Staff profile

Emily joined the department in January 2014. She is a Chartered Psychologist and Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society, a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, and a Fellow of Fuse, the Centre for Translational Research in Public Health. She has a particular interest in research development and training, serving as the Department’s inaugural Director of Research and currently as Director of Postgraduates.

Her research takes the form of two inter-related strands. First, motivation, in particular how this is sustained and strengthened during crises. This includes understanding how and why people cope differently, with a focus on mental health outcomes.

The second strand focuses on translating these ideas to design equitable interventions and policies to support health and wellbeing. Here, the role of physical activity is centred, alongside consideration of how activity-based interventions can engage individuals or groups who may be excluded from standard approaches or services.

Emily has been funded as a Principal Investigator by the National Institute of Health Research, Sport England, and through the Newton Fund. Currently, she is the lead for Fuse’s Public Mental Health research programme and serves as Associate Editor of Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport. 

Twitter: @_EJOliver

Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.co.uk/citations?user=_2kRgHsAAAAJ&hl=en

PhD Students

If you are interested in undertaking a PhD under her supervision, Emily would be delighted to discuss opportunities to work with you at Durham. She welcomes applications in two broad research areas. First, motivation, in particular how the environment and individual characteristics influence physical activity and mental health. Second, in translating these findings to design inclusive interventions and policies to reduce health inequalities.

Research Funding

• Oliver, E.J. (PI) (2021). WHOLE-SMI: Wellbeing and Holistic health promotion for individuals with severe mental illness. Funder: National Institute for Health Research
• Oliver, E.J., (PI) (2020). Evaluating community-based co-location models for supporting public mental health. Funder: National Institute for Health Research
• Osborn, D., Oliver, E.J. (CO-I). (2019). Interventions supporting indviduals experiencing acute psychosocial crises. Funder: National Institute for Health Research.
• Oliver, E.J. (PI) (2019). Inclusion and enagement in elite talent development systems. Funder: Sport England.
• Oliver, E.J., Osborn, D. et al. (2019). Improving public mental health in adults experiencing key psychosocial stresses. Funder: NIHR
• Lafortune, Buckner, Oliver et al. (2018). Developing Age-friendly rural communities: the contribution of local participatory planning processes. Funder: National Institute for Health Research.
• Oliver, E.J. (PI) (2017). Physical Activity, Rurality, and Health in Sri Lanka: Building sustainable health promotion systems. Funder: Newton Fund.

Chapter in book

• Oliver, E., & Roberts, C. (2017). Enhancing young peoples’ engagement: a case study in a regenerating local community. In K. Niven, S. Lewis, & C. Kagan (Eds.), Making a difference with psychology (49-55). Richard Benjamin Trust
• Oliver, E., & Flint, S. (2014). A new approach to the regulation of body-image discrepancies: examining associations between self-talk and personality. In S. Cooper, & K. Ratele (Eds.), Psychology serving humanity : proceedings of the 30th International Congress of Psychology. Volume 2 : Western Psychology (277-286). Psychology Press
• Hardy, J., & Oliver, E. (2014). Self-talk, positive thinking, and thought stopping. In R. Eklund, & G. Tenenbaum (Eds.), Encyclopedia of sport and exercise psychology. SAGE Publications
• Oliver, E. (2010). Group Cohesion in Sport. In D. Tod, J. Thatcher, & R. Rachman (Eds.), Sport Psychology. Palgrave Macmillan
• A Review. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203887073

Conference Paper

• Oliver, E., Bock, S., & Hanson, L. (2016, September). Mind the Gap: Supporting between years transitions in Higher Education. Paper presented at Durham University Inaugural Learning and Teaching Conference, St Aidan's College, Durham, UK

Journal Article

• Dellacasa, G., & Oliver, E. J. (2024). A case for ‘Collective Physical Activity’: moving towards post-capitalist futures. Annals of Leisure Research, 27(3), 435-453. https://doi.org/10.1080/11745398.2023.2208446
• Latinjak, A. T., Morin, A., Brinthaupt, T. M., Hardy, J., Hatzigeorgiadis, A., Kendall, P. C., Neck, C., Oliver, E. J., Puchalska-Wasyl, M. M., Tovares, A. V., & Winsler, A. (2023). Self-Talk: An Interdisciplinary Review and Transdisciplinary Model. Review of General Psychology, 27(4), 355-386. https://doi.org/10.1177/10892680231170263
• Lee, C., Parker, G., Buckner, S., Mattocks, C., Barnes, A., Oliver, E. J., Cowan, A., & Lafortune, L. (2022). Neighbourhood planning, rural ageing and public health policy in England: a case of policy myopia?. Town Planning Review, 93(3), 275-300. https://doi.org/10.3828/tpr.2021.39
• Rigby, B., Dodd-Reynolds, C., & Oliver, E. (2022). The understanding, application and influence of complexity in national physical activity policy-making. Health Research Policy and Systems, 20, Article 59. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12961-022-00864-9
• Williamson, C., Baker, G., Tomasone, J. R., Bauman, A., Mutrie, N., Niven, A., Richards, J., Oyeyemi, A., Baxter, B., Rigby, B., Cullen, B., Paddy, B., Smith, B., Foster, C., Drummy, C., Vandelanotte, C., Oliver, E., Dewi, F. S. T., McEwen, F., Bain, F., …Kelly, P. (2021). The Physical Activity Messaging Framework (PAMF) and Checklist (PAMC): International consensus statement and user guide. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 18(1), Article 164. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-021-01230-8
• Oliver, E., Buckley, B., Dodd-Reynolds, C., Downey, J., Hanson, C., Henderson, H., Hawkins, J., Steele, J., Wade, M., & Watson, P. (2021). Where next for the design, delivery and evaluation of community-based physical activity prescription? Emerging lessons from the United Kingdom. Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism, 46(11), https://doi.org/10.1139/apnm-2021-0101
• McGrath, M., Duncan, F., Dotsikas, K., Baskin, C., Crosby, L., Gnani, S., Hunter, R. M., Kaner, E., Kirkbride, J. B., Lafortune, L., Lee, C., Oliver, E., Osborn, D. P., Walters, K. R., & Dykxhoorn, J. (2021). Effectiveness of community interventions for protecting and promoting the mental health of working-aged adults experiencing financial uncertainty: a systematic review. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 75(7), 665-673. https://doi.org/10.1136/jech-2020-215574
• Baskin, C., Zijlstra, G., McGrath, M., Lee, C., Duncan, F., Oliver, E., Osborn, D., Dykxhoorn, J., Kaner, E., & Gnani, S. (2021). Community-centred interventions for improving public mental health among adults from ethnic minority populations in the UK: a scoping review. BMJ Open, 11(4), https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2020-041102
• Oliver, E., Dodd-Reynolds, C., Kasim, A., & Vallis, D. (2021). Inequalities and inclusion in exercise referral schemes: a mixed-method multi-scheme analysis. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(6), Article 3033. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18063033
• Duncan, F., Baskin, C., McGrath, M., Coker, J., Lee, C., Dykxhoorn, J., Adams, E., Gnani, S., Lafortune, L., Kirkbride, J., Kaner, E., Jones, O., Samuel, G., Walters, K., Osborn, D., & Oliver, E. (2021). Community interventions for improving adult mental health: mapping local policy and practice in England. BMC Public Health, 21(1), Article 1691. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-11741-5
• Hanson, C., Oliver, E., Dodd-Reynolds, C., & Kelly, P. (2020). We are failing to improve the evidence base for “Exercise Referral”: How a Physical Activity Referral Scheme Taxonomy can help. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 54(12), 696-697. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2019-101485
• Thomas, L., Fadeeva, A., & Oliver, E. (2020). The double negative: Personality differentially predicts sensitivity to need support and thwarting, and subsequent behavioural response planning. Personality and Individual Differences, 156, Article 109767. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2019.109767
• Hanson, C. L., Oliver, E. J., Dodd-Reynolds, C. J., Pearsons, A., & Kelly, P. (2020). A modified Delphi study to gain consensus for a taxonomy to report and classify physical activity referral schemes (PARS). International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 17(1), Article 158. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-020-01050-2
• Duncan, F. H., McGrath, M., Baskin, C., Osborn, D., Dykxhoorn, J., Kaner, E. F., Gnani, S., LaFortune, L., Lee, C., Walters, K. R., Kirkbride, J., Fischer, L., Jones, O., Pinfold, V., Stansfield, J., & Oliver, E. J. (2020). Delivery of community-centred public mental health interventions in diverse areas in England: a mapping study protocol. BMJ Open, 10(7), Article e037631. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2020-037631
• Rigby, B., Dodd-Reynolds, C., & Oliver, E. (2020). Inequities and inequalities in outdoor walking groups: a scoping review. Public Health Reviews, 41, Article 4. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40985-020-00119-4
• Dodd-Reynolds, C., Nevens, L., Oliver, E., Finch, T., Lake, A., & Hanson, C. (2019). Prototyping for public health in a local context: a streamlined evaluation of a community-based weight management programme (Momenta), Northumberland, UK. BMJ Open, 9(10), Article e029718. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2019-029718
• Jamie, K., Oliver, E., Paterson, A., & Whittlesea, C. (2019). Discussing alcohol in medicines use reviews: experiences of patients in a community pharmacy context. International Journal of Pharmacy Practice, 27(3), 318-321. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijpp.12492
• Hawkins, J., Edwards, M., Charles, J., Russell, J., Kelson, M., Morgan, K., Murphy, S., Oliver, E., Simpson, S., Tudor Edwards, R., & Moore, G. (2019). Acceptability and feasibility of implementing accelorometry-based activity monitors and a linked web portal in an exercise referral scheme: A mixed-methods feasibility randomized controlled trial. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 21(3), Article e12374. https://doi.org/10.2196/12374
• Flint, S., & Oliver, E. (2019). Seven-year itch: The UK Government’s difficult relationship with the food and drink industry since ‘Healthy Lives, Healthy People: A call to action on obesity in England (2011). Public Health Nutrition, 22(7), 1326-1329. https://doi.org/10.1017/s1368980019000053
• Hanson, C., Oliver, E., Dodd-Reynolds, C., & Allin, L. (2019). How do participant experiences and characteristics influence engagement in exercise referral? A qualitative longitudinal study of a scheme in Northumberland, United Kingdom. BMJ Open, 9(2), Article e024370. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2018-024370
• Thomas, L., Hudson, J., & Oliver, E. (2018). Modelling motivational dynamics: demonstrating when, why, and how we self-regulate motivation. Journal of motivation, emotion, and personality, 7, 33-47. https://doi.org/10.12689/jmep.2018.704
• Hawkins, J., Edwards, M., Charles, J., Russell, J., Kelson, M., Morgan, K., Murphy, S., Oliver, E., Simpson, S., Tudor Edwards, R., & Moore, G. (2017). Protocol for a feasibility randomised controlled trial of the use of Physical ACtivity monitors in an Exercise Referral Setting: The PACERS study. Pilot and Feasibility Studies, 3(1), Article 51. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40814-017-0194-z
• Thomas, L., & Oliver, E. (2017). Application of feedback principles to marking proformas increases student efficacy, perceived utility of feedback, and likelihood of use. Sport and Exercise Psychology Review, 13(2),
• Mawn, L., Oliver, E. J., Akhtar, N., Bambra, C., Torgerson, C., Bridle, C., & Stain, H. J. (2017). Are we failing young people not in employment, education or training (NEETs)? A systematic review and meta-analysis of re-engagement interventions. Systematic Reviews, 6, Article 16. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-016-0394-2
• Morris, R., Tod, D., & Oliver, E. (2016). An Investigation into Stakeholders’ Perceptions of the Youth-to-Senior Transition in Professional Soccer in the United Kingdom. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 28(4), 375-391. https://doi.org/10.1080/10413200.2016.1162222
• Oliver, E., Hanson, C., Lindsey, I., & Dodd-Reynolds, C. (2016). Exercise on referral: Evidence and complexity at the nexus of public health and sport policy. International Journal of Sport Policy and Politics, 8(4), 731-736. https://doi.org/10.1080/19406940.2016.1182048
• Oliver, E., Hudson, J., & Thomas, L. (2016). Processes of identity development and behaviour change in later life: Exploring self-talk during physical activity uptake. Ageing & Society, 36(07), 1388-1406. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0144686x15000410
• Thomas, L., Hudson, J., & Oliver, E. (2015). Development and Validation of An Implicit Measure of Meta-motivational States. Journal of motivation, emotion, and personality, 4, 15-25. https://doi.org/10.12689/jmep.2015.403
• Hoon, A., Oliver, E., Szpakowska, K., & Newton, P. (2015). Use of the 'Stop, Start, Continue' method is associated with the production of constructive qualitative feedback by students in higher education. Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education, 40(5), 755-767. https://doi.org/10.1080/02602938.2014.956282
• Hudson, J., Day, M., & Oliver, E. (2015). A ‘new life’ story or ‘delaying the inevitable’? Exploring older people's narratives during exercise uptake. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 16(3), 112-120. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2014.09.004
• Morris, R., Tod, D., & Oliver, E. (2015). An Analysis of Organizational Structure and Transition Outcomes in the Youth-to-Senior Professional Soccer Transition. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 27(2), 216-234. https://doi.org/10.1080/10413200.2014.980015
• Hawkins, J., Oliver, E., Wyatt Williams, J., Scale, E., & van Woerdon, H. (2014). Assessing the feasibility of using uniaxial accelerometers with an online support platform in the delivery of a community-based exercise-referral scheme. Journal of Primary Care & Community Health, 5(4), 288-290. https://doi.org/10.1177/2150131914536053
• Oliver, E., Mawn, L., Stain, H., Bambra, C., Torgerson, C., Oliver, A., & Bridle, C. (2014). Should we ‘hug a hoodie’? Protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis of interventions with young people not in employment, education or training (so-called NEETs). Systematic Reviews, 3, https://doi.org/10.1186/2046-4053-3-73
• Akehurst, S., & Oliver, E. (2014). Obsessive passion: a dependency associated with injury-related risky behaviour in dancers. Journal of Sports Sciences, 32(3), 259-267. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2013.823223
• Curtis, F., Oliver, E., Jones, A., Rice, S., & Thatcher, R. (2013). Health and lifestyle changes associated with ageing in rural communities: the emphasis on current concerns in Wales. (Iechyd a newidiadau ffordd o fyw sy’n gysylltiedig ag oedran mewn ardaloedd gwledig: y pwyslais ar bryderon cyfredol yng Nghymru.). Gwerddon, 16, 28-39
• Tod, D., Hardy, J., & Oliver, E. (2011). Effects of self-talk: a systematic review
• Beattie, S., Leif, D., Adamoulas, M., & Oliver, E. (2011). Self-efficacy and performance: Investigating the possible negative effects of self-efficacy upon golf putting performance. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 12, 434-441
• Oliver, E., Markland, D., & Hardy, J. (2010). Interpretation of self-talk and post-lecture affective states of higher education students: A self-determination theory perspective. British Journal of Educational Psychology, 80(2), 307-323. https://doi.org/10.1348/000709909x477215
• Oliver, E., Hardy, J., & Markland, D. (2010). Exploring elite coaches' views of athletes' practice behaviors. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 11, 433-443
• Law, R., Breslin, A., Oliver, E., Mawn, L., Markland, D., Maddison, P., & Thom, J. (2010). Patient perceptions of the effects of exercise on joint health in rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatology, 49(12), 2444-2445
• Markland, D., & Oliver, E. (2008). The Sociociultural Attitudes Towards Appearance Questionnaire-3: A confirmatory factor analysis. Body Image, 5(1), 116-121. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2007.10.001
• Oliver, E., Markland, D., Hardy, J., & Petherick, C. (2008). The Effects of Autonomy-Supportive and Controlling Environments on Self-Talk. Motivation and Emotion, 32(3), 200-212

Report

• Rigby, B., Donkin, B., Oliver, E., Lindsey, I., & Mitchell, I. (2018). Influencing Older People's Physical Activity: A Pilot Rapid Evidence Review Produced on Behalf of the Active Durham Partnership Evidence-based Approach Group. [No known commissioning body]
• Hudson, J., Oliver, E., Thomas, L., & Higgs, F. (2012). Functional and Psychological Changes during a Community-based 32 Week Postural Stability Training Programme: Recommendations for Future Practice. [No known commissioning body]