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Biography Duncan is an Associate Professor of Sport & Exercise Psychology and Coaching at Edinburgh Napier University. He is a Chartered Psychologist with over 20 years of experience working with elite sports officials. His research has primarily focused on developing decision making under pressure and game management in match officials. He has provided psychological support to the Rugby Football Union Elite Referee Unit and has worked with a wide variety of match officials in the northern and southern hemisphere. He completed a post-doc research project with New Zealand Soccer referees investigating the effect of physical performance upon decision-making. Duncan is a former video producer and uses his expertise in video production and editing to develop online learning materials for coaches & sports officials.

In addition to his ongoing research interests in high-pressure decision making, communication and game management, Duncan is also involved in research into mental well-being for sports officials, emotional intelligence and recruitment of female officials. He has junior international experience as a basketball and touch rugby referee.


Clients include:
Rugby Football Union (RFU)
Scottish Rugby Union (SRU) High Performance Referees
New Zealand Rugby (NZR)
Rugby Football League Match Officials
Football Association of Wales (FAW)
Netball New Zealand
England Netball
Scottish Basketball
Basketball England
England Hockey (NPUA)
New Zealand Football
Cricket Scotland
England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) Association of Cricket Officials
Lawn Tennis Association
Research Interests Game management for the sports official (verbal, non-verbal communication and conflict management)
High pressure decision making
Psychological skills in sports officiating
Recruitment and development of sports officials
The female sports official and emotional intelligence
Mental health for the sports official