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Research Institute launched at Leeds Met
The Research Institute for Sport, Physical Activity and Leisure was launched on Monday 2 July at our Headingley Campus with speakers including Professor Clyde Williams OBE, eminent Sport and Exercise Scientist and Emeritus Professor of Sports Science at Loughborough University, and Professor Celia Brackenridge OBE, Chair of the 2012 Pre-Olympic Convention, and Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson DBE, who both contributed their thoughts via video.
The Institute will deliver international research excellence through five University Research Centres, all led by a Professor of the University: Active Lifestyles; Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; Events, Tourism and Hospitality; Sport Coaching and Physical Education; and Sports Performance.
Speaking at the launch, Vice Chancellor, Professor Susan Price, commented: "The new Institute brings together interdisciplinary subjects to create a synergy which allows us to leverage our strengths to make a positive success of the region. We are committed to maintaining and building on our research strengths."
Research Institute for Sport, Physical Activity and Leisure Director, Professor Carlton Cooke, said: "The launch has been a great success today with open sessions, workshops presented by both staff and students throughout the day."
Professor Clyde Williams OBE added: "It is an inspirational move to establish this Institute as it gives a loud signal to the outside world that Leeds Metropolitan University means business. The Carnegie brand has gone from strength to strength and with these five Centres, the University can further build on these notable areas of strength."
Research across the Centres last year included: A pilot project to help students with type 1 diabetes to manage their condition, exploring the experiences of current Leeds Metropolitan students who have diabetes; Evaluation of the Premier League Health campaign with the University's Centre for Men's Health. Premier League Health is a unique £1.63m programme funded by the Football Foundation to help improve the state of men's health, particularly in deprived areas, all over the country; and an anti-doping study that found that drugs testing alone is not an effective deterrent in preventing athletes from taking performance-enhancing substances.
Research also inspired Leeds Metropolitan University's second successful Himalayan expedition where members of the expedition team summited Mera Peak and Baruntse, as well as collecting valuable data on acclimatisation to altitude.
There are currently more than 70 postgraduate research award students studying across the Centres of the Institute, with opportunities for new students to compete for full time PhD bursaries on an annual basis or self-fund their part time studies.
A video of Professor Celia Brackenridge OBE and Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson DBE's speeches can be viewedhere