Former University Senior Lecturer with over 20 years' experience in teaching and researching sociology. Expert in qualitative research methods, academic writing and study skills.

Find out more about Tom

• When did you develop an interest in your chosen field and in private tutoring?

  I developed an interest in sociology whilst studying for my undergraduate degree in Sports Studies at De Montfort University. I chose to major in the social scientific aspects of sport throughout the degree and completed my dissertation on the use of sport by the British national press to represent English national identity.
  
  After being awarded a first class BA (Hons) Sports Studies, I then went on to complete an MA Sociology of Sport at the Centre for Research into Sport and Society at Leicester University. These qualifications enabled me to get my first academic job at Teesside University as a Research Assistant before becoming a Research and Teaching Assistant at St Martin's College (now University of Cumbria).
  
  I completed my PgCE in Higher Education and also registered for my PhD on the relationship between English national habitus and football fandom whilst at St Martin's. Whilst in these roles I developed a passion for both teaching and research in sociology and I landed my first permanent contract back at Teesside as Lecturer/Senior Lecturer in Sport & Exercise (Sports Studies). I completed my PhD whilst working at Teesside. After 17 years in this role and 20 years working as an academic in HE, I decided to embark on my own private tutoring, research and HE consultancy business.
  
  I have been providing freelance private tutoring for university students and early career academics since April 2023.

• Tell us more about the subject you teach, the topics you like to discuss with students (and possibly those you like a little less).

  My academic research has sought to expand knowledge on a variety of sociological, historical and theological topics, including disability, nationalism, ethnicity and religion, mainly within sport, leisure, physical activity, and Physical Education (PE) contexts. I am also an expert in research methods, especially qualitative. These have been the main areas of my teaching since 2004.
  
  I like to help students to understand sociological theories and how they can be applied to explaining equality issues in different contexts within society. I like to discuss the research process with students to enable them to complete their research proposals, dissertations and PhD theses. I find that students often need help with academic writing and data analysis for their project assessments. I have also helped early career or postdoctoral students to publish their research work.

• Did you have any role models; a teacher that inspired you?

  For most of my time at Teesside I shared an office with an academic who was a former Paralympic athlete. He observed my first ever teaching sessions and provided opportunities, encouragement and constructive feedback that really helped me to develop my teaching practice. He also introduced me to the complex topic area of disability and sport and I developed a passion for research and teaching in collaboration with him.

• What do you think are the qualities required to be a good tutor?

  I think the number one quality required to be a good tutor is effective listening skills. It is important to understand the help students require first, before attempting to provide any tutoring support. All tutoring should be bespoke and what works for one learner may not be the same for another. I believe it is fundamental to be patient as a tutor but to also be honest with students when they make mistakes so that they can learn from them.

• Provide a valuable anecdote related to your subject or your days at school.

  When I was an undergraduate sports studies student sitting in one of my first lectures on the importance of sport to society, the lecturer told us George Orwell once said: "Sport is war minus the shooting". This quote fascinated me and ignited a passion in me to want to learn more and tell others about the power of sport to impact society.

• What were the difficulties or challenges you faced or still facing in your subject?

  There is still a view in mainstream sociology that sport is not an important or serious area worthy of sociological study. Much of my career has been spent debunking this myth and highlighting the multitude of ways in which sport can divide as well as unite people and how it can both reinforce and challenge inequalities in society.

• Do you have a particular passion? Is it teaching in general or an element of the subject or something completely different?

  During my PhD studies, at the age of 27, I made the decision to become a Christian. No one was more surprised than me at this decision but it completely changed my life for the better. My faith now underpins all that I do and I believe it motivates me to want to help others, including the students I teach. My other passion is my family. I am happily married to an amazing wife and we have four beautiful children.

• What makes you a Superprof?

  I am passionate about inspiring students to aim high and have assisted multiple students to achieve their academic goals from undergraduate to PhD level and beyond. There is nothing more rewarding than helping a student to reach their potential and go on to do things that they never knew they were capable of doing.