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Senior Lecturer in Sport & Physical Education

Prior to taking up the position of Senior Lecturer in Sport and Physical Education at the ÑÇÉ«ÊÓƵ, I worked in a wide variety of schools over twelve years, latterly as Director of Sport. I have always been a keen athlete but currently enjoy training and competing in running, cycling and duathlon events. I have qualified for championship places in the London marathon, an elite place in Bristol 10K and Great North Run and I have been selected to represent the veteran England Half Marathon team.

Research interests

• LGBTQ+ leadership
• Primary and Secondary Physical Education
• Social Justice

Qualifications

• Doctor in Education
• HEA Fellowship
• MSc PE & Sport Pedagogy
• BSc Mathematics and Learning
• Secondary PGCE in Physical Education
• BSc Sport Science and Physical Education

Membership of professional bodies

• BERA

Internal/ external roles

• Foundation Year in Sport Course Leader
• Education, English and Sport Faculty EDI Lead
• Vice Chair for LGBTQ+ Alliance Staff Network
• CERJ Reviewer

Teaching expertise

• Critical and inclusive pedagogy

Publications

• Baird, A. (2024) Radical Education and Humanities Group blog ‘Committing to a queerer future in the university’. Available at

• Hill, J. and Baird, A. (‘in press’) ‘Appreciative Inquiry’. In A. J. Maher and J. Haegele (Eds.), Routledge Handbook of Qualitative Methods for Researching Disability in Physical Education.

• Baird, A. (‘in press’) ‘Literature Review’. In C. Lee and A. Brett (Eds.), The Guide to LGBT+ Research Book, Emerald Publishing.

• Baird, A. (‘in press’) ‘Positionality’. In C. Lee and A. Brett (Eds.), The Guide to LGBT+ Research Book, Emerald Publishing.

• Baird, A. (2024) Diverse Educators blog ‘Observations on the implementation of Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSE) which include LGBT themes in an English Primary School’. Accessed at

• Hill, J., Baird, A., Wesley, K., Tchibonkola and Psaltis-Stewart, A. (2024) ‘Commuting Students Before and During COVID-19: Academic Identity Across Home and Campus Spaces.’ Widening Participation and Lifelong Learning, 26(1), 90-112.

• Sewell, A, Baird, A. et al. (2022) ‘Voice Practices to support LGBTQIA+ Educators and Pupils.’ In A. Sewell (Ed.) Diverse Voices in Educational Practice: A Workbook for Promoting Pupil, Parent and Professional Voice. Routledge: London.

• Baird, A. (2019) ‘Redefining an Identity When Transitioning from Secondary School Teacher to University Lecturer.’ Research Intelligence (BERA), 141(winter), 33.

• Baird, A. (2019) ‘Reflections to and strategies applied in Physical Education Lessons regarding gender equity.’ In J. L. Walton-Fisette, S. Sutherland and J. Hill (Eds.), Teaching about Social Justice Issues in Physical Education. Information Age Publishing.

Conference Presentations

• Baird, A. (2024) Three minute thesis: Que(e)rying Leadership on a LGBTQ+ Leadership Development Programme for UK Higher Education staff (Joint winner). Presented at Research conference, ÑÇÉ«ÊÓƵ.

• Baird, A. (2024) Que(e)rying Leadership on a LGBTQ+ Leadership Development Programme for UK Higher Education staff. Presented at Researching the Rainbow conference, University of Greenwich; UCU conference, University of Manchester and International Gender & Education Association conference, Charles Sturt University (online).Ìý

• Baird, A. (2024) Que(e)rying Leadership on a LGBTQ+ Leadership Development Programme for UK Higher Education staff. Presented at UBBS and The Higgins (Bedford Museum). Available at:

• Baird, A. (2023) Que(e)rying Leadership on a LGBTQ+ Leadership Development Programme for UK Higher Education staff. Presented at BERA conference, ÑÇÉ«ÊÓƵ and Institute for Educational & Social Equity conference, London South Bank University.

• Brett, A., Brassington, J., Baird, A. et al. (2023) Pride & Progress podcast ‘Queering Leadership’. Available at:

• Brett, A., Brassington, J., Baird, A. et al. (2023) Pride & Progress podcast ‘LGBTQ+ Inclusive Sport and Physical Education’. Available at: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/pride-progress/id1560726186?i=1000601532200

• Baird, A. (2021) Engaging with teachers’ reflections on Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSE) in an English Primary School. Presented at BERA virtual conference.

• Hill, J., Baird, A., Wesley, K., and Stewart, A. (2019) Student Journeys: a collaborative project on academic identity with community and first-generation higher education students. Presented at BERA conference, Manchester.Ìý

Contact Details

T: +44 (0)1234 793428
E: alex.baird@beds.ac.uk

Postal address:
Polhill Avenue
Bedford
MK41 9EA