Our Doctoral Researchers
Discover more about the PhD projects undertaken by Doctoral Researchers in the Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport.
![Daniel Angus](/media/media/research/phc/images/profiles/Daniel-Angus.jpg)
Addressing psychophysiological responses to stress in elite para-footballers. Utilising longitudinal studies with the aim of informing a potential intervention study to improve performance.
![Pippa Bailey](/media/media/research/phc/images/profiles/Pippa-Bailey.jpg)
Researching effectiveness of training strategies to meet the physiological and kinematic demands of wheelchair basketball players, in collaboration with British Wheelchair Basketball.
![Lara Brittain](/media/media/research/phc/images/profiles/Lara-Brittain.jpg)
Working alongside British Athletics to optimise wheelchair racing, analysing data to improve performance. I aim to use sensor technology and sports biomechanics to enhance wheelchair racing.
![Yash Deshpande](/media/media/research/phc/images/profiles/Yash-Deshpande.jpg)
To improve the return of serve in wheelchair tennis, Yash is investigating how players anticipate serve type and direction and optimally move towards the ball.
![Adam Dickinson](/media/media/research/phc/images/profiles/Adam-Dickinson.jpg)
Barriers and facilitators to participation in wheelchair basketball by examining athlete experiences of the sport alongside how participation can impact athlete mental and physical well-being.
![Will Dixon](/media/media/research/phc/images/profiles/Will-Dixon.jpg)
Researching aerodynamics around athletes and wheelchairs during racing. Focusing on how drag varies with changing body position and whilst following other athletes.
![Iain Gowans](/media/media/research/phc/images/profiles/Iain-Gowans.jpg)
The greatest risk to Para-sport’s integrity is weaknesses in its own classification process. Iain’s research will examine the elements of the process that are in most need of strengthening.
![James Haley](/media/media/research/phc/images/profiles/James-Haley.jpg)
James investigates digital interventions aiming to increase physical activity and reduce non-communicable disease risk in adults with disabilities.
![Hannah Johnston](/media/media/research/phc/images/profiles/Hannah-Johnston.jpg)
Researching physiological challenges faced by cerebral palsy athletes, the influence on training/competition, and strategies to mitigate these / further develop performance.
![Heather Macrae](/media/media/research/phc/images/profiles/Heather-Macrae.jpg)
Currently researching the effect of exercise and exercise-induced dehydration on metabolism and salt balance and the implications on performance and recovery strategies.
![Natasha Mehta](/media/media/research/phc/images/profiles/Natasha-Mehta.jpeg)
Researching the effects of ischaemic pre-conditioning on upper body exercise performance in people with SCI and introducing ischaemic preconditioning as a pre exercise intervention.
![Brodie Miller](/media/media/research/phc/images/profiles/Brodie-Miller.jpg)
Brodie’s work focusses on para-athlete well-being; experiences of pregnancy in elite female athletes; and female para-athlete experiences in relation to gender, athleticism, and disability.
![Lynsey Speirs](/media/media/research/phc/images/profiles/Lynsey-Speirs.jpg)
Lynsey is investigating how interior design and aesthetics within long-stay rehabilitation facilities influences attitudes towards physical activity following SCI.
![Ellie-May Storr](/media/media/research/phc/images/profiles/Ellie-May-Storr-2.jpg)
Researching experiences, psychological stressors and implications of classification in para sport, and how this influences athlete and athlete support personal mental health and well-being.
![Yunuo Su](/media/media/research/phc/images/profiles/Yunuo-Su.jpg)
Research will focus on understanding unique female physiology and its relation to heat therapy, particularly in improving the health and quality of life for women with mobility impairments.
![Ben Walker](/media/media/research/phc/images/profiles/Ben-Walker.jpg)
Understanding the mental health and well-being challenges and facilitators in para-athletes to inform policy developments and organisational guidelines for the English Institute of Sport.