PhD Postgraduate research in Sports and Recreation

PhD studies can be pursued either full-time (typically three years) or part-time (typically six years). These theoretical research projects advance knowledge and understanding within their field, informing future research, education, and policy development. We encourage you to explore our research videos to learn more about our current projects and areas of expertise.

The School of Sport has been awarded an Athena SWAN Bronze Department Award in recognition of our work to support gender equality.

Lead

Prof Matthew Wyon 

Prof Matthew Wyon is a Professor in Exercise Physiology and Chair of the Sport and Physical Activity Research Centre (SPARC). He leads research in Dance Medicine and Science with one of the world’s largest PhD programmes. His main focus is on the performance enhance and health of elite dancers as well as Dance for Health. He is part of an international research group that includes PhD students from across the globe looking at different dance genres from a physiological and biomechanics perspective. 

PhD Supervisors

Prof Andy Lane 

Andy Lane is an internationally recognised expert in sport and exercise psychology. His current research is distinguished by its interdisciplinary focus across sport, health, and psychological science, aimed at improving both performance and wellbeing. His work addresses real-world issues through robust scientific inquiry and applied interventions. Key themes include: performance and psychological regulation, health and clinical applications of exercise psychology, combat sports and weight classification and social development through sport

Dr Ross Cloak 

Ross Cloak is an Associate Professor in Sport and Exercise Science and the Head of the Sport and Physical Activity Research Centre (SPARC). His research focuses on how sports science can be applied to improve athlete health and performance. With experience as a practitioner in combat sports, soccer, and endurance sports, Dr. Cloak’s current work includes altitude training in combat sports, the use of virtual reality technology in elite soccer, and return-to-play analysis in sport. 

Dr Ian Lahart 

Ian Lahart’s main area of research area is on the role of physical activity in the prevention and treatment of non-communicable disease. Particularly he has worked with patients with cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and related metabolic conditions, and arthritis. He is also interested in the communication of science and meta-research, field of research that investigates research practices and quality.

Dr Gavin Ward 

Gavin Ward is a Senior Lecturer in Physical Education at the University of Wolverhampton and a leading member of the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion research theme within the Sport and Physical Activity Research Centre (SPARC). The theme is focused on research that positively impacts social justice in relation to (dis)ability, gender, age, class, race and ethnicity. Gavin has recently completed a £40k research project for British University and Colleges Sport (BUCS) to explore Race and Equality within university sport and physical activity provision.   Recommendations from this UK-wide research are now in the process of being implemented by BUCS.  Gavin Supervises a range of research students across a range of subject areas including health, psychology and sport. These include full-time, part-time and professional doctorate students. 

Dr Ali Forbes 

Alison Forbes,  Senior Lecturer in Sport Sociology “My research is underpinned by a focus on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. My main research interests are exploring the experiences of women working in male-dominated spaces. I have recently published a co-authored chapter on the transition from women's amateur to semi-professional football. Previous work includes research on female football officials and sex segregation in football.” 

Dr Tina Smith 

Tina Smith’s main research area focuses on the biomechanics of health and exercise. Specifically, exploring biomechanical parameters related to functional movement and activities of daily living in differing populations, such as Parkinson’s disease. This work includes using biomechanically derived data, feedback and exercise interventions to improve musculoskeletal health and functional performance at everyday tasks. Other research areas of interest include the biomechanics of sport, particularly biomechanical analysis of athletes for monitoring and performance testing, and the application of biomechanics to the coaching environment.

Dr Ronnie Richards 

Ronnie Richards is a sociologist with a focus on intersectionality and EDI.

Dr Shaun Galloway 

Shaun Galloway’s research interests are varied and include sport psychology practice, training theory, sports coaching delivery, applied psychophysiological interventions for quinquagenarian and older, and applied multidisciplinary examination into physical activity and dementia.

Dr Paul Davies 

Paul Davies supports physiology and biomechanics projects.

Dr Helen Keane 

Helen Keane research challenges norms, centre marginalised voices, and seek to reimagine PE as a space for belonging, empowerment, and transformation. Her research explores inclusive, equitable, and student-centred approaches to physical education (PE). Her interests include the student voice in PE, barriers and opportunities for LGBTQIA+ inclusion in PE settings, with a focus on policy, pedagogy, and lived experience, interrogate structural inequalities and promote equitable access, participation, and outcomes in physical education in relation to gender, and the intersection of gender, embodiment, and wellbeing practices in PE. 

Placements

There are no formal placement requirements for the PhD Sport & Recreation. However, depending on your research focus and background, your PhD may link to professional organisations. These may be professional organisations you already have established links with, or one of the many professional partners of the University of Wolverhampton, Department of Sport.

For PhD students who want to broaden their skill set and experience, there are regular opportunities to assist staff and other students in their research projects, gain work experience in the laboratories, contribute to outreach activities and external events run at the University, and assist with undergraduate teaching.