I am an Assistant Professor in the Physical Education and Sport Sciences (PESS) Department at the University of Limerick, a position I have held since June 2023. I hold a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Sport Sciences with a minor in Physical Education, a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Law, and a Master of Science (MSc) in Physical Education and Health from UCAM University in Murcia, Spain. I also completed a PhD in Education at the University of Murcia that was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Education through the programme “Training of university teachers”.

Throughout my academic training, I further broadened my academic experience through Erasmus programs, spending one semester at Università Foro Italico (Rome, Italy) during my BSc studies and two months at the University of Strathclyde (Glasgow, Scotland) during my MSc studies. In terms of language skills, I am fluent in Spanish (my mother tongue), Italian, and English, which has allowed me to collaborate internationally and engage with diverse academic and cultural perspectives.

Before joining the University of Limerick, I held academic positions at UCAM University, the University of Murcia, and the International University of La Rioja. These experiences have been instrumental in refining my research approach and expanding my global perspective in the field of Teacher Education.

Research and Teaching Interests:

I view education as a fundamental aspect of life, one that shapes both the future of society and the individual’s ability to navigate their place within it. For me, physical education, when approached holistically, offers a unique opportunity to equip students with the tools they need to face life’s challenges. My research is rooted in the belief that physical education has the potential to foster student autonomy and critical thinking, a philosophy I uphold through my teaching and research. Inspired by the Spanish philosopher Ortega y Gasset, I strongly believe that whenever we teach, we should encourage students to question what they are taught.

During my doctoral research at the University of Murcia, completed in 2023, I focused on exploring the impact of different pedagogies and the alignment between teaching, learning, and assessment to enhance students’ overall learning experience. My work aims to create pedagogical environments that not only promote skill development but also foster critical thinking and socio-cultural awareness.

My international experiences, having lived and worked in countries like Italy, Scotland, Japan, and Chile, have greatly shaped my interdisciplinary approach to physical education. These experiences, combined with my background in law, have broadened my understanding of education and informed my approach to teaching and research. As a result, my current research explores the socio-cultural relevance of educational research, particularly within physical education, and the role of internationalisation in academic practices.

At the core of my current research are two projects related to Physical Education Teacher Education. The first project focuses on identifying the challenges faced by pre-service teachers regarding social justice matters. The aim is to use the funding for the creation of pedagogical resources that can support pre-service teachers in preparing for and addressing these issues in the classroom. The second project examines the challenges encountered by pre-service teachers when implementing the Senior Cycle PE curriculum, which is based on pedagogical models. Both projects seek to provide practical solutions and insights that can enhance the preparation of future physical education teachers and support them in navigating the complexities of modern educational settings.

In addition to these areas, I continue to explore the cross-cultural application of pedagogical models like Teaching Games for Understanding (TGfU), examining how these approaches can be adapted and implemented in various cultural contexts. My research ultimately aims to improve physical education by investigating pedagogies and strategies that promote an inclusive physical education system (and society) for all, maximising the potential of every student.