Research expertise
Sport and Exercise Science research students will lead in-depth advanced research projects that have significant impact on their specific field of study, and broader society.
Students become part of a dynamic research community that brings together experts from across the broad field of Sport and Exercise Science. Our postgraduate researchers have the opportunity to focus on a range of specialist areas, including:
- Physical activity and health
- Biomechanics
- Physiology and health
- Psychology and health
- Business management and sport and exercise science
- Sports Coaching
- Coach Development
- Performance analysis
- Sociology/Politics of sport/Physical Activity
- Sports Performance, recovery and health
Working under the careful supervision of experienced researchers, postgraduate research students will explore key national and international issues that impact physiological, social, political, psychological and coaching dimensions of sport and exercise science. Postgraduate research students are encouraged to apply person-centred, community-focused and intersectional perspectives to address pressing contemporary challenges in the diverse fields that comprise sport and exercise science, including key themes such as inclusion, identity and marginalisation in sport. Recognising that sport and exercise are not just physical practice, underpins much of the work of our research students. Using methods at the forefront of their discipline, students will create new knowledge about how we can better understand and respond in different ways to these challenges focusing on aspects such as:
- Identity, inclusion and marginalisation in sport
- Culture and political heritage in sport
- Physical literacy and youth access
- Coaching identity and professional learning
- Performance, physiology, nutrition and athletic health
- Innovation in theory, methodology and method in sport and exercise science
We also have links with national and international industry, government and environmental, health groups and agencies, voluntary organisations and education institutions. Where possible we support students to collaborate with these organisations to enhance the relevance and application of their research.
Research supervisors
Dr Paul Blakey
Expertise: The Business of Sport: sport marketing, sport sponsorship, branding in sport, sports entrepreneurship, digital applications in sport, and sports event leverage and impact analysis.
Dr Matthew Cook
Expertise: Effects of functional foods on exercise performance and physiological responses.
Dr Darren Cooper
Expertise: Sports Therapy; Anatomy and Biomechanics, Soft-tissue techniques, Manual Therapy Mobilisations, Performance and Recovery strategies. Learning and Teaching; Instructional Videos and Cognitive, Affective and Psychomotor Skill Acquisition.
Dr Mark Corbett
Expertise: Cycling biomechanics and bike fitting; repeatability and variability of motion capture and gait analysis; electromyography and interdisciplinary elements of pacing.
Dr Ben Duncan
Expertise: environmental physiology; endurance performance.
Dr Dan Eastough
Expertise: Perception and action; motor control; effect of observation on action; movement volition; minimalist footwear.
Dr Christian Edwards
Expertise: Muscularity-oriented body image (drive for muscularity, Muscle Dysmorphia, and associated behaviours); psychology of strength exercise; qualitative, quantitative, and mixed method approaches to research.
Dr Christopher Holland
Expertise: Sports Therapy; Manual Therapy, Joint Mobilisations, Injury Evaluation and Assessment, Musculoskeletal Anatomy and Biomechanics, Sport and Exercise Rehabilitation, Knowledge Dissemination and Practitioner Development, Health Promotion.
Dr Jennifer Joyce
Expertise: Dr Joyce's research focus is on healthy ageing in relation to cognitive function. In particular, Dr Joyce is interested in looking at the impact of perimenopause and menopause on wellbeing and health with a specific interest in the relationship between Oestrogen decline and cognitive function and brain health.
Dr Louise Martin
Expertise: Variability of athletic performance; regulation of pacing.
Dr Jessica Mee
Expertise: optimising athlete and occupational workers (including military personnel) for competing and working in hot climates using novel, accessible and effective strategies; understanding the additional challenges female endurance athletes may face associated with hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle.
Professor Győző Molnár
Expertise: Globalisation; labour migration; the Olympic movement; post-colonial socio-cultural issues; sociology of the body; ethnography and social theories.
Dr Andrew Renfree
Expertise: regulation of pacing.
Dr Clare Rhoden
Expertise: Psychological factors associated with exercise, ageing and physical activity; age stereotypes and physical activity; emotions and affect in sports performance; psychological factors associated with sports performance.
Dr Emma Richardson
Expertise: disability sport; inclusion; social justice and cultural praxis in disability research; qualitative methodologies and mixed research.
Dr Don Vinson
Expertise: Sports coaching; sports pedagogy; Game Sense; coach education; servant leadership. Experience in supervising quantitative, qualitative and multiple methods approaches.
Dr Julia West
Expertise: performance sport (including situational motivation, emotion regulation, confidence and resilience in sport); sports psychology; football skills with a focus on goalkeepers; qualitative methodologies and mixed research.
Dr Colin Wood
Expertise: outdoor education; work-based learning; trust in the outdoors; social aspects of outdoor learning; international aspects of outdoor learning; residential adventure education. Residential Adventure Education
Research groups
Postgraduate Research Students are encouraged to join Research Groups at the University, and those with significant focus on sport and exercise science include: