Dr. Mariana Kaiseler

About

Dr. Mariana Kaiseler is a Senior Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Psychology and an HCPC registered Sport Psychologist at Manchester Metropolitan University. A Chartered Psychologist and Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society, she has over 18 years of international experience in research, education, consultancy and academic leadership. Her work has contributed to a substantial body of knowledge on individual differences in stress, coping, and wellbeing across performance and educational contexts. Using diverse methodologies from psychophysiological assessments to qualitative and participatory co-design approaches, her research bridges scientific rigour with real-world application. It informs both person-centred interventions and system-level change, with a focus on creating psychologically safe, inclusive environments that support wellbeing and sustainable performance. Drawing on lived experience across the UK, Europe, and the USA, Mariana brings a multicultural and interdisciplinary perspective to her work. She has published widely in peer-reviewed journals, was awarded a prestigious Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship and for over 13 years has served as an advisor to the European Commission on mental health, equity, and inclusion in research and innovation funding.

Experience

• Stage 2 Qualification in Sport and Exercise Psychology (QSEP) Assessor at The British Psychological Society
  Dec 2025 - Present · 8 mos

  Assessment of Stage 2 QSEP portfolios in sport and exercise psychology, supporting high standards of applied and ethical practice.

• Senior Lecturer in Sport & Exercise Psychology at Manchester Metropolitan University Institute of Sport
  Dec 2022 - Present · 3 yrs 8 mos

• Independent Expert at European Commission at European Commission
  Mar 2013 - Present · 13 yrs 5 mos

  -Independent Expert at European Commission.

• Senior Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Psychology at Leeds Beckett University
  Jan 2014 - Dec 2022 · 9 yrs

  - Course Leader BSc Sport & Exercise Science Level 5 (2019- Present) -Course Leader for the MSc Psychology of Sport and Exercise (2018-2019) -Led the following modules: Employability (Level 5); Contemporary Issues in Sport Psychology (Level 7); Psychology of Exercise and Health (Level 7); Professional Practice (Level 7) - Teaching in the following modules: ABCs of Sport and Exercise Behaviour (Level 5); Research Methods (Level 5); Cardiac Rehabilitation (Level 6)

• Marie Curie Individual Fellowship in Psychology at Faculdade de Psicologia e de Ciências da Educação da Universidade do Porto
  Sep 2010 - Dec 2013 · 3 yrs 4 mos

  - Marie Curie and Foundation of Science and Technology, Portugal Fellow - PI of the SCOPE Project: Stress and Coping among Portuguese Police Officers - Co- PI of the VOCE Project: Classifying stress from live speech - Member of the multidisciplinary team of the Future Cities Project.EU