Our work is focussed on those aspects of the health sector that contribute to the health of the whole body. These disciplines include physiotherapy, sports therapy, nutrition and dietetics, occupational therapy, environmental health, health and safety, and biomedical sciences. Most of our courses are accredited by a professional body - which demand an environment of high quality and progression into a range of professional careers; based on the University-based studies and associated work-based experiences our graduates have excellent employment rates in their chosen careers.

Our staff work across discipline boundaries to create a dynamic research community. The quality of our research in Biomedical Sciences, Musculoskeletal Health, Nutrition and Pain are strong, with our academic staff regularly publishing in respected peer-reviewed journals, including 'Nature' and ‘The Lancet’, and these are enriched by the work of leading research figures, such as Professor Mark Johnson, Professor Gary Jones and Professor Pinkie Sahota who is a leading figure in research into childhood obesity.

The quality and diversity of our research work has recommended us to leading institutions who have commissioned our work, including the Ministry of Defence and NHS, and several members of the School regularly bring their expertise to the public domain through Radio and TV.

Academic staff also remain active in their clinical practice and professional roles – including through our Environmental Health Consultancy Service, Occupational Therapy, Lifestyle and Wellbeing Service, Microbiology consultancy service and clinical roles across the NHS and with elite sports teams.

Our students recognise the value of being part of an academic community that brings research and teaching together, and record high levels of satisfaction with their student experience. This enthusiasm for collaboration extends beyond the School, which exploits the additional benefits of being part of a University that offers a wide range of subjects. For example, our Sports and Exercise Therapy students benefit from their course being co-delivered with the Carnegie School of Sport and the proximity to high performing sports students.

This approach, as well as access to specialist faculties, contributes to our students being successful in achieving high levels of employment post-graduation.

We recognise that every organisation needs to be adaptable, informed and agile in order to remain efficient and effective in times of constant change. Each year, our university helps to ensure more than 2,000 practising professionals keep up-to-date with the skills, knowledge an innovative practice they need.

We have the most comprehensive acoustic facility in the region, which includes specialist up-to-date measuring equipment, a reverberation room (52m³), an anechoic chamber (16m³) and an audiometry booth. Our equipment enables us to measure:

• Sound power levels using ISO 3740.
• Reverberation and other room acoustic parameters.

We also have tools to take field measurements of airborne and structure-borne sound insulation, and structural and human vibration.

Providing cutting edge facilities for undertaking biomedical bench research, consultancy and teaching, our modern, purpose built, multidisciplinary spaces contain the latest scientific equipment, with full Cat 2 microbiology facilities and two cell culture suites. The labs house a range of biochemical, microbiological, molecular and physiological analysis equipment.

Facilities

Clinical Skills Suite

Our state-of-the-art Clinical Skills Suite has been designed to meet the learning needs of a variety of allied health professionals. We have seven skills and practice rooms (which can be combined into two larger rooms) containing specialist equipment, including:

• Two and three-section couches, wall bars and mobile steps.
• Cycle and rowing ergometers, gas analyser, body composition analyser and a range of anatomical models.
• PEG feeding model and a range of adapted equipment for rehabilitation activities.
• A range of high and medium fidelity human patient simulators, part-task trainers, video recording equipment and software for analysis and debriefing.

Our Community Living Area hosts a kitchen, lounge, bathroom and bed, celling hoist, emergency lifting cushion, bariatric chair and a range of adapted equipment. We also have a number of dedicated practice rooms that enable the practical application of anatomy, mobilisation, electrotherapy, massage, heat therapy, cardiovascular and respiratory testing, physiology, anthropometry, rehabilitation and first aid.

Our kitchen adheres to professional kitchen regulations and has the capacity to accommodate 16 people based at 8 workstations.

We offer a number of professional services for business. Whether you’re looking for collaboration on a project, in need of expert consultancy, or you are looking for state-of-the-art equipment and professional spaces to hire for training and workshops, we can more than meet your needs. We provide:

• Consultancy
• Contract research (including service evaluation)
• Knowledge Transfer Partnerships
• Access to modern facilities

Our range of Clinical & Applied Sciences facilities can be hired for the purpose of training and delivering workshops – from clinical simulation to food inspection, health and safety, interview skills, and testing of sound equipment. 

For any enquiries, please contact Julian Sorrell:

J.A.Sorrell@leedsbeckett.ac.uk

07780493016