Dr Luke Norris is a Senior Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Psychology and Coaching, with key research interests in social support and sport coaches psychological well-being.

Luke completed his degree in Sport and Exercise Science at University of East Anglia before specialising in sport psychology by completing a masters in Sport and Exercise Psychology at Loughborough University and finishing by completing a PhD in Sport Psychology at Leeds Beckett University in 2018, entitled: 'A Qualitative Investigation of Social Support among Sports Coaches'.

Luke worked at Leeds Beckett University as a part-time lecturer for a year before moving to University as Exeter as an Associate Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Pscyhology. Luke was appointed as a Lecturer at Harpury University in 2021.

Luke is also a UEFA B qualified coach with over 15 years experience, plying his trade in women's football.

Principles of Sport Science (Foundation Year)

Introduction to Sport and Exercise Psychology (Module Leader; Level 4)

Introduction to Sport and Exercise Sciences (Module Leader; Level 4)

The Sport and Exercise Scientist (Module Leader; Level 5)

UG and PG RKE Project Supervisor 

UG Academic Personal Tutor - BSc (Hons) Sports Coaching (Level 4)

Programme Manager for BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Sciences

Programme Manager for BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Nutrition

Luke's main focus of research is social support among sports coaches and how this influences coach performance and well-being.

He also has interests in stress and well-being among sports coaches, as well as women coaches experiences. This has included projects with the FA.

Luke is also an editor for UK Coaching Applied Research Journal.

Peer-Reviewed Articles

Norris, L. A., Didymus, F. F., & Kaiseler, M. (2026). Through the coach’s lens: Exploring social support functions and social networks via photo-elicitation. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1080/10413200.2026.2671105

Norris, L. A., Didymus, F. F., & Kaiseler, M. (2024). Perceived and received social support functions among UEFA B licensed women football coaches. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 1-20. https://doi.org/10.1080/1612197X.2024.2315198

Norris, L. A., Didymus, F. F., & Kaiseler, M. (2022). How can social support make coaching less stressful? A longitudinal inquiry with sports coaches. International Journal of Sport Science and Coaching, 17 (6), 1258-1269. https://doi.org/10.1177/17479541221105763

Norris, L. A., Didymus, F. F., & Kaiseler, M. (2020). Understanding Social Networks and Social Support Resources with Sports Coaches. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 48, 101665. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2020.101665

Norris, L. A., Didymus, F., & Kaiseler, M. (2017). Stressors, Coping, and Well-Being among Sports Coaches: A Systematic Review. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 33, 93-112. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2017.08.005

Book Chapters

Didymus, F. F. & Norris, L. A (2024). Enhancing Coach Self-care and Psychological Well-being. In S. A. Chroni., P. Olusoga., K. Dieffenbach., & G. Kenttä (Eds.), Coaching stories: Navigating storms, triumphs, and transformations in sport (1^st ed.,). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/b23184

Norris, L. A., McGoldrick, M., Norman, L. J., & Clarke, N. (2021). An evaluation of a mentoring programme to support high performance women coaches. In L. J. Norman (Ed.), Improving gender equity in sports coaching (1^st ed.,). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003028642

Didymus, F. F., Norris, L. A., Potts, A., & Staff, H. (2021). Psychological stress and performance. In Z. Zenko & L. Jones (Eds.), Essentials of exercise and sport psychology: An open access textbook (1^st ed., pp. 683-709). Society for Transparency, Openness, and Replication in Kinesiology. https://kinesiologybooks.org/index.php/stork/catalog/view/10/1/167-1

Newsletter Articles

Norris, L. A., Potts, A., & Didymus, F., F. (2017). Stressors and Coping among Sports Coaches: A behind the Scenes Insight. Published in American Association of Sport Psychology (AASP) Newsletter November Issue.

Potts, A. J., Heaviside, H. J., & Norris, L. A. (2017). Tapas, Sangria, and Sport Psychology: Doctoral Students’ Reflections on the International Society of Sport Psychology 14th World Congress. Published in Applied Sport Psychology Special Interest Group (ASP-SIG) Volume One December 2017.