Dr Michael McDougall

I have an undergraduate degree in psychology from the University of Stirling, and a MSc. and PhD. in sport psychology from Liverpool John Moores University, the latter being completed in 2020. My thesis was on organisational culture in sport.

Before joining the University of Stirling, I spent 6 years working at Keystone College, a small liberal arts university in Pennsylvania, USA, as an Assistant Professor of Psychology. I taught sport psychology, social psychology, clinical counseling theories, qualitative research methods/analysis, and storied and narrative approaches in psychology and the social sciences.

I mainly research organisational culture, social issues in sport and work, and forms of organising through cultural analysis and various approaches to meaning, drawing on critical and interpretative traditions across disciplines (psychology, anthropology, sociology and organisation and management) to ground and develop my ideas. Recently my research has expanded to include interests in meaningful work, craftsmanship, sense of place, and organisational sensemaking. Last summer I was also a visiting fellow at the University of Jyväskylä, Finland, supporting the "Winning in the Long Run" project, focusing on athlete construction of life trajectories and psychosocial development in the context of youth sport culture.

Outside of academia, I have several years of experience working at the intersections of non-profit and community mental health. For the last few years I have also periodically worked as an organisational consultant providing specialist services in areas of culture (coaching, analysis, advisory, re-positioning, change) and strategy.

Organisational Culture, Organising, Meaning & Meaningfulness in Work, Sport, and Leisure, Sport and Social Issues, Mental Health, Cultural Psychology, Localism & Heritage, Place