I completed both my Undergraduate and Masters degrees at Sheffield Hallam University. Shortly after completing my MSc, I gained a position as a Research and Teaching Assistant in Biomechanics at the University of Cumbria in 2006. During this time I completed my PhD at the University of Salford. I joined the Department of Sport and Physical Activity at Edge Hill University in September 2015. In August 2017 I moved to the Department of Applied Health & Social Care to pursue my interest in Public Health Research. 

My PhD studies considered the measurement of knee joint position sense following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. ACL injury is common in sports performers and can be serious enough to end careers. I have previously completed research into other sporting injuries in multi-day running events, rugby, basketball and football.

Since moving to the department of AHSC my research focus is musculoskeletal injuries in inactive populations. I have a specific interest in lower-limb injuries in people beginning physical activity for the first time, with focus on injury prevention strategies. I am currently working on a project that will collect prevalence and incidence injury data from novice running participants who undertake the “Couch to 5k” programme. The study will also investigate the potential determinants of injury in these populations considering personal, social-economic and environmental factors. These will be associated with injury incidence and termination of running and / or exercise due to this injury. This research will hopefully inform future injury prevention strategies in this population.

I am also involved in a project investigating the fear of falling in overweight adults. My role in this project is to help conduct and write a systematic review of the current literature in this area.

I am lead author on a Cochrane Review entitled: Running shoes for preventing lower limb running injuries in adults. 

I currently lead the following modules: 

- HEA4444 Research Methods (L7)

- HUG4048 and HUG4049 Dissertation (L7)

- HUG4054 Epidemiolgy, Evaluation & Effectiveness (L7)

- HUG3100 and HUG3240 Dissertation (L6)

- HUG2213 Understanding Research (L5)

- HUG1138 - Introduction to Research Skills (L4)

- HUG1137 - Professional and Academic Skills (L4)

I also contribute to: 

- The Public Health theme on the Medical Degrees

- Public Health sessions to Nursing, Midwifery and Social Care students. 

I am currently supervising UG and Masters Dissertations, plus MRes students. I supervise two PhD students. I have one PhD supervisory completion.