I am the founding Director of the Institute for Health and Care Improvement, which is a hub for interdisciplinary research in health and social care at York St John University. The Institute aims to improve the health and care of the communities we serve. It does this by conducting high-quality research, supporting research and the next generation of researchers, connecting people with different knowledge and skills to develop interdisciplinary research, and including everyone in research so the research can benefit all.
My own research focuses on the role of physical activity and exercise in the prevention, management and treatment of long-term health conditions. I am a Professor of Clinical Exercise Science and a BASES Accredited Sport and Exercise Scientist. I am also the Academic Lead of Scarborough Coastal Health and Care Research Collaborative (SHARC), which is a partnership led by York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that supports the development of research to benefit the health of the community of Scarborough and the surrounding area.
My main teaching experience is in the areas of research methods and exercise physiology. I have designed and delivered modules in these areas at undergraduate study and postgraduate levels. I also deliver a range of workshops to our staff and postgraduate research students on research-related topics.
My research explores the role of physical activity and exercise in the prevention, management and treatment of long-term health conditions. I am particularly well-known for my work on exercise for intermittent claudication and exercise-based prehabilitation to increase readiness for major surgery.
My research is typically interdisciplinary and involves collaborating with healthcare professionals, patients, researchers, and other stakeholders.
My research has been funded by several organisations, including the National Institute for Health and Care Research, The Chief Scientist Office - Scotland, The Health Foundation, and Sport England.
Recent publications
I am a member of the East Midlands Nottingham One Research Ethics Committee.
I review research grant applications for several funding bodies, including the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), the Medical Research Council, and the British Heart Foundation. I am a member of the Selection Committee for the NIHR Doctoral Fellowship Programme.
I review manuscripts for several journals, including the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, the British Journal of Sports Medicine, and Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise.
