Emma has worked in the education sector for over 20 years, with experience teaching physical education across EYFS, primary, secondary and ITT. She is currently a Senior Lecturer in Primary Teacher Training at Birmingham Newman University, where she has been leading the development of primary physical education for over a decade. She has a PhD from the University of Leicester, in which she developed interventions to improve PE and physical activity opportunities for children in primary schools. She also has a Senior Fellowship from the Higher Education Academy, successfully completed External Examiner courses with the Advanced HE, and she has been a part of the Aurora Leadership in HE programme for women. Her excellence in teaching, research and leadership has been recognised both nationally and internationally, evidenced by several awards and nominations such as Birmingham Newman University’s ‘Most Impactful Research Project’, Sport Birmingham’s ‘Creativity and Innovation’ award and most recently she has received a nomination for her contribution to education in the upcoming Birmingham Awards 2025.

She is the creator of the innovative research-based PE teaching approach – the SHARP Principles, which have increased children’s active learning in PE lessons to 75% of lesson time. The SHARP Principles have been shared worldwide with practitioners, sport organisations, and community foundations. Emma has also developed training opportunities for schools, senior leaders, teachers, trainee teachers, and sport coaches, and has published several articles on her research and practice. She is committed to advancing the field of primary PE and physical activity through evidence-based and collaborative work.

Emma is dedicated to improving outcomes for all learners and actively undertakes research to investigate and support children with additional needs and/ or health conditions in PE. Her current research projects include: collaboration with Swim England focusing on high quality school swimming and water-safety, creation of school based recommendations for children with Cystic Fibrosis, and an investigation into the attainment gap in ITT for global majority students.