2025 news
This section includes news from the Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport from 2025.
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Wheelchair tennis on grass courts: Impact through partnerships
As Wimbledon 2025 begins, The Peter Harrison Centre announces the positive impact of its wheelchair tennis research on grass courts. This research, led by Professor Vicky Tolfrey and Dr Thomas Rietveld, in collaboration with key partners, demonstrates that wheelchair tennis can be safely played on grass with specific wheelchair modifications, ensuring no undue damage to the courts.
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Peter Harrison Centre Members Feature in Loughborough University’s ‘Let’s Talk Para’ Podcast Series
Members of the Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport (PHC) have taken centre stage in a recent series of episodes from Loughborough University’s ‘Let’s Talk Para’ podcast. The podcast, which launched at the beginning of the academic year, is dedicated to spotlighting para athletes and the world of disability and para sport.
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Peter Harrison Centre members attend the 7th RehabMove congress in Groningen, the Netherlands
Members of the Peter Harrison Centre (PHC) attended the 7th RehabMove congress in Groningen, the Netherlands. Bringing together researchers, clinicians, sport professionals, patient groups, sports unions, industry, and other partners in rehabilitation, adaptive sport, and healthcare, the event focused on mobility, active lifestyles, and adaptive sports for people with disabilities. PHC members delivered keynote lectures, oral and poster presentations on topics ranging from shoulder health in wheelchair users to performance in para sport.
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Loughborough University Welcomes Dr. Fransiska Bossuyt as Visiting Fellow
The Peter Harrison Centre is proud to welcome Dr Fransiska Bossuyt as a Visiting Fellow within the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences. A leading expert in shoulder health among wheelchair athletes, Dr Bossuyt brings her expertise from ETH Zurich to enhance research, education, and injury prevention in Para and disability Sport.
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Iain Gowans PLY completes his PhD
On May 14th, Doctoral researcher Iain Gowans PLY successfully defended his PhD thesis, becoming our centre’s newest Dr!
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Six Fully Funded PhD Scholarships in Para Sport Performance Research
We are excited to announce a unique opportunity for aspiring researchers: six fully funded PhD scholarships as part of our newly launched interdisciplinary research cluster. These scholarships are designed to foster cutting-edge research that directly supports and enhances elite Para sport performance.
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Collaboration uses Loughborough’s vehicle aerodynamic knowledge to enhance Para sport performance
A collaborative project, led by academics at Loughborough University, is using expertise from the field of vehicle aerodynamics and wheelchair design to better support wheelchair racers taking part in the next Paralympics and beyond.
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The Peter Harrison Laboratory continues its relationship with the University of Pittsburgh by welcoming Dr Jorge Candiotti for a visit
On 13th March, we welcomed Associate Professor Jorge Candiotti from the University of Pittsburgh to our laboratory, strengthening our ongoing collaboration in assistive technology. During his visit, he helped calibrate new SmartWheels, which will support research in wheelchair racing and potentially expand to other wheelchair sports.
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Professor Vicky Tolfrey attends a World Wheelchair Rugby event championing gender equity with a landmark declaration and game-changing playbook
On 4th March, World Wheelchair Rugby (WWR) signed the Brighton Plus Helsinki 2014 Declaration, reinforcing its commitment to gender equity. Alongside this, WWR launched the Wheelchair Rugby Gender Equity Playbook to boost female participation and leadership.
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Richard Whitehead MBE visits Peter Harrison Laboratory during his 20-marathon challenge for 2025
Paralympian Richard Whitehead, PLY MBE, visited Loughborough University for testing as he prepares to run 20 marathons in 2025, aiming for 100 total. His visit gave students hands-on sports science experience ahead of his next race on March 8th.
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Peter Harrison Centre members attend Bolton Indoor ITF2 Wheelchair Tennis Tournament and strengthen LTA partnership with a PhD studentship
Dr Anna Fitzpatrick and Dr Thomas Rietveld visited Bolton to attend the Indoor ITF2 Wheelchair Tennis Tournament and continued conversations on future collaborations between The Peter Harrison Laboratory and the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA).
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Strengthening Partnerships for Inclusive Physical Activity
Activity Alliance deliver a seminar and collaborate with a PhD studentship.
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Iain Gowans attends ParalympicsGB Strategy Meeting
In January, Peter Harrison Centre Doctoral Researcher Iain Gowans attended a strategy session of ParalympicsGB’s International Relations Committee, held at their headquarters in London. The purpose of the session was to review and develop the ParalympicsGB’s International Relations strategy. The Committee collectively supports ParalympicsGB by making effective use of partnerships and giving contextual intelligence and advice on current and future international developments and trends.
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Adam Dickinson completes his PhD
On the 7th February, Doctoral researcher Adam Dickinson successfully defended his PhD thesis, becoming the newest Dr in our centre!