Can you tell us about your Sport and Exercise Science Journey? 

I have always been interested in training strategies that can improve athletic performance and mitigate injury risk in sport. When I was younger, I was an aspiring athlete and I wanted to gain a competitive advantage against my peers. This led to a fascination with Sports Science and Strength and Conditioning and motivated me to understand the biomechanics and physiology involved in optimising human performance. 

I completed a part-time postgraduate degree in Strength and Conditioning and during that time I worked in various roles including a Sports Coach for a Sports Trust, a part-time Strength and Condition Coach for England North West Netball and a Lecturer at the University of Salford. 

I was awarded a Studentship at the University of Salford in 2016, which allowed me to complete a fully-funded full-time PhD. During this time, I continued lecturing and working as a Strength and Conditioning Coach for Salford City FC Academy. Before joining Manchester Met, I was a technician at the University of Salford and worked at Manchester United FC Academy. 

Currently, I am a Lecturer in Strength and Conditioning and Sports Biomechanics in the Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences. I am also a Foundation Year lead and a core research member of the Musculoskeletal Science and Sports Medicine Research Centre. Here, I conduct research relating to the assessment and development of strength and multidirectional speed and I also have a strong research interest in anterior cruciate ligament injury risk during change of direction. 

Moreover, I consult with professional sports clubs and organisations such as Manchester United FC, Sale Sharks Rugby Club and the Football Association (FA), and I  am currently a Visiting Lecturer at Middlesex University and the Football Science Institute. 

What are your greatest achievements so far? 

My greatest achievements in my career are receiving Doctoral research grant funding during my PhD, collaborating nationally and internationally with colleagues and producing research that impacts the professional practice of Sports Science and medicine, alongside being asked to present at conferences with consult with sports clubs. Finally, another achievement is supporting students to secure jobs and placement opportunities. 

How did your degree prepare you for your current role?  

Sport and Exercise Science is a very competitive industry and I personally feel that an undergraduate degree is a starting point toward the journey of aspiring to be a Sports Scientist. 

My undergraduate degree is where I gained crucial knowledge across many disciplines. At a postgraduate level, I was able to specialise in strength and conditioning and truly apply theory to ‘real-world’ environments.

What do you enjoy about your current role?  

I enjoy sharing my knowledge with students and assisting in the development of aspiring Sports Scientists. I love seeing how students progress academically, professionally and socially, and developing relationships with students and colleagues. The ability to produce translational research that is applied and embedded into professional sporting environments is extremely rewarding. Aside from this, I thrive from being able to learn from a diverse range of colleagues who are specialists in their specific areas of interest.   

Why do you feel it is important to have a diverse Sport and Exercise Science industry?   

In Sport and Exercise Science, there is a notable lack of female and BAME representation despite people from these groups making large contributions at community and professional levels of sport, and in education. 

It is integral that people see themselves reflected in the profession to have positive role models. Diversity will ensure that there is a collective wealth of knowledge and experience being fostered at every level. 

What are your plans for the future?  

I want to develop an MSc in Strength and Conditioning with colleagues at Manchester Met and I hope to be a Reader in research by continuing to develop high-quality research that impacts practice in Sports Science and medicine. 

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