By Dr Liam Anderson It was fantastic to welcome Dr Meghan Bentley, Research Fellow in Sport Nutrition at Leeds Beckett University, to deliver an engaging and thought-provoking talk for the School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences’ Performance Enhancement Special Interest Group (SIG). The session was attended by both SIG staff and postgraduate students, creating a vibrant environment … Continue reading “Dr Meghan Bentley’s Guest Talk for the Performance Enhancement SIG”
Reflecting on Year One of the MSc High Performance Sport
By Dr Tom Brownlee Photo by Caleb Holden on Unsplash The first year of the MSc High Performance Sport has officially come to a close, and what a start it has been. When we launched the programme, our goal was to create an experience that truly prepares students for the demands of elite sport. Looking back now, it … Continue reading “Reflecting on Year One of the MSc High Performance Sport”
The Long Game: Why Doing It Well Still Matters in Sport
By Dr Paul Garner Photo by Quino Al on Unsplash I guess you know you’re getting old when you look forward to a coffee with the newspaper on a Saturday morning! Today I indulged my passion for rugby and read three articles written by different journalists all of which discussed leadership in some shape or form. They reminded … Continue reading “The Long Game: Why Doing It Well Still Matters in Sport “
Professional Doctorate Day 2025
By Dr Liam Anderson Last week, we held our annual Professional Doctorate Day, bringing together students, staff, and supervisors for a day of learning, sharing, and connection. The event provided a valuable opportunity for our Professional Doctorate students, many of whom are based primarily off campus and embedded in applied professional environments, to come together as … Continue reading “Professional Doctorate Day 2025”
Step Into Sports Business Leadership
By Dr Jamie Pringle Step Into Sports Business Leadership – Applications Open for September 2026 Are you ready to transform your passion for sport into a career that shapes the future of business and leadership? Starting September 2026, the University of Birmingham invites ambitious postgraduates to join our MSc Sports Business, Management & Leadership – … Continue reading “Step Into Sports Business Leadership “
Me, myself and I: Ryder Cup Captains and The Language of Leadership
By Dr Jamie Pringle Photo credit: Bryan Berlin Anyone who watched the 2025 Ryder Cup will have been struck by the contrasting fortunes of Team USA and Team Europe across the three days. After Europe’s dominance in Friday and Saturday’s pairings, holding an 11½–4½ lead, Captain Luke Donald’s side held off a strong USA singles fightback to scrape a … Continue reading “Me, myself and I: Ryder Cup Captains and The Language of Leadership “
Rapport Isn’t Friendship: A Lesson in Authority and Athlete Buy-In
By Dr Tom Brownlee Photo by Lesli Whitecotton on Unsplash Last week, I had a thought-provoking conversation with a Head of Performance that challenged how I think about athlete buy-in. It’s a topic I often discuss with students and early-career practitioners. My usual advice is to focus on building rapport. Understand the athlete, earn their trust, and show … Continue reading “Rapport Isn’t Friendship: A Lesson in Authority and Athlete Buy-In”
What Mondo Duplantis Can Teach Us About the Science of Record-Breaking
By Dr Tom Brownlee Photo by dylan yarbrough on Unsplash This week I was invited onto BBC Radio 5 Live to discuss Mondo Duplantis’ latest world record and the broader question of what it takes to break a record. We also explored why some records stand for decades and whether we will continue to see them fall or … Continue reading “What Mondo Duplantis Can Teach Us About the Science of Record-Breaking”
Pre-Season: The Unseen Engine of Professional Football
By Dr Liam Anderson Photo by Vikram TKV on Unsplash The professional football world in Europe is currently embarking on the pre-season phase of the season. When most people think of football pre-season, they picture players jogging through sun-soaked training camps or posing with new signings. But beneath the surface lies a period of immense intensity physically, psychologically, … Continue reading “Pre-Season: The Unseen Engine of Professional Football”
Why we go to conferences: Reflections from the World Congress of Science and Soccer in Glasgow
By Professor Barry Drust Photo by Alexandre Pellaes on Unsplash I recently had the privilege of attending the World Congress of Science and Soccer in Glasgow. The event brought together researchers, practitioners, coaches, and industry leaders from around the world to engage with the latest ideas and thoughts around the game. I’ve been attending these conferences for a … Continue reading “Why we go to conferences: Reflections from the World Congress of Science and Soccer in Glasgow”