanchini, M., Vigouroux, L., Seifert, L., Donath, L., Spoerri, M., Bonetti, K., Phillips, K., Stöcker, U., Bourassa-Moreau, F., Garrido, I., Drum, S., Beekmeyer, S., Ziltener, J., Taylor, N., Beeretz, I., Mally, F., Amca, A., Linhat, C. & Abreu, E. (2016). Comparative grading scales, statistical analyses, climber descriptors and ability grouping: International Rock Climbing Research Association Position Statement. Sports Technology. [doi: 10.1080/19346182.2015.1107081]
• Draper, N., Giles, D., Taylor, N., Solar Altamirano, I., Jose Arias, M., Baláš, J., Kodejška, J., España-Romero, V., Gallo Cabeza de Vaca, G., Vigouroux, L., Josseron, G., Mally, F. & Beeretz, I. (2016). Assessment of climber performance: A multi-center trial. International Rock Climbing Research Congress, August 5^th – 7^th 2016, Colorado, USA. [Oral]
• Giles, D., Draper, N., Gilliver, P., Taylor, N., Mitchell, J., Birch, L., Woodhead, J., Blackwell, G. & Hamlin, H. (2014). Current understanding in climbing psychophysiology research. Sports Technology, 7(3-4), 108-119. [doi: 10.1080/19346182.2014.968166]
• Giles, D., Chidley, J. B., Taylor, N., Torr, O., Hadley, J., Randall, T., & Fryer, S. (2019). The Determination of Finger-Flexor Critical Force in Rock Climbers. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 14(7), 972-979. Retrieved Feb 4, 2026, from https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2018-0809
• Giles, D., Barnes, K., Taylor, N., Chidley, C., Chidley, J., Mitchell, J., … España-Romero, V. (2021). Anthropometry and performance characteristics of recreational advanced to elite female rock climbers. Journal of Sports Sciences, 39(1), 48–56. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2020.1804784
• Giles, D., Hartley, C., Maslen, H., Hadley, J., Taylor, N., Torr, O., Chidley, J., Randall, T., & Fryer, S. (2021). An All-Out Test to Determine Finger Flexor Critical Force in Rock Climbers. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 16(7), 942-949. Retrieved Feb 4, 2026, from https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2020-0637
• Hartley, C., Taylor, N., Chidley, J., Baláš, J., & Giles, D. (2023). Handedness, Bilateral, and Interdigit Strength Asymmetries in Male Climbers. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 18(12), 1390-1397. Retrieved Feb 4, 2026, from https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2023-0030
• Mitchell, J., Maratos, F. A., Giles, D., Taylor, N., Butterworth A and
  Sheffield D (2020) The Visual SearchStrategies Underpinning Effective Observational Analysis in the Coaching of Climbing Movement. Front. Psychol. 11:1025.doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01025
• Roscoe, C. M. P., Taylor, N., Weir, N., Flynn, R. J., & Pringle, A. (2024). Impact and Implementation of an Early Years Fundamental Motor Skills Intervention for Children 4–5 Years. Children, 11(4), 416. https://doi.org/10.3390/children11040416
• Rylands, L. P., Cheetham, M. A., Crawford, A., Taylor, N. (2018) Power performance characteristics in male versus female sport climbers: A lab based study using SRM power meter. JEPonline, 21(5): 150-157
• Taylor, N., Giles, D., Panáčková, M., Mitchell, J., Chidley, J., & Draper, N. (2020). A Novel Tool for the Assessment of Sport Climbers’ Movement Performance. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 15(6), 795-800. Retrieved Feb 4, 2026, from https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2019-0311
• Taylor, N., Pringle, A., & Roscoe, C. M. P. (2024). Characteristics of the Outdoor Environment Affording Physical Activity, Motor Competence, and Social Interactions in Children Aged 3–7 Years: A Systematic Review. Children, 11(12), 1491. https://doi.org/10.3390/children11121491
• Taylor, N.  (2009) Action Research in Outdoor Environment Experiences. The European Institute of Outdoor Adventure Education and Experiential Learning Conference.  Trinity College St Davids, University of Wales