I received my first degree at Liverpool Hope University in 2014. Following this, I studied for my master’s degree at Liverpool John Moore’s University. I was then awarded a PhD from Liverpool Hope University in 2019, entitled ‘Examining the Effect of Imagery and Action Observation Interventions on Motor Performance’. The work detailed in my PhD has been published in international peer reviewed journals. I have worked at higher education institutions in both the UK and in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where I have been involved in teaching, research and sport psychology support.
Professional memberships and activities
- Chartered Psychologist (CPsychol) with the British Psychological Society (BPS) since 2020,
- Member of the Action Observation and Motor Imagery (RIO) Group (presenting research since 2016),
- Member of the British Psychological Society (BPS) since 2017,
- Member of the Division of Sport and Exercise Psychology (DSEP) since 2017.
Academic qualifications
- PhD Liverpool Hope University, 2019,
Title: Examining the Effect of Imagery and Action Observation Interventions on Motor Performance’,
- MSc Clinical Exercise Physiology, Liverpool John Moores University, 2015 ‘Cardiac Rehabilitation and Transition Back to Normal Life’,
- BA (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science 1st Class, Liverpool Hope University, 2014 ‘The Effect of 10 Days Detraining on Oxygen Uptake Kinetics in female runners.
Expertise
I have expertise on the combined effect of action observation and motor imagery, specifically on motor performance utilising electromyography and kinematic measures.
Research interests
My major research interest focuses on combined use of action observation and motor imagery improving motor performance, specifically that relating to the PETTLEP model of motor imagery. I have an ongoing research interest in areas such a motor rehabilitation and learning of motor skills. I have presented my work at various conferences, both in the UK and internationally. I also serve as a reviewer on behalf of several sport psychology journals, including the Sport Psychologist, Journal and Sport Sciences.
Teaching
Fundamentals of the Psychology of Sport, Exercise (Level 4).
Developing Research Skills in Sport and Exercise (Level 4).
Advanced Sport and Exercise Psychology (Level 5).
Dissertation Supervision (Level 6)
Sport Science for Coaches and Teachers (level 4)
Postgraduate
Postgraduate supervision
Research Project Supervision
Publications
- Romano-Smith, S., Wood, G., Wright, D. J., and Wakefield, C. J. (2018). Simultaneous and alternate action observation and motor imagery combinations improve aiming performance. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 38, 100-106. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2018.06.003
- Romano-Smith, S., Wood, G., Wright, D. J., and Wakefield, C. J. (2018). Simultaneous and alternate action observation and motor imagery combinations improve aiming performance. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 38, 100-106. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2018.06.003.
- Romano Smith, S., Wood, G., Coyles, C., Roberts, J.W.., Wakefield, C.J. (2019).Simultaneous and Alternate Action Observation and Motor Imagery Combinations Improve Aiming Performance, Upper Limb Kinematics, and Muscle activation. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports. https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.13534.
- Smith, D., Romano-Smith, S., Wright, D. J., Deller-Rust, B., and Wakefield, C. J. (2018). The Effects of Combining PETTLEP Imagery and Action Observation on Bicep Strength: A Single-Case Design. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 0(ja), 1-32. https://doi.org/10.1080/10413200.2018.1560372.
- Romano- Smith, S., Wood, G., Coyles, G., Roberts, J.W. and Wakefield, C.J. (2018).Examining the Effect of Congruent and Incongruent Action Observation contexts with Motor Imagery Combinations on Upper Limb Kinematics and EMG During Dart Throwing (under review).
Conferences:
- Romano- Smith, S., Wright, D., Wood, G and Wakefield, C.J (2017). Simultaneous and alternate action observation and motor imagery combinations improve aiming performance. Paper presented at the British Psychological Society, Division of Sport and Exercise Psychology, Glasgow.
- Annual Research in Imagery and Observation (RIO) Conference. Roehampton University, London, United Kingdom (May 2017). Expertise, Skill Acquisition. Network conference (May 2017).
- Romano- Smith, S., Wood, G., Coyles, G., Roberts, J.W. and Wakefield, C.J. (2018). Examining the Effect of Action Observation and Motor Imagery Combinations on Upper Limb Kinematics and EMG during Dart Throwing. Paper presented at the British Psychological Society, Division of Sport and Exercise Psychology, Belfast.
Portions of this paper have also been presented at:
- Annual Research in Imagery and Observation (RIO) Conference. Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany (April 2018). Romano- Smith, S., Wood, G., Coyles, G., Roberts, J.W. and Wakefield, C.J. (2018).
- Examining the Effect of Congruent and Incongruent Action Observation contexts with Motor Imagery Combinations on Upper Limb Kinematics and EMG During Dart Throwing. Paper to be presented at Annual Research in Imagery and Observation (RIO) Conference. Teesside (April 2019)
Additional international and national presentations:
- Romano - Smith, S., Smith, D., Wright, D.J., Deller-Rust, B., and Wakefield, C.J (2018). The Effects of Combining PETTLEP Imagery and Action Observation on Bicep Strength: A Single-Case Design. A Single-Case Design. Poster presented at Paper presented at the 13th Annual Research in Imagery and Observation (RIO) Conference. Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany.