Professor Mark Johnson

Professor Mark I. Johnson, PhD, joined Leeds Beckett in 1992 and is Professor of Pain and Analgesia and Director of the Leeds Beckett Pain Team (Centre for Pain Research). He is a physiologist with a PhD in clinical psychophysiology – pain science. He is a passionate educator, supporting our undergraduate and post-graduate students, and our staff colleagues. He has developed and delivered distance learning courses using digital technologies. He has supervised more than 25 PhD students and examined over 20 PhD candidates. He regularly chairs Leeds Beckett PhD examinations. Whilst at Beckett, He has had a wide variety of senior managerial and leadership roles in teaching, learning, assessment, and research.

Mark has investigated the science of pain and its management since the mid 1980’s and he is a world expert on transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS); his book on TENS was shortlisted for a British Medical Association Book Award. He has expertise in quantitative and qualitative methodologies and in conducting clinical trials (phase 1-3), laboratory studies on humans, and evidence syntheses (meta-analyses, meta-ethnography and Cochrane reviews). He has attained over £2 million in research income, and he undertakes expert consultancy on behalf of the university for the public and private sectors (e.g., GlaxoSmithKline, Philips Research International, Medi-Direct International, the Committee of Advertising Practice). He is an editorial board member for journals and a member of various learned societies. He has published over 300 peer reviewed articles and over 30 invited book chapters. He is an editorial board member for journals.

Mark leads a vibrant team of investigators conducting research on topics including biopsychosocial determinants of pain (e.g. age, gender, and ethnicity), response to analgesics (TENS, acupuncture, laser therapy, kinesiology taping), epidemiology of pain, psychophysiological dis-ease (emotional memory images), perceptual embodiment, and health promotion. Current projects include pain education, community pain services (Rethinking Pain), artist-led activities for pain (Unmasking Pain), and painogenicity (pain through a socio-ecological evolutionary mismatch lens). He is passionate about public engagement and outreach (e.g., Royal Society Summer Exhibition, Royal Institution, Flippin’ Pain cycle tours, media appearances). Check out his blog to see what he is up to at the moment.

Sample of courses:

• BSc and MSc Sports Therapy
• Sports Medicine
• Physiotherapy
• Nursing
• Biomedical Sciences
• Foundation Neuromodulation (MSc. DL)