Our research staff
Discover more about the Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport staff members and their research.
Prof Tolfrey is a sport scientist whose research focuses on the ergonomics of wheeled mobility (physical activity to high performance sport), with expertise in Para sport physiology.
Dr Leicht's research focuses on tailoring exercise prescription to populations with disability, and investigating alternatives to exercise (e.g., heat, limb occlusion) to benefit their health.
Dr Barker’s research has a focus on Para-Football, working with WADA around Clean Sport in CP football, and with The Football Association in relation to para-footballers stress experiences.
Ollie’s placement involves providing physiology support to British Triathlon’s Paralympic Pathway, as well as PHC to understand match demands in wheelchair basketball, tennis and rugby.
Janine’s research focuses on the experiences of young people with disabilities and their experiences of physical education, sport and recreation.
Anna is currently leading a UK Sport-funded project, monitoring and evaluating a new Para athlete development programme.
Robin’s current research focuses on return-of-serve in wheelchair tennis, and an evaluation of classification in goalball.
Dr James' research focuses on nutritional requirements to optimise athlete performance and recovery, with a particular focus on water/hydration and exercise in the heat.
Dr King's works on collaborative projects and funding applications surrounding spinal cord injury, appetite regulation, weight management and cardiometabolic health.
Tash researches wearable devices for wheelchair users looking into wheelchair mobility and physical activity monitoring. Tash also supports dissemination and translational activities.
Vladyslava is currently supporting a UK Sport funded project on the development of a Paralympic Performance Basics Framework
Dr Maidment's explores digital behaviour change interventions to improve physical activity and reduce chronic (noncommunicable) disease risk in adults with disabilities (sensory/physical).
Dr McErlain-Naylor is co-supervising biomechanics and wearable technology aspects of projects, including in wheelchair racing.
Thomas works as a qualitative researcher and research assistant with experiences in wheelchair tennis, wheelchair basketball, sitting volleyball and para sport development.
Exploring performance enhancement strategies in wheelchair sports using a holistic, inter-disciplinary approach.
Dr Paine investigates the interactions between the psychobiological mechanisms of stress, physical activity, exercise and sitting time as risk factors for developing heart disease.
Dr Papathomas uses interpretive qualitative methods to understand people’s mental illness experiences across sport and exercise contexts.
Dr Plateau is interested in mental health among para-athletes. She is currently collaborating with the EIS, WADA and the FA to explore nuances around mental health in this population.
Social inclusion and diversity in sport with a focus on Paralympic sport media (broadcast, digital media, representation), disability, gender equities and feminist research.
Dr Rhind's research focuses on the protection and promotion of human rights in sport, including projects on safeguarding children and adults as well as promoting integrity in para sport.
Contributing to the knowledge base in the field of wheelchair sports via the development and translation of sensor technology and wheelchair ergometry, using an open science approach.
Ellie-May works on a WADA/IFCPF funded project into Clean Sport in Cerebral Palsy Football. She is also our centre’s information officer, supporting social media and translational activities.
Supporting staff and collaborators with research design, quantitative statistical analyses, and interpretation, describing and presenting results and editing/writing research papers/outputs.
Honorary Clinical Lecturer in Rehabilitation Sciences (Para Sports Classification) – World Wheelchair Rugby and Medical Doctor in Holland.
Visiting Professor (Exercise Physiology) - Department of Kinesiology, McMaster University, Canada. Director of the Vascular Dynamics Laboratory.
Rienk currently collaborates with PHC on research projects focusing on improving the classification system within wheelchair sports, as well as direct support to athletes and coaches.
Visiting Fellow (Rehabilitation Sciences) - Assistant Professor Human Movement Sciences, University Groningen.
Honorary Clinical Professor (Para Sport, Health and Wellbeing to Performance) – Chairperson of British Paralympic Association and Medical Doctor.
Visiting Fellow and Postdoctoral Fellow in Rehabilitation Medicine at the University of Texas Health Science Centre at San Antonio.