Dr Janine Coates

Janine is a Reader in Equity and Inclusion in Physical Activity and Sport. She studied Psychology and Criminology at Sheffield Hallam University, completing her undergraduate studies in 2006, before undertaking a PhD at Liverpool John Moores University in Inclusive Physical Education (PE). Her PhD examined the lived experiences of disabled children and young people in PE and school sport.

Janine has previously worked at the University of Nottingham as a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow within the School of Medicine, examining behavioural interventions for ADHD (2010-2011), and as a Lecturer in Psychology at Nottingham Trent University (2011-2016) where her teaching focused on child development. She joined Loughborough in 2016 as a Lecturer in Qualitative Research Methods. Janine leads the Research Methods Learning and Teaching Discipline Group and teaches qualitative research methods at both undergraduate and postgraduate level, predominantly on the MSc Sport and Exercise Psychology and the BSc Sport, Coaching and Physical Education (SCAPE) programmes. In 2024, she initiated a programme of qualitative research methods training seminars for doctoral researchers. Janine also contributes to a range of other modules sharing expertise relating to disability, child development and social justice.

Janine supervises doctoral researchers in the fields of inclusive physical education and sport (including disability and gender-related topics), mental health and wellbeing and outdoor learning (Forest School).

Janine’s research examines issues relating to equity and inclusion in physical education, physical activity and sport, with a specific focus on marginalised populations and children and young people. Much of her research examines social justice through an examination of the experiences of disabled children and young people and their families within physical activity and sporting contexts, with a primary focus on education settings. She has also examined this for other marginalised groups of young people, including homeless youth.

In addition to this, Janine’s research considers how different environments support inclusive physical activity for young children, including those in their early years (0-5 years). In relation to this, Janine has developed a programme of work examining how outdoor learning programmes, like Forest School, present opportunity for young children and their families to be active through outdoor play in natural, green spaces. This research considers the physical, social and mental wellbeing and learning opportunities outdoor play presents.

Janine has a strong passion for understanding and encouraging inclusive physical and social development opportunities for young children, and co-ordinated the development of the Early Movers website – a free resource for childcare practitioners and parents to develop their understanding of physical development in the early years with simple activity ideas to support physical development. She is also co-chair of the National Early Years Active Start partnership – a consortium of partners from a range of national organisations whose mission is to unify the early years sector to elevate the critical importance of physical development, play, and physical activity for all young children aged 5 years and under.

• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.
• Associate Editor of Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly (2022 – present).
• Co-chair of the National Early Years Active Start Partnership.
• Academic Organising Committee member for the International Forest School Research Symposium.
• Peer-reviewer for a range of academic journals including British Educational Research Journal; Sport, Education and Society; Journal of Applied Sport Psychology; Sport and Society and Qualitative Research in Sport and Exercise.
• Reviewer for grant applications for ESRC and NIHR.
• Janine undertakes a range of advisory roles, including:
  • Expert advisor for the ParalympicsGB commissioned documentary Equal Play produced by HTYT Films (2023-2024)
  • Judge for the Outstanding Early Years Practice Award, Youth Sport Trust Awards (2023-present)
  • Expert reviewer. Education Endowment Fund Physical Development (Early Years) Evidence Store (2024)
  • Expert advisor. Inclusive Physical Education - Teaching Assistant Toolkit. Activity Alliance (2024-2025)
• Janine regularly contributes to television, radio and online media including BBC Tiny Happy People; The Conversation; and Daily Mail.

• Sharpe, L., Coates, J., & Mason, C. (2021). Participatory research with young people with special educational needs and disabilities: a reflective account. Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health, 1-14.
• Sharpe, L., Coates, J., & Mason, C. (2021). Voice, vlogs and visibility: the experiences of young people with SEND engaging in the school games. Sport, Education and Society, 1-16.
• Coates. J.; Harris, J. & Waring, M. (2020). The effectiveness of a special school experience for improving preservice teachers’ efficacy to teach children with special educational needs and disabilities. British Educational Research Journal. Online ahead of print, DOI: 10.1002/berj.3605
• Pimlott-Wilson, H. & Coates, J. (2019). Rethinking learning? Challenging and accommodating neoliberal educational agenda in the integration of Forest School into mainstream educational settings. The Geographical Journal. 185(3), 268-278.
• Coates, J. & Pimlott‐Wilson, H. (2019). Learning while playing: Children's Forest School experiences in the UK. British Educational Research Journal, 45(1), 21-40.
• Coates, J. & Vickerman, P. (2016). Paralympic legacy: exploring the impact of the Games on the perceptions of young people with disabilities. Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly, 33(4), 338-357.
• Coates, J.; Daley, D. & Sayal, K. (2015). Parenting interventions for ADHD: A systematic literature review and meta-analysis, Journal of Attention Disorders, 19(10), 831-843