Dr Izzy Wellings

Izzy gained her first-class BSc (Hons) in Natural Sciences (Chemistry, Biology & Psychology pathway) from the University of Nottingham in 2020. She subsequently completed an MSc in Exercise Physiology at Loughborough University, graduating with distinction in October 2021.

Izzy gained a PhD in Sport Psychology and Physiology from Loughborough University in 2025. Her PhD thesis is entitled ‘Motivational Underpinnings of Endurance Exercise’ and was supervised by Drs. Ian Taylor and Richard Ferguson (Loughborough University).

Izzy joined the School of Natural Sciences: Sport, Exercise, and Rehabilitation Sciences (SERS) in October 2025 as a Lecturer in Sport & Exercise Psychology. Outside of academia, Izzy has provided physiological support to the performance swimmers at Loughborough University, psychological support for Leicester Riders Basketball Academy and worked as an Exercise Physiologist for the NHS, supporting individuals with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

Izzy is interested in understanding how motivation varies across different populations and how physiological responses during exercise influence motivational processes, particularly our hedonic desire to reduce effort and value of our performance goals. Izzy is also interested in the role of affect in exercise behaviour and how this contributes to exercise adherence during an endurance bout.

Izzy is interested in applying this knowledge to performance populations, public health and clinical populations. 

SPOR4011 – Introduction to Research Methods

SPOR4016 – Introduction to Sport and Exercise Psychology

SPOR5014 – Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology