Mr Mark Breslin
- Senior Lecturer (Pedagogy, Praxis & Faith)
telephone:
01413302715
email:
Mark.Breslin@glasgow.ac.uk
St Andrew's Building, 11 Eldon Street, 626
Biography
Mr Mark Breslin is a Senior Lecturer specialising in Physical Education, Health and Wellbeing, and Initial Teacher Education at the University of Glasgow, Scotland. He brings nearly three decades of experience in physical education and sport, supported by an extensive coaching background ranging from grassroots participation to elite professional clubs and high-performance athletes.
Mark has taught Physical Education and Sport & Exercise Science for more than 25 years across early years, primary, secondary, further, and higher education in both England and Scotland. He has held numerous leadership and managerial roles throughout his career. As a Senior Recognition of Excellence in Teaching (Senior RET) academic, Mark contributes extensively across teaching, research, scholarship, and academic leadership. He supervises Postgraduate Taught Masters students during their dissertation research and supports undergraduate learners as an Advisor of Studies. He is also an original member of Education Scotland’s Health and Wellbeing Improvement Team, contributing to the development of national policy and practice across Scottish schools.
Mark’s master’s degree in Sport and Exercise Psychology has shaped his research into issues such as body image, physical self-esteem, mental health, and addressing childhood obesity through physical activity. He has a strong interest in active, outdoor, and play pedagogies, which inform much of his teaching and professional practice.
His current research focuses on mental health in communities and Scottish schools, particularly teacher confidence in recognising and responding to mental health concerns. This work aligns closely with national priorities surrounding wellbeing, inclusion, and early intervention.
Research interests
- ITE and lifelong learning
- Teacher Confidence in mental health
- Active, Outdoor and Play pedagogies
- Developing Self Esteem and confidence through exercise
- Body Image in teenage pupils
- Obesity in Scottish schools
Supervision
PHD supervision: WENHAO WANG (PGR)
Project title "An Investigation of Chinese International Postgraduate Students' 'Third Spaces' and Their Psychological Wellbeing"
Current Masters projects:
Stephanie Kelly
Lauren Wilson
Sumaiyah Mahmood
Zainab Manzoor
Kirstie Adams
2019/20
- Cheryle Bennet: An investigation into teacher perceptions of mindfulness interventions on pupils learning.
- Chloe Lindsey: Inclusive Education: Scottish Teachers’ Perceptions on the Effectiveness and Barriers to Inclusion
- Eva Stewart: Teachers Perceptions and Experiences of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Their Associations with Behaviour Problems in Primary School.
- Kathleen Stewart: Teacher perceptions of the implementation of assessment data-driven school improvement initiatives and responsive instruction in the primary classroom.
- Monica Kane: To what extent does the implementation of STEM lessons in an upper years classroom increase the number of girls that would consider a job in STEM?
2018/19
- Erin Gracie: Does cooperative learning in STEM, using problem-solving skills, have a positive impact on pupil self-efficacy in the subject?
- Kirsty Halliday: A critical review of discourse around ‘challenging’ behaviour in Scottish Primary schools.
- Elena Joliny: To what extent does the use of iPad impact learner engagement towards modern studies language in a primary classroom?
- Rhiannon Leake: A Mixed Methods Investigation of Gender Differences in Emotional Intelligence Among Higher Education Students
2017/2018
- Robert Burns: Raising Emotional Literacy: more than just feelings?
- Bertrand Essah: Parental Engagement in secondary School: Exploring the prospects and Challenges for both Teachers and Parents
- Lewis Gibson: How can relevant information regarding students’ Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) be shared most effectively with their teachers in Scottish mainstream schools?
Teaching
Initial Teacher Education:
Post Graduate Primary & Secondary teaching:
- Health & Wellbeing PGDE: mental health, substance misuse, emotional wellbeing, parental engagement, relationships, food and health.
- Expressive Arts: Dance
- Physical Education: All aspects of Physical Education, physical activity and school sports
Undergraduate Teaching: Master of Education (MEDuc) Primary
- Health & Wellbeing: mental health, substance misuse, emotional wellbeing, parental engagement, relationships, food and health.
- Active, Outdoor and Play Pedagogies
- Physical Education: All aspects of Physical Education, physical activity and school sports
- Expressive Arts: Dance
- Health & Wellbeing Elective: Specialising in all areas of H&WB
Master of Design & Technology:
Education in Practice: Foundations of Initial Teacher Education
Professional activities & recognition
Prizes, awards & distinctions
- 2021: Nominee: Highly Innovative Teaching (Glasgow University Students' Representative Council)
- 2021: Nominee: Best College Teacher (Glasgow University Students' Representative Council)
- 2022: University Teaching Award (Early Career) (University of Glasgow Teaching Excellence Awards)
- 2022: College Award (University of Glasgow Teaching Excellence Awards)
- 2023: Senior Fellow Recognising Excellence in Teaching (University of Glasgow)
- 2025: National recognition for contributions to men’s mental health; invited to International Men’s Day Reception (Awarding Body: Prime Minister’s Office, 10 Downing Street)
Editorial boards
- 2014 - Present: Education Scotland H&WB Committee
- 2016 - 2022: Social Committee school of Education
- 2017 - 2018: Ethics Committee
- 2017 - Present: Progress Committee
- 2019 - present: Health and Wellbeing and Environment Committee School of Education
- 2019 - present: Learning and Teaching Committee
- 2022 - Present: Excellence in Teaching network
- 2023 - Present: Chair Of progress Committee
Professional & learned societies
- 2002 - 2009: Registered Teacher, General Teaching Council for England
- 2009 - Present: Registered Teacher, General Teaching Council Scotland
Selected international presentations
- 2019: Scottish Educational Research Association (University of Edinburgh)
- 2022: Research on Educational Neuroscience (University Cusano Rome)
- 2022: European Conference on Educational Research (Yerevan State University (online delivery))
- 2022: European Conference on Educational Research (Yerevan State University (online delivery))
- 2022: British Educational Research Association (University of Liverpool)
- 2022: Scottish Educational Research (University of the West of Scotland)
- 2022: Scottish Educational Research (University of the West of Scotland)
Supplementary
- External Examiner: Sheffield Hallam University Department, Physical Education and School Sports 2019 - 2023 External examiner: University of Aberdeen Health and Wellbeing 2023- present
Additional information
Previous External Examiner: Sheffield Hallam, Physical Education and School Sport Programme
Current External Examinar: University of Aberdeen, Health and Wellbeing, Trauma Informed Practice
Member of General Teaching Council for Scotland
Member of School of Education Social committee
Member of School of Education Mental Health group
Member of Education Scotland Health & Wellbeing Improvement Team
