Professor Steph Forrester’s academic career started at the University of Edinburgh where she gained a BEng in Chemical Engineering. She completed her PhD at the University of Cambridge before accepting a postdoctoral position in Australia.

Following several years as a professional triathlete – including representing Team GB at the 2000 Olympics – Steph returned to academia and completed her MSc in Sports Biomechanics at Loughborough. She joined the Sports Technology Institute as a Lecturer in 2008 and received her Chair in 2023.

Her research focuses on artificial turf sports surfaces, player-surface interactions, and related biomechanics. Her work has had significant impact – including the development of advanced player-surface interaction tests now used in the FIFA standards for football turf; improving and optimising the maintenance processes conducted on artificial turf pitches; and biomechanical input to a commercial running technique sensor.

As Programme Director for the Sports Technology undergraduate programme she oversaw its transition from BSc to BEng, secured its accreditation with the IET and IED, and developed the MEng programme. Most recently, Steph led the development of the MSc Sports Engineering programme.