Maria Kavussanu

This PhD project at the University of Birmingham, supervised by Professor Maria Kavussanu, focuses on values-based models of leadership in sport, specifically authentic and ethical leadership. These models, which have gained significant attention in sport psychology, emphasize leaders’ moral values and their influence on followers’ ethical behaviour. Authentic leaders inspire trust through transparency, while ethical leaders guide their followers to achieve goals in an ethical manner. The relevance of these models is underscored by increasing reports of abusive coaching, athlete mental ill health, aggression, and cheating in sport. The project offers several possible research directions, including exploring how athletes and coaches conceptualize ethical leadership, identifying behaviours of ethical leaders in sport, developing new measures of ethical sport leadership, examining antecedents and consequences of authentic and ethical leadership, investigating the overlap between these leadership models, and designing training programs to enhance ethical or authentic leadership among coaches. Applicants should have experience as a competitive athlete and hold at least an upper second-class degree in sport & exercise science, psychology, or a closely related field. The project is open to self-funded or scholarship-funded UK/EU and international students. While the University of Birmingham does not provide direct funding, strong candidates are encouraged to apply for a Midlands Graduate School ESRC DTP studentship. Non-native English speakers must provide evidence of language proficiency. Candidates with high academic potential but limited research experience may be considered for a one-year Masters by Research, with the possibility of conversion to a PhD. To apply, submit a CV, statement of interest, and an abstract of a recent or planned study directly to Professor Kavussanu. The studentship application deadline is January 13, 2026. This project is ideal for individuals passionate about advancing ethical leadership in sport and contributing to athlete wellbeing and integrity.