Dr Alison Purvis PhD, MSc, PgCert, BSc (Hons), PFHEA, SFSEDA, FAHEP
Associate Dean Learning, Teaching and Student Success
Summary
Alison has over 20 years of experience in higher education and is a teaching and learning specialist who is active in research in pedagogy and sport and exercise physiology.
As an Associate Dean Learning, Teaching and Student Success, Alison's role is to provide visible strategic leadership of teaching and learning within the College of Health, Wellbeing, and Life Sciences. Alison is accountable for the student academic experience, and she supports delivery of the University's strategic aims and operational priorities for teaching and learning. Alison's background is in applied sport and exercise physiology, and she contributes to the sport and exercise science subject area.
About
Alison's current research interests include the physiology of heat stress, including health of the older adult in a changing climate. Alison is also an active researcher in teaching and learning with a specific interest in the use of technology to support learning and teaching including the use of social media in higher education, and collaborative approaches to strategic technological implementation.
Recently, she has been undertaking collaborative work to develop models of staff engagement in anti-racist practice, and developing social media guidance for learning and teaching. Alison brings together her teaching and learning leadership with her physiology discipline background and is working on a collaborative project to develop a student-focused physiology learning resource.
Alison has held a variety of leadership posts at Sheffield Hallam and has led strategic projects at institutional, college and departmental levels. Her recent institutional change leadership includes developing clear delivery models for an improved student learning experience at module level, and initiating change for transformation in digital learning.
Alison is a Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (PFHEA), a Senior Fellow of the Staff and Educational Development Association (SFSEDA), and a Fellow of the Association of Higher Education Professionals (FAHEP). Alison's national work includes working with Jisc on their Digital Transformation Project in 2023-24 and their Beyond Blended Project in 2024-25. Her international work includes her role as a Senior Editor for the Journal of University Teaching and Learning Practice (JUTLP) and a founding director of the Open Access Publishing Association (OAPA).
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Current research projects
- Digital Leadership in Higher Education
- Digital Learning Transformation in Higher Education
- Compassionate pedagogies as an essential component of inclusive education
- Using social media safely and appropriately in higher education
- The power of narrative for engagement in dialogue about contentious issues of racism and white privilege
- Co-production of a strategic technology roadmap for learning and teaching
- Co-creation of a digital curriculum and the transformation of digital learning
- Talking about Race and Racism. A qualitative study examining experiences of confronting issues of white privilege in a college community of staff, students, and partners
- Efficacy of passive heat stress and low-intensity exercise for protective heat acclimation in the older adult
Publications
Journal articles
Purvis, A. (2025). . Journal of Perspectives in Applied Academic Practice, 13 (1), 266-271.
Purvis, A., Fielding-Lloyd, B., Jacobi, M., Thornley, D., & Woolley, N. (2025). . Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education, 33.
Turner, O., Mitchell, N., Ruddock, A., Purvis, A., & Ranchordas, M. (2024). . Journal of Science in Sport and Exercise.
Ioannou, E., Humphreys, H., Homer, C., & Purvis, A. (2024). . Diabetic Medicine, 41 (12).
Purvis, A., Nicholas, V., & Tai, J. (2024). . Journal of University Teaching and Learning Practice, 21 (10).
Ioannou, E., Humphreys, H., Homer, C., & Purvis, A. (2024). . Maternal and Child Health Journal, 28 (8), 1354-1379.
Purvis, A.J., & Crawford, J. (2024). . Journal of University Teaching and Learning Practice, 21 (09).
Purvis, A., & Beckingham, S. (2024). . Journal of University Teaching and Learning Practice, 21 (5).
Purvis, A., Blaize Alfred, L.-.A., & West, A. (2024). . Educational Developments, 25 (1), 19-22.
Ioannou, E., Humphreys, H., Homer, C., & Purvis, A. (2024). . Diabetic Medicine.
Ioannou, E., Humphreys, H., Homer, C., & Purvis, A. (2023). The Sport and Exercise Scientist, 77 (Autumn).
Ioannou, E., Humphreys, H., Homer, C., & Purvis, A. (2023). . British Journal of Diabetes, 23 (1).
Turner, O., Mitchell, N., Ruddock, A., Purvis, A., & Ranchordas, M. (2023). . Nutrients, 15 (7).
(2022). British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences abstracts. Journal of sports sciences, 40 (sup1), 1-39.
Gonzalez, P., Wilson, G.S., & Purvis, A. (2022). . Journal of University Teaching and Learning Practice, 19 (5).
Turner, O., Mitchell, N., Ruddock, A., Purvis, A., & Ranchordas, M. (2021). . Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 18.
Purvis, A.J., Rodger, H.M., & Beckingham, S. (2020). . International Journal of Educational 香蕉视频 Open, 100018.
Jordan, A.R., Claxton, D., Purvis, A., Barnes, A., & Fysh, M. (2018). . Journal of Exercise Rehabilitation, 14 (1), 106-112.
Jordan, A., Barnes, A., Claxton, D., Purvis, A., & Fysh, M. (2017). . Journal of Exercise Rehabilitation, 13 (3), 307-314.
Ruddock, A., Robbins, B., Tew, G., Bourke, L., & Purvis, A. (2017). . Sports Medicine, 47 (3), 517-532.
Ruddock, A., Tew, G., & Purvis, A. (2016). . Journal of Sports Sciences, 1-9.
Purvis, A., Rodger, H., & Beckingham, S. (2016). . Student Engagement and Experience Journal, 5 (1).
Ruddock, A.D., Tew, G., & Purvis, A. (2014). . Journal of Strength and Conditioning 香蕉视频, 28 (3), 861-869.
Purvis, A.J., Aspden, L.J., Bannister, P.W., & Helm, P.A. (2011). Assessment strategies to support higher level learning in blended delivery. Innovations in Education and Teaching International, 48 (1), 91-100.
Low, D., Purvis, A., Reilly, T., & Cable, N.T. (2005). . Experimental physiology, 90 (6), 909-917.
Purvis, A., & Tunstall, H. (2004). . Ergonomics, 47 (15), 1657-1668.
Purvis, A. (2003). Student Experiences of Assessing Computer Collaboration in Blended Learning. Link, 8, 5-7.
Purvis, A.J., & Cable, N.T. (2000). The effects of phase control materials on hand skin temperature within gloves of soccer goalkeepers. Ergonomics, 43 (10), 1480-1488.
(1999). Communications to the Fourth World Congress of Science and Football. Journal of Sports Sciences, 17 (10), 807-840.
Atkinson, G., Coldwells, A., Reilly, T., Waterhouse, J., & Purvis, A. (1997). Does the within-test session variation in measurements of muscle strength depend on time of day? Journal of Sports Sciences (Abstract). Journal of Sports Sciences, 15 (22).
Conference papers
Purvis, A. (2024). . In Staff and Educational Development Association Spring Conference, Liverpool John Moores University, 16 May 2024 - 17 May 2024.
Debney, M., Ruddock, A., O'Hagan, C., & Purvis, A. (2023). . Journal of Sports Sciences, 26.
Ioannou, E., Humphreys, H., Homer, C., & Purvis, A. (2022). . Journal of Sports Sciences, 40 (Sup 1), 7.
Ioannou, E., Humphreys, H., Homer, C., & Purvis, A. (2022). . Journal of Sports Sciences.
Purvis, A., Wilkinson, L., Thornley, D., Griffiths, J., & Batty, L. (2022). Co-production of a strategic technology roadmap for learning and teaching. In Academic Practice And Technology, University College London, 1 July 2022.
Purvis, A., Rodger, H., & Beckingham, S. (2016). . In Social Media for Learning in Higher Education 2015 Conference proceedings (#SocMedHE15). Sheffield: 香蕉视频:
Aspden, L., Purvis, A., & Helm, P. (2014). Strategies for alternative assessment. In ALT-C, Exeter, UK.
Ruddock, A., Chatziopolos, K., Parkington, T., Tew, G., & Purvis, A. (2014). . Journal of Science and Cycling, 3 (2).
Jordan, A., Fysh, M., Claxton, D., Purvis, A., & Barnes, A. (2013). Sprint interval training on the vertical treadmill. In 18th Congress of the European College of Sport Science, Barcelona, Spain.
Jordan, A., Claxton, D., Fysh, M., & Purvis, A. (2012). Characterising the physiological responses to vertical treadmill exercise. In 17th Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science.
Jordan, A., Fysh, M., Claxton, D., Purvis, A., & Barnes, A. (2011). Sprint interval training on the vertical treadmill. In 18th Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science, Liverpool, UK.
Gerrett, N., & Purvis, A. (2011). Endurance training intervention and heat acclimation for a female runner: A case study. In BASES 2011 Annual Student Conference.
Low, D.A., Reilly, T., Purvis, A., & Cable, N.T. (2005). The prolactin responses to active and passive heating. FASEB JOURNAL, 19 (5), A1193.
Low, D.A., Cable, N.T., Purvis, A., & Reilly, T. (2005). Prolactin Responses To Exercise In The Heat With Altered Skin Temperatures And Skin Blood Flow. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 37 (Supplement), S170.
Low, D., Cable, T., & Purvis, A. (2005). . Ergonomics, 48 (11-14), 1547-1557.
Low, D.A., Cable, N.T., Purvis, A., & Reilly, T. (2004). Relationship between Exercise Hyperprolactinaemia and Cardiovascular Responses during Prolonged Exercise. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 36 (Supplement), S24-S25.
Purvis, A., & Cable, N.T. (2002). Effects of clothing and environment on thermoregulation during intermittent exercise. In European Congress of Sport Sciences, Athens. Greece, 2002.
Purvis, A.J., Low, D.A., Jackson, D.M., & Cable, N.T. (2001). PROLACTIN RESPONSE TO SOCCER SPECIFIC INTERMITTENT EXERCISE IN DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENTS. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 33 (5), S45.
(2001). PART IV: PHYSIOLOGY. Journal of Sports Sciences, 19 (1), 32-68.
Purvis, A., & Cable, T. (1999). Effects of exercise mode on foot skin temperature, Journal of Sports Sciences. In Fourth World Congress of Science and Football, (pp. 816).
(1997). PART II: INTERDISCIPLINARY AND APPLIED STUDIES. Journal of Sports Sciences, 15 (1), 14-22.
Book chapters
Beckingham, S., Purvis, A., & Rodger, H. (2014). . In Proceedings of the European Conference on Social Media. Sonning, Wokingham: Academic Conferences and Publishing International Limited:
Purvis, A., Crutchley, D., & Flint, A. (2009). . In Gosling, D., & O'Connor, K.M. (Eds.) Beyond the Peer Observation of Teaching. (pp. 23-28). London: Staff and Educational Development Association:
Theses / Dissertations
Ioannou, E.I. (2024). . (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Purvis, A., Humphreys, H., & Homer, C.
Kingsbury, D. (2022). . (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Purvis, A.
Debney, M. (2021). . (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Purvis, A., O'Hagan, C., & Ruddock, A.
Ruddock, A. (2017). . (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Purvis, A.
Jordan, A.R. (2013). . (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Fysh, M., Claxton, D., Purvis, A., & Barnes, A.
Purvis, A. (2000). Temperature regulation during soccer specific intermittent exercise: The effects of clothing and environment. (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Cable, N., & Reilly, T.
Internet Publications
Purvis, A. (2024). .
Purvis, A. (2024). The role of professional services staff in driving students鈥 AI Literacy.
Purvis, A. (2024). .
Giove, S., Hodgson, R., & Purvis, A. (2022). Learning, Teaching and Assessment Framework.
Media
Purvis, A., Mella, P., & Gray, J. (2025). SoTL Spotlight Podcast Episode 4 - Digital Learning. [Podcast]. 香蕉视频
Purvis, A., Mella, P., & Gray, J. (2025). SoTL Spotlight Podcast Episode 4 - Digital Learning. [Podcast]. 香蕉视频
Presentations
Gray, J., Austen, L., & Purvis, A. (2025). Playing catch up: establishing a SoTL network at a large English university. Presented at: EuroSoTL Annual Conference 2025, University of Groningen, The Netherlands
Purvis, A. (2025). . Presented at: LTA Connect: Compassionate Pedagogies, Online, 2025
Purvis, A., Hanna, P., Voce, J., Birkett, S., Newall, E., & Knight, S. (2025). Workshop: Cultivating collaboration for strategic change using Jisc鈥檚 framework and maturity model for digital transformation. Presented at: Jisc Digifest, Birmingham
Purvis, A., Nicholas, V., & Tai, J. (2024). . Presented at: OAPA Webinar, Online, 2024
Purvis, A. (2024). Digital Leadership. Presented at: Digital Competencies and Skills: Challenges and Practice of Development, Online
Purvis, A., Birkett, S., Knight, S., & Milne, L. (2024). Approaches to digital transformation: learning from our pilots. Presented at: Student experience experts group meeting, Birmingham, UK
Knight, S., Birkett, S., McGill, L., Newall, E., Purvis, A., Voce, J., ... Bowsher, C. (2024). Cultivating collaboration for strategic change using Jisc鈥檚 framework and maturity model for digital transformation. Presented at: ALT-C, Manchester
Purvis, A., & Fielding-Lloyd, B. (2024). The Role of Leaders in Digital Learning Transformation. Presented at: ESLTIS24: Enhancing Student Learning Through Innovative Scholarship 2024, University of St Andrews
Purvis, A., O'Dea, C., & Saunders, S. (2024). . Presented at: Professional Managers Annual Conference Online 2024, Online, 2024
Purvis, A., O'Dea, C., & Saunders, S. (2024). . Presented at: Professional Managers Annual Conference Online 2024, Online, 2024
Purvis, A., & Scott, H. (2024). . Presented at: Education Strategy Forum, De Vere Cotswold Water Park Hotel, 2024
Purvis, A. (2024). Conversations about race and changing culture: The Power of Narrative. Presented at: Taking Stock and Moving Forwards, 香蕉视频
Ioannou, E., Humphreys, H., Homer, C., & Purvis, A. (2023). A Socio-ecological approach to overcoming barriers for physical activity promotion after gestational diabetes: a systematic review and thematic synthesis.
Beckingham, S., Weller, M., Purvis, A., & Singh, L. (2023). The Post-Twitter Future of Online Learning Teaching Communities of Practice [Invited Speaker]. Presented at: Social Media for Learning in HE Conference, Online
Purvis, A., & Beckingham, S. (2023). Engaging students for safe and positive experiences of social media (workshop). Presented at: Social Media for Learning in Higher Education 2023, University of Stirling
Purvis, A., & Beckingham, S. (2023). Preparing for the workplace: The [continued] need for student guidance to use social media safely and professionally. Presented at: The Changing Landscape of Higher Education: enhancing student outcomes and wellbeing, Leeds
Purvis, A. (2023). Keynote: Digital Learning Transformation. Presented at: Developing Digital Pedagogies and Practice, 香蕉视频
Beckingham, S., & Purvis, A. (2023). Using social media safely and appropriately in higher education: A reflection on the last 10 years. Presented at: Developing Digital Pedagogies and Practice, 香蕉视频
Ioannou, E., Humphreys, H., Homer, C., & Purvis, A. (2023). 鈥淚 know what I need to do, it鈥檚 just doing it鈥 a Socio-Ecological analysis of Barriers and Facilitators to Physical Activity after Gestational Diabetes. Presented at: Women in Sport and Exercise Academic Network (WiSEAN) Conference, Liverpool John Moores University
Ioannou, E., Humphreys, H., Homer, C., & Purvis, A. (2023). "I鈥檓 doing all I can鈥 wider Constraints to Physical Activity after Gestational Diabetes: a Socio-Ecological approach. Presented at: 11th International DIP Symposium on Diabetes, Hypertension, Metabolic Syndrome & Pregnancy, Thessaloniki
Purvis, A., Salih, I., Masterson, S., Stafford, P., & Ceccinato, M. (2023). The Power of Narrative: Engagement in Dialogue About Contentious Issues of Racism and White Privilege. Presented at: Advance HE EDI Conference, Hull
Rodger, H., & Purvis, A. (2016). Keynote: The Key-Not. Presented at: Social Media for Learning in Higher Education 2016 (#SocMedHE16, 香蕉视频
Beckingham, S., Purvis, A., & Rodger, H. (2014). The SHU Social Media CoLab: Developing a Social Media Strategy Through Open Dialogue and Collaborative Guidance. Presented at: The European Conference on Social Media, University of Brighton
Purvis, A., & Aspden, L. (2007). Strategies for Blackboard Supported Assessment. Presented at: Blackboard Europe, Nice, Frane
Purvis, A., & Flint, A. (2007). Implementation of Peer Supported Review (ELATE). Presented at: Pedagogic 香蕉视频 Day, University of Bournemouth
Crutchley, D., & Purvis, A. (2006). Working Together: Developing LTA Through Peer-Supported Review. Presented at: Staff and Educational Development Association (SEDA), Birmingham, UK
Purvis, A., & Crutchley, D. (2005). ELATE - Project Aims and Project Partners. Presented at: Pedagogic 香蕉视频 Day, University of Wolverhampton
Purvis, A., & Mitchell, N. (2004). Feasibility of Designing Web-based DL Modules in PG Sport Science. Presented at: Sport Division Staff Development Day, 香蕉视频
Purvis, A., & Helm, P. (2003). Assessment strategies to support higher level learning in blended delivery. Presented at: ILTHE Annual Conference, Coventry
Posters
Ioannou, E., Humphreys, H., Homer, C., & Purvis, A. (2023). 鈥淚鈥檓 doing all I can鈥 wider Constraints to Physical Activity after Gestational Diabetes: a Socio-Ecological approach. Presented at: The 11th International Symposium on Diabetes (DIP), Hypertension, Metabolic Syndrome and Pregnancy: Innovative Approaches in Maternal Offspring Health, Thessaloniki
Other publications
Purvis, A. (2025). . The National Teaching Repository:
Beckingham, S., Austen, L., Gray, J., Purvis, A., Kellock, A., & Haywood-Small, S. (2025). An Introduction to SoTL@SHU. 香蕉视频:
Purvis, A., Payne, C., & Hannah, C. (2025). . National Teaching Repository:
Purvis, A. (2025). . National Teaching Repository:
Purvis, A., & Winwood, B. (2024). Workshop - Assessment and Feedback. National Teaching Repository:
Purvis, A. (2024). Recommendations for Compassionate Educators. National Teaching Repository:
Purvis, A., & Beckingham, S. (2023). Social Media Guidance. 香蕉视频:
Purvis, A., & Winwood, B. (2023). . The National Teaching Repository:
Purvis, A., & Cable, N.T. (2002). . London: Routledge:
Other activities
- Senior Editor, Journal of University Teaching and Learning Practice
- Founding Director, Open Access Publishing Association
- 香蕉视频 and Scholarship Committee Member, Staff and Educational Development Association