Project title: Next Generation Rehabilitation Technologies - EPSRC Network.
- Professor Ruth Goodridge (University of Nottingham - PI), Professor Mark Lewis (Co-I), Professor Phillipa Logan (University of Nottingham - Co-I), Dr Ayse Kucukyilmaz (University of Nottingham - Co-I)
Project summary: To create an active, cohesive network of experts from a range of academic and clinical disciplines, together with other key stakeholders, to address complex, multi-disciplinary challenges in Rehabilitation Technology. To support members in the development of new, disruptive technologies for rehabilitation that are affordable and effective in clinical practice with a particular focus on innovation in advanced materials, patient-specific devices and therapy, and closed loop & autonomous systems.
Funder: EPSRC
Award total: £1.04M
Project title: Influence of dietary supplementation with nitrate-rich TruBeet™ on nitric oxide biomarkers and cardiovascular health.
- Dr Stephen Bailey (PI), Dr Emma O’Donnell (Co-I), Dr Lewis James (Co-I), Samantha Rowland (Co-I), Dr Tom Clifford (Co-I)
Project summary: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality globally and places a significant burden on healthcare services. Therefore, the purpose of the proposed project is to conduct a series of investigations to assess the effect of dietary NO3- supplementation, administered as TruBeet™ which contains 6% inorganic nitrate, on cardiovascular function and health in individuals with elevated cardiometabolic disease risk factors, and in healthy individuals exposed to dietary and environmental stimuli that strain the cardiovascular system. It is hypothesised that TruBeet™ supplementation will improve cardiovascular function in individuals with elevated cardiometabolic disease risk factors and will attenuate the vascular strain in healthy individuals exposed to dietary and environmental stimuli that strain the cardiovascular system.
Funder: Bio-Gen Extracts PVT Limited (match-funded studentship)
Award total: £ 57,500
Project title: Goalball classification research.
- Dr Robin Jackson (Joint-PI), Dr Donghyun Ryu (Joint-PI)
Project summary: The aim of this project is to address classification in sports without an able-bodied equivalent by developing an evidence-based system of classification for athletes with vision impairment (VI) in the sport of goalball. To do so, this project will: (1) consult experts to adopt a theoretical and philosophical standpoint on how to address classification when a sport has no able-bodied equivalent; (2) develop sport-specific tests to measure the impact of different levels of VI on goalball performance; and (3) establish the minimum impairment criteria and appropriate number of classes in goalball. We expect the outcomes to form the basis of a new system of classification to be adopted in goalball for the 2028 Paralympic Games and beyond.
Funder: International Blind Sports Association
Award total: £ 20,833
Project title: Prevention of diarrhoea and stunting in Mali in children aged 6-24 months.
- Dr Semira Manaseki-Holland (University of Birmingham - PI), Professor Paula Griffiths (Co-I), Dr Ousmane Toure (University Of Science Technical And Technologies De Bamako - Co-I), Professor Samba Diop (University Of Science Technical And Technologies De Bamako - Co-I), Dr Kassoum Kayentao (University Of Science Technical And Technologies De Bamako - Co-I), Mr Ayouba Diarra (University Of Science Technical And Technologies De Bamako - Co-I), Professor Flabou Bougoudogo (University Of Science Technical And Technologies De Bamako - Co-I), Dr Karla Hemming (University of Birmingham - Co-I), Dr Nicola Gale (University of Birmingham - Co-I), Mrs Susan Tebbs (University of Birmingham - Co-I), Professor Richard Lilford (University of Birmingham - Co-I), Professor Kate Jolly (University of Birmingham - Co-I), Dr Louise Jackson (University of Birmingham - Co-I), Dr Sami Bensassi (University of Birmingham - Co-I), Dr Md. Sirajul Islam (North South University - Co-I)
Project summary: Evaluating the intervention within the different context of urban slums and rural communities to reduce diarrhoea and improve growth in children is important because community dynamics as well as the spread of infection are affected by population density in crowded urban environments. Food-borne diseases (FBDs) cause 60% of diarrhoeas leading to 1.3 million child deaths aged 2-24 months. Although FBDs can be reduced by household food practices, household-level food safety interventions have been largely neglected. We will combine our theory based, Gambia weaning-food safety and hygiene intervention with complementary-food (CF) nutrition components (informed by our pilot of Baby-friendly Community Intervention (BFCI) in Kenya).
Funder: MRC
Award total: £ 2M
Project title: A Systematic Observation of Netball Coaches.
- Dr Ed Cope (PI), Professor Chris Cushion (Co-I)
Project summary: Investigating coaches’ behavioural profiles and ways by which they design the learning environment is central to understanding coaching that effectively supports athlete learning and development. While there is an established body of research that has identified coaches’ behaviour, this is not forthcoming in the sport of Netball. In other words, we know little about what netball coaches do from a coach behaviour point of view. There has been a more recent research focus on the types of practice activities coaches engage their athletes in, again though, no research of this nature exists in Netball. In both cases, research is required to advance an understanding of what Netball coaches do so that support for coach learning can be appropriately informed.
Funder: England Netball
Award total: £ 9,887
Project title: Exploring netball coaches' practice and behaviour.
- Dr Ed Cope (PI), Professor Chris Cushion (Co-I),Dr Anna Stodter (Anglia Ruskin University - Co-I)
Project summary: Investigating coaches’ behavioural profiles and ways by which they design the learning environment is central to understanding coaching that effectively supports athlete learning and development. While there is an established body of research that has identified coaches’ behaviour, this is not forthcoming in the sport of Netball. In other words, we know little about what netball coaches do from a coach behaviour point of view. There has been a more recent research focus on the types of practice activities coaches engage their athletes in, again though, no research of this nature exists in Netball. In both cases, research is required to advance an understanding of what Netball coaches do so that support for coach learning can be appropriately informed.
Funder: England Netball
Award total: £ 3,936
Project title: Scientific support to GBWR Performance Pathway.
- Professor Vicky Tolfrey (PI)
Project summary: To continue the research to support the physiological model of what it takes to win with Wheelchair rugby leading into Paris.
Funder: Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby Ltd (GBWR)
Award total: £ 9,171
Project title: Sustainable return to work after long term sick leave: A pilot randomised controlled trial to investigate a multilevel workplace 'IGLOO' intervention to usual return to work support provided by organisations.
- Professor Fehmidah Munir (PI)
Project summary: The aim of this proposed pilot two-arm pragmatic, RCT is to assess the potential of the IGLOO sustainable return-to-work intervention compared to usual workplace support for workers on long-term sick leave in order to inform a future large trial. The pilot will focus on process outcomes to assess intervention delivery and acceptability, although performance of the likely outcomes of a main trial will also be assessed.
Funder: National Institute for Health Research
Award total: £ 667,971
Project title: Evaluation of the FA's safeguarding training.
- Dr Daniel Rhind (PI), Dr Ed Cope (Co-I)
Project summary: The objectives of our proposed research would be to establish whether:
- RO1 - Digital and virtual learning solutions are effective in supporting individuals to better understand and put safeguarding into practice in their role.
- RO2 - A more holistic, frequent and accessible learning offer supports and encourages a broader understanding of safeguarding at club level across multiple roles e.g., coach, manager, welfare officer, committee etc.
- RO3 - There are any further learning opportunities that would enhance safeguarding culture and practice.
Funder: The Football Association Ltd
Award total: £ 40,003
Project title: Project Guardians: A global evaluation of safeguarding in football.
- Dr Daniel Rhind (PI), Dr Carolynne Mason (Co-I), Dr Ed Cope (Co-I), Dr Serhat Yilmaz (Co-I)
Project summary: FIFA launched 'Football Guardians' in 2019. This is a toolkit and education programme which aims to promote effective safeguarding in football. I have been invited to conduct a global evaluation of FIFA Guardians through: 1. A survey of all 211 Member Associations 2. Interviews with the Head of Safeguarding in a representative sample of Member Associations 3. Conduct 6 case studies to illustrate promising practice 4. Make recommendations to shape the future of FIFA Guardians and FIFA's new strategy to guide work beyond 2025. This is a significant project with clear potential for global impact and it could form the foundation of a REF case study alongside our other safeguarding projects.
Funder: Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA)
Award total: £ 209,288
Project title: Cannabidiol pharmacokinetics and human health.
- Dr Lewis James (PI), Dr Liam Heaney (Co-I), Dr Liz Akam (Co-I), Dr Stephen Bailey (Co-I)
Project summary: Cannabidiol (CBD), which once was a relatively unknown molecule mainly consumed as part cannabis, has recently been transformed into a staple product in any health/wellness store and many high street shops/supermarkets. Such CBD products are available to purchase in a range of different product types (i.e. oils, aqueous tinctures, e-liquids, drinks, gummies, topicals etc.). Research has generally focussed on the health effects and pharmacokinetics of CBD at what might be considered clinically relevant doses (up to
1000 mg/day) and often using medical products (e.g., Epidiolex or Sativex oralmucosal sprays). Less focus has been given to lower doses more common among the general consumer (<70 mg/day) and thus less is known about pharmacokinetic profiles (and health-related outcomes) at this level of dose. This project will extend our current work on CBD supplementation in active populations and help to understand how to optimise CBD bioavailability in younger and older adults.
Funder: Bridge Farm Group (match-funded studentship)
Award total: £ 121,003
Project title: Sport and Mental Health in prison.
- Dr Carolynne Mason (PI)
Project summary: The proposed work is driven by four key objectives:
- To examine the range of prison led physical activity provisions within the prison system in England and Wales
- To examine the benefits of engaging in prison led PE programmes and the impact of this engagement on the prison experience (physical/mental health, relationship with staff, general behavioural change)
- To consider the impact of leadership within PE departments on performance and outcomes
- To examine the extent to which engaging in prison led PE programmes can improve outcomes for people upon release.
Funder: Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (match-funded studentship)
Award total: £ 33,000
Project title: Home Heat Health (HHH): Sleep in the city.
- Professor Kevin Lomas (ABC - PI), Dr Arash Baizaee (ABC - Co-I), Professor Kevin Morgan (Co-I), Dr Iuliana Hartescu (Co-I), Professor Victoria Haines (Design School - Co-I), Dr Jo Barnes (Design School - Co-I)
Project summary: The aims of the project are to: A1. Develop a practical, measurable, replicable and clinically meaningful definition of temperature-related sleep disturbance, and to quantify the impact of such disturbance on personal, social and occupational functioning. A2. Produce new, credible overheating criteria based on sleep disturbance for use in identifying overheating in new homes and, through measurement, in existing homes. A3. Trial co-created adaptive actions and assess their practicality, adoptability and influence on the indoor environment, sleep quality, and health and well-being for people of different ages. A4. Devise and illustrate refurbishment strategies for city-located apartment blocks to reduce energy demand and improve the environment in bedrooms.
Funder: EPSRC
Award total: £ 1.19M