Introducing our newest doctoral cohort: Aphra Sutherland-Howard

Last October, the Peter Harrison Centre welcomed ten new doctoral researchers whose diverse expertise and fresh perspectives will help shape the next chapter of our work. To help introduce this cohort, we are sharing a short series of profiles highlighting each researcher, their academic journey, and the focus of their PhD research. This is the seventh article in the series, and we introduce Aphra Sutherland-Howard.

Last October, the Peter Harrison Centre (PHC) welcomed ten new doctoral researchers, marking an exciting step in the continued growth and evolving scope of the Centre's research. As their projects begin to take shape, we are delighted to showcase the wide range of academic backgrounds, professional experiences, and shared curiosity that each new researcher brings to the PHC community.

To help everyone get to know our newest cohort, we are sharing a short series of introductions. Each feature spotlights one doctoral researcher, offering insight into their journey to doctoral study, their previous experience, and the questions driving their PhD research.

This is the seventh article in the series and introduces Aphra Sutherland-Howard

Aphra completed her undergraduate degree in BSc Human Movement (Exercise and Sports Science) at the University of South Australia, before coming to Loughborough University to study a MSc in Sports Biomechanics which she graduated from with Distinction in 2024.

Joining the Peter Harrison Centre as part of the new ParaFit Cluster, Aphra’s PhD project will look at the role mobile and wearable technologies can play in activity monitoring and training prescription for athletes with a disability. Under the supervision of Professor Vicky Goosey-Tolfrey, Dr. Stuart McErlain-Naylor and Dr. Thomas Rietveld, she hopes to validate wearable activity trackers for use by people with abnormal gait patterns or alternative methods of locomotion. This research will improve access to personal activity tracking and allow for a more tailored approach to training prescription and injury prevention.

Over the coming weeks, we will continue to introduce the rest of our doctoral cohort. Each profile offers a closer look at the people behind our research and the ideas shaping the future of the Peter Harrison Centre.

Look out for the next introduction soon.