Richard is a lecturer in psychology and a researcher in human flourishing and sport. Richard completed his undergraduate degree in sport and exercise sciences (sport psychology) at Leeds Trinity University, graduating with the programme prize in 2017. Richard then studied for a MSc in Psychology of Sport and Exercise at Leeds Beckett University and graduated with distinction. Following his MSc, Richard spent a year as a Research Assistant in the Carnegie School of Sport, before reading for and completing a PhD on Psychological Well-Being among Members of Sport Organizations at the same institution. Richard re-joined Leeds Trinity University as a lecturer in psychology in 2023. Richard is also an Associate Lecturer with the Open University on the E312 module and is a fellow of the higher education academy (FHEA). Richard previously worked at Leeds Beckett University as an associate lecturer and currently sits on committees for the BPS Division of Sport and Exercise Psychology (DSEP) and the Chartered Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (CASES). Richard is currently co-conference lead for DSEP 2025 in Leeds.

Richard's programme of research is dedicated to the experience and attainment of human flourishing in sport and performance. Specifically, the focus of his current work looks at 1) how we can advance conceptual, philosophical, methodological, and applied understanding of human flourishing (well-being) in sport/performance; 2) how well-being is collectively experienced in sport relationships, groups, and teams; 3) how well-being is communicated, conveyed, translated, and made sense of across sport populations; and 4) how sportspeople can reduce suffering or find meaning through suffering. Richard's working interests are situated both in sport and performance, but also in broader human flourishing scholarship. Richard draws on qualitative methods (e.g., individual and interpersonal interviews, diaries, narrative inquiry, letter writing) in his work, but he often engages in reviews (e.g., narrative reviews, systematic reviews), and questionnaire/scale development.

Beyond his main line of inquiry, Richard's research interests also relate to the following:

• Organizational stress (e.g., stressors, appraising, emotions, coping).
• Thriving, Resilience, Buoyancy, and Anti-fragility.
• Cross-Cultural Psychology (e.g., lexicology).
• Social and Relational Psychology.
• Applied practice (e.g., flourishing activities and interventions, self-care)

Richard has worked on multiple projects on behalf of the Applied Association for Sport Psychology (AASP), BASES, UEFA, the English Football Association (FA), 'ICoachKids', the Croatian FA, the Slovenian FA, the Royal British Legion (Battle Back), WheelPower, World Triathlon, and Leeds Beckett University. Richard has attended and presented at multiple national and international conferences, has won various academic awards, appeared on various sport psychology podcasts, provided expert comments to the media, peer-reviewed for a variety of academic journals, and has organised various conference and knowledge exchange activities.

Richard is the module leader for PSY4053 Principles of Sport Psychology and PSY6033 Sport Psychology in Context. Richard also teaches on L3 Foundations in Psychology, PSY5073 Sport Psychology: Working with Stakeholders, L6 Psychology Research Project, and Research Methods modules across all levels. Richard has also contributed to the revalidation and development of modules across the school's programme portfolio and is also a personal tutor who provides academic and pastoral support to students across foundation year, undergraduate, and postgraduate contexts.