Dr Kyle Ferguson

Overview

Kyle graduated from Ulster University with a degree is Sport and Exercise Science in 2000 prior to working in sports development in Northern Ireland and the USA. A return to education in 2006 led to completion of a MSc in Management from Queens University and further experience in sports management in New Zealand.

A return to Northern Ireland in 2009 saw Kyle take up post at Ulster university and complete a PhD in Sport policy and Performance. Roles within the School of Sport included responsibility for leading on global engagement, partnership development, consultancy, academic enterprise and flexible learning,

Kyle is responsible for the Centre for Sports Enterprise with the objective of establishing collaborations between researchers, entrepreneurs and the sports industry. Kyle established a unique partnership with the Irish Football Association which led to the creation of the BSc Football Coaching and Business Management degree in 2016 and acted as course director until 2021. During this time the programme achieved 100% satisfaction within the National Student Survey, recognition of the value of delivery.

Kyle has led the successful completion of a range of local, regional and international research and consultancy projects across sports innovation, social inclusion and physical activity. Kyle’s research focuses on measuring sports policy and performance with particular emphasis on effectiveness and efficiency in the public sector. At a policy level Kyle served on the board of Sport NI for nine years setting and overseeing national sports policy at both participation and performance level, using his research to inform policy design and implementation.

A performance analysis tutor and practitioner at youth International level Kyle is also a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute and Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.