Sarah Collard

Dr Sarah Collard

  • Senior Lecturer in Psychology
  • Poole House P118, Talbot Campus, Fern Barrow, Poole, BH12 5BB
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Biography

As a lecturer in psychology at Bournemouth University, I have a wealth of interests and expertise which span across the field of psychology. With a background in sport and exercise psychology, one of my main research interests is in exploring the psychosocial impact of exercising with chronic conditions. With a particular interest in presenting the lived experience of exercising with epilepsy, my PhD explored the narratives of the sportsperson with epilepsy over time. Publishing the first qualitative research on this topic, it is my desire to further this research and find ways to increase physical activity levels for people with epilepsy and develop coping mechanisms to aid the disruption that epilepsy can have upon an individual’s identity, self-confidence, and overall quality of life. I am a passionate qualitative researcher and am interested in using qualitative methods to present the lived experiences of individuals who may not always be heard within society. I would be happy to supervise PhD students who are interested in using qualitative methods within my area of expertise.

Research

My main research interests:

1) Exploring the psychosocial impact of exercising with epilepsy over time 2) The adaptation methods used by people with epilepsy to exercise safely and confidently 3) The impact of social support on increasing physical activity levels for people with epilepsy 4) Stigma in relation to invisible and visible disabilities, particularly within the workplace and within an exercise environment.

Journal Articles

Conferences

  • Bahadori, S., Williams, J., Collard, S., Swain, I., 2023. Can a walking intervention using an activity monitor improve individuals’ daily activity and function post THR surgery: A randomised pilot trial. In: the European Society for Movement Analysis in Adults and Children 18/09/2023 Athens. Gait and Posture https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S096663622300944X: Elsevier.
  • Collard, S., Baker, G., 2022. Physical Activity Levels of Adults with Epilepsy in the UK. In: BPS Division of Health Psychology Annual Conference 28/06/2022 Bristol.
  • Bahadori, S., Collard, S., Williams, J.M., Swain, I., 2020. A review of current use of commercial wearable technology and smartphone apps with application in monitoring individuals following total hip replacement surgery. Journal of Medical Engineering and Technology, 44 (6), 324-333.
  • Bahadori, S., Collard, S., Swain, I., 2020. A Patient, Surgeon and Physiotherapist Perspective on Reasons Behind Total Hip Replacement Surgery: A PPI Approach. In: ISPRM World Congress 04/03/2020 Orlando, Florida.
  • Tee, S., Scammell, J., Docherty, S., Collard, S., Higgins, S., 2019. Support4Nurses: NHS Acute Hospital Trust and local University partnership to improve the retention of registered nurses. In: Networking for Education in Healthcare NET2019 03/09/2019 Keele University.
  • Chapman, J.A., Collard, S.V., 2016. "I say tomato, you say tomato". Is Autoethnography Auto\Biography by any other name? In: Winter Auto/Biographical conference. Auto/Biographical Methodologies 16/12/2016 Friends House, Euston Road, London.
  • Chapman, J.A., Collard, S.V., 2016. "I say tomato, you say tomato". Is Autoethnography Auto\Biography by any other name? In: CQR (Centre for Qualitative Research) Lunchtime Seminar 07/12/2016 Royal London House., Bournemouth University.
  • Collard, S., Marlow, C., 2015. The hidden ill body: Narratives of the embodied experiences of the sportsperson with epilepsy. In: Division of Sport and Exercise Psychology, British Psychological Society Conference 14/12/2015 Leeds.

Reports

  • Pulman, A., Collard, S., Miller, J., Thomas, P., Jiang, N., Dogan, H., Kersten, P., Gay, M.-C., Davies-Smith, A., Hourihan, S., Roberts, F., Stanley, K., Pretty, K., Thomas, S., 2018. Consultation on delivering an MS-fatigue management group programme in an online format (cFACETS). Bournemouth: BUCRU, Bournemouth University.

Theses

  • Bahadori, S., 2023. The application of commercial wearable technology and smartphone rehabilitation applications for enhancing individuals’ level of activity after hip replacement surgery. Faculty of Health and Social Science.

Grants

  • Physical activity levels of adults with Epilepsy in the UK (Bournemouth University ACORN Grant, 01 Feb 2022). Completed
  • Understanding the psychosocial experiences of exercising with epilepsy: A narrative analysis (Epilepsy Action). Awarded
  • Qualitative insights into epilepsy-related death and prevention: A narrative synthesis (Epilepsy Action). Completed
  • Understanding the psychosocial experiences of exercising with epilepsy: A narrative analysis (University of Roehampton). Awarded
  • Qualitative insights into epilepsy-related death and prevention: A narrative synthesis (Epilepsy Action). Completed

Qualifications

  • PhD in Sport and Exercise Psychology (University of Roehampton, 2014)
  • MSc in Sport and Exercise Psychology (University of Roehampton, 2007)
  • BA in Psychology (Villanova University, 2005)

Memberships

  • British Psychological Society, Chartered,
The data on this page was last updated at 22:00 on February 13, 2026.