Faculty

Title of PhD thesis:  Imagery Perspective and Mirror Neurons in Copying Movements (study financed by Govt. of Australia under endeavour scholarship).

Macro specialisation: Psychology of motor learning and sport.

Micro specialisation: Sport Cognitive Neuroscience, Imagery, motor learning and performance.

Research Supervisor: Prof. Tony Morris, renowned sport psychologist, Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia.

1. Thanikkal S J. (2019) Kinaesthetic Imagery and Video Modeling on Performing a Closed Motor Skill. Indian Journal of Psychological Sciences, II, 3, 99-104.
2. Thanikkal S. J. (2019) Mirror neurons and imitation learning in early motor development.  Asian Journal of Applied Research, 5, 1, 37-42.
3. Thanikkal S. J. (2004) Effect of corrective mental imagery and error perception on learning closed motor skills. Indian Journal of Physical Education, Sports Medicine and Exercise Science, 1&2, 64-67.
4. Thanikkal S. J. (2004) Corrective mental imagery and perception of error as the cognitive bases for cyclic approach to motor learning, Research Review, III, 93-98. 

Book Edited

1. “Sport Psychology: on the cross roads of theory and application.” Proceedings of the Scientific Sessions of 23^rd National Conference of Sport Psychology.

Book Chapters

1. Thanikkal S. J (2020) Leadership during the times of Kovid-19. In ‘‘Nest’ Research Papers and Articles on Covid – 19 Pandemic.’  Postgraduate Department of Commerce, Chrsit College, Irinjalakuda, Kerala.
2. Thanikkal S J., Morris T., Ciociari J. (2013) A review of research on imagery and mirror neuron system. In ‘Sport Psychology: on the cross roads of theory and application’. Department of BPE, Christ College, Irinjalakuda. 
3. Thanikkal S J., ThomasV A.,Anikumar N. (2013) Watch out for burnout: the impact of high intensity training on young athletes.  In ‘Sport Psychology: on the cross roads of theory and application’. Department of BPE, Christ College, Irinjalakuda.

1. Thanikkal S J. (2015). “Implicit learning and its application in Sport” at the 1^st Malaysian National Conference on Sport Psychology, organized University of Science, Kotabharu, Malaysia.
2. Thanikkal, S J (Victoria University, Melbourne) Morris, T. (Victoria University, Melbourne) Ciorciari, J. (Swinburne University, Melbourne). (2013). Standardized Low Resolution Electromagnetic Tomography during Movement, Imagery and Observation of Movement. Paper presented at the ISSP Conference held in Beijing, China.
3. Thanikkal, S J (Victoria University, Melbourne) Morris, T. (Victoria University, Melbourne) Ciorciari, J. (Swinburne University, Melbourne). Stimulus-response compatibility and imagery perspective: new evidence for functional equivalence of mental imagery. (Paper presented in the European Congress of Sport Psychology, Bern, Switzerland, 2015, organized by Federation of European Sport Psychology and University of Bern).
4. Thanikkal S. J. (2015) Sport Psychology for elite performance. UGC sponsored national conference organized by Alphonsa College, Palai.
5. Thanikkal, S J (Victoria University, Melbourne) Morris, T. (Victoria University, Melbourne) Ciorciari, J. (Swinburne University, Melbourne) EEGs During Imagery Perspective Use. (Paper presented in the ASPASP conference in Taipei, Taiwan, 2011, organized by ASPASP and Sport psychology Association of Taiwan)
6. Thanikkal, S J (Victoria University, Melbourne) Morris, T. (Victoria University, Melbourne) Ciorciari, J. (Swinburne University, Melbourne) internal and external imagery perspectives and physical movement. Proceedings of International Congress of Applied Psychology, Melbourne, Australia, 2010.
7. Thanikkal, S. J., &Manoj K. P. (2012). Imitation and reciprocation: the foundations of motor development. Proceedings of UGC sponsored national seminar on applied sport and exercise psychology. School of physical education and sports sciences, Kannur University, Kerala.
8. ThanikkalKottayil, S.J., Morris, T., & Ciorciari, J. (2009). Using Mirror Neuron Activity to Study Imagery in Movement and Sport. In A. Baria, E.H. Nabli, M. Madani, A. Essiyedali, Aragon, M., & A.E. Ouartassi. (Eds.) Meeting New Challenges and Bridging Cultural Gaps in Sport and Exercise Psychology. 12^th ISSP World Congress of Sport Psychology, CD-ROM. Marrakech, Morocco: ISSP.
9. Thanikkal, S J., Thomas V A, Anil Kumar N, Joy P T. (2013). Watch out for burnout’: the impact of high intensity training on young athletes. Paper presented in the 23^rd National Conference of Sport Psychology held at Christ College, Irinjalakuda.
10. Thanikkal, S J (Victoria University, Melbourne) Morris,  T.(Victoria University, Melbourne) Ciorciari, J.(2013). A review of research on imagery and mirror neuron system. Paper presented in the 23^rd National Conference of Sport Psychology held at Christ College, Irinjalakuda.
11. Thanikkal S J. (2013). Perceptual motor development programme for children. 23^rd National Conference of Sport Psychology held at Christ College, Irinjalakuda.
12. Thanikkal S. J. (2013). ‘Sports: A social phenomenon’. UGC sponsored national conference organized by Government Brennen College, Thalassery.
13. Thanikkal, S J. (2014) ‘Early exposure: The first medicine’ in the UGC sponsored national seminar on ‘Prevention of life style diseases through physical activity’ UGC sponsored National seminar organized by All Saints College, Trivandrum.
14. Thanikkal S. J. (2012). ‘Imagery: Its application in sports’ in the UGC sponsored national seminar on ‘Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology’ organized by school of sports sciences, Kannur University.
15. Thanikkal S. J. (2012). ‘Imagery and its application in sport’ in 22^ndNational Conference of Sport Psychology organized by Shaheed Kanshiram College of Physical Education, Bhagoo Majra, Chandigarh.
16. Thanikkal, S J (Victoria University, Melbourne) Morris, T. (Victoria University, Melbourne) Ciorciari, J. (Swinburne University, Melbourne). (2009). Imagery perspective in copying movements. Proceedings of India International Conference on Sport Psychology, Gwalior, India.
17. Thanikkal, S J (Victoria University, Melbourne) Morris, T. (Victoria University, Melbourne) Ciorciari, J. (Swinburne University, Melbourne) Mirror neurons and imitation learning in early motor development. (Paper presented in the Ibero-American Conference on Physical Education and school sport, Havana, Cuba, 2008).
18. Thanikkal, S. J (Christ college, Irinjalakuda), Morris T (Victoria university, Melbourne). Introduction to reflective imagery and performance. Proceedings of ICPESS 2006 held at Manipal. (2007). (The paper won the best research paper award)
19. Thanikkal, S.J. Corrective mental imagery and perception of error as the cognitive bases for cyclic approach to motor learning. Research Review, 2004, 3, 93-98
20. Thanikkal, S.J., Manoj, K. P. Effect of two types of mental imagery training upon bowling accuracy in cricket. Published in the proceedings of the 12^th National Conference on Sport Psychology held at LNCPE Trivandrum, 76-81.
21. Thanikkal, S.J. A comparative study on the effects of physical practice and a combination of physical practice and two types of mental imagery training upon kicking accuracy in soccer. Published in the Proceedings of international congress on sports management held at LNIPE, Gwalior, 167-170. 
22. Thanikkal, S. J., Sidhu, A. (1993) Development and standardization of group environment questionnaire. Published in the proceedings of annual conference on sport psychology held in Almora, UP, 107-112.

Participation in Seminars and Conferences

1. ISSP world congress Sevilla, Spain, 2017.
2. 14^th FEPSAC conference, Bern, Switzerlan, 2015.
3. Malaysian National conference of Sport Psychology, Kota Baru, Malaysia, 2015.
4. International Conference on Applied Psychology, Melbourne, Australia, (July, 2010).
5. Ibiro-American conference on school sports, Havana, Cuba (May, 2008).
6. 11^thFEPSAC conference, Copenhagen, Denmak, (July, 2003).

Workshop on motor skill learning conducted by the directorate of sports and youth affairs, govt. of Kerala during the skill development programme organized from 17^th March, 2021 to 23^rd March 2021 at GV Raja Sports School, Thiruvananthapuram.    

RESEARCH AWARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS

1. Winner of Endeavour Postgraduate award, the most prestigious   international scholarship for higher research given by govt. of Australia.
2. Won the best research paper award at the international conference in physical education and sport sciences organized by NAPESS and AIU at Kasturba Medical College Manipal in April 2006.
3. Won Junior Research Fellowship from University Grants Commission, New Delhi in 1992
4. Winner research fellowship from ministry of sports for completing MPhil in 1991.
5. Winner of UGC travel grant to attend FEPSAC 2003 held in Copenhagen, Denmark.

TEACHING AWARDS

1. Winner Professor M M Ghani award for the best college teacher in humanities for the year 2016-17.

Certified Established Sport Psychology Practitioner, International Society of Sport Psychology (ISSP).

1. Invited talk in the national webinar on fitness and wellness organized by SJM Vidyapeetha, Chithradurga. India on 17^th October, 2020.
2. Invited talk on the topic ‘preparing psychologically for the competitions; the pros and cons’ in the one-week faculty development programme organized by YMCA college of Physical Education, Chennai, India. 
3. Invited talk on the international webinar on “the role of physical and mental fitness during kovid-19; impact and future challenges” organized by the National university of Advanced Legal Studies, Kochi, India, on 1^st July 2020.
4. Invited talk in the national seminar on ‘the new dimensions of sports law and physical education in the globalized era’. Organized by the Center for Sports Law, National university of Advanced Legal Studies on 21^st and 22^nd of October, 2019.
5. Invited workshop on “implicit learning and its application in Sport” at the 1^st Malaysian National conference on Sport Psychology in September, 2015.
6. Lead speaker on the topic ‘Imagery: Its application in sports’ in the UGC sponsored national seminar on ‘Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology’ organized by school of sports sciences, Kannur University (June, 2012).
7. Lead a workshop on ‘Imagery and its application in sport’. In 22^ndnational conference of Sport Psychology organized by ShaheedKanshiram College of Physical Education, BhagooMajra, Chandigarh (January, 2012).
8. Resource person for the UGC sponsored national seminar on ‘physical activity and dietary habits for healthy living’, St. Joseph’s college, Irinjalakuda. (2015).
9. Resource person for the UGC sponsored national conference organized by Alphonsa College, Palai. (2015).
10. Resource person for UGC sponsored national seminar on ‘Sport and culture in college campuses’ organized by Government Brennen College, Thalassery.(2013).
11. Resource person for the national seminar on ‘applied sport and exercise psychology’, Government College of Physical Education, East Hill, Calicut.(2014). 
12. Resource person for the student empowerment programme for the MBA students organized at International Centre of Chinmayananda Mission, Ernakulam, October 2012.
13. Resource person in Sport Psychology for the coaches of Kerala State Sports Council organized by Kerala State Sports Council at LNCPE Trivandrum (April/May, 2012).
14. Resource person for the seminar on ‘Impact of growth and development on young cricketers’, organized by Kerala Cricket Association, at GCDA stadium Kochi ( June, 2012).
15. Resource person for the course for PYKKA state level resource persons organized by Kerala State Sports Council (2011).
16. Resource person for refresher course for university and college PE teachers in the Calicut University.
17. Resource person for refresher course for university and college PE teachers in the Kerala University.
18. Resource person for refresher course for university and college PE teachers in the Malabar University, Kannur.
19. Resource person for the state level workshop for the state level resource persons of school PE teachers organized by DIET, Thodupuzha. (2011)
20. Resource person for the state level workshop for PE teachers Polytechnic colleges of Kerala, organized by Dept. of technical Education, Govt. of Kerala (2011).
21. Resource person in sport psychology for the national level seminar, on ‘Science of Football’ organized by LNCPE Trivandrum, (2005).

MEMBERSHIP IN PROFESSIONAL BODIES

1. Life member of Sport Psychology Association of India.
2. Member of International Society of Sport Psychology.
3. Member of International Association of Applied Psychology.
4. Member Asia- South Pacific Association of Sport Psychology.

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

1. Taught motor development and cricket (both theory and lab) for B.Ed Physical Education at Victoria University, Melbourne (sessional Teaching).
2. Taught motor learning and implicit learning (both theory and lab) at postgraduate level at Victoria University, Melbourne (sessional Teaching).
3. Taught Educational sport psychology and allied subjects at Christ College Irinjalakuda from 1994 onwards (23 years).

POSITIONS IN PROFESSIONAL BODIES

1. South Indian regional secretary of Sport Psychology Association of India (2012-2015).

MAJOR SPORT PSYCHOLOGY CONSULTANCY WORK

1. Sport Psychologist to Kerala teams for Khelo India games, Pune, 2019. 
2. Sport Psychologist for Kerala state teams (Athletics, Archery, Women Volleyball, Rowing, Swimming and Kabaddi) for the India National games 2015. Was part of 20 gold medals that Kerala won in the National Games, 2015.
3. Sports Psychologist Kerala women Volleyball team that won Federation cup in 2015
4. Sport psychologist to BPCL Kochi refineries Volleyball team for the year 2003-2004. The team won several tournaments and runners up position in the national league.
5. Consultant sport psychologist to Kerala volleyball women team in 2004-05. The team won national championship.
6. Consultant sport psychologist to Kerala Cricket Association.
7. Consultant sport psychologist to Kerala junior girls’ handball team that won National Championship.