Ben Jane

Senior Lecturer

School of Health & Wellbeing

01752 636700 Ext:5665

bjane@marjon.ac.uk

Role Summary

I am a Senior Lecturer at Plymouth Marjon University, where I teach health promotion, clinical exercise, and strength & conditioning while serving as Programme Co-Leader for the MPH Public Health course. My expertise bridges academia and professional practice, with active involvement in exercise referral schemes (e.g., cancer, diabetes, chronic pain) and research focused on exercise group leadership and staff training effectiveness in these settings. As a Senior Fellow of Advance HE with 20+ years in education, I specialise in innovative teaching methodologies, including institutional leadership in generative AI integration, co-authoring policy guidance, contributing to Routledge’s Teaching and Learning in the Age of AI, and presenting nationally on Virtual Learning Environment innovation. Before joining Marjon in 2009, I managed the Fitness Industry Qualifications at Plymouth YMCA, with a career spanning gym management, elite youth conditioning, and occupational health. To see more of my work including several teaching resources, visit www.benjanefitness.com.

Qualifications

MSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science, Exeter University
BSc (Hons) Sport Science and Administration, Nottingham Trent University
PGCE (PCET), Plymouth University
REPs L4 Advanced Fitness Instructor with specialisms in Cancer Rehab and Low Back Pain
REPs L3 Personal Trainer & Exercise Referral, Kettlebell, ETM, Indoor Cycling

Teaching

Physical activity and health
Health Promotion
Public Health
Healthy weight management
Exercise for clinical populations
Behaviour change
Strength & conditioning
Fitness instruction

Research

My primary research focuses on leadership in group exercise referral schemes, particularly the skills and techniques practitioners need to support positive behaviour change in this context. I have been involved in the design, delivery and evaluation of local and regional schemes delivered in partnership with local charities, the NHS and Macmillan Cancer Care. Additionally, I was a co-applicant on the e-coachER project (NIHR HTA ref: 13/25/20), a multi-centre RCT investigating an augmented exercise referral scheme that incorporated web-based behavioural support for individuals with metabolic, musculoskeletal and mental health conditions.

Beyond this, I have a strong interest in pedagogical research and am engaged in evaluating innovative teaching and learning approaches in higher education.

Publications

Journal articles to add

Jane, B., & Downey, J. (2024). Exercise referral schemes in the UK: mapping provision and aims. Journal of Public Health, fdae057. https://doi.org/10.1093/pubmed/fdae057

McCormick, A., Pedmanson, P., Jane, B., & Watson, P. (2024). How do new runners maintain their running, and what leads to others stopping? A qualitative, longitudinal study. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 70, 102515. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2023.102515

Morris, A., Bright, C., Cocks, M., Gibson, N., Goff, L., Greaves, C., Griffin, S., Jane, B., Kinnafick, Robb, P., Roberts, M. Salman, D., Saxton, J. Taylor, A., West, D., Yates, T., Andrews, R.C. & Gill, J. (2023) Recommendations from Diabetes UK’s 2022 diabetes and physical activity workshop. Diabetic Medicine https://doi.org/10.1111/dme.15169

Taylor, A. H., Taylor, R. S., Ingram, W. M., Anokye, N., Dean, S., Jolly, K., Jane, B. ... & Cavanagh, C. (2020). Adding web-based behavioural support to exercise referral schemes for inactive adults with chronic health conditions: the e-coachER RCT. Health Technology Assessment 24(63) https://doi.org/10.3310/hta24630

Bloxham, S. R., Layden, J., Jane, B., Peers, C., & Scragg, S. (2020). The longitudinal effects of a physical activity programme on the physical fitness and disability of back pain patients: Service evaluation. Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, 33(1), 1-7. DOI: 10.3233/BMR-170856

Book Chapter

Cotton, D.R.E., Wyness, L., Jane, B. and Cotton, P.A. (2025). Redefining assessments in the age of AI. In R. Corbeil and M.E. Corbeil (Eds), Teaching and Learning in the Age of Generative AI: Evidence-Based Approaches to Pedagogy, Ethics, and Beyond. Routledge. [Routledge]

Conference Presentations to add

Jane, B. (2025) Harnessing AI for enhanced Teaching and Learning. University of Liverpool's Theme Park of Innovation 2025 [presentation and resources]

Jane, B., & Downey, J. (2023). Exercise Referral Schemes in the UK: Mapping provision and aims. HEPA Europe 2023, 11-13 Sept, KU Leuven, Belgium [https://www.benjanefitness.com/hepa2023]