Dr Lowri Cerys Edwards

Lowri's research interests focus on physical literacy, Physical Education in primary schools, the Health and Well-being Area of Learning and Experience and children's engagement in physical activity. Publications include:

• Carl, Bryant, A. S., Edwards, L.C., Bartle, G., Birch, J. E., Christodoulides, E., Emeljanovas, A., Fröberg, A., Gandrieau, J., Gilic, B., van Hilvoorde, I., Holler, P., Iconomescu, T. M., Jaunig, J., Laudanska-Krzeminska, I., Lundvall, S., De Martelaer, K., Martins, J., Mieziene, B., … Elsborg, P. (2023). Physical literacy in Europe: The current state of implementation in research, practice, and policy. Journal of Exercise Science and Fitness, 21(1), 165–176. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jesf.2022.12.003
• Morgan, K., Bryant, A.S. & Edwards, L.C. (2020). Appreciative inquiry as a methodological approach between different sporting organisations in Wales to promote physical literacy. Sport, Education and Society. https://doi.org/10.1080/13573322.2020.1822311
• Ward, M. R., Tyler, R., Edwards, L.C., Miller, M.C., Williams, S. & Stratton, G. (2020). The AHK-Wales Report Card 2018: Policy Measures - Is it possible to ‘score’ qualitative data? Health Promotion International. daaa118, https://doi.org/10.1093/heapro/daaa118
• Edwards, L.C.Edwards, L.C., Bellamy, J., Rees, A., & Stratton, G. (2019). A ball of energy: the use of Laban Movement Analysis and Imagery to develop a performer holistically in dance. In Chambers, F., Bryant, A.S. & Aldous, D. (editors) Threshold Concepts in Physical Education: A Design Thinking Approach. London: Routledge.
• Tyler, R., Mackintosh, K., Foweather, L., Edwards, L.C. & Stratton, G. (2020). Youth Motor Competence Promotion Model: A Quantitative Investigation into Modifiable Factors. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2020.04.008
• Bethell, S., Bryant, A.S., Cooper, S-M., Edwards, L.C. & Hodgkin, K. (2020). Mentoring PE Student Teachers in Wales: lessons from a systematic review of the literature. Wales Journal of Education. doi: 10.16922/wje.22.2.2
• Edwards, L.C., Bryant, A.S., Cooper, S-M., Morgan, K. & Jones, A.M. (2019). A professional development programme to enhance primary school teachers’ knowledge and operationalisation of physical literacy. Journal of Teaching Physical Education. 38, 126-135. doi: https://doi.org/10.1123/jtpe.2018-0275
• Edwards, L.C., Tyler, R., Stratton, G. et al. (2018). Active Healthy Kids – Wales’ 2018 Report Card. Journal of Physical Activity and Health. 15(S2), 298-314. doi: 10.1123/jpah.2018-0472
• Morgan, K., Bryant, A.S., Edwards, L.C. & Mitchell-Williams, E. (2018). Transferring primary generalists’ positive classroom pedagogy to the physical education setting: A collaborative PE-CPD process. Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy, 24, 43–58
• Shearer, C., Goss, H.R., Edwards, L.C. et al. (2018). How is Physical Literacy Defined? A Contemporary Update. Journal of Teaching Physical Education, 37. doi:10.1123/jtpe.2018-0136
• Aubert, S., Barnes, J.D., Edwards, L.C., et al. (2018). Global Matrix 3.0 of Physical Activity Grades for Children and Youth: results and analysis from 49 countries. Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 15(S2), 251-273. doi: 10.1123/jpah.2018-0472
• Aubert, S., Barnes, J.D., Edwards, L.C., et al. (2018). Report Card Grades on the Physical Activity of Children and Youth Comparing 30 Very High Human Development Index Countries. Journal of Physical Activity and Health. 15(S2), 298-314. doi: 10.1123/jpah.2018-0472
• Edwards, L.C., Bryant, A.S., Keegan, R., Cooper, S-M., Morgan, K. & Jones, A.M. (2018). “Measuring” Physical Literacy: A Systematic Review of Empirical Findings. Sports Medicine, 48(3), p. 659–682.
• Edwards, L.C., Bryant, A.S., Keegan, R., Morgan, K. & Jones, A.M. (2017). Definitions, Foundations and Associations of Physical Literacy: A Systematic Review. Sports Medicine, 47(3), p. 113–126.
• Edwards, L.C., Bryant, A. & Jones, A. (2015). PE Teachers’ Perceptions of High Quality Physical Education in Welsh Medium Secondary Schools (Canfyddiadau Athrawon Addysg Gorfforol ar Addysg Gorfforol Ansawdd Uchel yn Ysgolion Cyfrwng Cymraeg). Gwerddon, 20, 44-60.

Lowri delivers on modules in the areas of Sport, Physical Education and Health through the mediums of Welsh and English. Lowri leads SSP5122 Applied Development of Children's Physical Health and Wellbeing, which focuses on the role of the practitioner in developing children holistically. She is also the module leader for the core PE modules delivered through the Welsh medium, specifically SSP5118W, SSP5119W, and SSP6117W. Lowri supervises undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD/doctoral level research in Physical Education and Health.

PhD/ Doctoral Completions:

Sally Bethell (2022). The effectiveness of a self-reflection tool in supporting the reflective practice of school mentors in Initial Teacher Education (Professional Doctorate). Cardiff Metropolitan University. Co-supervisors: Dr Anna Bryant, Professor Steve Cooper, Dr Kieran Hodgkin

Current PhD/Doctoral Supervision:

Dione Rose (2019-present). Investigating the contextualisation, interpretation and enactment of Health and Well-being in Curriculum for Wales, within the Welsh-medium context (PhD). Director of Studies, Co-supervisors: Dr Anna Bryant, Professor Steve Cooper, Dr Neil Hennessy.

Amy Rees (2019-present). An investigation to critically evaluate the development of a Community of Practice (CoP) to implement a Triathlon Programme that supports children’s Physical Literacy journeys (PhD). Co-supervisors: Dr Anna Bryant, Dr Kevin Morgan, Dr Lea Dohme.

Suzy Drane (2021-present). The implementation and evaluation of a sustainable physical literacy project for Wales Netball. (Professional Doctorate). Director of Studies, Co-supervisors: Dr Anna Bryant, Professor Steve Cooper.

PhD: The Effectiveness of a Physical Literacy and Physical Education Professional Development Intervention with Welsh-Medium Year Six (10 – 11 years old) Primary School Teachers on Pupils’ Physical Literacy, Cardiff Metropolitan University (2018)

BSc (Hons) Sport and Physical Education (1st class), Cardiff Metropolitan University (2013)

Programme Medal Award winner for BSc (Hons) Sport and Physical Education, Cardiff Metropolitan University (2013)

Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education (PGCertHE), Swansea University (2019)

Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (2019)

Sport Caerphilly's Coach of the Year Award (2013)

Sport Wales

Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol

University of Canberra

Swansea University

External examining and reviewing:

MRes viva - Thesis title: Assessment in Maltese Physical Education: An insight on assessment practices in early secondary years (University of Birmingham, May 2019).

Reviewer on a grant application – Project title: Physical Activity in Childhood Epilepsy (PACE) – A pilot study (requested amount: £59,590.80 submitted to The Waterloo Foundation, March 2018).

Reviewer for the following academic journals:

1. Sports Medicine
2. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
3. European Physical Education Review
4. Quest
5. Health Education Journal
6. Journal of Sports Science
7. PLOS One

Successful grant applications

2022-present: Co-investigator on Physical Literacy Consultancy project, funded by Sport Wales (£15,000)

2021-23: Co-investigator on whole-school Health-enhancing Physical Activity (HEPA), funded by EU Erasmus + grant (£380,000)

2019-23: Principal investigator (Director of Studies) on Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol PhD studentship on Curriculum for Wales, PhD student: Dione Rose, full-time for 3 (plus COVID extension) (£58,000).

2019-23: Co-investigator on KESS 2 PhD studentship on physical literacy, full-time for 3 years, PhD student: Amy Rees (plus COVID extension) (£58,000).

2017-18: Principal investigator on ‘Active Healthy Kids Wales’ project, funded by the Waterloo Foundation (£5000).

2016-17: Researcher on the Physical Literacy Programme for Schools, funded by Sport Wales (£200,000).

Lowri competed to a regional standard in gymnastics. She later coached recreational gymnastics to a range of ages, including pre-school to secondary school and won Sport Caerphilly's Coach of the Year Award in 2013.​