Lee is a Reader in Sports Coaching in the Department of Sport and Physical Activity. He leads the Department’s Practice in Coaching and Teaching Research Group as well as chairs the Department Athena Swan Action Group. Lee joined Edge Hill University in 2014 having previously worked at the University of Hull (2009-2014) as a Lecturer in Sports Coaching and Performance. He was awarded a PhD (2010) for his doctoral research into Coach Learning and Education at Loughborough University, following completion of an MSc Sports Coaching (2004) at Brunel University and BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science (2003) at the University of Bedfordshire. Lee is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

Lee’s research focuses on developing a critical social analysis of sports work in community and performance coaching as well as professional education contexts. He principally utilises qualitative research methods as well as dramaturgical and interactionist theoretical frameworks to understand how sports workers experience and navigate organisational life. Lee has published numerous peer-reviewed journal articles and supervised to completion the academic studies of postgraduates in related areas. He is co-editor of the Community Sport Coaching (2022), Emotions in Sport Coaching (2018), Learning in Sports Coaching (2016), and Research Methods in Sports Coaching (2014) Routledge books. He is an Associate Editor for Sports Coaching Review and Editorial Board Member for the International Sport Coaching Journal. Lee collaborates with research colleagues nationally and internationally.

Lee teaches on the BSc (Hons) Sports Coaching and MSc Sport, Physical Activity and Mental Health programmes.