School of Sport - Student Leadership Team

Professor Deirdre Brennan

Professor of Community Sports Outreach

Deirdre Brennan is Professor of Community Sports Outreach. She graduated with a BA (Hons) Sport Studies, PGCE (Physical Education), MA Leisure Studies and a PhD in Sport Sociology from Ulster University. She joined Ulster as Lecturer in Physical Education in 1992. Deirdre teaches at undergraduate and post graduate level. Deirdre was the founder and Director of the multi-award-winning Ulster Sports Outreach unit (SO) a strategic initiative of Ulster University designed to widen access to sport and physical activity to young people in areas of greatest disadvantage and develop the practical and professional skills of aspiring teachers, coaches, and sport for development professionals.

Sport Outreach received the ‘INSPIRED BY 2012’ status by the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Legacy Unit (2013). Sports Outreach received a Times Higher Education Shortlist award for Outstanding Contribution to the Community by a University (2014). It won Coaching Intervention of the Year for Northern Ireland (2015), UK Coaching Intervention of the Year (2015) and College and University Business Officers (CUBO) Innovation Award for Excellence in Student Experience (2016). One of her flagship programmes was Sport for L.I.F.E. was recognised by the World Health Organisation as best practice in promoting physical activity to marginalised groups and by the Schools for Health in Europe (SHE) for promoting physical activity as part of the European Food Framework (2012). Sport for LIFE and the Sport for LIFE ‘Teaching Training’ Legacy projects were also awarded London 2012 Inspire Awards. Deirdre was also awarded Public Engagement Ambassador status by the UK National Centre for Public Engagement.

Deirdre is a strong advocate of high level student sport and was the author of the University Talented Athlete Scheme and flexible learning opportunities in slow tracking and approved absence and independent study options. Deirdre has been the key driver behind the success of Ulster University Basketball Club, which led her to develop the International Sport Scholarship Programme. Ulster University Basketball Club is one of the university’s most successful sports club with multiple college and varsity titles in the men’s and women’s game.

Deirdre also co-founded the Sport Changes Life Foundation (2010) a charity designed to raise the aspirations of young people at risk using sport, sporting role models and personal development. She is author of ‘eHoops’ a programme using sport to target those not in education, employment, or training (NEET’s) that was one of only four shortlisted as ‘Best New Project’ in 2014 by Beyond Sport.

Deirdre is a fellow of the Higher Education Academy and the recipient of both a Distinguished Teaching Award for Excellence in Teaching (1998) and a Fellowship in Academic Enterprise for her innovation and enterprise using sport (2012).